Just to be clear; I’m not saying that everything VeggieTales made after 2008 was “bad.” I liked a few of the later episodes and the TBN reboot, in a “not particularly hilarious but still wholesome” kinda way. I just think they’d be a lot better if the producers weren’t so afraid of “confusing” children, or if they had the slightest hint of concern for the parents who have to watch this show WITH their children. I didn’t need to know who the IRS was to laugh at Larry slamming the door on a total stranger who wanted his last cookie, but the fact this stranger was an IRS agent sure made my parents laugh too. Please allow families to share more happy moments like that, Leslie.
1 year ago (edited) | 9
For me, the show was never just for preschoolers. Even my Mama loved it for what it was. These characters felt real because they were relatable and the lessons felt like they would last longer than just preschool. Phil Vischer never dumbed it down for kids, but made it so that all families could enjoy. That is something I will always appreciate from him, especially in a world that likes to dumb things down for kids.
1 year ago | 5
this confirms my thoughts! before even seeing this I said to myself "I bet they think Phils scripts aren't appealing to literally every parent, ya know, extremely safe". just sad to see it confirmed.
1 year ago | 3
I hope the success of Bluey is a wake-up call for creators of kids' content that it doesn't have to be only for kids
1 year ago | 6
It's the same problem why Sesame Street, a great preschool show that didn't shy way from mature subjects, it fell from grace due to its newer seasons being not as good as the past seasons. That's not to say that they're bad, there have been some great episodes. It's just that it doesn't struck the same cord as it once was. Entertain the Elk made a well made video titled, "The Day Sesame Street Died" that talks about the problem.
1 year ago | 9
Can you imagine a world where the Scallions are scary and mean instead of loving the smell of cookies in the morning?
1 year ago (edited)
| 10
Hot take: I do think VeggieTales is a preschool show, if an older-skewing one (more 4-7 than 2-5). However, it's one of those preschool shows that are made with older audience enjoyment in mind, like LazyTown or the works of Dr. Seuss. A type of show we need more of nowadays
1 year ago | 4
VeggieTales from 1993 to 2007 were for all ages to enjoy, 2008 it started to decline, but still enjoyable up until VeggieTales in the House, and THEN, 2022 came along, and we got the WORST VeggieTales media EVER!!! The godforsaken PODCAST!!! It’s not SUPPOSED to be a preschool show like Caillou, it’s supposed to be a CHRISTIAN show for everyone to enjoy! Universal is DESTROYING VEGGIETALES!!!!!!
1 year ago | 5
This is especially sad because Phil and Mike were promised creative freedom for the production of The VeggieTales Show. Promised. And like I showcased from the VeggieTales Show Teaser Trailer, Leslie Ferrell DID SAY that they would keep what was unique about the VeggieTales brand. That should’ve meant allowing Phil and Mike to have as much creativity as they pleased. But no. As soon as Phil and Mike made the “cardinal sin” of asking for more creative freedom, Leslie/NBCU kicked them out the door without as much as a moment’s notice. She and NBCU don’t understand how much blood, sweat, and tears that Phil and Mike put into the franchise. They have Phil and Mike to thank for this amazing show. And what - they thank them by shoving them back out into the cold, and then labelling VeggieTales as “preschool” material. Meanwhile, TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) had originally vouched for VeggieTales when the hype around The VeggieTales Show was on in 2019. But now, that company has seemingly backed off because what - they’re afraid of upsetting NBCU? Where is TBN in all this, I wonder…?
1 year ago | 8
You can clearly have adult humor in your work, so long as it’s not raunchy, and still market it to children, or rather, general audiences. Toy Story is a prime example of this, especially the first one. More often than not, you’ll see a lot of people jump to this one as having “the most adult jokes out of any Pixar film”. The other movies do, but not as much as the 1995 original.
4 weeks ago | 3
Leaf Razor Storm
I've seen this tweet floating around about Big Idea's current leadership, and it does explain a lot about the drop in VeggieTales' quality (especially after 2008.) However, I'll try not to jump on the same hate train as everyone else. It's not like classic VeggieTales WASN'T a show for preschoolers. I certainly enjoyed the show when I was that age. It's just that, over the years, NBCU has taken a preschool show that's smart and funny enough for parents to also engage with, and turned it into one of those preschool shows where you're expected (nay, encouraged) to plop your child in front of the screen and walk away. That is NOT freaking cool.
Now, I respect the show's limitations and understand that a series for preschoolers can't get too "scary" or too "mean." It's all entertainment at the end of the day. However, where I take offense is that the show can't get too "weird" or too "smart" anymore; that we can no longer have any jokes that might fly over a child's head, or minor plot details that a child probably won't understand. To that, I say.... So what if a child doesn't understand? As long as they can follow the main story, relate to the main characters and generally have a fun time, they aren't gonna lose interest if the Mayor of Bumblyburg rants about property values for a few seconds.
As for any concerns about the show being "too weird..." Well, if your child has already accepted the premise of walking talking food, I don't think "walking, talking food with a peculiar admiration for their own lips" is crossing the line.
1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 56