Sometimes, instead of working on homework or studying for my next test, I just want to watch a show that involves a blue talking cat, or a show about three bears who are best friends. Shows like “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “We Bare Bears,” and “Wild Kratts,” shaped the childhoods of many my age, including myself. As I’ve grown up, and find myself constantly wishing that each day had 25 hours instead of 24, in my free time, I would much rather watch a single 12 minute episode of what may appear as “brain rot,” than watch an hour long episode of what older generations call “good television”.
“The Amazing World of Gumball” is an animated sitcom about a blue cat named Gumball and the trials and tribulations of his dysfunctional family. This was one of the first shows that I considered myself a fan of. I would say that I attribute my love for shows like “Daredevil,” “Hannibal,” and “Suits” to the love I held and still hold for Gumball. On my multiple rewatches of this show, I have even noticed multiple references to iconic movies like “The Terminator” and the groundbreaking show “Breaking Bad.” Even though it is a children’s show, Gumball has also addressed many serious topics, such as philosophy and the human condition, all adding to the deep lore of the dimensions within the fictional world of Elmore. When the show ended in 2019, I was deeply saddened, but now that a seventh season has been announced to be in development, I will be going back to watch this show.
“We Bare Bears” is an animated show about three bears who meet through a faithful twist of events, and become their own factory. This show was one of my favorites, and it also taught its viewers many lessons. Freshman Katherine Yao said, “We Bare Bears was a fun childhood show that I loved watching with my little sister. It was entertaining and funny, but also taught the lessons of diversity and inclusivity.” The show, along with the three main characters, was also filled with a loveable supporting cast, all of which had something that made them special. In the fictional world of the show, the writers also managed to wrap real life events into the show, and were also able to incorporate real life conflicts for each character. All of these elements combined make We Bare Bears the perfect show to watch (or rewatch!) anytime.
“Wild Kratts” is an animated show based off of the real life Kratt Brothers, Chris and Martin. The brothers previously had a live action educational show called “Zoboomafoo” which exposed young viewers to the different animals of the world, along with the importance of friends and family. I asked both Yesha Karol and Sophie Dong (freshman) about the impact that the show had on them. Yesha Karol said, “Wild Kratts was a great way for me to learn about the environment while also being a fun pass time. I loved the way that they went to explore nature by becoming the animal that they were going to learn about.” Sophie Dong said, “Wild Kratts was one of my favorite shows to watch as a kid. It helped me learn more about the world, geography, ecosystems, and its unique species. On top of that, it made learning everything so much fun!” I also really enjoyed this show, and I spent a fair amount of time being engulfed in the story lines of this show when I was in elementary school. This is probably one of the best shows I watched when I was little, and it holds a special place in my heart, and the hearts of many.
So if you ever find yourself overwhelmed with literally anything, be sure to check out some of these shows! I know that I have, and they always help me relax. The combined nostalgia of these childhood shows, along with the entertaining storylines are what contribute to what make these shows so fun to watch, for any age.