Friday Favorites: Kids' TV

Some of you know that I write (at least, I try to write) across a range of age groups and genres, from concept to quirky, from contemporary to paranormal, and from picture book to YA (and most things in-between). Alongside that, I read a lot, but I also watch a lot of TV.

I have very logical, very writing- and acting-related reasons for watching TV - I do! But they are for another post. Since this is Friday Favorites, today's post is about my favorite TV shows. And I feel a little goofy admitting this, but...

'The Backyardigans' is one of my favorite shows. (sheepish grin)

(And check out those awesome cupcakes by Ana Fuji - my kids would probably murder me if it meant they could have just one of those.  Hell, if I were one of my kids, I would probably murder me for one of those.  Or at the very least pester me to death.)

The storylines manage to be interesting and compelling to kids while maintaining a generally benign feel (as in 'Blazing Paddles,' when the "villain" was a ping-pong paddle-hoarding ping-pong shark), they are clever (with take-offs on classics like Blazing Saddles, Star Trek, and Mission Impossible), and each episode has a different musical theme, from Bollywood to rock anthem to 20's swing. Each character is well-developed and distinct, with his or her own personality quirks. And, it's hilarious. If you write picture books - or even chapter books - you need to check this show out.

So, yeah. I get my kicks watching a quintet of computer generated animals shake it. In Technicolor. Sometimes with popcorn.  *ahem*

I have other favorite shows, but they'll have to wait for another Friday. In the meantime, the floor is yours. Do you like 'The Backyardigans'? What are your favorite shows?