So I have to put this out there.
Now that we've dibbled and dabbled in some television shows for bugga, I've noticed a couple things that merit serious discussion, or at least an overly long blog post of little consequence.
1). What is with the speech of some of these characters?
Exhibit A: Caillou. Caillou seems to be constantly whining. Not just in the from-time-to-time age appropriate way, but as a wet noodle-y standard of communicating. And so, of all the speech offenders, he is on the top of my personal list. He is actually is so bothersome to me -sorry!- that we don't watch the show. Maybe it's just his vibe I don't like and I'm being unfair. The show does have a cute little theme song.
Exhibit B: Ming-Ming. I was hesitant to include this one, because I rather like The Wonder Pets. It's a really cute show. Still, I would be remiss if I didn't include the adorable little duckie. Ming-Ming has a bit of a lisp and does the classic "w" sound for "r" thing...and I suppose it could be argued that it's cool the show includes a realistic and common and completely okay little speech quirk, so that kids will learn to be accepting of differences, know that it's pretty normal for kids to say "weally?" instead of "really?" and what not. But on the other hand, it could be argued that having a character--who is certainly going to be imitated by some kids at some point (because kids do that)--speaking incorrectly is not the best model for little kids, at least in terms of speech. Or maybe this is just my inner speech/grammar nazi emerging. But goodness...I cringe sometimes when I hear Ming-Ming's trademark line "This is sewious!" and the bombardment of "biwd"s and "wight"s and "weally"s that are sure to follow.
Exhibit C: Dora (and Diego too, though I don't notice it quite as much with him). This is probably the most obvious of all offenses (though the show's pros outweigh the cons so I haven't been irked to the point of nixing it ala Calliou). Dora is so "enthusiastic" (as my friend called it) that she shouts. All the time. It's like everything is at such a fevered pitch that she can't contain herself and must speak as though there are exclamation points at the end of every word and sentence. "Can you see the ice cream truck?!!!" "WHERE is Swiper?!!!" "Forest!!! Valley!!!!! Blueberry Hill!!!!!" "Forest!!! Valley!!! Blueberry Hill!!!!!!" "We did it!!! Everybody SCREAM!!!!!" And all her little pals join in the chorus of unnecessary exuberance. "I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the MAAAAAPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!". "I'm Boots!!!!!!" Aggggh. As though toddlers and little kids aren't energized enough.
If you ever have little kid television programming on in your house you may well know of what I speak. And if you don't already know, I'm sure you'll notice it now that I've mentioned it because it's one of those things that once you *know*, it's sooo obvious and you may wonder how you never noticed before. Like when you get a new car and suddenly you see them all over town. It's not like everyone is now magically driving the same car as you, it's just that it was so on your periphery that you never noticed them before. This will be like that. Only more irritating. (!!!!!)
And of lesser importance and not really at all bothersome, but still fascinating:
2). Ever notice how none of these characters seem to have teeth? Come to think of it. Do ANY cartoon characters have teeth? Hmmm....
