In the history of children’s entertainment, the list of generally incomprehensible shows is long and chilling. Names like the Banana Spilt Show, Romper Room, Pee Wee Herman, The Teletubbies, and now Yo Gabba Gabba, resound through the history of this new medium of television as frightening examples of what can happen when adults of questionable talent and maturity are set before a camera. For some time now I’ve been meaning to sit down and write an article about one of my son’s favorite shows. In terms of its story line it makes only moderately more sense than those mentioned above. However, it has a couple features most of the others lack, namely wit and talent. It also lacks some elements the others could stand to lighten up on. More on that later… The program I’m referring to is the “Upside Down Show”
Introduced in 2006, first to audiences in Australia and then the United States, the “Upside Down Show” features the popular actors / comedians Shane Dundas and David Collins. For some reason the show was dropped by Nickolodeon after only thirteen episodes. It now reruns late at night. The plots are admittedly very thin and generally feature the central characters wandering through their appearently magical home looking for the airport, the pet shop, the barber shop, etc. with puppets, and an assortment of friends in tow. To give the reader a cultural frame of reference I would probably compare the “Upside Down Show” to a cross between The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, (yes, just because of the magical rooms), Whose line is it Anyway, (the English version hosted by Clive Anderson), and Pee Wee’s Playhouse, (minus the creepy vibe and the talking furniture. I’m not real sure what that leaves us but…) Now based on everything I’ve said so far you’d probably assume that I hate “Upside.” But you’d be wrong. Here’s why: First off, the accents, as we’ve documented extensively on HAII Americans love accents, especially those which originate in the British Isles. I am not immune to this effect. Secondly, the physical comedy of Dundas and Collins is actually pretty funny and in fact requires real talent. But here’s the main reason I like the show. It has nothing to do with feelings or expressing one’s emotions, singing, dancing, going green, recycling or resolving conflicts using clearly feminine methods. This is all about boyish fun baby! Lots of laughing, stumbling around, making noise and using one’s imagination.
The Kids
Clearly boys will dig this show! I know mine does. Lacking a daughter, I can’t really speak to little girls. I suspect some will still enjoy it, but if they’re little princesses they may be bored by the lack of royal connections.
The Verdict
I should emphasize that while education may not central to the show’s purpose it does teach some language skills. My son’s vocabulary has actually grown due to the fact that Upside is often introducing words like “apprehensive” and “stupendous.” On more than one occasion I’ve asked him “where did you learn that word?” Again and again his reply is “Upside Down show!” Unfortunately, you’ll most likely have to set the DVR to watch as it comes on at ten pm central. I realize this may come as a surprise and even disappointment to some parents, (particularly the mothers of little girls), but I have to put the Upside Down Show in the new “Almost Pleasant” category. I probably wouldn’t watch it by myself, but at least it’s humorous and doesn’t encourage whining as a lifestyle.
According to admin
The Upside Down Show
(As Seen on Cable / Satellite TV)
Boys Being Boys
“Enticing, Exciting, Aroma so inviting that when it hits me I wanna take you home.” At first listen I assure you I thought I was listening to an english version of the spice girls, and surprisingly that was tolerable. But when I learned it was sung to a cheeseburger my tolernace had reached its limits. I’m not sure if this is a full blown show or just a three minute video that comes in english happy meals, but whatever the case I feel the need to limit the spread of sexual insinuating fast food songs before it goes any further (888,000 views on this Youtube video.)
Ouch.
(Ed’s Note: After some additional research, I have learned that this band bunch made it to #2 on the British pop charts in 2003. For this song. God save the queen (from migraines).
According to oobiLover23
Fast Food Rockers
(As Seen on Youtube)
next window please
The Replacements is a kid fantasy that has massive potential for “genie’s remorse.” It is the story of Todd and Riley Daring, two kids with an unlimited number of very specific wishes. They can call the CEO of the massively powerful Fleemco Corporation, who will “replace” anyone in their lives that they don’t like. How does he do it? Probably by sending his own highly illegal commando teams to kidnap the irritating character in question, and blackmailing someone else into taking the role. I don’t know. But it happens every episode: Todd hates his gym coach, so he calls Fleemco, and they take away the coach and replace him with someone who doesn’t yell. Riley hates her lame donkey pet, so she calls Fleemco, and they replace the pet with a super cool movie star horse.
How did Todd & Riley get so lucky? They once found an ad in a magazine and sent $1.98 to Fleemco. That’s it. This, to me, was far too generous a deal on Fleemco’s part, and they should never have offered it. Still, I confess that since my kids started watching the show, I always check in the back of my issues of Golf Digest and Teen People, just in case…
Anyway, here’s the hitch in the plot: every time Todd & Riley replace someone with someone “better,” the situation turns on its head. The new character is even worse in the opposite extreme. So the two kids switch them back, and order is restored to their world. It happens every episode. So I guess we’re learning about contentment? I think that’s supposed to be the message…
The Replacements is one of those really fast moving shows that is funny sometimes but loud all the time. The secret agent mom is harmless, but the dad, “Dick Daring,” is especially headachy. He is an Evil Kenevil gone worse character, and he’s the show’s official dork. I won’t dive into my tirade about TV dads always being morons, and how the last good dad on TV was Heathcliff Huxtable, or maybe Hank Hill. Instead, I will just say that Dick Daring is dumber than a bag of Jar Jar Binxes, although only half as annoying.
If I had the Fleemco CEO on speed dial, I would definitely take advantage. The first thing I would do is replace “Dick Daring” on “The Replacements” with Archie Bunker. Because these kids need some discipline. And then I’d replace the whole show with classic Looney Tunes. Because Saturday morning as lost its compas, and only Pepe La Pew can help it find its soul. Then I would replace “How Annoying Is It” with a real website, like Hannah Montana Rocks. And then all would be right with the world.
The Kids
My daughters, 7 and 9, watch it every Saturday morning. But it is a stepping stone kind of show. It is not as funny as “The Emperor’s New School” before it, nor as, uh, relaxing (?) as Babar. They laugh sometimes, but they could certainly live without it if Horseland came on at the same time. Emily, my nine year old told me flatly, “I’d give it a seven.”
The Verdict: Mostly Harmless
The show is not without merit. There are some funny sight gags, and amusing phrasing–just enough to keep it out of Headachy territory, even though the tone of the show is fairly loud. Overall, the show is decent but forgettable, for kids and grown ups. I doubt there are many who despise it, and I would be surprised if there are any Replacements Fan Clubs out there that don’t have Keanu Reeves on the flyers.
According to admin
Disney’s The Replacements
As Seen on Network TV
Kids + Corporations = Problems
