lemonlips_24 Reviews

Barney's Once Upon a Time (1996 Video)

What happens when Barney and his friends retell fairy tales? A video that'll have kids (and adults) laughing!

[10/10 · 30 January 2024]

First off, yes, I'm grown and I love Barney! This particular Barney Home Video stands out as having arguably the least amount of songs. This is a "pro" for adults watching who get annoyed by the songs. I personally love the Barney songs but one of my pet peeves is that the songs are often too close together on the show. Then again, that's how a lot of preschooler's learn.

This one is not your usual little kids' fairy tale video because much of the skits in this have more humor than a typical Barney video. In fact, some of this reminds me of "Muppet Classic Theater"- (1994), which I highly recommend. Baby Bop as Rapunzel was so funny because of how sassy she was towards the narrator (Barney) and the witch (Stella the Storyteller). Additionally, it was cute when she was begging for waffles in The Three Bears story. As for the kids, Shawn and Carlos were the most entertaining; mainly Carlos' bubble prank at the start of the video and Shawn was funny as Rumpelstiltskin (I think it's because of his Texan accent). It's odd that BJ (my favorite dino) wasn't in this video, he would've definitely added more funny moments. Of course, it was lovely that Stella made an appearance (R. I. P. Phyllis Cicero).

So, this is a great classic Barney video for both the kids and adults to enjoy! Fire up the VCR (or YouTube) and give it a watch!

Kids for Character: Choices Count! (1997 Video)

While the first one always tops, there's still a lot to learn from this sequel video.

[7/10 · 30 January 2024]

First I'll admit that I favor the first "Kids For Character" video a lot. This sequel has less clips from TV programs and a lot more songs and in-between skits. This one wasn't as popular and is arguably rare. Fortunately, I own the VHS and managed to preserve the footage.

It's definitely on the modest side, as it was filmed at a family event at a normal park instead of the Universal Studios park. There are no cameos of classic cartoon characters, rather we get nice performances from children's folk singer Joe Scruggs (who has made numerous records and appearances on "Barney") and Eddie Coker (another children's musician, who has also done musical work for "Barney"). The songs by them and the kid performers are pretty good! The three TV programs featured are "Bananas in Pyjamas", "The Big Comfy Couch", and "Wishbone". Shows that were quite influential during their time.

As for the messaging, the first video centered on character traits that are more friendship-oriented. This one is more about personal accountability and the results of the everyday choices kids make. I like how they showed different possibilities for each choice made. Often times, kids don't fully understand why certain choices are unwise. Unfortunately, it's because many adults fail to explain it to them. The video goes beyond "don't choose this" and illustrates "if you choose this, X-Y-Z could happen."

Overall, a good one to educate kids ages 4-8 in addition to the first video. However, I do think that kids may gravitate more towards the first since there's more pop-culture appeal.

For My Daughter's Honor (1996 TV Movie)

Raises awareness of a serious issue, but too upsetting to watch a second time.

[5/10 · 22 January 2024]

I have an odd affinity for cheesy '90s TV films (especially Lifetime style ones), I find them more entertaining than many of the TV films made today. I watched this one on Tubi since it caught my eye on every other free movie streaming service. I have mixed feelings about this movie for all the right reasons.

The good thing is that it brings awareness to unfortunately common issues: abuse of power and s*xual misconduct towards minors. It shows that bad authority figures "work their way" up to gain the trust of their victims as well as exploit the misguided feelings the victim may have for them.

The very bad thing (something that unfortunately is true for the real world) is how essentially everyone turned on the victim except for her parents. This young lady's own friends betrayed her after she confided in them about what the coach/teacher did to her. The girl was harassed and shamed by an entire community, and this community treated the teacher as if he's the helpless victim! It also illustrates how in these small towns, the people worship athletics and will turn a blind eye if a beloved athlete or coach turns out to be a horribly immoral individual. Absolutely no one stopped to think that the girl was telling the truth and that the coach/teacher's a predator. The literal child was paying for the sins of an adult. Awful!

The pervasive treatment of the girl upset me so much that after the movie ended, I said, "I'm not watching this movie again." There are many movies surrounding serious and upsetting topics that I gladly rewatch, this is not one of them. "Our Guys" was similar in nature in which a whole community was nasty towards an SA victim and quick to defend the perpetrator just because they're "such an awesome person." I'm unlikely to watch that film again either, especially since in that one, the victim was developmentally disabled. Both of these films are based on true stories.

So if you want to watch this movie, just be aware that it's quite angering. I can't name any alternatives to this one at the moment, as others of the same topic are just as distressing.

Thirteen (2003)

The raw portrayal of the harsh realities of trauma in youth that goes ignored.

[10/10 · 18 December 2023]

I first saw this movie as a teenager myself. I fell in love with the aesthetic while simultaneously feeling hurt for Tracy. That hurt for her has deepened since my own personal growth and experiences with trauma.

I was well aware of the praise this movie received. I also knew that some criticized it for being too raw, but had no idea that people criticized it for being "unrealistic". The "unrealistic" comments upset me for many reasons. First, it's loosely based on Nikki Reed's (co-star and co-screenwriter) personal experiences and even that of her former friends, so to say that her script was "unrealistic" is grossly invalidating. Secondly, there are many everyday people who say that this movie resembled their own teen years, are their stories "unrealistic" too? Lastly (and this brings me to a vital point), many spouting the "unrealistic" narrative are willfully ignorant not only of the existence of these behaviors in younger teens, but also the fact that these types of behaviors are often a product of trauma (in the movie's case, family-related trauma). Many put on rose-colored glasses and pretend that younger teens like Tracy and Evie are/were uncommon or that it's only "kids these days".

My own trauma as a young adolescent did take me to places I should have never been. However, I can't say that my own post-trauma behaviors mirrored Tracy and Evie's. Also, not everyone's post-trauma behaviors are that extreme, some become more reserved and quiet. Either way, I was quite self-destructive and angry just like them. Tracy's trauma stemmed from her parents' divorce and later witnessing an adult overdose on dr*gs in her home. Evie was a master manipulator and lied a lot, so it's hard to say 100 percent what she went through, but it's clear that she was a victim of negligence. Unfortunately, many adults ignore the trauma of adolescents, often brushing it off as just being dramatic. On a side note, many adolescents who suffer physical or s*xual abuse often conceal what happens to them out of fear of not being taken seriously. Tracy made it known to her mother Mel (a recovering alcoholic) that having freeloading guests (many were recovering addicts) in and out of their home made her uncomfortable and upset. Tracy was stridently vocal about disliking Mel's boyfriend Brady, who overdosed in front of Tracy. Mel was too caught up in the lives of her friends who were taking advantage of her. Tracy's bad attitude and self destructive behavior was a loud cry for help; Mel only seemed to be more invested in Tracy once Tracy started getting in more trouble. As for Evie, we know that she lived with her cousin Brooke, a washed-up actress/model/bartender who's often absent from the home; Brooke even allowed Evie to drink beer. Evie was very promiscuous and was involved in dr*g dealing. With these two different girls, and two different scenarios, the results were the same. They bonded through their bad behavior, and suffered consequences, though Tracy arguably got the bitter end of the stick by the end of the movie.

The experiences of one person shouldn't be dismissed just because it doesn't fit one's static views of young people. Additionally, we need to start listening more and trying to help youth who may have been traumatized by something. No matter how minuscule the situation may sound to us, ignoring it can lead to the blossom of behaviors like those depicted in "Thirteen".

Great movie with a strong script and award-worthy acting! With this having some strong content, of course, it's not recommended for some viewers. For a milder teen film on the effects of trauma on youth, I recommend "Speak"-2004.

Zoom (1997– )

This new generation could really benefit from a show like this!

[10/10 · 26 November 2023]

This show was an inspiration to me as a kid! I wanted to be on this show so bad, it looked like so much fun! I loved most of the cast (Caroline was my favorite), and they were very relatable since they were regular kids and not child starlets.

The segments inspired creativity, community, teamwork, and open dialogue. In this show, the kids demonstrate food recipes, homemade crafts, science experiments, comedy skits, games, etc. Additionally, there were discussions and conversations about the various issues that plague kids. The best part is that these were all ideas sent in from kids all across the U. S. This show predates Internet blogs and videos, but it seems that even with the Internet, much of that DIY content doesn't appear to be reaching people's minds, just their eyes. "If you like what you see, turn off your TV and do it!" (from the intro song) seems to be missing these days. So much on video platforms are feeding us creative methods, yet many of us are still not utilizing it. There's more consuming than constructing, which is becoming a huge problem, especially for younger people. One nice gesture was when WGBH (the PBS affiliate that produced the series) got some of the former cast members to recreate the projects they did on the show. That was in 2020; considering the circumstances, we as people were somewhat forced to get more creative in order to survive (and alleviate boredom since entertainment was being affected). I'm not sure why the impact is not the same, is it the medium that's being used or has our culture really shifted in such a bizarre direction?

Though this show is no longer being made or broadcast; there's plenty of episodes on YouTube. Those of us who grew up on this long-running PBS series can use this show's example to inspire kids in our communities, with or without the help of social media. As in actually constructing things and not just teaching or viewing them.

I also recommend "Fetch with Ruff Ruffman", since it became a good substitute after "Zoom" was cancelled.

Caillou (1997–2018)

I remember why I liked this show as a little one...

[4/10 · 14 August 2023]

• Aesthetically cute - yes
• Cute music - yes
• Occasionally funny - yes
• Positive role models - no

I used to really like Caillou as a little kid, I thought it had some funny moments (I'll attribute that to Caillou's voice acting. My favorite part of the show was the puppets, so when they ditched the puppets, the show got boring to me. I also liked the song segments in between. But even as a young child, there was one major flaw in the show that I really didn't like....oh yeah...Caillou's tantrums and bully-like behavior. I hated when he kicked and screamed, I hated when he picked on Rosie, his little sister. I still despise these aspects, but what upsets me even more is the lack of assertive discipline from the parents. And it's not a sporadic occurrence, it's too many episodes to count. On top of that, he's very spoiled at times. It doesn't model good behavior for the very young viewers. Yes, Caillou is 4 years old, the same age as the target audience, but it sends mixed messages when kids see other kids throw tantrums and still get rewarded. Additionally, bullying Rosie and rough playing with her is undeniably something children would copy. Two of my nieces (ages 2 and 5) have problems being stingy with toys and fighting each other; they also are fans of Peppa Pig (which is practically this generation's equivalent to Caillou in some ways). I have been trying to present positive values to them using the programs I watched at their age, unfortunately, this show is not one I will be exposing them to and hopefully their parents agree.

Here's some (much better) alternatives with some similar themes to Caillou (past and present shows)

• Little Bill
• Bluey
• Little Bear
• Franklin
• Wow Wow Wubbzy
• Curious George.

VeggieTales: God Wants Me to Forgive Them!?! (1994 Video)

A simple Veggie fave despite some roughness.

[9/10 · 13 June 2023]

First off, many of us already know that this 1994 installment of the VeggieTales franchise is aesthetically rough looking quality-wise. However, it's important to note that the staff of Big Idea Productions experienced extreme burnout after the painful but worthwhile experience making the first video "Where's God When I'm S-Scared?" in 1993. On top of that, they were starting a deal with distributors and had deadlines. With that being said, this video was simpler in its theme, but suffered from TONS of animation errors. But these can be forgiven since Phil Vischer and Co. Were still "babies" in the business.

The biblically based lesson on forgiveness is made simple for kids but it's missing a few layers, which Big Idea somewhat made up for in later videos that touch on the topic. One thing that modern Christian discourse often forgets about is the difference between forgiveness and condoning. With children, many of them often times have simple forgiveness issues with peers that may hurt their feelings (like how Larry was offended by Bob saying Larry's apology wasn't good enough). But with other children they may have to deal with a peer who has hurt them repeatedly (like when the Grape kids insulted Junior twice). Unlike Junior's story, though, some kids repeat offenses towards their peers and don't stop or have no sense of remorse. This is one thing the video could have addressed without making things too complicated for young children. It's important we teach kids that forgiveness means we are not going to let what someone has done to us tear us down forever. Forgiveness does not mean that one is obligated to trust the person that has hurt them. It's honorable that Junior forgave the Grapes, but he wasn't obligated to trust them to not make fun of people. One reason bullying still continues among kids is because there are too many adults that expect them to always make up with each other after a spat (only for the kid to get hurt by the same person again and again). Despite this, I applaud the message that forgiveness is important because God forgive us and when we don't forgive, we're not punishing the ones who hurt us, we are punishing ourselves (this is illustrated in the Gilligan's Island spoof "Larry's Lagoon", just without my wording).

Definitely a classic to share with kids, especially ones that fight with their siblings and neighbors often. Additionally, it's still a nice watch just to appreciate some super-early VT goodness. This video doesn't have a lot of songs like the others, but still entertaining nonetheless. Side note: "Forgive-O-Matic" is a cute segment in place of the beloved "Silly Songs with Larry" but I'm glad more Silly Songs came along because they only meant to do it one time (shocker)!

Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space! (1997 Video)

Definitely a Veggie Classic...but definitely NOT for all kids.

[8/10 · 12 June 2023]

This is one old school VT video filled with the satisfactory amount of humor and pop culture references. This is one episode I love for the hard work Big Idea put into it. However, I'm not speaking from a nostalgic perspective, because unlike the other older VT videos, I don't have the most pleasant memories surrounding this one.

I first saw this episode as a preschooler, and it gave me nightmares for YEARS. I'm still recovering as an adult, so I watch occasionally the video to help me get over the old fear. Turns out that others in the VT fan base have stories parallel to mine. Before I give this episode its praises, I have to give reasons to why the grown folks need to take precaution before showing it to kids (particularly those under 8 years old). This is probably the darkest video in VeggieTales history, even more so than "Rack, Shack, & Benny"-(1995). There's barely any daylight depicted in this LarryBoy adventure, and the sky backgrounds used are freakishly realistic. Larry acts too serious and not as goofy, which may be off putting for some Larry fans (this was even a criticism that Big Idea received about this episode). But the biggest concern here is with the villain of the story, The Fib from Outer Space. Fib is a space alien who appears cute at first, but the more Junior Asparagus lies, Fib grows bigger. Eventually, Fib turns monstrous and destroys the town. Frighteningly enough, he attempts to eat LarryBoy...AND CAN BE SEEN WITH LARRYBOY IN HIS MOUTH. Talk about traumatic. For this reason, if you know little kids that are very sensitive to this kind of material, please DO NOT show them this episode until they're older.

For the positive, this episode presents a great analogy of what happens when lies get out of control; for us in the adult world, lies can lead to deaths, which is probably what the writers were getting at by having Fib wanting to eat LarryBoy and Junior...but that's WAAYYY too heavy for 5- year olds. Additionally, this one can be more entertaining for teens and adults since it pays homage to sci-fi movies and Batman, not to mention the score for this episode was EPIC! Lastly, the LarryBoy theme song performed by Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen...TIMELESS!

Overall, this VT video is best suited for those 8 years old and over, but if you insist on showing this episode to a much younger child, thorough conversation about the episode's theme (as well as the line between fantasy and reality) is needed.

Kids for Character (1996 Video)

Very '90s, Very fun, and VERY important values!

[10/10 · 7 June 2023]

This tape was a dream come true for those who were kids in the '90s and '00s, who wouldn't want to see your fave cartoon characters in one video? The "Six Simple Words" rap is still a BOP and I'm all grown up!

I discovered "Kids For Character" through watching Barney tapes as a little kid, but I didn't see it until I was slightly older than the target audience. I was mostly captured by the clips from the older shows like "The Puzzle Place" and "Gullah Gullah Island", and I remembered all the words to the rap. When I got much older, I appreciated the lessons even more, especially since many shows today aimed at 4-8 year old kids lack these values (but thank God for "Paw Patrol" and "Bluey). There should be a new "Kids For Character" video for this generation of kids. Sure there are materials that guidance counselors use in schools, but many of them are very preachy, bland, and are disposable at best (in other words... the kids aren't getting the message). This video would be great for kids today, the only obstacle is that it would be too dated for them, as these are programs and characters from a past generation that have since lost relevancy (Find me a 5 year old in 2023 who can tell you who Lamb Chop is). Despite this, we shouldn't always underestimate the audience, there's more and more parents these days whipping out their old VHS tapes since they're fed up with countless amounts of programs today having negative influences on their kids. With that being said, it's got the things that'll draw in most kids: colorful characters and catchy songs. With repeated watchings, they'll learn how to be good friends, build responsibility, and impact their communities. For these things, this is one classic that's worth firing up the VCR for!

Starving in Suburbia (2014)

Truly RAW

[9/10 · 18 April 2023]

This is a pretty polarizing movie about eating disorders, but it just goes to show we can't measure everyone's experience by our own expectations. Some say this movie hit home others say it's unrealistic.

There's a lot that critics of this movie get WRONG:

• It wasn't senseless that Hannah was able to track down ButterflyAna; if you pay attention to the beginning of the movie, it was stated that Kayden personally knew ButterflyAna and that she was a friend of Kayden's relative.

• Many think that the movie portrays the idea that simply looking at a website could cause someone to develop an ED. No. The therapist said that the website alone was not to blame considering that Hannah was already suffering from anxiety disorder. These websites serve as triggers for EDs but not necessarily catalysts.

• There are those who thought the idea of the movie portraying religious-like devotion to having EDs was silly. Unfortunately, there are those who are so consumed by their disorders that it becomes their god (watch documentaries on Pro-Anorexics for reference). These are severe cases usually present in those who have been suffering from EDs for years.

• Some complain that Joey (Hannah's mom) was being too dramatic. UH....you would be too if you knew your daughter was killing herself.

What critics get RIGHT:

• This one isn't a criticism of the movie but it's one critics address. There is a lot underrepresentation for male victims of EDs like Leo, and it explains why Michael (Hannah's dad) was in such denial. Michael was also a very toxic figure in the way he pushed his son to eat less for wrestling.

• The movie is aesthetically pleasing, and for some viewers it may make Hannah's ED look like something to strive for, even though that's the opposite of the movie's message.

• The Hannah/Brenden/Kayden love triangle was slightly overplayed, but it does go to show how EDs can destroy friendships.

• The movie does fall victim to the trope of "I can't control my life, so I'll control my eating". While this trope is true for many with EDs, many movies like this fail to recognize that some drivers for EDs are related to vanity and not necessarily because of trauma or feeling overwhelmed by life circumstances. On the flip side there are movies where the characters develop EDs because they're put in toxic environments that encourage unhealthy weight loss methods and eating habits (ex. "Perfect Body"-1997; "Dying to Dance"-2001; "Hunger Point"-2003)

My thoughts: It's a really good, raw illustration about the very dark side of EDs that many people are oblivious of. Also a wake up call about internet groups that glorify and encourage these life-threatening disorders. The plot twist of Leo secretly having an ED definitely smashes the tired idea that only girls are affected. It would have been nice to get a deeper look at the life of ButterflyAna after we discover her home life (or lack there of) is quite depressing. I felt so bad for Joey because you can tell she really wanted her family to really be closer and happier than what they were. I like how even though Miss Christie (the dance teacher) wasn't on screen much, she was shown to have the greatest concern for Hannah's well being. This movie teaches parents and adults that we have to be careful about the heavy expectations we put on kids because it can open doors to mental dysfunction. Hannah felt she had to be perfect in everything she did, and her family's dynamic was partially to blame; the therapist even said there was too much pressure on Hannah.

Overall, definitely not a perfect movie, but it stands out from a lot of movies and shows about EDs before it's time.

Odd Girl Out (2005 TV Movie)

A tough and important watch for teen girls AND adults.

[10/10 · 3 March 2023]

Wooowee. This one will make you mad... and think. It's a wake up call to parents that sometimes their kid's worst enemy is their "best friend". If a friend can't celebrate your accomplishments or is jealous that someone's taking romantic interest in you....sis, that's not a friend.

I actually have a copy of the book the movie is based on and there's a lot about the dynamics of toxic female friendships during adolescence. Little kids are no exception, I've seen this behavior in girls as young as 6 years old. It shows how when some are desperate to fit in or stay popular, they'll either backstab their friends or stay friends with the backstabbers. I empathized with the character Vanessa greatly and I've had about 100 Stacey's and Nikki's throughout my years. On a positive note there are people like Emily out there who will be a more uplifting force in your life. The movie was also a little ahead of its time in its portrayal of cruel cyberbullying, and this was when social media was still in its infancy and there wasn't much discourse on the topic. This was way before there was more policies in place about online harassment.

Every young girl needs to watch this and adults need to take notes. But be warned some of the material is triggering.

Fifteen and Pregnant (1998 TV Movie)

Lifetime's multidimensional take on teen pregnancy.

[10/10 · 3 March 2023]

First off I will say I LOVE Kirsten Dunst, and I'm a sucker for old Lifetime movies since most of the subsequent ones are quite unwatchable. This one is a gem for many reasons.

The movie is based on a true story, but the origin story is unknown for privacy reasons. Here we see the many complications that arise after 15-year old Tina (Dunst) becomes pregnant by her elusive boyfriend Ray. Tina's parents Evie and Cal are already stressed by their marital separation while Tina's siblings Rachel and Adam feel even more starved for attention.

The movie gives many layers to its characters, at first glance you might think that Tina is too defiant, Evie is too judgmental, or that Rachel is too jealous. It's not that black and white. Tina was at an age where she felt ignored by her parents and naturally she sought the affection of a boy, a very immature boy. This is common for young adolescents and it made sense that Tina was basically crying for help, she even admits she didn't feel enough love from her parents. While Evie was of a religious conservative mind, she worked in social services; given the cases she came across on a daily basis, it was reasonable she didn't want her kids to end up in the same situation as those in system. Rachel was undeniably jealous of the attention Tina was getting and was quite damning of her parents for being supportive of Tina. But if you think about that fact that Tina was getting more attention after doing something she shouldn't have, that would be enough to upset kids because to them it's mixed messages. A deeper inspection shows that Rachel had some deep self esteem issues (she had an eating problem) and it wasn't helping that she didn't feel secure enough to talk to her family and was rather escapist (she moved in with the grandmother to evade Tina's situation).

With that being said there's also the portrayal of the hardships that come along after a baby is born. Tina's friend Laurie was already a teen mom and it was tougher since she was juggling college and a job with the baby's father not being in the picture. One downside is that the movie unintentionally portrays teen motherhood as being too bleak, we see this in multiple side characters who are teen moms. Don't get me wrong, teen parenthood shouldn't be encouraged, but we can't treat it as if it's always going to be super depressing 24/7. Anyone who is suffering depression after childbirth, I recommend counseling. On an upside, it is a wake up call for young people who want to settle too early. We have to be honest, most boys are not going to stick around to be teen fathers. And we must remind girls not to let boys pressure them into doing something with life-altering consequences (and vice versa)

This is definitely one a Lifetime's best! Give it a watch!

Just Ask My Children (2001 TV Movie)

Upsetting, yet awakening.

[8/10 · 3 March 2023]

Based on a real life series of court cases in the 1980s targeting suburban parents being falsely accused of occult ritualist abuse of children, two loving parents face their worse nightmare when they are falsely convicted and imprisoned for a fabricated crime...s*xually abusing their sons. This movie is not an easy watch as a family was torn apart by lies and and it took many many years for them to clear their name. This movie also exposes how the legal system sometimes gaslights children. The love the children had for their parents was used against them by getting them to lie thinking it would get them and their parents out of trouble. It's quite depressing how it took years for the kids to confess that they were coaxed into testifying against their parents for something that never happened. This kind of thing still happens today and is something we all should be vigilant about.

Gary & Mike (2001)

Somebody PLEASE revive this show!

[10/10 · 3 March 2023]

I grew up on UPN (R. I. P.) but I don't remember this show existing. When its existence was brought to my attention last year, it caught my eye that it was animated by the same studio that made Eddie Murphy's "The PJs", which is a hilarious show! One episode into this and I was HOOKED! Gary and Mike make the most unlikely of friends, and I found myself feeling sorry for Gary for having such an idiot friend like Mike (who was the catalyst for most of the show's dilemmas) and don't get me started on Gary's nutty father. It's got the perfect amount of slapstick and wit. I was so upset when I hit the last episode because more than 20 years after its end and THAT WAS IT. It's been said that the studio didn't have the budget to make more episodes, hopefully in the near future this can be revived so we'll see what happened after the big chase at the end.

Highly recommend if you like stop motion and adult animated comedies! Check it out on the web!

Colby's Clubhouse (1984–2000)

A flawed yet uplifting series for Christian kids!

[7/10 · 3 March 2023]

There's a lot of flaws within the series. The writing is overwhelmingly cheesy, the acting is the worst I've seen in any kids' program (even other Christian shows) minus the chops of Krysta Rodriguez and a FEW others, the clubhouse sets are incredibly cheap (but a lot of scenes were taped on location), and it's quite dated even by 90's standards.

HOWEVER, there's a lot to praise about the series. It's aimed at the 6-12 age category but there's a lot that some teens can take away from this show if they can get past its flaws. Many of the episodes tackled serious issues like bullying, homelessness, eating disorders, substance abuse, dysfunctional families, divorce, and even racism. Issues that most shows for that age group (even in secular media) tiptoe around. The cast is fairly diverse without relying on tokenism (showrunners of today need to take notes). Though the acting is rough, the kids put so much emotion into the songs and dance routines, so that's a plus. The songs are catchy, and the dances are easy for kids to follow along with. Just to give a sample of the messages of this series, the episode on racism (titled "Dealing with Bigots") not only addressed prejudice, but bluntly addressed hypocrisy with those who claim to follow Christ, yet they hate their neighbors. In "Krysta's Sister Has Problems", Krysta's teenage sister starts acting out in retaliation to their parents' divorce and to the surprise of Krysta (and me as a viewer), the sister also abuses pills; this episode also shines light on the concept of Christians being there for each other and not being quick to judge a person's situation. The "Anorexia" episode about Lindsey's friend was actually dedicated to a fan of the show who was suffering from the disease (that's very sweet). There's are ongoing themes encouraging kids to show Christ's love and reach out to those in need, along with the message that though suffering is inevitable, God gives us peace and he put people in our lives to help us, which are messages for EVERYONE.

Overall, if you can see past its flaws, people of any age, not just kids, can engage with the complex messages this show has to offer. I'd like to see the show possibly get remade for the newer generation.

P. S. Ignore tripe you hear about the cast.

Bibleman (1995– )

Take the good, take the bad. It was a show from the heart.

[7/10 · 3 March 2023]

I gave it an extra star because nostalgia. Yes, it's bad....but also good. Hear me out.

This was a show with the humblest of beginnings. In the mid-1990s, it started out as a quirky Christian sing-along show with a gang of kids, before heading into the more adventurous genre of videos. I know people like to make fun of this show. But what if the show was meant to be corny on purpose? It was noted in press for the series that it paid some homage to Adam West's "Batman", which was a pretty corny show from what I've gathered. And I found the endless references to Willie Aames '80s sitcoms quite funny. Yes, it's cheap-looking, but they tried their best with the budget they had. With that being said let's go over the bad and the good.

The (unintentional) bad:

• Terrible acting from the kids and most side characters, especially in the early videos. I know it's a low budget series, but with Willie Aames being a veteran actor, there's no reason they couldn't have had better coaching.

• The "Josh Carpenter" Bibleman videos were a downgrade from the "Miles Peterson" era. It was even cheaper and cornier.

• The strident evangelical overtones can be overwhelming even for the Christian audience. I as a Christian like the messages of the videos but for people not grounded in the faith or who don't understand allegory, it can be hard to swallow. On a side note, I do think critics get the message of the "Shadow of Doubt" video twisted, it was actually pro-reason not anti-reason.

• Some of the villains have been criticized for embodying Jewish stereotypes (mainly Jef Scott's portrayals). Scott said he was heavily inspired by Jerry Lewis, which is commendable, but it can be easily perceived as malice by some viewers, especially in this day in age where we tend to overanalyze.

The Good:

• Catchy songs. Both the villain songs and the kids' songs from the early tapes are toe tappers. I think the Prince of Pride had one of the best villain songs on the series.

• Funny. The stupidity of the villains and the cheesy puns throughout give me a chuckle.

• Brian Lemmons (who played most of the villains) was the best actor on the series in my opinion, he had great timing. Follow his Insta, he's a cool guy.

• Heartfelt messages. As preachy as it is, they really cared about kids. Willie Aames spiritual beliefs may have changed since the show, but I still want to thank him for the heart he put into the videos. I know some complain about the villains being "killed" but you have to note that they are demons in the flesh and not humans (this where some of the Bible allegory kicks in).

So even with its cheapness and preachiness, there's good to take away from the series, and I don't mean just a cheap laugh. But stay away from that new animated series, it's an eyesore.

The Missy Files (2003 Video)

Wasted potential.

[10/10 · 3 March 2023]

From the makers of "Bibleman" comes a Christian tween series for the young ladies ages 7-14. Such a shame this only had two episodes, I really liked it. Missy (played by Willie Aames' daughter Harleigh Upton) is a drama-buff with a wild imagination and cheeky personality, kind of like my younger self. She's over-the-top and simultaneously relatable, a good role model for Christian girls showing that a little kindness can go a long way (watch "Changes In the Wind" for reference). I understand that budget and sales may have been why this series didn't last as long as "Bibleman", but it had a great deal of potential. The DVD's for this are becoming harder to find, so snatch them up while you can.

Gina D's Kids Club (2004–2011)

There's better than this on TBN for the little ones.

[2/10 · 1 March 2023]

I grew up with the TBN Saturday kids block back in the 2000's and I absolutely LOVED the programs.....this was not one of them.

First off, for show that was made in the mid-2000s, the aesthetic and special effects were very dated and cheap. The puppets aren't great (I'd take the "Miss Charity's Diner" puppets over this show), the songs are forgettable (except for the fitness song, that was catchy), and the clown guy is kind of creepy. No disrespect to Miss Gina though, the lady seems to have a heart for kids.

Unlike the other shows TBN aired for kids, this one isn't explicitly Christian and relies more on preschool learning. But what is in this show that kids can't get from PBS Kids or Nick Jr?

Here's some alternatives I recommend for the 2-5 age group that TBN kids programming has to offer: If your kids like puppets, go for "Gerbert", "Dooley and Pals", "Quigley's Village", "Pahappahooey Island", or "Miss Charity's Diner". Skip this series.