An Official HAII Staff Review
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.