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Click here to watch Fresh Beat Band on demand.
The Review
If you’re new to the parenting game like I am, the world of childrens programming can be a strange and frightening place. For the most part I think I’ve navigated that tricky sea fairly successfully, I have done my best to avoid shows like Barney and the Wiggles, although I confess that on a couple of nights when my son was up sick, I fell asleep while he was entertained by the likes of Captain Feathersword! Don’t worry I’ve already met with my priest and my penance is well underway.
Most of the shows he watches are mostly harmless and he is often attracted by the musical scores. This is why my first encounter with “The Fresh Beat Band” came like a kick to the ribs. I was filled with anxiety upon hearing their overly cheery, upbeat pop sound. Would my little guy be drawn to this? Surely not! I promptly pulled up the webpage on the “band.”
The web site describes the Fresh Beat Band as “…a live-action preschool musical sitcom set to original pop songs with preschool-friendly lyrics. Marina, Kiki, Twist, and Shout are the Fresh Beats–four best friends in a band who go to music school together and love to sing and dance.” Yes Twist and Shout are the names of characters. Each episode features some kind of silly problem for the friends to solve which requires teamwork and a musical solution. The group’s performances are spread throughout the half hour episodes.
Each character has a special skill which they contribute to the group. Kiki plays guitar and violin, Marina, the drums or trash can lids, and Shout, the Key board. By far the most useless member of the band is Twist. He is described as “a skilled rapper and beat boxer…” I was previously unaware that spitting into one’s hand constituted a skill. I guess you learn something new everyday. The site goes on to explain that the show helps to teach youngsters to express their emotions through music and dance. Now call me a Neanderthal if you wish, but the only emotions I want my son expressing through dance are those which accompany the scoring of six points, or successfully sliding into home plate!
The Kids
Unfortunately, a lot of kids will probably like the Fresh Beat Band just for the music. The foolish plots and in your face acting will drive parents up the wall.
The Verdict: Cringe-Worthy
The F.B.B. initially enjoyed an unsuccessful introduction as the “Jump Arounds,” but it seemed to meet with some controversy. It’s unclear to me what the problem was other then some parents found them over stimulating, a valid criticism. Other reviews expressed frustration with a lack of diversity, (an odd assertion since half the group is made up of minorities), and that the show featured too many attractive people on it. I doubt that a casting call for ugly people would have met with much success. Disliking the Fresh Beats for such politically correct reasons seems to me to be like disliking the clan because of their cheap costumes and lack of education. I agree this show is unwatchable. But it’s cringe worthy on the basis of the paper thin story lines, it’s painful over acting, and the atrocious pop culture sound. I doubt that one or two viewings will have long term consequences, but prolonged exposure may well threaten your sanity.
I caught my youngest daughter watching some of their songs on the internet and I promptly told her that the computer was broken and she needed to get off of it imeadieatly. Then I told her it would Never be fixed. Problem solved!
Ben, I was about to commend you for quick, proactive thinking. Then I realized that your youngest daughter is probably incapable of finding “Fresh Beat Band” videos online without the help of an adult. Do you care to explain this, sir?
My 3 year old twins love to watch this show because they don’t know any better. I think it’s absolutely horrible. The actors/singers are not the slightest bit talented and ridiculously corny. The show’s creators/producers should go to YouTube and take a long look at Kids Incorporated. The show wasn’t phenomenal, but it puts The Fresh Beat Band to shame!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the songs on The Fresh Beat Band are meant for children between the ages of 1 and 6 (roughly). However, if you introduce their young, influential minds to mediocracy in music, then they will continue to believe that this level of talent (or lack thereof) has quality. Distracting them for 23 minutes shouldn’t be the draw. If the show intends to teach them music / dance appreciation, then give them something of substance and quality to appreciate.
This is sad! Of all the childrens programming out there, I find this show to be one of the LEAST annoying. The Backyardagans, now they should be shot. But the Fresh Beats are a wonderfully executed idea. I have been a musician my entire life, and over half of my family is made up of professional musicians. needless to say, i think music is an important foundation in a child’s life, and this show encourages kids to get excited about music! The characters are silly, yes, but silly in a way that’s amusing to both kids AND adults, if you have any kind of sense of humor at all! I sit and watch this show with my son, and if he’s napping at the time, I sit and watch it all by myself. The songs are cheesy but well written compared to a lot of the other drivel out there, they’re catchy, their voices harmonize well, and they look like they have a fantastic time doing what they do, unlike a lot of other live action kids shows where you can tell the actors just go home and pour themselves a shot of whiskey and smoke a joint. Seriously…there are far worse shows for your children to be watching than one that makes them get up and dance, burn off some energy, and get excited about music. They teach about instruments, working together as a team, friendship, overcoming obstacles that may seem trivial to us as adults, but the tiniest thing can be an obstacle for a preschooler, and I have to admit that even I have learned some coping skills from watching this show! none of them actually PLAY their instruments, but they DO sing, and they all have fantastic voices. And lay off Twist…he may not have the most important part in the band as far as music goes, but he is by far the funniest one of them all. he’s the key to using your imagination to think outside the box! when your kids are laughing at the Fresh Beat Band, he’s probably the cause of it. He’s my favorite of them all, but honestly, i’m 26 years old, and I adore this show. You negative nancies should be ashamed of yourselves. if you’re going to raise children, you have to have your mind open from all perspectives, not just the one of the jaded adult who thinks everything is lame.
Shade, I’m glad you enjoy it. Our reviewew did not. Nothing personal. One man’s Up is another man’s Oobi, I always say..
The emotion shade invests in the the FBB is really amazing. Such a fountain passion. I can’t help but wonder what she has to say about those pesky issues of life like religion or politics.
Nick Jr tipped the scales to dislike of this show when they bombarded us with Jumparounds clips between every single show. But hey, my little guy is very musically inclined, so I figured I’d suck it up and try an episode. Anything that teaches and helps foster his talent, right?
Norah hit it square on the head – the only thing my son can learn from this show is mediocrity. Life is too short to listen to bad music.
(And here’s my petty gripe about the show – why do the guys get cool nicknames and the girls gets plain old names?)
My four year old girl watches this show and she loves it. It’s pretty cheesy and over-acted, but most kid shows these days are. I’ve kind of learned to accept that and bear with my kid. She’ll get over the Fresh Beats when she’s around five or six anyway. There’s really no such thing as calm or non-idiotic children’s show these days. The days of Little Bear and Gullah Gullah Island are long gone, even though those were my two favorite shows. Kids are going to like the Fresh Beats because the music is catchy and fun to dance to. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Looking online for a DVD of the fresh beat band but was out luck Please release a DVD.
People please, were is all this hatred coming from? its a children show. My son loves this show, the Drums amaze him and this show is a great introduction to instiments. Most children love singing and dancing and this show delivers.
So thanks to the Cast and Crew for creating something magical for my child.
I think they are pure record label REJECTS! I wish there was something that I could do to get these rejects off the air. Everytime they come on i turn the channel. There is no lesson to be learned from these corny adults. The tall white guy thinks he’s a rapper, the red head thinks she’s Fergie, the brunette thinks she is Mariah Carey,the black guy is confused about what he is etc.. They sing off key ! It’s painful!
“..tipped the scales to dislike of this show when they bombarded us with Jumparounds clips between every single show..”
Yeah
I always find it funny when parents actually enjoy watching little kids show and think the show was made for their kid. Thank God not every parent is like that. Im just a teenager, but from family to teachers, I hear annoying comments all the time about how much the show “taught” their kid. Thats great if the show actually teaches something but too often my little brother is watching nick jr. and nothing is really being taught. While the Fresh Beat Band has some creative aspects to it, I dont think its teaching much. Furthermore, I dont think it takes much for anybodys 3 year old to jump, move, and dance. So this is probably just another show to them.
For those readers who care about this sort of thing, and surprisingly you’re out there, it seems that one of the original members of the FBB are being replaced for season three. Actress Shayna Rose, who has played Marina for the first two seasons is leaving the show and will be replaced in the role by Tara Perry (no relation to another infamous celebrity with the same last name, at least not to my knowedge). As one might expect, there was much on-line speculation as to why Rose decided to opt out of the next go round. It ran form the mundane to the obscene. But according to the press releases I read, (yes sadly I did my homework for this blerb), Rose left to get married and pursue other gigs. Strangely Perry will be playing the same role. “Ahh, the kids will never notice the difference… right?” If only we could get “Twist” married off, of course, what are odds of him finding other work?
They are annoying as all get out!!
Their HERE WE GO song is as bad as Justin Bieber and Rebecca Black tied together!
And Kiki is annoying as all get out!!!!!!!
“STOPPPPPAAAAAAAAHHAHHHHAHHHHHHHAHHHHHHHHAHHHHHAAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!1″
when the show first premiered i thought to myself “it’ll wear off” because my son has never expressed his liking for music but now he’s begging me to dvr it everytime it’s on. whatever happened to good television, that actually made sense?
I didn’t know there were so many people that just absolutely hateful this show. It’s just a kiddie show. I just dance a long with my son to the songs.
I love the fresh beat band !!! I’m a 29 year old mother of a very happy 17 month old son who’s loves to sing and dance soooooo we would watch this all day if we could. Imagination movers the wiggled and lazy town are all great music and dance is a great way to let go of anything and just have fun !!!
i don’t like this show at all – and for one reason only – TWIST. omg is he ever annoying. jumping from one side of the room to the otherside, at the highest speed possible… bouncing from here to there – it gives me a headache just watching his lankey arms flailing for no reason at all with that dumbass smile on his face – completely overacting everything he does on camera. and he has no talents like the rest of them. the rest of them are alright, i wouldn’t mind watching this show if they cut it down to just the three in the band. i do like The Wiggles tho
).
@MOALA,I THINK THE BLACK GUY KNOWS WHO HE IS,BUT THE TWO THAT REALLY ANNOY ME IS THE DARK HAIR BIG HEADED GURL SHE TRYS TO OUT SING EVERYBODY,THAT GETS ON MY NERVES,AND THE TALL GUY JUST ERRKS ME ALL OVER,BUT THE OTHER TWO ARE O.K,BUT MY SONS LOVE IT,BUT ONE THING I FELT BAD ABOUT WAS MY OLDEST SON WHO IS 5YRS.OLD THOUGHT HE COULD’NT,OR SHOULD’NT LIKE IT CAUSE HIS PARENTS DID’NT,SO WHEN THE SHOW COMES ON,I HOLD MY PEACE,AND OPINION OF THE SHOW TO MYSELF NOW!!LOL!