The evolution of our childhood shows
Growing up is incredibly hard and it’s a big reason why people hold onto nostalgic belongings and childhood favorites. However, it’s hard to hold onto things that grow with us. Since the 1940s, children’s shows have brought significant comfort to kids of all ages and have helped out parents in several aspects. There is something so captivating and comforting in escaping our world and consuming ourselves in another.
There are many shows that have come to an end from the early 2000’s to the late 2010’s such as “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”, or “Good Luck Charlie”. However, some shows have simply replaced their actors with younger stars.
The childhood favorite, “Blues Clues”, previously starred Steve Burns. Steve Burns was an actor that essentially started the show and is a staple in many adults’ memories. Burns left the show in 2002 after being the lead actor for six years, this left many of his watchers speechless. Donovan Patton, also known as Joe, took over this role until the show came to a finale in 2006. Finally, a spinoff of the series was born in 2019 and Josh Dela Cruz played Burns’ cousin, as well as the lead actor.
On top of live action shows, animated shows such as “Doc McStuffins” have recently received lots of backlash for making the lead characters, like Dottie, abnormally shiny and plastic-like. This has been a common trend in many of Disney’s classics, including Sofia the First and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It is not major or drastic but it has been enough for people to notice.
The biggest change however has been the news about Mummy Pig, from the hit show “Peppa Pig.” Mummy Pig announced Feb. 27 that she was pregnant with the newest addition to their family. Although it is unclear as to whether or not it’s a boy or girl, she is due around June of this year. How exciting.
There are many more changes right now and many more to come. With this information I believe it is important to look back on these shows and understand how much we have grown individually and as a society. These days it is easy to feel robbed of our childhood because of the ways of the world but this is something they can never completely take away.
