What is happening to kids TV lately.

About a week ago, I read this article where this guy made his kid play the games he grew up playing, in an experiment to see if his kid would appreciate gaming a little more. Not only did I find this fascinating, but it also resonated with me quite a bit. Now no, I do not have a kid as yet. However, I do have little cousins, a niece and a nephew, and seeing them grow up, well it’s given me a lot to think about.

I know everyone thinks that their generation had the best stuff, and that’s debatable. A couple of years ago, I tried getting my cousins into the games and TV shows I used to watch as a kid (and still watch/play today). Alas, I was too late. My then 5 year old cousin would give me responses like “pokemon is lame” and “batman is for babies”. Probably the saddest point was when my cousin put down pokemon on my old gameboy and picked up his iPad to play Fifa Ultimate Team. Don’t get me wrong, I love FIFA, but, that’s not the age to get into it.

Cartoons of today’s generation kinda suck.

Back to TV shows, let’s be honest, the cartoons of today’s generation kinda suck. Sure you get some good show’s like Victorious and stuff for todays teens, but the kid specific content is just not up to the level of story telling I’m used to. Therefore, below I have placed a list of shows (in no particular order) I’m going to make my kid watch. From the day he/she is born, till about 12 or 13. Maybe 10. Now keep in mind, I’m not gonna force my kid to watch all of these, instead I’m going to put it all in like a plex library kind of thing (or whatever it is we’ll use in the future, still hopefully plex) and let my kid choose what he wants based on pictures and trailers.

Now, this isn’t to say I am going to force my kids to watch these shows, if they don’t like it, so be it. I’m just saying, these are the kind of shows I would want my kid to watch.

Pokémon

It’s no secret that this anime probably played a huge part in any child’s upbringing. Be it as a supplement to the game they played on their gameboy (as it was for me) or as the TV show on it’s own. It had it’s fair share of ups and downs, highs and lows. At the end of the day however, I’m glad I had that show.

Kim Possible

There was a lot about this show that made it one of the best shows on Disney channel, setting it apart from the host of other decent shows such as Totally Spies and the others that ran in that time.

Teamo Supremo

I hardly ever watched this show actually, but there was something about a group of kid superhero’s that still had to go to school and keep mom updated on what they were doing that was a pretty fun and (at that time) a relatively unique twist.

Rocket Power

Skateboarding, check. Fun adventures with your friends, check. Playful banter, check.

Young Justice

Best superhero show ever to grace the TV set? I think so.

Batman: The Animated Series

Need I explain more?

Spiderman: The Animated Series

Okay, I’m not really a big spiderman fan, but this show was not only fun to watch but also left you feeling satisfied.

What’s New Scooby Doo (and the other Scooby Doo’s from before the 200's)

The fun of adventure of hunting down ghosts and watching scooby and shaggy overcome fear to help out their friends is both heartwarming and exciting, even though scooby and shaggy do seem to be stoned at all times.

Kenan & Kel

Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda. Is it true? Mhhmmmm, I do I do I do oooh.

Drake and Josh

The amusing misadventures of two half brothers and their ever so troublesome little sister.

The 100 Deeds of Eddy McDowd

Teaching kids about right and wrong since the day it aired.

Cousin Skeeter

Yay or nay?

Jimmy Neutron

Yeah, Science, B****! It’s like breaking bad, but for kids.

The Fairly OddParents

This show was good, admit it. It had a lot of low points, but it was good.

Penguins of Madagascar

It’s 2.10 pm, and all I want to do is go home, grab myself some lunch or a bowl of cereal and watch the penguins. This was me throughout middle school, and most of high school. While all my friends went out to wind down with a beer, I hung out with Skipper and the crew.

Rugrats

Was this one of the best cartoon shows ever? Yeah.

Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide

Also known as: how to deal with or relate to bullies and annoying teachers.

Dexter’s Laboratory

OOOOHHH, WHAT DOES THIS BUTTON DO?

Jackie Chan Adventures

Those Talismans were cool.

Full House

Cause damn the Olsen twins were cute as babies.

Speed Racer

This was a great tv show to grow up watching, especially because it had a PSOne game that went with that perfectly.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

More than just the show and the story, I really liked the characteristics of the turtles and I feel like some of Splinter’s teachings may be of benefit to my future children.

Honorable Mention: The Yogi Bear Show, The Emperors New School, Filmore!, X-Men Evolution.

EDITED on 21st Jan to add in shows and change some descriptions