Stop babying them!
January 31st, 2008 by Treena ShapiroAbout 10 seconds into her first classic Looney Tunes cartoon, my 4-year-old asked: “Why did Bugs grow up to be so mean?”
I could understand why she was so puzzled. The “Baby Looney Tunes” have their issues, but they’re not chasing each other around with guns, blowing each other up or dropping anvils on each others’ heads. There’s nothing going on in Granny’s nursery to indicate that almost every single one of her charges will grow up to be a psychopath.
What went wrong?
Maybe Warner Brothers should have realized there would be problems reconciling the babies with their grown-up counterparts.
I have to say, the whole “baby” thing is starting to get on my nerves.
All last week, my daughter wanted to know when we could watch the “Baby Goofy” episode of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.” After it finally aired on Sunday, she turned her attention to “Snow Buddies,” which is a straight-to-DVD movie about puppies who pull sleighs and TALK, she kept telling me.
My 11-year-old tried to convince her to watch “Eight Below” instead, but while those dogs also pull sleighs, they’re grown up and don’t talk. My daughter just didn’t see the appeal.
I guess little kids don’t care about quality nearly as much as they care about having characters they can relate to, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Still, it’s understandably jarring when they realize that the sweet little babies they know didn’t grow up to be the kindest adults.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:13 am
I’ll try to shed some light into Bug’s downward spiral to “meaness.”
Yes, in the beginning, Bugs was a talented child star. Good-hearted and cute as a button. He got roles left and right for a few good years. Unfortunately, as with most child stars, he grew up…entered an “awkward” phase. No one would hire him. He started going to clubs, hanging out with the wrong crowds. Porky Pig, who was his buddy, became his drug dealer. I know, who would have guessed. Bugs snapped. He fired his agent, Yosemite Sam, and became fodder for tabloid news. The Paparazzi followed him daily. Reveling in his misery and craziness. Once, high on drugs, Bugs shaved all his fur off…then had to wear a cat suit until it grew back. Poor Bugs. His family and friends (Babs, Pepe, Elmer), intervened several times, begging him to get into rehab. In and out of rehab Bugs went. (Where do you think he got the expression, “What’s Up Doc?”). So many doctors, so many visits.
Well, Bugs did clean up, but not without a price. He became bitter and vengeful. He did return to the spotlight in his very own show, but he was no longer cute. He constantly avoided his former agent, Yosemite (who, himself, blames Bugs for many of his failures). Bugs’ pranks and mean humor hide a more vulnerable side to him. He builds a wall around himself and tries not to let anyone get close to him - should they hurt him emotionally.
(wink)
January 31st, 2008 at 8:22 am
how observant of sloanie! i’m an adult and watched the grown up bugs while growing up and have watched a few episodes of baby looney tunes and never thought about the contrast!! annie gave a good explanation! lol! or just explain to sloanie that sometimes you have friends who grow up to be catty! lol! check out cats blog about the topic!
January 31st, 2008 at 8:43 am
It’s neat how kids appeal only to kids. I have this neice that only likes to watch the Disney channel and all those shows like Zack and Cody and Hannah Montana. She’s around that age too so I guess she can relate. I usually just go into another room and watch another TV cause I can’t stand those kiddee shows.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Annie: That was hilarious!
Jusamee: Cat should bring my daughter with her the next time she goes to the wetsuit store so Sloanie can ask the salesgirl why she she’s so catty.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Moogoo: I find it’s better to ignore those shows, too. I’m hoping that my daughter never gets into the ones for older kids.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
You bring up a good point, Treena. I gotta say, though, I grew up with those, heh, “violent” cartoons to which you’re referring (the trend was noticed way after Looney Tunes made its mark on the world, no? I mean, weren’t they talking about the whole “violent” Looney Tunes topic in the late 80s, early 90s, too? — Looney Tunes). And I don’t mean to brag or say I’m better than anyone else or to say that my way of having been brought up’s an ultimate panacea for “good upbringing” (I think a lot of that has to do with “choices,” but, that’s another blog, I suppose) I think I pretty much grew up OK, in having never tried drugs, being able to count the number of times I’ve consumed alc’ on one hand (OK, maybe two hands), never got arrested, graduated from the requisite high school, university. You know. “Stay out of trouble/live a happy life” kind stuffs.
I look at cartoons nowadays. Some of ‘em are great — just right for children’s eyes and rightfully so, better than in my day, in fact. I figure if there’s anyone who has an ultimate responsibility in the entertainment world, it’s cartoon-meisters, so to speak. Cartoons attract children and it’s just sweet if that medium can project “good” values that help li’l ‘uns along in their formative years.
Cartoon industry folk should just look at it this way — the cartoon’s sponsors are, what? Toy and cereal makers, mostly. Both establishment’s target audience are those who go to elementary school, have pals they play with after school, etc.; i.e., the SAME type of audience they’ve always had. Why turn a blind eye toward such a group by offering plot lines that end up satisfying the fringe’s checklist instead of putting a smile on kids’ faces (the ultimate CONSUMER who will beg ma and/or dad to BUY that cereal or toy – good nurturing for their audience [kids] and profits for the business; everybody’s happy – well, maybe except ma and dad’s wallet [!])?
Though, animation can be a double-edged sword at times — the medium can be used to create things that not even the wonders of live-action film can make . . . and sometimes that means the creation of some, well, say “wicked” stuff (seen some of these anime shows? Yikes! Kids, stay away from some of those! In all fairness, there are some anime that are just perfect for kids’ eyes). Again, nature of the beast — if an animator has an vision of something, s/he’s gonna try to put it on cell.
The Cartoon Network can air some less-than-suitable-for-children’s-viewing, but, at least they label them ([Adult Swim]) and show ‘em late at night. My fav’ cartoon is Justice League and before that, The Venture Brothers, which has a lot of adult humor, not because it’s vulgar (well, not always), but, because of its references. I love that show. If I had a kid, I’d make him or her watch something else.
All about making sure your kid’s watching the right shows, no?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
Chicken Grease: Great points! A good message is a good thing, but I’d guess most parents of preschool and elementary school kids grew up with the violent stuff and I don’t feel particularly traumatized by it.
The one thing I’ve noticed is that the “family” shows that we grew up with, like “The Cosby Show,” were a lot more wholesome than the ones today. I think THAT sends a stronger message because even the smallest child can realize that it’s probably not right (or practical) to drop a piano on someone, whereas it might not be as obvious that a dysfunctional family isn’t something you want to emulate.