#109. Baby Crack and Veggie Tales
Apr 3rd by Jon
Before I write a short love letter to Veggie Tales let me share 3 things you need to know about children’s television:
1. Baby Einstein is the equivalent of baby crack. Seriously, turn on one and your screaming kid will become comatose as colorful shapes spin and bears dance and toys shimmer across the screen to Mozart. The only issue is that if you’re ever out and about and your kid hears classical music, they’ll start jonesin’ for a fix.
2. The show Caillou will make your kid afraid of everything on the planet. This is the only cartoon character I have ever wanted to punch. He whines and cries and whimpers his way through the entire program. Avoid at all costs.
3. No one knows what the Doodlebops are but trust me, they are terrifying. Their ears are kind of tucked into a flap of skin, they are ungodly good at playing instruments and breakdancing on buses and one of them can shrink his body down into impossibly small spaces.
There, I feel worlds better. But honestly, I love Veggie Tales. It’s creative, imaginative and has enough adult humor to keep me engaged. The best song is the cheeseburger song, there can be no debate on this point, but all of their stuff is good.
My one issue is that when we went to the “Pirates the Don’t Do Anything” movie in the theater, they didn’t start the movie with their theme song. It was like going to see U2 and Bono refusing to do “One” or “Where the Streets Have No Name.” My two year old daughter leaned over to me and immediately said, “Not this veggies.” That’s toddler for, “What a poor branding decision. That theme song is an audio trigger that lets me know it’s time to enjoy some Veggie Tales programming. To leave that song out was a foolish, foolish decision on the Director’s part.”
Comments
Go “Barbara Manatee!”
I just randomly found this blog while doing a general search for a veggie tale cake pan….interested now to read more.
I too am a huge Veggie Tale fan. My husband and I have rocked to the Second Chances song from Jonah…with or without children present.
We love many shows on PBS and Noggin is another favorite channel with sweet shows worth watching. The Backyardagins and Wonder Pets are our favorites…we know all the words to all the songs.
The Baby Crack….yes exactly that…very relaxing for any and everyone!
We don’t watch much tv in our house, and my kids don’t watch any. BUT – we have a small supply of VeggieTales, which I view as absolutely essential.
Oh..and one more thought on Baby Einstein, as well as any other tv for babies:
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no television viewing for children under age 2, and no more than two hours of daily media exposure for ages 2 and older.”
everything you do is art.
HAHAHAHAH yes. Hmm, perhaps your hate mailer IS a Doodlebop?
I LOVE Veggie Tales even though they didn't come out until I was high school.
I really like "The Hairbrush Song" & "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (the song). I haven't seen the Pirates movie yet.
WV: vermons: the churchmouse’s sermon.
I agree with this 100% except for the obvious, the best Veggie song is:
Oh no what we gonna do? from Where’s God when I’m Scared?
Not only is the song the best, but the graphics are awesome, very eye catching especially for babies.
When my oldest son was 2 something scared him a little and we talked about it and he said he wasn’t really scared because God is bigger.
I thought how awesome, at 2 he understands such an incredible truth.
Best song? Big fan of the Cheeseburger Song, and the Hairbrush Song… but it has to be: The Bunny Song — the *original* Bunny Song, before they rewrote the lyrics to keep parents happy.
"The Bunny, the Bunny, ooh, I love the Bunny
I don't love my mom or my dad, just the Bunny…"
Absolutely seditious and completely right for the character. You can't get it anymore — they changed it pretty soon after the original release (can you tell my kids are a bit older?). But I could be persuaded to part with my vintage VHS copy for the right price… maybe…
This made me giggle! Thanks for brightening my day!
I don't know about "Cheeseburger" being the best song though…
Wow…I just Google image searched Doodlebops, and well…wow. Trippy.
The song that gets the most requests/begging/replays at our church is "Pizza Angel".
I recall one day the children managed to get it played more than 5 times in a row (I'm nice like that sometimes.) I think they love singing tom-ay-to, rather than tom-ar-to as we pronounce it over here.
I love the way you can translate for your two year old. Bravo!!!
I went home one summer during college to help my parents with vacation bible school. I was putting away a sesame street puzzle when my pastor came in and said that I should get rid of them, because it's not wise to teach kids using fictional characters because it alters their reality. He had no reply when I asked him about veggie tales and Jesus' use of parables – the people in them were often fictional, right? I grew up on sesame street and fictional characters, we all did, and we all turned out alright, right? except that guy who told you to off yourself, poor guy.
I love your blog and your ministry and am inspired by your testimony. Thanks for sharing yourself with the world. It's pretty brave.
And as your children grow up, you should check out Jelly Telly … it's high quality Christian media made by the original VeggieTales folks. They just started a subscription model (used to be free!), but I think it's going to be worth it. Their content is great
Caillou and the Doodlebops are both Canadian. This can explain, excuse, or exonerate them, perhaps. Or it merely implicates them further. I'm not sure which, eh?
But I agree with those who would gladly look away if you want to drop kick that whiny froggy brat (and his Master, Luke Skywalker) off the edge of the Grand Canyon.
However, aren't you willing to concede that Deedee Doodle is hot? At least…a little teensy bit? No?
Ok, then I don't really think so either.
I love how the internet is a happy place, where only happy people exist and only leave uplifting comments.
Please don't kill yourself, I will miss this blog and your tweets.
Also — Brainless Wonder — you are a coward to post such a note anonymously.
Veggie Tales rocks. The Toy That Saved Christmas and George and The Ducky were my favorite as a little girl … and now. They are so clever; the stories are relatable to anyone, the animation is detailed and the songs and characters are pure fun. Good post as usual.
I love the French peas in Veggie Tales!
I used to love the Water Buffalo song, but now there's one I like even more: Sippy Cup.
I'm 24 years old with no children and I own at least 7 or 8 VeggieTales DVDs (plus Jonah, but I still have not even seen TPWDDA). My first graders at the after-school program I work at tried to tell me they were too cool for VeggieTales, then Ms. Wendy told them she had all the songs on her iPod, and now they're free to like it again (of course, thanks to working at a public school, I can only play the non-God songs, but it's better than nothing.)
Oh, and I LOATHE Calliou, but I have to say that I love the little bits where his stuffed Dinosaur (Rexy) and his cat talk, because Rexy's my fave (=
barbara manatee!
i also didnt find veggietales til i was a teenager and im 24 now and still love them! lord of the beans is my favorite!
i google imaged doodlebops and they remind me of zoobalizoo. anyone?