Easily the best kids show and it’s not even close, a show I know myself and other parents actually enjoy watching. Octonauts is a solid second though.
I think another reason that Bluey is the most streamed kids show* is that it doesn’t patronize anyone. At some point in the 80s tv started portraying parents-and especially dads- as clueless idiots. The kids were smarter but they still had to put up with the parents. Like in the Dance Mode episode Chili and Bandit aren’t put in their place for riding roughshod over Bingo, they see a problem, express empathy and then ask how they can help their kids. Not only is that a great lesson for *everyone* involved but it’s also the most common way that parents might have a positive interaction with the their kid.
*Cocomelon doesn’t count! It’s a babysitter for kids two and younger.
Everything about Bingo is just perfection. My wife and I don't even have kids, but we turn it on The Disney Channel in the mornings because it's so good (and then immediately mute it during the non-Bluey parts and turn it off as soon as it's done, because everything else is pure garbage).
Yes! Bluey is ELITE! And Cricket is LITERALLY my son's (and my) favourite episode - no joke. Plus, my kids are 9 and 16 and we watch a lot of them together as a family.
I love Bluey! If you told me it was an adult comedy, in 2024, it would be in the top 5 of cinema and TV shows in that category. That's in part due to the depth and quality of the characters and dialogue and the abominations that are wrought upon humanity as alternative options.
The end of Grandad gets me every time. My kids are 10 and 7 and we discovered it early in the pandemic when they were about the same ages as the kids in the show. I think an underrated appeal for American adults is hearing the nuances of Australian English. I think if it was an American show with the same themes it would be harder for American adults to watch.
Season 2, episode 9 called “Sleepytime” is an absolute masterpiece. I saw some discussion on Twitter and had to check it out myself. It was really good!
Ethan, how does one submit a question for your mailbag?
I have adult children. We don't watch Bluey.
My question: Any data on the Phoenix Suns move to air games on broadcast TV and give away digital antennas? Lots of handwringing lately about NBA ratings. Is this working? Should it be copied League wide?
So does that translate into more money for the Suns? They forgo the cable or streaming fees.
The NBA is never going to get close to the audience of the NFL but the NFL is on broadcast TV. It's a squishy label. How many people actually watch with a digital channel vs through Cable or streaming? Still, when you see the numbers all the dumb prime time TV shows still draw relative to niche cable or streaming, seems like the masses check out the local channels. So should Silver force teams to air more games on broadcast? Not easy to do with all the rights deals already in place. It's one of the only things I can think of that would get the league more exposure and perhaps help them develop a new generation of viewers. Meanwhile, they have people like me that pay for Cable, League Pass--they'll probably look for more ways to extract more out of the hardcore viewers like me.
Easily the best kids show and it’s not even close, a show I know myself and other parents actually enjoy watching. Octonauts is a solid second though.
I think another reason that Bluey is the most streamed kids show* is that it doesn’t patronize anyone. At some point in the 80s tv started portraying parents-and especially dads- as clueless idiots. The kids were smarter but they still had to put up with the parents. Like in the Dance Mode episode Chili and Bandit aren’t put in their place for riding roughshod over Bingo, they see a problem, express empathy and then ask how they can help their kids. Not only is that a great lesson for *everyone* involved but it’s also the most common way that parents might have a positive interaction with the their kid.
*Cocomelon doesn’t count! It’s a babysitter for kids two and younger.
Sleepytime gets me everytime.
Perfect show. I’ve got oddly emotional in a few episodes watching with my boys. Captures everything about being a parent and kid
And you can tell it’s made by people that aren’t on Twitter/X. Just normal, real Aussie people not politicising everything.
Everything about Bingo is just perfection. My wife and I don't even have kids, but we turn it on The Disney Channel in the mornings because it's so good (and then immediately mute it during the non-Bluey parts and turn it off as soon as it's done, because everything else is pure garbage).
"Yep, these are my readers"
Yes! Bluey is ELITE! And Cricket is LITERALLY my son's (and my) favourite episode - no joke. Plus, my kids are 9 and 16 and we watch a lot of them together as a family.
I love Bluey! If you told me it was an adult comedy, in 2024, it would be in the top 5 of cinema and TV shows in that category. That's in part due to the depth and quality of the characters and dialogue and the abominations that are wrought upon humanity as alternative options.
Bluey is great. Also recommend Peppa Pig.
R/Tvtoohigh
The end of Grandad gets me every time. My kids are 10 and 7 and we discovered it early in the pandemic when they were about the same ages as the kids in the show. I think an underrated appeal for American adults is hearing the nuances of Australian English. I think if it was an American show with the same themes it would be harder for American adults to watch.
I cried at the end of the “The Creek” episode
Season 2, episode 9 called “Sleepytime” is an absolute masterpiece. I saw some discussion on Twitter and had to check it out myself. It was really good!
My son is 13 and has been watching this and I wondered what in the world was up with that. I guess I need to watch it with him now.
Ethan, how does one submit a question for your mailbag?
I have adult children. We don't watch Bluey.
My question: Any data on the Phoenix Suns move to air games on broadcast TV and give away digital antennas? Lots of handwringing lately about NBA ratings. Is this working? Should it be copied League wide?
I believe Suns viewership is up 94%. For additional email questions, I'm at houseofstrauss@substack.com
So does that translate into more money for the Suns? They forgo the cable or streaming fees.
The NBA is never going to get close to the audience of the NFL but the NFL is on broadcast TV. It's a squishy label. How many people actually watch with a digital channel vs through Cable or streaming? Still, when you see the numbers all the dumb prime time TV shows still draw relative to niche cable or streaming, seems like the masses check out the local channels. So should Silver force teams to air more games on broadcast? Not easy to do with all the rights deals already in place. It's one of the only things I can think of that would get the league more exposure and perhaps help them develop a new generation of viewers. Meanwhile, they have people like me that pay for Cable, League Pass--they'll probably look for more ways to extract more out of the hardcore viewers like me.
Adult children, no children, imaginary children.... I'd give 'er a watch either way.