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These Kids’ Sitcoms Can Be a Drag
Updated: Dec. 20, 2015 | Originally Published: May 3, 2015
When I was a kid, aside from Saturday morning cartoons, there wasn’t a lot of engaging content for children. So what’s a kid with no interest in nature to do? Turn to adult shows! The sitcoms of my youth were packed with depth. We’re talking about the Korean War, life in the projects, endearing but flawed characters, child abduction, and a plethora of divorced, frazzled moms. Even Scooby-Doo couldn’t figure out why Ann Romano was still single! “Ruh-roh, gang!”
And if you were home sick from school? You’d catch reruns of shows that aired long before you were born. Think Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Odd Couple. The characters in these series were layered, often discontent with their lives, a bit melancholic, and, let’s be honest, not exactly models of beauty. In short, they were relatable!
Fast forward to today, and we have a whole different problem: sitcoms created for and starring kids. As a mom to a 7-year-old, I’ve seen my fair share of this dreck. The typical formula features impossibly attractive children clad in designer outfits, living in lavish homes, rarely interacting with their parents, and getting everything they desire. Oh, and they’re downright nasty for no apparent reason! These kids will rip each other apart over the smallest things, from appearances to behavior.
I’m not saying kids can’t be mean; I had my moments too. But I was just an insecure kid trying to cope with my own challenges. Today’s TV kids, however, seem to have it all and complain incessantly in the most cringe-worthy ways. Yet, these characters are labeled as “aspirational.” As a writer, I’ve sat through many meetings where the idea of “aspirational” characters comes up—characters who are wealthier, more attractive, and more popular than the average viewer. Apparently, that’s what kids should aspire to!
To be fair, I also looked up to the characters on my favorite shows as a child. That’s probably why I’m now a somewhat neurotic comedy writer influenced by shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show and Cheers, and yes, I’ve had my share of therapy sessions inspired by Bob Newhart. But I don’t want my son to idolize the spoiled brats on screen. I did put my foot down on one Disney show, but if I could watch The Brady Bunch, I guess I can’t shield him from all the terrible programming out there.
So, when we watch these Disney or Nickelodeon shows together, I have a little routine: I excuse myself for a moment to “gather my thoughts” and then return to say things like, “Wow, that kid is such a brat!” or “Why is he being so mean?” or “Girls can be smart too, you know!”
My biggest worry is that my son finds this stuff genuinely funny. To tackle this, I’ve adopted a two-pronged strategy. First, I stop pretending the bad content is actually good. If he asks, “Isn’t that funny?” I’ll respond with something like, “Not really my style” or “Really? You didn’t see that punchline coming?” Secondly, I introduce him to classic shows. While we’re not quite at the level of Rhoda or One Day at a Time, he’s enjoying the Marx Brothers and recently started watching The Carol Burnett Show. So far, he loves Dinah Shore singing “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”—it has him in stitches!
We’re also venturing into adult sitcoms like Fresh Off the Boat and black-ish. He doesn’t catch every joke, and some of the more mature themes go over his head, which sparks interesting conversations about race and culture. The kids on those shows are well-crafted, imperfect, and relatable. Most importantly, we can enjoy these moments together, reminiscing like my brother and I did with our parents. Because let’s be honest, it’s not like we’re going camping!
So, the next time you’re out enjoying a meal with your family and hear a child whining about their dead iPad battery, while their frustrated parent looks on, just remember: those kids are fulfilling their aspiration of being little terrors.
In summary, it’s vital to curate what our children watch while also introducing them to quality programming that encourages positive values. With a balance of classic and contemporary shows, we can foster better discussions and memories with our kids.