Mr. Rogers was big for millennials too. For some reason these didn't come to mind, but they're definitely takers for "America's children's show" for their ubiquity.
Mr. Rogers was big for millennials too. For some reason these didn't come to mind, but they're definitely takers for "America's children's show" for their ubiquity.
I know they made a spin-off of Mister Roger's Neighborhood in recent years about Daniel the Tiger. I never saw his show myself for some reason, but we really need more people like him. There are...
I know they made a spin-off of Mister Roger's Neighborhood in recent years about Daniel the Tiger. I never saw his show myself for some reason, but we really need more people like him. There are so few people who are so genuinely good.
In Australia, Playschool has been going for over 50 years and has a display at the National Museum. The Wiggles were a universal phenomenon however they've slowed a bit with the new lineup. And...
In Australia, Playschool has been going for over 50 years and has a display at the National Museum. The Wiggles were a universal phenomenon however they've slowed a bit with the new lineup. And Bluey...need I say more?
UK person here - Bluey is the best show on TV (I'm 44) and I'll verbally fight anyone who says otherwise (I jest). Seriously though, more people could learn to be like Bandit and Chilli with their...
UK person here - Bluey is the best show on TV (I'm 44) and I'll verbally fight anyone who says otherwise (I jest).
Seriously though, more people could learn to be like Bandit and Chilli with their kids. If you play with them, bring in imagination, world experience and give them bump-ups emotionally when they most need it, your kids will be awesome in adulthood most of the time.
That is true, but it is a very strong representation of modern Australian culture so it still counts to me. Kinda in a reverse way, rather than becoming a part of our culture like Play School or...
That is true, but it is a very strong representation of modern Australian culture so it still counts to me. Kinda in a reverse way, rather than becoming a part of our culture like Play School or The Wiggles have it does such a good job of showing off some of the more unique sides of our culture that it's just as culturally relevant.
a certain vintage of aussie remembers Inspector Rex! All episodes are on youtube and theres also a new canadian series. It was an Austrian detective show featuring a clever dog which was fairly...
a certain vintage of aussie remembers Inspector Rex! All episodes are on youtube and theres also a new canadian series. It was an Austrian detective show featuring a clever dog which was fairly popular.
the episode wheres someones stolen beethovens skull is of particular note. Rex was right onto it like Columbo
In the UK there are many historically, although I think their relevance has diminished enough that many younger people don't know or don't care about them: Postman Pat Fireman Sam Blue Peter Art...
In the UK there are many historically, although I think their relevance has diminished enough that many younger people don't know or don't care about them:
Postman Pat
Fireman Sam
Blue Peter
Art Attack
The one that seems to have stood the test of time quite well though is Paddington Bear
It's a shame that most of these have become CGI monstrosities. The fact they were animated models is what gave them their charm. And, to contribute, Thomas the Tank Engine was alongside Postman...
It's a shame that most of these have become CGI monstrosities.
The fact they were animated models is what gave them their charm.
And, to contribute, Thomas the Tank Engine was alongside Postman Pat in my collection when I was a kid.
Postman Pat definitely had some currency in the US as well, it started airing on US tv stations in the 2000s. So it may actually be more relevant to the younger people there, funny enough!
Postman Pat definitely had some currency in the US as well, it started airing on US tv stations in the 2000s. So it may actually be more relevant to the younger people there, funny enough!
My one-year old daughter loves the newer seasons of Fireman Sam. I'm not a huge fan of the cheap looking CGI compared to the original stop motion (although the later seasons seem to have an...
My one-year old daughter loves the newer seasons of Fireman Sam. I'm not a huge fan of the cheap looking CGI compared to the original stop motion (although the later seasons seem to have an increased budget and look a little slicker) but I find it interesting since I remember watching it myself as a child back in the early 90's.
At least from my childhood in the 80s/90s in Canada I would say The Big Comfy Couch or Sharon Lois and Bram's The Elephant Show (I feel like any millennial in Canada would know the I Love You song...
At least from my childhood in the 80s/90s in Canada I would say The Big Comfy Couch or Sharon Lois and Bram's The Elephant Show (I feel like any millennial in Canada would know the I Love You song from that show)
Canada punches way above its weight class in children's shows. From Adventures of Tintin and Babar, to Reboot and X-Men the Animated Series, a ton of internationally recognized series were...
Canada punches way above its weight class in children's shows. From Adventures of Tintin and Babar, to Reboot and X-Men the Animated Series, a ton of internationally recognized series were produced in Canada. From the 1960's Spiderman show, to PAW Patrol in current day.
We had so much American stuff mixed in that I'm not sure we always knew what was actually Canadian. Reboot definitely gets my vote. I did a rewatch a few years back and it holds up to adult...
We had so much American stuff mixed in that I'm not sure we always knew what was actually Canadian. Reboot definitely gets my vote. I did a rewatch a few years back and it holds up to adult surprisingly well. The first season is pretty rough, but plot wise it did a ton of things that I'm amazed they managed to get away with.
It wasn't my favorite show or anything, but I've literally never met another person who remembers watching C.L.Y.D.E.
Do you remember when there was the bad couple who was trying to capture and clone / breed the super canine? I was young, but this always stood out to me as the first time I thought a show went to...
Do you remember when there was the bad couple who was trying to capture and clone / breed the super canine? I was young, but this always stood out to me as the first time I thought a show went to shit.
There's also "You Can't Do That On Television", which had the funniest joke I've ever seen in a kid's show: Dougie: "Mom, sometimes I think you love the dog more than you love me." Mom: "Oh don't...
There's also "You Can't Do That On Television", which had the funniest joke I've ever seen in a kid's show:
Dougie: "Mom, sometimes I think you love the dog more than you love me."
Mom: "Oh don't be silly, Dougie! I don't love you at all!"
From the previous generation in Canada, Mr. Dressup and The friendly Giant And, a bit more niche (and a slightly older kid) the Hilarious House of Frightenstein
From the previous generation in Canada, Mr. Dressup and The friendly Giant
And, a bit more niche (and a slightly older kid) the Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Huge Mr. Dressup fan as a kid. He and Fred Rogers worked together before parting ways and each focusing on different regions. I feel like he's one of the ones that fits this thread best since he's...
Huge Mr. Dressup fan as a kid. He and Fred Rogers worked together before parting ways and each focusing on different regions. I feel like he's one of the ones that fits this thread best since he's probably not well known outside of the country, yet Canadians over 35 probably remember him.
Lamb Chop's Play-Along was Canadian. So was Raffi and Yo Gabba Gabba. Some people I knew growing up in BC were involved in Fraggle Rock.
I'm not a young man, but I'll confess to having squealed like a little girl when my son gave me a Frightenstein T-Shirt for Christmas. It's a basic black T, with the psychedelic-feedback...
I'm not a young man, but I'll confess to having squealed like a little girl when my son gave me a Frightenstein T-Shirt for Christmas. It's a basic black T, with the psychedelic-feedback silhouette of the Wolfman dancing with his bat-shaped guitar.
I don't think it was ever created for kids or a show at all. It ran at night instead of the test screen or black screen when there were no shows to watch. All Bernd did was to tell you to shut off...
I don't think it was ever created for kids or a show at all. It ran at night instead of the test screen or black screen when there were no shows to watch. All Bernd did was to tell you to shut off the TV because there's nothing to see anymore and complaim about your stupidity that you're still watching.
It became a cult classic because drunken or high teenagers had it running at parties at night.
It most definitely is a kids TV show, there is/was just not much comparable in Germany at the time. It’s one of those shows that takes kids serious, meets them as equals and offers a more real humor.
It most definitely is a kids TV show, there is/was just not much comparable in Germany at the time. It’s one of those shows that takes kids serious, meets them as equals and offers a more real humor.
I heard about Bernd das Brot via the Golden Ratio podcast (one of the hosts is German) and watched it on repeat. I love it SO MUCH. It is so weird and unexpected and it's just my kind of humour. I...
I heard about Bernd das Brot via the Golden Ratio podcast (one of the hosts is German) and watched it on repeat. I love it SO MUCH. It is so weird and unexpected and it's just my kind of humour. I think Germany needs to spread Brend a bit more because he is a treasure.
For sure! I saw this post, and my first thought was Die Sendung mit der Maus That plus Kopfball and Quarks und Co made Up a large part of my childhood tv consumption :D
For sure! I saw this post, and my first thought was Die Sendung mit der Maus
That plus Kopfball and Quarks und Co made Up a large part of my childhood tv consumption :D
Probably Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum in Brazil. Not so much with the younger generation now because of the internet, but for those who were kids in the 90s and 00s I never found a single one who didn't...
Not so much with the younger generation now because of the internet, but for those who were kids in the 90s and 00s I never found a single one who didn't love it.
I think it was the most expensive tv show made in Brazil. The cast was incredible, the castle, the figurines, music, everything. And it was extremely clever. Every episode teached you plenty of things. Science, folklore, history and even hygiene [1], [2]. God I loved it so much.
There are frequently reunions with the cast now that they are older.
I know it sounds "get off my lawn", but there is not a single kids show these days that comes close. It defined a generation.
You're absolutely right! I would also say that "Chaves" and "Everybody Hates Chris," even though not native productions, have certainly influenced much of our culture and would be considered...
You're absolutely right! I would also say that "Chaves" and "Everybody Hates Chris," even though not native productions, have certainly influenced much of our culture and would be considered landmark shows for many of us (especially "Chaves"; perhaps "Everybody Hates Chris" is more relevant to my generation or region.)
It actually stared as the bridge between shows, before getting its own shows, but The Den was this for Irish people, especially those who were kids or had kids between the 80s and the mid-00s. A...
It actually stared as the bridge between shows, before getting its own shows, but The Den was this for Irish people, especially those who were kids or had kids between the 80s and the mid-00s. A lot of the characters from it ended up re-used, like Dustin is a common figure in sketches in other programming (including a Eurovision entry), Podge and Rodge have been in adult comedy series
Astrid Lindgrens (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrid_Lindgren) stories. All of them. Every swedish child knows Pippi Långstrump. There's even an anime of Ronja Rövardotter...
I just need to give you a huge thank you. I read Ronja as a child and adored it. As an adult I remembered there was this book, and what happened, but couldn't remember title nor author. I thought...
I just need to give you a huge thank you.
I read Ronja as a child and adored it. As an adult I remembered there was this book, and what happened, but couldn't remember title nor author. I thought it would be lost in my memory forever.
I am 99% sure the book I love so much was a ronja book, so now I can finally buy it!
Edit: looked up the cover. It's the one I remember, I recognised the cover immediately!
Happy my comment helped you. But yeah, I love Ronja too. Such a good character and story. Lindgren wrote a ton of good stories, I recommend them all! There are also movies, of Ronja as well. If...
Happy my comment helped you. But yeah, I love Ronja too. Such a good character and story. Lindgren wrote a ton of good stories, I recommend them all! There are also movies, of Ronja as well. If you can find it, I highly recommend it. Otherwise my other favorites are "Emil of Lönneberga" (Emil i Lönneberga) and "The Brothers Lionheart" (Bröderna Lejonhjärta). "The Borthers Lionheart" is kinda heavy though, just a warning.
Are the brothers lion heart the ones where both brothers died and they battle heroic adventures in the afterlife? I remember a lot of those books, I just had only linked 'pippi' to Astrid...
Are the brothers lion heart the ones where both brothers died and they battle heroic adventures in the afterlife?
I remember a lot of those books, I just had only linked 'pippi' to Astrid Lindgren. I am Dutch so her works with in the library, but she wasn't as much of a national treasure. My parents loved her works though, especially my mum, so she got me into them. My brother is called 'Emil' in that spelling, which is super unusual in the Netherlands. But she wanted that spelling because he was named after the Emil in the books!
The anime or the original stories? When I was small, Moomin merch was everywhere. I remember only watching a couple episodes but didn't tune in for more and I don't know why: I'm a TV junkie and...
The anime or the original stories?
When I was small, Moomin merch was everywhere. I remember only watching a couple episodes but didn't tune in for more and I don't know why: I'm a TV junkie and would watching ANYTHING. When I grew up I hunted down the anime, sat down and watched a few episodes and stopped. It's creepy and unsettling. That must be why I didn't like it as a child either.
The 1986 live action TV adaption of Journey to the West (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West_(1986_TV_series)) is still re-run at least as of 2010 in China, despite being quite dated...
The 1986 live action TV adaption of Journey to the West (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West_(1986_TV_series)) is still re-run at least as of 2010 in China, despite being quite dated in many ways. Not sure if it's still culturally relevant among the youth now, though.
Reksio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reksio It's cute, smart, kind, and takes no real risks, so this status is never challenged, so there's no wiggle room to create any controversy. Although his...
It's cute, smart, kind, and takes no real risks, so this status is never challenged, so there's no wiggle room to create any controversy. Although his cultural impact is the greatest in the city of his creator.
I'd say Dragon Ball on RTL7 or anime on Polonia 1 (Sailor Moon, Tsubasa etc.) had more impact on Polish culture than infantile Reksio. Polish cartoons from these times including "Bolek i Lolek"...
I'd say Dragon Ball on RTL7 or anime on Polonia 1 (Sailor Moon, Tsubasa etc.) had more impact on Polish culture than infantile Reksio. Polish cartoons from these times including "Bolek i Lolek" and others were all mediocre at best and literally no one cares about them now. I would burn for this "heresy" in Polish boomer's bubble but I think I am safe here :D. Hell, even Czech "Krecik" or "Sąsiedzi" (Pat & Mat) have more cultural impact in Poland than Reksio.
I considered "Krecik" and "Sąsiedzi", but they're not Polish, which I understood to be a criterion of validity. Sailor Moon and (IMO inexplicably) Tsubasa were also impactful on Millennials, but...
I considered "Krecik" and "Sąsiedzi", but they're not Polish, which I understood to be a criterion of validity.
Sailor Moon and (IMO inexplicably) Tsubasa were also impactful on Millennials, but again, not Polish. I don't think SM is a part of Polish culture.
There's really few Polish children's TV shows that did anything at all. "Bolek i Lolek" I personally hated, so it's definitely not universally anything. "Kulfon i Monika" is widely recognized by boomers, too, but it didn't even have a plot, I don't think. "Akademia Pana Kleksa" was basically Harry Potter. Famous, big, but including an assortment of creepy problems (only boys? Whose names start with A? What the hell), so that makes a dent in "universally loved". "Koziołek Matołek"? "Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki"? "Pomysłowy Dobromir"? I don't know if these are even remembered.
Reksio et al definitely had an impact on culture, but that was probably solely due to them being the only decent form of animation available in Poland at the time. Just because they are viewed as...
Reksio et al definitely had an impact on culture, but that was probably solely due to them being the only decent form of animation available in Poland at the time. Just because they are viewed as mediocre now doesn't mean they weren't part of the culture. DBZ and other anime are definitely more popular, but they're also newer media, so it's difficult to really gauge the impact.
A lot of the US ones got memtioned already, but I'll add Spongebob to that, you'll be hard pressed to find someone youngish who wouldn't get a spongebob reference.
A lot of the US ones got memtioned already, but I'll add Spongebob to that, you'll be hard pressed to find someone youngish who wouldn't get a spongebob reference.
It would've started 2001 at the latest. I remember because we had a computer teacher that year who would sing the theme song. It's still ongoing (though quality is no where near the early...
It would've started 2001 at the latest. I remember because we had a computer teacher that year who would sing the theme song.
It's still ongoing (though quality is no where near the early seasons), and also has spin-offs now. Some alternate universe kiddie camp one, and I think there's now a Patrick-focused one? At this point I don't think they'll ever let it die.
In the Czech republic we have (at least): Krteček - Little Mole (fully hand drawn, I guess) Pat a Mat - two clumsy guys doing mainly home repairs or DIY (stop motion, I guess) Hurvínek - one...
In the Netherlands, 2 shows come to mind: Jeugdjournaal: this is a news program for children. This is a counterpart to "Het Journaal", which is a daily news program for adults broadcasted by the...
In the Netherlands, 2 shows come to mind:
Jeugdjournaal: this is a news program for children. This is a counterpart to "Het Journaal", which is a daily news program for adults broadcasted by the public Dutch Broadcasting Foundation (which is a public service broadcaster). "Jeugdjournaal" stands out because it manages to make kids aware of what is going on both in our own country and in the world, and does so with a lot of journalistic integrity while trying not to polarize or distress kids.
Het Klokhuis: this is a short documentary program for kids, broadcasted everyday in which it tackles a new subject in each episode. The more serious parts are interspersed with sketches - often comedic - to make the topic a bit more lighthearted. I learned so much from Het Klokhuis when I was a kid and it's so successful that it has managed to remain on air since it's first episode in 1988
The above 2 programs were broadcasts right after each other, and has been a part of kids evening schedules all across the country for years.
Het klokhuis! I totally remember that. I would also add Ik Mik Lorelai. I remember having nightmares about it, and growing up I meet MANY people who were really scared of Karbonkel as kids. It may...
Het klokhuis! I totally remember that.
I would also add Ik Mik Lorelai. I remember having nightmares about it, and growing up I meet MANY people who were really scared of Karbonkel as kids. It may be a generational thing tho, I think after a while it stopped airing.
A little bit dated but for you 80s European kids: Once upon a time... Man is basically a funny retelling of human history which we used to watch non stop. They also have Once upon a time... Life...
A little bit dated but for you 80s European kids:
Once upon a time... Man is basically a funny retelling of human history which we used to watch non stop. They also have Once upon a time... Life which is about the human body
The wonderful adventures of Nils based on Selma Lagerlof's book tells the story of a young boy who was enchanted by a leprechaun to be small and able to talk to animals and his travels to Lapland with a flock of wild geese
Albert Barillé was quite productive and loved. There's also : Il était une fois... l'espace: Space ! The only (science-)fictional entry in the series Il était une fois... l'Amérique: Americas'...
Once upon a time... Man is basically a funny retelling of human history which we used to watch non stop. They also have Once upon a time... Life which is about the human body
Albert Barillé was quite productive and loved. There's also :
Il était une fois... l'espace: Space ! The only (science-)fictional entry in the series
Il était une fois... l'Amérique: Americas' history, until early 20th century
Il était une fois... les Découvreurs: scientists and inventors (like Archimedes, Da Vinci, Newton, Pasteur, Ford)
Il était une fois... les Explorateurs: explorers (Vasco de Gama, Bering, Cook, Amundsen and the like)
Once upon a time... Life was called "Es war einmal: das Leben" in Germany and I loved it (Spoiler: I am an 80s kid)! It's is not as big of a part of our culture as the Mouse is, though.
Once upon a time... Life was called "Es war einmal: das Leben" in Germany and I loved it (Spoiler: I am an 80s kid)! It's is not as big of a part of our culture as the Mouse is, though.
When I saw this post, this show's theme instantly started playing in my head. Chespirito is the king of children's shows in latam. Here it is, for anyone looking for some nostalgia:...
When I saw this post, this show's theme instantly started playing in my head. Chespirito is the king of children's shows in latam.
Here it is, for anyone looking for some nostalgia:
Future Boy Conan in Jordan, it is a lesser-known TV show globally. However, in Jordan, the dubbed Arabic version, "Adnan W Lina," has become part of the culture.
Future Boy Conan in Jordan, it is a lesser-known TV show globally. However, in Jordan, the dubbed Arabic version, "Adnan W Lina," has become part of the culture.
I can comment that in Chile the most influential children show is by far 31 minutos. A satire about news channels and Chilean society doesn't seem to be the safest choice, but that is why is so...
I can comment that in Chile the most influential children show is by far 31 minutos.
A satire about news channels and Chilean society doesn't seem to be the safest choice, but that is why is so fondly remembered, because it didn't shy from writing only safe things. Like one of the most famous characters is a drunk and ludopate red rabbit that makes environmental dispatch ("nota verde") for the news channel.
Knowing the backstory of the production, it isn't surprising. It came from a production company that did series with heavy black humor and has the record of having one of the shows with more complaints from viewers due to "lack of respect". The mere fact that 31 minutos received public funding and was shown in the Chilean national channel in retrospective is incredible.
And it has found success in not only Chile but in Perú and Mexico as well. Despite not releasing new episodes, it is still being referenced.
In Hungary, the most well-known local kids shows are probably the traditional folk tales (with a really cool art style imo) and Mézga family. My personal favorite is a spin-off of the latter about...
In Hungary, the most well-known local kids shows are probably the traditional folk tales (with a really cool art style imo) and Mézga family.
My personal favorite is a spin-off of the latter about the boy in the family, who sneaks out at night to go on adventures on other planets with an inflatable rocket. There are some pretty good episodes on there even though it had less than a dozen, one in particular is highly similar to to a Futurama episode (I read that it was the influence for it, but can't find a source for that). There, Aladár visits a planet that exists entirely in 2D whose inhabitants he learns to interact with through a flashlight. In another, he visits a world controlled by two parties who destroyed their world through war, and in one they accidentally travel back in time to visit Earth 100k or so years ago and try to avoid the Butterfly Effect (sounds similar to Star Trek, doesn't it).
It was a major factor in me getting into science fiction as a kid.
In Flanders (Belgium) Samson & Gert would be the best example of this. They started as a television show, but they quickly also made music (all millenials & gen X-ers know the words to their songs...
In Flanders (Belgium) Samson & Gert would be the best example of this.
They started as a television show, but they quickly also made music (all millenials & gen X-ers know the words to their songs from the early 90s), comics, a movie or two, christmas shows, ... And so many catchphrases.
It eventually led to the creation of Studio 100, and now they own a few animation studios, theme parks, television channels, ... They're practically everywhere.
And all because some guy wanted to make a little television show with a dog puppet.
For Belgium as a whole, I think Suske en Wiske/Bob et Bobette and the Smurfs also counts. Many comic books turned series, actually. The adventures of Tintin and Robbedoes en Kwabbernoot too....
For Belgium as a whole, I think Suske en Wiske/Bob et Bobette and the Smurfs also counts. Many comic books turned series, actually. The adventures of Tintin and Robbedoes en Kwabbernoot too.
Samson & Gert is a very good example for Flanders though.
I first thought of Kulderzipken as an example of a beloved Flemish series, but the cultural impact probably wasn't really huge. Still pretty popular in the 90's. Oh, and W817 and Postbus X!
Aotearoa - it's probably What Now but for my generation it was also After School with Olly Ohlsen, giving the slogan "keep cool til after school" in sign language. He was the first Maori...
Aotearoa - it's probably What Now but for my generation it was also After School with Olly Ohlsen, giving the slogan "keep cool til after school" in sign language. He was the first Maori childrens' TV presenter and it was just so validating for our generation to have someone so inclusive.
Specific presenters are beloved, especially Suzy Cato, who had You And Me.
We Have a couple in Denmark: Bamses Billedbog Is probably the most iconic Danish kids' show. it was produced from 1983 until 2008 and is now being shown as reruns. It revolves around a human sized...
We Have a couple in Denmark:
Bamses Billedbog
Is probably the most iconic Danish kids' show. it was produced from 1983 until 2008 and is now being shown as reruns. It revolves around a human sized teddy bear (bamse, played by a a guy in a suit) who has the personality of a young child, and his friends ( a human sized chicken - called "Kylling"; a human sized duckling - called "Ælling" and a couple of humans Aske and Luna) who all live in a secret Forrest somewhere. Every episode is a mix between a story about Bamse and his friends and short cartoons that have little or nothing to do with the main story.
The show also spawned an advent calendar show, which is itself considered a kids' classic in Denmark.
Several of the actors who have donned the "Bamse"-suit has gone on to be very successful actors in their own right in tv, movies and stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-CckVmp60
Kaj og Andrea
Another classic show. Originally produced from 1971 to 1975, This show revolves around the two hand puppet characters Kaj (a frog with the personality of a stereotypical boy: rude, temperamental and selfish but also adventurous and (somewhat) brave) and Andrea ( A parrot with the personality of a stereotypical girl: she likes shiny things, princesses and is quite obsessed with birdseeds (like most girls are 😉)
Th show had a plethora of memorable songs, written and performed with Danish children's music legend Povl Kjøller, who appeared in the show as Kaj an Andrea's friend "Povl". These songs are still enjoyed and sung by children today. Curiously, there is a popular cake named after the character Kaj.
The show was revived in 99 but has not made the same waves as the original run (yet) the reboot lasted nine seasons with the last episode being shown in 2007.
The main writer of both Bamses Billedbog an Kaj og Andrea was Katrine Hauch-Fausbøll. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM4mBiW0at8
Anna og Lotte/Fredagsbio
Another show with hand puppets, this time the characters were two girls(I'm not sure if it's implied or mentioned if they're sisters. They might be), Anna and Lotte, who live and play together and often have an adult caretaker show up if they need help or become too rowdy or make a mess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y02KCFWfLpk
Edit: added missing words and some extra info.
Edit2: to add video links
Edit3: to clarify that Kaj also has redeeming qualities.
Mr. Rogers was big for millennials too. For some reason these didn't come to mind, but they're definitely takers for "America's children's show" for their ubiquity.
To be fair, Mr. Rogers is still a big deal in his hometown, Pittsburgh.
I know they made a spin-off of Mister Roger's Neighborhood in recent years about Daniel the Tiger. I never saw his show myself for some reason, but we really need more people like him. There are so few people who are so genuinely good.
In Australia, Playschool has been going for over 50 years and has a display at the National Museum. The Wiggles were a universal phenomenon however they've slowed a bit with the new lineup. And Bluey...need I say more?
Bluey is a parent's favourite here as well. It has not dissipated into our general culture, though.
UK person here - Bluey is the best show on TV (I'm 44) and I'll verbally fight anyone who says otherwise (I jest).
Seriously though, more people could learn to be like Bandit and Chilli with their kids. If you play with them, bring in imagination, world experience and give them bump-ups emotionally when they most need it, your kids will be awesome in adulthood most of the time.
That is true, but it is a very strong representation of modern Australian culture so it still counts to me. Kinda in a reverse way, rather than becoming a part of our culture like Play School or The Wiggles have it does such a good job of showing off some of the more unique sides of our culture that it's just as culturally relevant.
Bluey is on non stop at our house. My kids are starting to develop Australian accents though so I might be overdoing it.
Ha! I'd completely forgotten the Peppa Pig accent phase my kid went through.
a certain vintage of aussie remembers Inspector Rex! All episodes are on youtube and theres also a new canadian series. It was an Austrian detective show featuring a clever dog which was fairly popular.
the episode wheres someones stolen beethovens skull is of particular note. Rex was right onto it like Columbo
I remember Inspector Rex. I am a vintage, like cheese and wine.
Yes but it stopped running in the early 80s.
Highly active in YouTube currently, though! Theit skits have hit the perfect formula for YouTube.
In the UK there are many historically, although I think their relevance has diminished enough that many younger people don't know or don't care about them:
The one that seems to have stood the test of time quite well though is Paddington Bear
Edit: How could I forget? Wallace and Gromit!
It's a shame that most of these have become CGI monstrosities.
The fact they were animated models is what gave them their charm.
And, to contribute, Thomas the Tank Engine was alongside Postman Pat in my collection when I was a kid.
Postman Pat definitely had some currency in the US as well, it started airing on US tv stations in the 2000s. So it may actually be more relevant to the younger people there, funny enough!
C'mon man you gonna leave Mr Benn hanging?
My one-year old daughter loves the newer seasons of Fireman Sam. I'm not a huge fan of the cheap looking CGI compared to the original stop motion (although the later seasons seem to have an increased budget and look a little slicker) but I find it interesting since I remember watching it myself as a child back in the early 90's.
At least from my childhood in the 80s/90s in Canada I would say The Big Comfy Couch or Sharon Lois and Bram's The Elephant Show (I feel like any millennial in Canada would know the I Love You song from that show)
Canada punches way above its weight class in children's shows. From Adventures of Tintin and Babar, to Reboot and X-Men the Animated Series, a ton of internationally recognized series were produced in Canada. From the 1960's Spiderman show, to PAW Patrol in current day.
We had so much American stuff mixed in that I'm not sure we always knew what was actually Canadian. Reboot definitely gets my vote. I did a rewatch a few years back and it holds up to adult surprisingly well. The first season is pretty rough, but plot wise it did a ton of things that I'm amazed they managed to get away with.
It wasn't my favorite show or anything, but I've literally never met another person who remembers watching C.L.Y.D.E.
Don’t forget Littlest Hobo
Do you remember when there was the bad couple who was trying to capture and clone / breed the super canine? I was young, but this always stood out to me as the first time I thought a show went to shit.
There's also "You Can't Do That On Television", which had the funniest joke I've ever seen in a kid's show:
Dougie: "Mom, sometimes I think you love the dog more than you love me."
Mom: "Oh don't be silly, Dougie! I don't love you at all!"
From the previous generation in Canada, Mr. Dressup and The friendly Giant
And, a bit more niche (and a slightly older kid) the Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Huge Mr. Dressup fan as a kid. He and Fred Rogers worked together before parting ways and each focusing on different regions. I feel like he's one of the ones that fits this thread best since he's probably not well known outside of the country, yet Canadians over 35 probably remember him.
Lamb Chop's Play-Along was Canadian. So was Raffi and Yo Gabba Gabba. Some people I knew growing up in BC were involved in Fraggle Rock.
I'm not a young man, but I'll confess to having squealed like a little girl when my son gave me a Frightenstein T-Shirt for Christmas. It's a basic black T, with the psychedelic-feedback silhouette of the Wolfman dancing with his bat-shaped guitar.
Also The Raccoons
Don't forget fucking Caillou.
That show is a far cry from a universally loved show.
I’d argue it’s universally hated, at least for anyone over six years old.
Lol, yeah. Was too tired to read the universally loved part.
Caillou is like. The opposite of whatever this is lol. Definitely everyone knows about it but everyone also absolutely hates it.
He has a talent to bring out the worst in you.
Caillou is a show that teaches parents how NOT to raise their child.
In Germany, Die Sendung mit der Maus definitely qualifies.
I don't think it was ever created for kids or a show at all. It ran at night instead of the test screen or black screen when there were no shows to watch. All Bernd did was to tell you to shut off the TV because there's nothing to see anymore and complaim about your stupidity that you're still watching.
It became a cult classic because drunken or high teenagers had it running at parties at night.
It most definitely is a kids TV show, there is/was just not much comparable in Germany at the time. It’s one of those shows that takes kids serious, meets them as equals and offers a more real humor.
No, it was designed as a mascot and then used for advertisement for Kika. 2 years after creation they put it up at night and the rest is history
themoreyouknow.gif
I really do need to take the time to fact check myself in those gefährliches Halbwissen topics.
Hahaha yes. I love that he's used as the not airing signal for the channel!
And to give those 90s kids a flashback. The creator Tommy Krapweiss was a member of the RTL Samstagnacht TV show. Which, in hindsight, explains a lot.
I heard about Bernd das Brot via the Golden Ratio podcast (one of the hosts is German) and watched it on repeat. I love it SO MUCH. It is so weird and unexpected and it's just my kind of humour. I think Germany needs to spread Brend a bit more because he is a treasure.
Mist.
For sure! I saw this post, and my first thought was Die Sendung mit der Maus
That plus Kopfball and Quarks und Co made Up a large part of my childhood tv consumption :D
Sandmännchen too, it's still running after 64 years, both BRD and DDR had their own version.
Probably Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum in Brazil.
Not so much with the younger generation now because of the internet, but for those who were kids in the 90s and 00s I never found a single one who didn't love it.
I think it was the most expensive tv show made in Brazil. The cast was incredible, the castle, the figurines, music, everything. And it was extremely clever. Every episode teached you plenty of things. Science, folklore, history and even hygiene [1], [2]. God I loved it so much.
There are frequently reunions with the cast now that they are older.
I know it sounds "get off my lawn", but there is not a single kids show these days that comes close. It defined a generation.
You're absolutely right! I would also say that "Chaves" and "Everybody Hates Chris," even though not native productions, have certainly influenced much of our culture and would be considered landmark shows for many of us (especially "Chaves"; perhaps "Everybody Hates Chris" is more relevant to my generation or region.)
I came here to say Chaves! And maybe for a smaller segment of the population, Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco…
It actually stared as the bridge between shows, before getting its own shows, but The Den was this for Irish people, especially those who were kids or had kids between the 80s and the mid-00s. A lot of the characters from it ended up re-used, like Dustin is a common figure in sketches in other programming (including a Eurovision entry), Podge and Rodge have been in adult comedy series
Ireland douze points!
Astrid Lindgrens (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrid_Lindgren) stories. All of them. Every swedish child knows Pippi Långstrump. There's even an anime of Ronja Rövardotter (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronja,_the_Robber%27s_Daughter_(TV_series). Lindgrens impact in swedish culture is immense.
She is still really popular and well regarded in Germany as well.
I just need to give you a huge thank you.
I read Ronja as a child and adored it. As an adult I remembered there was this book, and what happened, but couldn't remember title nor author. I thought it would be lost in my memory forever.
I am 99% sure the book I love so much was a ronja book, so now I can finally buy it!
Edit: looked up the cover. It's the one I remember, I recognised the cover immediately!
Happy my comment helped you. But yeah, I love Ronja too. Such a good character and story. Lindgren wrote a ton of good stories, I recommend them all! There are also movies, of Ronja as well. If you can find it, I highly recommend it. Otherwise my other favorites are "Emil of Lönneberga" (Emil i Lönneberga) and "The Brothers Lionheart" (Bröderna Lejonhjärta). "The Borthers Lionheart" is kinda heavy though, just a warning.
Are the brothers lion heart the ones where both brothers died and they battle heroic adventures in the afterlife?
I remember a lot of those books, I just had only linked 'pippi' to Astrid Lindgren. I am Dutch so her works with in the library, but she wasn't as much of a national treasure. My parents loved her works though, especially my mum, so she got me into them. My brother is called 'Emil' in that spelling, which is super unusual in the Netherlands. But she wanted that spelling because he was named after the Emil in the books!
Nepal - Moomin
The anime or the original stories?
When I was small, Moomin merch was everywhere. I remember only watching a couple episodes but didn't tune in for more and I don't know why: I'm a TV junkie and would watching ANYTHING. When I grew up I hunted down the anime, sat down and watched a few episodes and stopped. It's creepy and unsettling. That must be why I didn't like it as a child either.
The anime. We had the Nepali dub which is kinda nostalgic to some people but that show actually creeped me out idk why.
The 1986 live action TV adaption of Journey to the West (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West_(1986_TV_series)) is still re-run at least as of 2010 in China, despite being quite dated in many ways. Not sure if it's still culturally relevant among the youth now, though.
Reksio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reksio
It's cute, smart, kind, and takes no real risks, so this status is never challenged, so there's no wiggle room to create any controversy. Although his cultural impact is the greatest in the city of his creator.
I'd say Dragon Ball on RTL7 or anime on Polonia 1 (Sailor Moon, Tsubasa etc.) had more impact on Polish culture than infantile Reksio. Polish cartoons from these times including "Bolek i Lolek" and others were all mediocre at best and literally no one cares about them now. I would burn for this "heresy" in Polish boomer's bubble but I think I am safe here :D. Hell, even Czech "Krecik" or "Sąsiedzi" (Pat & Mat) have more cultural impact in Poland than Reksio.
I considered "Krecik" and "Sąsiedzi", but they're not Polish, which I understood to be a criterion of validity.
Sailor Moon and (IMO inexplicably) Tsubasa were also impactful on Millennials, but again, not Polish. I don't think SM is a part of Polish culture.
There's really few Polish children's TV shows that did anything at all. "Bolek i Lolek" I personally hated, so it's definitely not universally anything. "Kulfon i Monika" is widely recognized by boomers, too, but it didn't even have a plot, I don't think. "Akademia Pana Kleksa" was basically Harry Potter. Famous, big, but including an assortment of creepy problems (only boys? Whose names start with A? What the hell), so that makes a dent in "universally loved". "Koziołek Matołek"? "Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki"? "Pomysłowy Dobromir"? I don't know if these are even remembered.
Reksio et al definitely had an impact on culture, but that was probably solely due to them being the only decent form of animation available in Poland at the time. Just because they are viewed as mediocre now doesn't mean they weren't part of the culture. DBZ and other anime are definitely more popular, but they're also newer media, so it's difficult to really gauge the impact.
Also, appropriate meme for the conversation.
A lot of the US ones got memtioned already, but I'll add Spongebob to that, you'll be hard pressed to find someone youngish who wouldn't get a spongebob reference.
SpongeBob is still going, isn't it? It started in the early aughts, if memory serves.
It would've started 2001 at the latest. I remember because we had a computer teacher that year who would sing the theme song.
It's still ongoing (though quality is no where near the early seasons), and also has spin-offs now. Some alternate universe kiddie camp one, and I think there's now a Patrick-focused one? At this point I don't think they'll ever let it die.
That's both amazing and terrifying.
Sponge Bob is a kids show?
In the Czech republic we have (at least):
We had Little Mole in Hungary too! Loved it as a kid.
Great export from you guys, and also I'll mention Lolek i Bolek here although that's Polish.
In the Netherlands, 2 shows come to mind:
The above 2 programs were broadcasts right after each other, and has been a part of kids evening schedules all across the country for years.
Het klokhuis! I totally remember that.
I would also add Ik Mik Lorelai. I remember having nightmares about it, and growing up I meet MANY people who were really scared of Karbonkel as kids. It may be a generational thing tho, I think after a while it stopped airing.
A little bit dated but for you 80s European kids:
Albert Barillé was quite productive and loved. There's also :
Once upon a time... Life was called "Es war einmal: das Leben" in Germany and I loved it (Spoiler: I am an 80s kid)! It's is not as big of a part of our culture as the Mouse is, though.
I'm a 90s kid and the first one you listed was something I loved watching.
In Russia it's - "Good Night, Little Ones".
I still know all the words for the outro lullaby.
I'm kind of surprised no Americans have mentioned Sesame Street.
El Chavo del 8, about a poor kid living in a poor neighborhood. Really well know whole LATAM.
When I saw this post, this show's theme instantly started playing in my head. Chespirito is the king of children's shows in latam.
Here it is, for anyone looking for some nostalgia:
https://youtu.be/3im-f76wkOU
In Czechia it's mostly Krtecek, Pat a Mat, Bob a Bobek (which were our official mascots for Ice Hockey Championship few years back)
Future Boy Conan in Jordan, it is a lesser-known TV show globally. However, in Jordan, the dubbed Arabic version, "Adnan W Lina," has become part of the culture.
I can comment that in Chile the most influential children show is by far 31 minutos.
A satire about news channels and Chilean society doesn't seem to be the safest choice, but that is why is so fondly remembered, because it didn't shy from writing only safe things. Like one of the most famous characters is a drunk and ludopate red rabbit that makes environmental dispatch ("nota verde") for the news channel.
Knowing the backstory of the production, it isn't surprising. It came from a production company that did series with heavy black humor and has the record of having one of the shows with more complaints from viewers due to "lack of respect". The mere fact that 31 minutos received public funding and was shown in the Chilean national channel in retrospective is incredible.
And it has found success in not only Chile but in Perú and Mexico as well. Despite not releasing new episodes, it is still being referenced.
In Hungary, the most well-known local kids shows are probably the traditional folk tales (with a really cool art style imo) and Mézga family.
My personal favorite is a spin-off of the latter about the boy in the family, who sneaks out at night to go on adventures on other planets with an inflatable rocket. There are some pretty good episodes on there even though it had less than a dozen, one in particular is highly similar to to a Futurama episode (I read that it was the influence for it, but can't find a source for that). There, Aladár visits a planet that exists entirely in 2D whose inhabitants he learns to interact with through a flashlight. In another, he visits a world controlled by two parties who destroyed their world through war, and in one they accidentally travel back in time to visit Earth 100k or so years ago and try to avoid the Butterfly Effect (sounds similar to Star Trek, doesn't it).
It was a major factor in me getting into science fiction as a kid.
In Flanders (Belgium) Samson & Gert would be the best example of this.
They started as a television show, but they quickly also made music (all millenials & gen X-ers know the words to their songs from the early 90s), comics, a movie or two, christmas shows, ... And so many catchphrases.
It eventually led to the creation of Studio 100, and now they own a few animation studios, theme parks, television channels, ... They're practically everywhere.
And all because some guy wanted to make a little television show with a dog puppet.
For Belgium as a whole, I think Suske en Wiske/Bob et Bobette and the Smurfs also counts. Many comic books turned series, actually. The adventures of Tintin and Robbedoes en Kwabbernoot too.
Samson & Gert is a very good example for Flanders though.
I first thought of Kulderzipken as an example of a beloved Flemish series, but the cultural impact probably wasn't really huge. Still pretty popular in the 90's. Oh, and W817 and Postbus X!
Edit: F.C. De Kampioenen?
Aotearoa - it's probably What Now but for my generation it was also After School with Olly Ohlsen, giving the slogan "keep cool til after school" in sign language. He was the first Maori childrens' TV presenter and it was just so validating for our generation to have someone so inclusive.
Specific presenters are beloved, especially Suzy Cato, who had You And Me.
We Have a couple in Denmark:
Bamses Billedbog
Is probably the most iconic Danish kids' show. it was produced from 1983 until 2008 and is now being shown as reruns. It revolves around a human sized teddy bear (bamse, played by a a guy in a suit) who has the personality of a young child, and his friends ( a human sized chicken - called "Kylling"; a human sized duckling - called "Ælling" and a couple of humans Aske and Luna) who all live in a secret Forrest somewhere. Every episode is a mix between a story about Bamse and his friends and short cartoons that have little or nothing to do with the main story.
The show also spawned an advent calendar show, which is itself considered a kids' classic in Denmark.
Several of the actors who have donned the "Bamse"-suit has gone on to be very successful actors in their own right in tv, movies and stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-CckVmp60
Kaj og Andrea
Another classic show. Originally produced from 1971 to 1975, This show revolves around the two hand puppet characters Kaj (a frog with the personality of a stereotypical boy: rude, temperamental and selfish but also adventurous and (somewhat) brave) and Andrea ( A parrot with the personality of a stereotypical girl: she likes shiny things, princesses and is quite obsessed with birdseeds (like most girls are 😉)
Th show had a plethora of memorable songs, written and performed with Danish children's music legend Povl Kjøller, who appeared in the show as Kaj an Andrea's friend "Povl". These songs are still enjoyed and sung by children today. Curiously, there is a popular cake named after the character Kaj.
The show was revived in 99 but has not made the same waves as the original run (yet) the reboot lasted nine seasons with the last episode being shown in 2007.
The main writer of both Bamses Billedbog an Kaj og Andrea was Katrine Hauch-Fausbøll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM4mBiW0at8
Anna og Lotte/Fredagsbio
Another show with hand puppets, this time the characters were two girls(I'm not sure if it's implied or mentioned if they're sisters. They might be), Anna and Lotte, who live and play together and often have an adult caretaker show up if they need help or become too rowdy or make a mess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y02KCFWfLpk
Edit: added missing words and some extra info.
Edit2: to add video links
Edit3: to clarify that Kaj also has redeeming qualities.