If you want to connect with kids, you’ve got to win over their parents first. Think about the beloved Sesame Street, which includes clever jokes for adults, or the success of Dan Zanes, whose folk tunes get parents singing along. Enter A Journey Through Coolness, Amazon’s latest music series aimed at tweens but tailored to tug at the nostalgia strings of Gen-X parents.
The series kicks off with two 13-year-olds, Mia and Ben, who have recently moved from the vibrant city of Seattle to the sleepy town of Sunnyvale, somewhere in Middle America. Naturally, they’re less than thrilled about their new surroundings and skeptical of their unremarkable, small-town peers. (“But the housing market is so affordable, and the schools are top-notch!” I can almost hear their parents grumbling. “Do you have any idea how much a home costs in Seattle?”)
Mia and Ben, much like any true Seattleite, believe that having a band is the key to happiness. Eager to form a new group to fill the void left by their old bandmates, they hold auditions for a bass player. They end up selecting the least-unqualified candidate: a quirky cellist named Lila, who insists on calling their band The Mavericks (hey, remember the ’80s?). With bass, drums, and guitar settled, they think they’re all set to rock.
However, fate intervenes when Ben finds himself in detention with the school troublemaker, Tyler. With his long hair and brooding charm, Tyler seems to channel the spirit of ’80s heartthrobs, reminiscent of characters from The Breakfast Club and Say Anything. There’s even a hint of Silver Spoons in his demeanor. (I found myself searching for J.T. Martin, Ricky’s tough friend, to see what he’s up to these days.)
But this show is all about music! In a hilarious twist, the boys engage in a game of H-O-R-S-E in the boys’ restroom, where they must sing an octave in perfect pitch before tossing a paper towel into the bin. As Ben discovers Tyler’s surprisingly great voice, he excitedly brings him home to Mia as the newest addition to their band.
The episode wraps up with a catchy tune that feels like a mashup of Nirvana and Green Day, sprinkled with lyrics that echo the Goo Goo Dolls. Anyone who grew up during the grunge era will find themselves reminiscing and digging through their closets for old flannel shirts. The voiceover from adult Ben even has a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of Northern Exposure, giving the impression that the writers of A Journey Through Coolness created a delightful tapestry of cultural references for those born between 1970 and 1980, all wrapped in a kids’ show format.
That’s pretty neat! We want our kids to enjoy the things we cherished. Nostalgia is simply a way to appreciate the goodness of our generation’s culture—and let’s face it, the ’80s and ’90s were filled with fantastic moments. In fact, it might just inspire me to reconnect with my old band!
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In summary, A Journey Through Coolness is a clever new show that not only entertains tweens but also resonates with their Gen-X parents through nostalgic references and relatable themes, making it a hit for families.