Conference moira::parenting

    That's Great! My 19 month old daughter used to love to watch Shining
    Time Station...I also like Ringo playing the conductor instead of
    George Carlin.
    
    
    Sandy

    Oh hooray!!!!!

    
    PBS also just started a new show called Barney & Friends.  Barney is a
    dinasour, and he is great.  He has a couple of videos out, and my kids
    (3 1/2 & 1 1/2) LOVE Barney.  They were so excited when he was on TV!
    You gotta check it out.
    
    elizabeth
    

    My son (21 months) also loves Barney & Friends.  He was sick in the
    hospital last week and the only time I saw him alert and smiling was
    when either Sesame Street or Barney & Friends was on.
    
    Lori B.

    Oooh... I'm so happy that Shining Time Station will be back with Ringo. 
    George wasn't bad, but I think Ringo's accent really catches the kids
    attention.  There's new Thomas video out with George.. I almost fell
    for it the other day when I saw it at Lechmeres.  It was a whole new
    story with new characters.  
    
    Jackie also (sometimes) watches Barney & Friends and also Shari Lewis'
    show.  She likes both, but still *loves* Sesame Street.
    
    Mary
    

    Glad to hear Thomas will be back. My daughter loves the show. Sorry to
    hear Ringo will be in it, though. His accent is less intelligible to
    American kids, and IMO, he is nowhere near as good an actor as George
    Carlin. Ringo sounds wooden, like he is reading his lines from a
    teleprompter.
    
    

    
    Is something going on with Sesame Street?  One of my daughters said
    that the guy that does the voice of Ernie died, so they had Ernie die
    too and will be replacing him with another puppet.
    
    Chris D.

    I heard long ago (rumors) that they were going to have Ernie die of
    something - but since have seen in a magazine that the idea had been
    put aside.  Jim's son (I think) will continue with the voice for Ernie.
    
    -sandy
    

    I heard Friday morning on the radio that none of the characters on
    Sesame Street will be "killed off" and that Ernie is just waiting for a
    new voice and will be back soon.
    
    Lori B.

    Sesame Street recently had a week-long series hosted by Itzak Perlman. 
    The series was Sesame Street in Isreal.  
    
    Did anyone video tape those shows?  I would like to borrow (and copy)
    the tapes, if you would be willing to share them. 
    
    I don't have a phone yet, but you can send me mail at TERSE::GOLDFARB.
    
    Thanks!
    Diana

Boy, Jim's son is going to be mighty busy ... Forgetful ("in real life")
passed away recently, too.

Dottie

PS:  Who still prefers the "content" of the old SS flicks over the new SS flicks.

re: Ernie's voice

Did not Jim Henson do Ernie?  I would assume that whomever does Kermit
will also do Ernie.

Hamp

    Yup Hamp, Jim Henson did Ernie and Kermit.
    
    Lori B.
    
    P.S. How are ya?

    Who does Kermit's voice now anyway?
    

    I think anytime you see Kermit now, it's a repeat of an old show.  He's
    not really on Sesame Street too much that I've seen anyway.
    
    Lori B.

    Does anyone have any opinions on the "Ren + Stimpy" cartoon on
    Nickolodeon (sp?).  My son has been watching "Nick Jr" shows for quite
    a while now and there are some cute cartoons and shows.  But what about
    good ol Ren and Stimpy?  Lately MTV has also been showing it and it's
    now sort of a "cult" show for teens to 20's (kind of how Pee Wee's play
    house was the number 1 show for college students by survey or something
    like that).
    
    Anyways, the whole family watchs it when we can and I think it's
    outragous.  My son doesn't understand it and usually plays or something
    while it's on but for some reason this cartoon _really_ strikes my
    funny bone and I never laugh so hard.
    
    Any other Ren+Stimpy fans out there?
    
    Steve (fan since 90', long before MTV caught on...)

    My 19 year old son is a big fan.  Personally, I never understood what
    he sees in it.  I think it's totally ridiculous...just my opinion.
    
    Marie

    I've only seen one episode, on MTV, but I laughed so hard my
    stomach hurt.  And later, when my husband watched it he thought
    it was ridiculous.  A love it or hate it show I guess -
    
    -renee

   Well... since you asked for opinions... :-)
   
   From what little I've seen of the comercials, I chose to not even
   bother watching one episode.  Personally I'm not impressed with
   their commercials, and am not interested in finding out any more.
   
   - Tom
   

    
    Count us in as one who loves it (Marc) and one who hates it (Wendy). I
    just don't think that kind of humor is funny.
    
    			Wendy

    O.k.......
    
    So we're 50/50 on Ren + Stimpy.  Seems the wives don't like it.
    Well I'll still watch it and guess what?  T.V. guide says they're
    planning something like 20 new episodes this fall...
    
    Sooooooo....
    
    Lets take another poll, this time on:     "RUGRATS"
    
    Now something tells me the tables will turn and there will be alot more
    fans of this quite cute cartoon.  This is the one that's on before
    Ren+Stimpy, again on Nickolodeon.  I, myself, love this one too and the 
    wife even likes it (in fact the kids even like this one...)
    
    Well noters, what's the verdict?  Are the Rugrats closer to home?  My
    daughter is somewhat a "Tommy" (from the show) now getting into trouble 
    everwhere as shes just learning to climb now...
    
    Steve

    I love RUGRATS, but REN & STIMPY are not to my liking.  My sons love
    both shows. 
    
    I liked the RUGRATS episode when the kids were in the playpen being
    watched by Grampa (who fell asleep in the lounge chair).  The kids
    break out and ramble around the backyard getting into a ditch (probably 
    a "large footprint")!  They find chocolate spaghetti - "But it doesn't
    taste like chocolate spaghetti!" UGH!!  My 5 year old almost died when
    he saw that!!!
    
    

    Alex likes Rugrats.
    
    I think it has its moments, but not enough of them to keep me watching.
    
    But we agree that NOTHING can beat the Roadrunner (especially when Wile
    E. doesn't speak)!
    
    Leslie

    RE: -2   That episode was o.k. but my personal fav is the baseball one
    where Tommy goes searching for his lost balloon in the ball-park and
    ends up getting caught in mid air by the outfielder.
    
    Well.....Not much response on Rugrats, but that's o.k.  (I know I'll
    still watch it)
    
    Last one:        "DOUG"
    
    This ones on before Rugrats I think.  Personally I could go without it,
    but Chase seems to like it a bit.
    
    Anybody want to comment on "DOUG"?
    
    Steve

   I know that I might be stretching the rules a little, but since this
   is indeed about kids tv, and since a couple of people have already
   asked about this, I thought it might be helpful to post this info
   here...
   
   Barney the Dinosaur is "owned" by these folks:
   
   The Lyons Group
   300 E. Bethany Rd
   P.O. Box 8000
   Allen, TX  75002-1306
   
   phone: 800-527-4747
   
   You can sign up for the Barney fan club for free - the membership
   packet (at least the one we got) includes a membership certificate, a
   greeting card to color, and a picture to color - the flyer states that
   you will receive Barney newsletters as well.
   
   The flyer also includes order info for video and audio cassettes,
   t-shirts, storybooks, coloring books, a poster, and a stuffed animal.
   
   I've never ordered anything from these folks (except the fan club
   packet), so I don't know about quality or responsiveness.  I have seen
   their videos, coloring books and stuffed animals in local stores, but
   I have not yet seen the other stuff like the t-shirts.
   
   - Tom

    A question or two related to Thomas the Tank Engine videos...
    
    Nick owns 6 of these videos, and we're finally getting around to
    mailing to postcard that came with the first (blue) video, which
    promises a free gift to the child (and a friend) in appreciation
    for buying the video. Besides getting added to yet another mailing
    list ;^), does anyone know what to expect from this offer? 
    
    Thanks in advance...
    
    Freddie
    

    We just got a reply to the Thomas the Tank Engine video postcard that
    we sent in *nearly a year ago.*  It was a nice Thomas the Tank Engine
    coloring book with a letter from Sir Topham Hat.  The cover of the
    coloring book says it also contains washable markers, but there weren't
    any in our package.  Anyway, it's sort of a nice freebie, but don't
    expect a quick turnaround.
    
    Steve

    re .28
    
    That's Sir Topham Hatt!    :')
    
    
    Jeez, a year - my wife just mentioned to me the other day that it had
    been quite a while since she sent the thing in.
    
    BTW - I don't know if I ever put in the name of the toy store that has
    the best selection of the die-cast Thomas and Friends metal toys ---
    
    Evers Toy Store
    204 1st Ave East
    Dyersville, IA 52040
    
    1-800-962-9481
    
    Very nice people, and strange/funny to be talking to another person
    whose job it is to know all about about Percy, Toby, etc!
    
    Marc now has 23 pieces with 2 more on back order - no we don't spoil
    our son, not a bit!
    
    JR
          

For "Barney the Dinasour" items:

		Lyons Group
		300 E. Bethany Rd.
		PO Box 8000
		Allen, TX  75002-1306
		1-800-527-4747 Toll-Free  ($15 minimum)
		1-214-231-5501 FAX

		9% Shipping and Handling (Sales tax for TX and CA)

To join fanclub send child's name, address, phone, age, sex, and birthdate.

				CURRENT ITEMS/PRICES

Videos:
	The Backyard Show	#98011	$14.95
	A Day at the Beach	 98021	 "
	Three Wishes		 98031	"
	Waiting for Santa	 98041	"
	Barney's Campfire	 98051	"
		Singalong
	Barney Goes to School	 98061	"
	Barney in Concert	 98071	"
	Rock with Barney	 98081	"

Deluxe Packs: (video, audiocassette & storybook) (ALL $16.95 SPECIAL FOR NOW)
	Backyard Show		 98010	$19.95
	A Day at the Beach	 98020	"
	Three Wishes		 98030

Audio Cassette & Storybook Packages:
	Backyard Show		 98012	$4.95
	Day at the Beach	 98022	"
	Three Wishes		 98032	"
	Waiting for Santa	 98042	"
	Barney's Campfire	 98052	"
		Singalong
	Barney Goes to School	 98062	"
	Barney in Concert	 98072	"
	Rock with Barney	 98082	"

T-Shirts:

	Barney Logo or Barney & Balloon Logo:
	Children:			$8.95
		2-4,6-8,10-12,14-16
	Adult:				 9.95
		S,M,L,XL,XXL

Poster (24"x36" Barney & Balloons) 98015 $3.95

Coloring Books:
	Barney Coloring Book	 98310	$1.95
	Barney's Health and	 98311	"
	  Safety Coloring Book
	Barney's Manners	 98312	"
	  Coloring Book

StoryBooks:
	The Backyard Show	 98013	$3.50
	A Day at the Beach	 98023	"
	Three Wishes		 98033	"

Stuffed Animal (10")		 98100	$19.95  (I find them cheaper at
							Target!)



Whew!

Kristen

   Here's an update on Barney and Friends, for those folks whose kids
   have gotten hooked on that purple dino like mine have... :-)
   
   The Ch 2 (Boston, MA) kids schedule is shifting around a bit, and
   Barney is going to be affected.  Here's what I was able to write down
   while talking to the woman at Ch 2.  
   
   Apparently there was some discussion about no funding for new Barney
   shows, and the outcry was so great that funding was found.  There will
   be new episodes coming, but apparently Ch 2 will be showing re-runs
   for a little while until they are available - I did not get a schedule
   for that availability.  Here's what I wrote down of the schedule:
   
   September

   week of 6th - 8:00, 2:30
   week of 13th - Sunday 10:00, not during week
   week of 20th - Sunday 10:00, 2:30 during week
   week of 27th - Sunday 10:00, not during week
   
   Oct - Sundays 10:00 only, it looks like
   
   The November schedule should be available in a couple of weeks.
   
   Its not on Ch 44 at all, apparently, though she did not have the
   schedule for Ch 11 out of New Hampshire, so maybe they will still be
   showing re-runs up there.
   
   Also, there is Barney & Friends info line - 800-68-FRIEND
                                               800-683-7436
   
   I just tried to call it, and the answering machine was acting up, but
   it did identify itself as the Barney and Friends number,  so probably
   in a day or so ...
   
   If you want to call Ch 2, Boston,  MA:  617-492-2777
   
   Press 0 when it asks for an extension, and an operator will pick up.
   Ask to speak with someone in programming, and you will get transferred
   to that group.
   
   On a somewhat related note - I recently saw a new edition of their
   order form - prices have come down a couple of dollars on the stuffed
   animals, and they have added some new stuff - new videos, a new Baby
   Bop stuffed animal, and hand puppets.  There could be more new stuff,
   but I don't have it in front of me.   

   On a brighter note - kids programming is NOT going away - they are
   bringing back some of Lambchop and Shining Time Station - at least for
   a little while.
   
   - Tom

    My 3 1/2 year old is also hooked on Barney and we were distressed
    to find out that it was only going to be shown on Sunday mornings,
    so I called WENH (channel 11 in NH) to find out what was going on.
    
    I was told that because of the "educational programming" which was
    broadcast into the school system, they weren't able to broadcast
    other shows as frequently.  However, there is a possible plan to replace
    the noon Sesame Street with Barney and Lambchop but the final decision
    on the replacement has not been made.
    
    Maybe if enough of us call, the public opinion will help the decision
    along.  (603)868-1100
    
    Cathy 

    Well, it worked!  Barney is back on during the week on NH Channel 11.
    The noon Sesame Street has been replaced by Barney at 12:00 and
    Lambchop at 12:30. 
    
    Thanks to any and everyone who contacted WENH.  It's nice to know
    that our voices ARE heard.
    
    Cathy
    

    
    Geesh,
    
    	I must be the only one in this notes file that *hates* that show
    with Barney. I think that it is insulting and just plain old stupid. I
    can appreciate the fact that I am viewing this show from an adult
    perspective, but just as I would not use baby talk with our son,
    neither would I let him watch this show. (I do, however, let him watch
    Sesame Street which he really enjoys).
    
    	What is it about Barney that you or your children enjoy? Is it the
    songs? Do they really like the character? Is it the colors?
    
    			Wendy

 re: -1

 Just an aside, I have another reason for disliking Barney...the song!
 Isn't Barney where the song "There's a dinosaur knocking at the door,
 knocking 1-2-3' comes from?  Well, when we visited the U.S. in May
 with Sean (4 1/2 mos), my nieces and nephews used to sing that to Sean 
 endlessly to calm him down (even modified it slightly to be "There's a 
 Sean-asaur...)  Pretty obnoxious really but it works like a charm!  If 
 he is in the car and starts to cry (which he can do for a long time), he 
 will immediately stop crying to listen to the song...unfortunately, you 
 have to sing it for hours (literally)...because once you stop singing 
 it...he will start crying again.
 
 It was embarrassing on the train a couple of weeks ago from Geneva to
 Paris (3 1/2 hours).  Sean was overtired but couldn't fall asleep and 
 he started crying early in the trip and we started singing....we had
 people two rows away from us singing it by the end of the trip....you 
 know how you pick up a tune and start singing it -- no matter how much
 you'd like to forget it!
    
 I really dislike that song....!
    
    Carol

No, I dislike that Barney show too.  I find it to be faked - the kids on 
the show just seem to be going thru the motions, and the situations seem
really contrived.

At 22 months, Elise finds it boring.  At first I thought it was because it is
too old for her, but she watches Shining Time Station, which is for even older
kids, I think.

I guess she inherited my "cinema veritas" genes....

Pat

Well Michelle (now 2.5) has LOVED Barney since the first time she saw it over 
a year ago.  I think it's because all the characters (with the exception of 
Barney the dinosaur) are children.  She is far more interested in watching a 
show filled with real-life children than a show with puppets, animated 
characters, or adults.  The other aspect Michelle seems to like is all the
songs.  It seems like she learns a new song each time she watches the show.  
She used to love the BabySongs videos for the same reasons (kids and songs).

Yes, the show is unbelievably mushy (on par with Mister Roger's neigborhood)
It took me a while to learn to tolerate it.  But now I actually appreciate the 
things it is teaching my daughter (personal hygene, exercise and eating healthy,
environmental responsibility, using your imagination ...).   


Re .34

I can certainly see why you would find the show stupid.  After all the show is
targeted at two-yr-olds, not adults.  But I am curious to hear what you find 
insulting.


Re .35

I don't think I have ever heard the song you mentioned.  The theme song for 
Barney goes something like: "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..."
During the song, all the characters stand around hugging each other.  Of course 
this song, like the one you mentioned, can be unbelievably annoying to an adult.

A close friend's daughter (around two) has an interesting reaction whenever
she hears the song:  she runs to the closest person and gives them a big hug.
It's almost worth listening to the darned song just to watch her response.

    My two year old loves Barney too and 2-4 year olds are the "target
    audience" if you will.
    
    She dances around and does all the hand motions to the songs.  All
    those silly songs I learned in Girl Scouts, that I'm sure my
    parents tired of hearing too!
    
    We like the low-budget, simple messages:
    
    o Be nice to your friends
    o You're a special person
    o Say please and thank you
    o Share and take turns
    o Take care of your world
    
    Of course, she's tiring of him now after months of demanding to watch
    tapes constantly.  This is good because I just washed her Barney
    t-shirt in load with red play dough and the shirt is history.

    
    Both my kids have always liked "real" people rather than puppets.
    At age 2, they both seem to prefer photographs to illustrations in books,
    I vividly remember Rasika's reaction to "potty books" (when she was 2+); 
    she was generally uninterested until I happened to find a book that 
    had photographs of kids.  I think they like Barney because of the kids.
    I also like the subject matter that the show covers - the approach is 
    simple and straight forward.
    
    I think Sesame Street has a different approach and offers them a 
    different level of stimulation.  My kids seem to find the songs harder 
    to learn and repeat. But we all like that show enormously too.

    I personally think it's silly and faked.  But my kids (4 & 2)
    love it.  They really love the songs and motions.  The messages
    are simple and easy to understand.  I have learned to tolerant
    it.  But I refuse to buy the videos.  Watch it once per day is
    enough, definitely not 20 times per day.
    
    Wendy

    For those of you that haven't noticed, Ch 2 in Boston
    has put "Barney and Friends" back in the weekday morning
    lineup.
    
    Weekdays look like this:
    
    	7-8am	Sesame Street
    	8:00    Shining Time Station
        8:30    Barney and Friends
        9:00    Lambchop's Playalong
    
    Barney is still on Sunday mornings at 10 also.
    
    Linda

    9:30	Mr. Rogers
    

    BTW, My husband, who is home 2 days a week calls it
    the "Dream Lineup"
    
    It allows him to get his morning chores done, gee that
    makes ME happy too!
    
    		Linda

My son Daniel, 2yrs old, likes Sesame Street, Shining Time Station, Mister 
Rogers, Barney and Friends, Lambchops' Playalong, Reading Rainbow, Where in
the world is Carmine Sandiego, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. 

He doesn't watch ALL of them every day. He watches TV for 1 1/2 hours in
the morning (Sesame Street and Shining Time Station), an hour in the
afternoon (Carmine Sandiago) and the "Cool down and relax before bedtime"
is an other hour with Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. 

To each their own, I guess.
Norma

    
Hi all,

My son was watching Beakman's World channel 7 on Sat 8/7/93 around 8:00am.  He
did a thing on making your own rocket.   He took a 2 liter soda bottle, 
attached cardboard cut outs for launching.  He out a cork in the bottle and 
then used a foot pump and the rocket took off.   I only saw the very end where
he pumped the rocket.  My son wants to make this rocket.  I have no idea
how Beakman did it.    Does anyone have the formula to this or where I
can get it?


thanks 

    
    RE -1.
    
    Beakman's World is great.  Sometimes I watch it without the kids!
    
    To make the rocket, cut out cardboard fins that will fit the bottle
    such that the bottle will stand on them with the spout facing down. 
    Next get a cork (although a rubber stopper will work better) and make a
    hole in it just large enough for for an inflation needle (the kind used
    to inflate footballs or basketballs).  Fill the bottle 1/3 with water,
    insert the cork and needle attached to a hand pump.  Set the bottle on
    the ground (with plenty of overhead clearance) and continue pumping
    until there's enough pressure to push out the cork and it takes off.
    
    					Have fun,
    					John G.

    RE -1.
    
    THANK-YOU and my 6 year old son would also thank you to death!!!! 
    He keeps asking me if someone gave me the answer yet.  He loves
    watching Beakman's World.   Me too, I try to do some of the 
    experient too.  Our VCR is broken so we haven't been able to
    record any of his shows for quite awhile....
    
    thanks
    

    
    
    
    Over the weekend, during a fund-raising spot on Channel 2, they
    were giving away tickets to a Sharry Lewis/Lambchop performance.
    There was a lot going on in the house, so I missed the details.
    
    Is anyone aware of this show in terms of date, location, cost of
    tickets etc?
    
    Thanks..Phil

    I saw the ad on PBS.  The show is at the North Shore
    Music Circus (in Beverly?).  I believe the date is 
    Thursday 11/4.
    
    		Linda

    
     Well, this isn't about a TV show, but it's the closest note I could
    find. 
    
     At my children's elementary school, Bill Harley is coming to put on a
    show.  I've heard some of his stories on NPR, but I was wondering if
    anyone knows more about this entertainer.  He's billed as a family
    entertainer and I believe (don't have the flier in front of me) as a
    folk-type singer.
    
      Has anyone heard or seen him before?  I'd like to get an idea of what
    to expect before buying tickets.
    
                Thank you,
                 John

    Bill Harley is a BIG hit in our house.  We have several of his tapes
    and have been to one of his concerts.   He does storytelling and music,
    with LOTS of humor for both the kids and the adults. 
    
    When and where is the concert?  Is it open to the general public.
    
    /Deb Bernstein (PS. Hi John!)

    Anyone know where or when the JUNGLE BOOK (animated version) of
    DISNEY's classic video are available?  My little one (who just turned
    3) loves that video and I cannot find it.  I know those are limited
    editions but I would really like to give it to her before she grows out
    of it.  I surfed the net and the price people are asking are
    exorbitant.  Thanks for any input.
    
    Jay.

    
    re:  .59
    
         I was looking for the animated version of 101 Dalmations on 
    video and was told by a Blockbuster Video rep that I can special 
    order it for $20.00.  (I'm located in Georgia).  You may try to 
    see if you can also order the Jungle Book video through them.
    Good luck.
    
    
                                           Barbara