Television shows have undoubtedly changed greatly over the years and children’s programming is no exception. According to a UCLA study that measured what children value in television, researchers found that fame is the No. 1 value emphasized by television shows popular with 9-to 11-year-olds; a dramatic change over the past decade. Let’s take a closer look at how things have changed over the years.
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Space Battles
The final frontier has always been a fascination for children and these shows provide all the intergalactic action the younger set craves.
Then: Battle of the Planets
This children’s show started in 1978 and ran until 1985. It was an animated program that followed five intergalactic kids on their adventures to keep Earth safe. With special powers, they were specifically adapted for the job. The program was hailed as the ideal show for the “post Star Wars” generation.
Now: Clone Wars
While Star Wars may have been big back when Battle of the Planets was playing, kids today have a whole new trilogy based on the Star Wars theme. This includes the movie Clone Wars, which was later turned into a popular television series in 2008 and is still going strong today. In it, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda lead Jedi knights in a battle against the Separatist droids.
Slapstick Comedy
From the Three Stooges to Tom and Jerry, slapstick comedy has been a part of children’s programming since the beginning. But it’s become slightly more sophisticated over the years. . . or has it?
Then: Ren and Stimpy
This odd pairing of a crazy Chihuahua called, Ren and his cat sidekick, Stimpy, entertained children from 1991-1998. The show based its humor around things like litterbox jokes, hairballs, farting, and a slew of other disgusting antics that tend to make kids laugh. The duo tackled many crazy adventures that helped to propel the show into a seven year run.
Now: Spongebob Squarepants
Currently on its 9th season, Spongebob Squarepants is the No. 1 rated television show for 2-to-11-year-olds, and has been for 10 years now. The show’s humor tends to focus on characters getting hit in the head, farts and other disgusting themes much like Ren and Stimpy before it.
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Kids Being Kids
Teens will always live more interesting lives on screen and many television shows aimed at capturing the attention of kids based on that lifestyle. Here are a couple of shows that play into the on screen dream life of teens – generations apart..
Then: Saved by the Bell
Back in 1989, six high school students attending Bayside High were some of the hippest teens on screen. The show dealt with life as a jock, a geek, a feminist, a fashionista, a trouble maker and a model type – an interesting mix of kids who were constantly getting themselves into sticky situations.
Now: iCarly
This hip new show really appeals to the growing Internet fame of youth via YouTube and other platforms. Carly sets up her very own online show where she shares everything from recipes to interviews. The show covers the life of young Carly who lives with her older brother and primary guardian, as she navigates the waters of adolescence. Based on unexpected fame and a typical high-school experience, this show may be meant for teens but it’s also appealing to a younger demographic.
Photo Source: The U.S. National Archives
Shows that Spanned the Decades
Of course, not all shows have been replaced over time. While it is rare, there are some programs designed for kids that qualify for their own Then and Now comparison.
The Simpsons
Premiering in 1987, this animated television show has turned into the longest-running scripted show in all of television. Some (including President Bush) have said that American family values should be more like the Waltons than the Simpsons, but the public seems to love the offbeat, dysfunctional family. Not strictly for children, it has become a show viewed by all ages over the years.
Sesame Street
Aimed at a younger age group, Sesame Street started as an experiment to see if television could be used to teach children, back in 1969. Since then, over 500 celebrities have appeared on the show which covers everything from counting letters to learning manners and proper social behaviors. The show is now produced in more than 30 countries and is viewed by over 82 million children worldwide.
Children’s shows may have changed over the decades but the basic ideas are often the same. Slapstick humor will always appeal to kids and high school trials will always be interesting to those who are about to enter high school or who suffer through lesser dramas on a daily basis. While much has changed, you could say television has simply adapted to the times.
