Aside from Saturday morning animation, the options for children’s television were quite limited back in the day. So what’s a kid who isn’t fond of nature to do? Naturally, they turn to adult programming! The sitcoms from my childhood were not all fluff and giggles. They tackled serious themes like the Korean War, life in the inner city, complex characters grappling with their prejudices, and even child abductions. And let’s not forget the plethora of divorced, overwhelmed moms. Even Scooby-Doo couldn’t crack the case of why Ann Romano remained single. “Ruh-ro, Raggage!”
When you were home sick from school, what did you watch? Reruns of shows that aired long before you were born. Classics like Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Odd Couple featured protagonists that were often complex, sometimes unhappy, and just a little rough around the edges—totally relatable!
Fast forward to today’s television landscape, and we’re inundated with sitcoms aimed at kids. As a parent to a 7-year-old son, I’ve experienced plenty of this content firsthand. The prevailing formula seems to feature impossibly attractive children, decked out in designer outfits, residing in lavish homes, rarely interacting with their parents, and generally getting whatever they desire. Plus, they often display unprovoked meanness toward one another. These kids ruthlessly criticize anyone around them based on appearances, behavior, or even breathing!
I’m not suggesting that kids don’t have their moments of cruelty. I certainly dealt out my share of jabs when I was younger, stemming mostly from my own insecurities. But at least my remarks had some wit! Today’s television kids seem to possess everything but the ability to be genuinely funny, complaining about their lives in the most cringe-worthy manners. Yet, these characters are marketed as “aspirational.” As a writer, I’ve sat through countless meetings where I was told that they want characters that kids can aspire to—those who are richer, more attractive, and more popular. This notion suggests that we should encourage children to aspire to superficial ideals.
To be honest, I too aspired to be like the characters I saw on screen when I was younger. Today, I find myself as a somewhat neurotic comedy writer influenced by shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, facing relationship missteps reminiscent of Cheers, and embracing therapy sessions akin to those in Bob Newhart. I consider myself kind and a loyal friend, channeling my inner Mary Tyler Moore.
Nevertheless, I certainly don’t want my son emulating the unlikable characters on these shows. While I’ve banned a certain Disney series from our home, I also recognize that I watched The Brady Bunch as a child without much thought. So, during our viewing sessions of Disney and Nickelodeon shows, I’ve developed a strategy: I politely excuse myself to gather my thoughts and then return to express my disapproval, saying things like, “Wow, that kid is such a brat!” or “Why are they being so mean?” or “Girls can be smart, you know!”
My main concern is that my son finds this content genuinely entertaining. I’ve taken a two-pronged approach to tackle this. First, I no longer pretend that poor-quality shows are good. He values my opinion, so when he asks if something is funny, I respond with remarks like, “Not really my cup of tea,” or “Really? You didn’t see that twist coming?” Secondly, I introduce him to classic comedies. While we haven’t yet tackled Rhoda or One Day at a Time, he has shown an interest in the Marx Brothers, and we recently began watching The Carol Burnett Show. So far, Dinah Shore’s performance of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” has been a hit, eliciting genuine laughter from him.
We’ve also started watching adult sitcoms like Fresh Off the Boat and black-ish. Although he may not grasp all the jokes—especially the more mature themes—this opens up discussions about race and humor that are important for his generation. The characters in these shows, while still adorable, are well-crafted and imperfect, making them more relatable. The key is that we can all share moments of laughter together, much like my brother and I did with our parents, because let’s be honest—no one is going camping anytime soon!
So, the next time you’re at a restaurant enjoying a meal and overhear a child complaining about their dead iPad, while their parent appears frazzled, just remember: these kids are simply reaching their aspiration of becoming little terrors.
Summary
This article critiques the current landscape of children’s sitcoms, contrasting them with the more relatable and complex adult shows of the past. It highlights concerns about the aspirational qualities of today’s child characters, emphasizing the importance of curating quality content for young viewers. The author shares personal experiences as a parent while recommending classic comedies and adult sitcoms for a more enriching viewing experience.
Keyphrase: Current Kids’ Sitcoms
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