Must See TV

Oh, dear. It's happened.

I've become one of those moms.

I have a crush. No, not on Steve from Blues Clues. (All you Joe fans need to get over yourselves. Steve was HAWT!) Not the weird guy from Yo Gabba Gabba! (I am STILL convinced that the one time I saw that show, half of the visuals were a result of my fever-induced hallucinations) And none of the Wiggles. (I have listened well to all the people warning me about them and covered Sprite's eyes and ears accordingly if a Wiggle happened across the screen.)

I'm talking about the Imagination Movers. (Sigh.)

The Imagination Movers is a relatively new show on the Disney Channel, totally geared to the toddler and preschool set, but even I am becoming captivated by their tame plot lines. Sprite is actually sitting still for the show. Even worse? So am I! (John, you too. I'm just trying to help you save face.) (Hm, that probably outed you, didn't it? Sorry.)

If you're new to Playhouse Disney (or have been avoiding it at all costs), the programming shows video clips of music and shorts meant specifically for the younger crowd, and I've been seeing the Imagination Movers, a quartet of singers/instrument players, for a couple of months now. They were featured in one video short called "Numbers in My Bag" which jumps from the tv and embeds itself into your brain until you're screaming hours later to stop it with the la la la's. (Crap, there it goes again..)

When the Disney Channel noticed these guys were actually getting some fan mail, they immediately claimed them for a series (much like a toddler would proclaim ownership of a certain toy by hunching over it and screaming "Mine!"), resulting in the reason for this post. (Disclaimer- I'm not being paid for this review, if you want to call it a review. I don't want to call it a review either. Let's call it a fan letter. About them. To me.) John and I, already clued into the Movers, decided to Tivo a show or two and test them out on Sprite, who is very finicky when it comes to television. (Even our Minnie Mouse freak won't plop it down for more than five minutes for her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.)

(Another disclaimer: We are not trying to force television on our toddler or being nonchalant with the amount of television she is exposed to. We are merely trying to distract her for a little while so the dogs can escape. We are saving lives with television, not hurting them. Thank you.)

(How much backlash do you think the Disney Company would get if they tried to market the above disclaimer? Think about it! "Playhouse Disney! Your pets will thank you!" No? Well, it's good that I majored in Criminal Justice then, isn't it?)

The story line of the episode we had on the DVR was about a lost dog who found his way into the Movers' warehouse and their playing with, losing of, and search and rescue of said dog which entailed. Their friend Neena made an appearance (I don't know why I do this, but I think Neena needs to have a romantic connection with one of the Movers so I watch closely for sparks whenever she's in a scene. I know, I'm hopeless.) (Damn you, Grey's Anatomy!)

Okay, so the show had an assortment of songs, each dangerous in it's own way of being recalled DAYS later when you're sitting in the middle of a very important meeting and your boss asks everyone to brainstorm and all you can summon from your mental archives is "Brainstorming upside down and even in your easy chair!" only to have the song loop over and over and nothing else even your name will replace the mantra-like beat of this seemingly innocent song which might as well have subliminal lyrics like "buy all of our merchandise!" (Oh! So, THAT'S how the Wiggles did it!), and the Movers all displayed their unique talents.

Mover Dave has a red hat which holds everything apparently. He just reaches in and pulls crap out. He also is an inventor. My only issue with this Mover is his eyes. He has very light eyes which come across as colorless, making him look a little off in some of the scenes. (Sorry, it bugs me.)

Mover Smitty is the one with glasses. He has a book of ideas, I guess. I'm not far enough in or interested to find out more about his talents. He also wears a cowboy hat, but referring to my above reasons, I don't know why.

Mover Scott has goggles which allow him to see through walls. (It can probably allow him to see through clothes too, but they're not saying. Neena better watch it.) He's also the more exuberant of the bunch. What strikes me about him is with his long hair and goatee, so I could totally picture him as a rocker.

Mover Rich has scribble sticks/drumsticks which allow him to write in the air, on the ground, tables, etc. Basically, he's the resident graffiti artist. (He also would have been the popular "IT" guy in high school. You know the one..)

And Neena who works for her boring uncle down the hall and is always coming over to see the Movers. I hope she's getting salary. Hourly would kill her check with all the time she spends with the Movers.

So, there's the Movers. I think of them as the Monkees of the New Millennium.

Every weekend since September, we've been tuning in at Sprite's insistence, "Moomers!", and tuning out reality as we watch these 4 guys, well into their 30's themselves (I think?), solve somewhat easy problems through outlandish means. Sprite loves them, I can't help but like them too, especially Mover Scott, the focus of my Mom Crush. (Sigh.) (I'll get over it as soon as the next Matt Damon flick comes out.)

What kiddie show has gotten up YOUR craw lately? Come on, you know you have a favorite show or host... I told you mine. You tell me yours.

Comments

[Casey]

I don't have a preference between Steve and Joe but sometimes Steve gives me that creepy vibe.
We haven't ventured to Disney yet because the "buy this crap" commercials drive me nuts. As long as we never put it on, Graham will never know about it so I'm sticking with Noggin for now.
We're currently in a Blues Clues phase, I know... so trendy but the kid loves his BC. We went through Pinky Dinky Do, Jack's Big Music Show, I Spy (HBO) and now we're stuck in BC with some Barney mixed in. Jacks Big Music Show was my favorite. I still get excited when Graham will sit for an episode of that. He gets two shows a day (so the dogs can eat in the morning) and one while we get dinner ready but he's immune to tv these days, he won't sit still. It's so sad.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Casey, I can't believe I'm writing this since it sounds like I'm plugging it, but Playhouse Disney doesn't have commercials. They have the full show with no commercial, then little music shorts. The only commercial they show that I've seen is a short sponsor by Chuck E. Cheese in which they don't even show the place. They show the mouse playing outside with kids. It goes right over the kids' heads. I'm actually quite impressed with it.
We tried Blues Clues, but Sprite can't get over the fact that Blue is on the screen and sitting next to her. She refuses to believe there is another dog named Blue out there..

[Baba]

Anything is better then Barney.

[Jacqueline]

I've been sucked into the Noggin vortex. Sigh. My child loves (loooooooves) the tv. As much as I try to keep the sucker turned off, it comes in really handy when I'm trying to get dinner on the table (or drink my coffee in peace, or use the bathroom BY MYSELF... insert guilty parenting moment here).

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets creepy vibes from Steve- I swear there's something wrong with that guy! I'll admit I think Joe is kinda hot, except for the voice! Who the heck talks like that?

Actually, I just googled Donovan Patton (Joe) and a THOUSAND fan web sites popped up. Apparently, he's a Shakesperean trained actor. Who knew?

[Jim]

I can tolerate the show. Mostly because of Nina. She's gives off a faint 80's Susanna Hoffs vibe. Mmmmm.

[Cameron]

We're kinda stuck in a Spongebob vibe right now. A little bit of Drake and Josh and some Icarly, but these are all Nick shows. We usually switch to Disney on the weekends and watch a little bit of Pooh.....man this is depressing me. Remember when you could watch grown-up tv?

[Laufa]

OK, hubby and I are old school 90's cartoon fans. So we rented Ducktales, Rescue Rangers, and a few others one season cartoons from that time. My son was hooked. I was just tired of Hannah Montana and Spongebob. My kids won't watch PBS anymore and the only times they do watch TV is between 5pm and 8pm (they don't watch all three hours - they go play too)- nothing great is on.

[WickedStepMom]

SpongeBob is a classic in our house... We all sit down and watch it from time to time. Even the teenager.

[WickedStepMom]

SpongeBob is a classic in our house. We all sit down and watch it, even the teenager.

[steenky bee (jenboglass)]

I'm up for the Spin Cycle:

http://steenkybee.blogspot.com/2008/10/spin-cycle-children-of-cornfield.html

I agree about the Monkees of the millennium comment. I guess the Wiggles would be the Beatles then? BTW: The guy with the cowboy hat totally bugs. Whenever I see him I think of his singing that he likes peanut butter crackers. That song can't even hold a candle to the better known Wiggles song about fruit salad (yummy yummy)

[bessie.viola]

Maddie's caught only the random Sesame Street so far, but I am gleaning information from the internet carefully. I am trying to learn what shows to avoid so that I don't fall prey to something like Barney...

Anyway, I think we'll end up getting a DVR so we can do like you guys - the amount of advertising during kid's shows is appalling to me.

[Casey]

If you say so, I'll give it a try. I need to find something to get him to stay tuned (sounds terrible but he only gets an hour a day). That hour (split into two half hour shows) is the only time I can do things without having to worry about him getting into trouble.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Casey, I completely agree. While I applaud mothers and fathers who do not allow television in the household, I NEED something to hold her attention sometimes when the laundry needs to be folded, fire needs to be put out, police need to be sent away.. I TRIED to keep Sprite away from tv like a good mommy, but DAMN IT, she likes the show, I like the fact that nothing is suggestive, no one is killing each other, and she's not tormenting a dog. EVERYONE WINS!
Sorry for the passion. I'm sick and tired of having to defend the fact that my kid likes a show or that I actually sit her down in front of the boob tube. And I'm sure a lot of you out there are too. So, how about them Phillies?

[Sammanthia]

Jen... totally agreed. If it weren't for Ryerson and his love of Max and Ruby, I would NEVER get anything done. Ryerson has never really been into watching tv and I actually gave a whoop of joy when he watched an entire episode of Sesame Street when he was 2. I recorded 4 of them that week.

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

Well, I've rambled about this a bit before on my blog, but Jonathan loves Max and Ruby and Blues Clues. I think Joe (Donovan is his real name) is creepy. I looove Steve (though he is a bit serial-killer waiting to happenish at times).

But, oh man, can't believe I'm writing this, sometimes I get hooked on Lazy Town. The creepy puppet thingee characters freak me right out but the guy that plays Sportacus (the creator of the show in fact and he is from the Netherlands) is hot. But in a slightly-gay hot way. Hubby always says he is gay, but I think he is jealous because he knows I'm starring at his built body in those tights. Oh yeah, baby.

[steph]

My 2-year-old is all Blue's Clues all the time. I have 80 episodes on the DVR! Eighty!!! My obsession is Avatar: The Last Airbender. I can't get enough of Aang and Katara. Gah!

[Deemarie]

I'm obviously a rarity in this little group of ours as I have no kids of my own. But I've lived with my nephew for 6 of his 7 years, so I'm still a bit familiar. We went through the Wiggles, Blue's Clues (STEVE!!) and The Good Night Show. He currently likes Power Rangers (I KNOW!) and a bunch of other shows like that. But if I'm there, it's totally Disney- Suite Life, Hannah Montana, Wizards, and then we may flip over to Drake & Josh.
He's like me. He wants to have the TV on to listen, but he also has to be doing something too (legos, Transformers, making oragami frogs...)

[Heather]

Haaa, my kids are too old for those kind of shows. But, when they were little, Barney, Blues Clues, and PBS. I no longer have cable so I don't have to listen to hours of Sponge Bob. And....they are still "alive"!!!!

[goodfather]

Great post! Hmmmm. We'll have to check out Imagination Movers. We LOVE Playhouse Disney - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Tigger and Pooh are the staples around here.

OK, I'm setting my DVR...

[Debbie]

My youngest is a 15 year old girl. Thank you for reminding me that it could be worse. :P

[ALF]

The Wiggles are the WORST. I remember them from my babysitting days.

[bessie.viola]

Oops, almost forgot - SPIN! :)

http://bessieviola.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/halloween-envy/?preview=true

I scheduled for tomorrow morning - hope that's okay. I'll be away from computer most of tonight and tomorrow.

[Deemarie]

Posted my Spin! :)

http://deemarie917.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-31-it-comes-every-year-about.html

[The Stiletto Mom]

Did you see Steve when he was on CSI or one of those crime shows about five years back? He was creeeeeepy. Yet slightly HAWT.

Joe just never did it for me. I'm super thankful those days are behind me!!

[Lee Ann]

It seem like my son (your nephew)has watched all those show one time or another. We started with Blues Clues with Steve and transitioned into his brother Joe when Steve left the show to go to college.(How did he get excepted into college???) Max & Ruby,Dora,Diego,Barney,Sesame street,Power Ranger,Sponge Bob(was more for the adults with the inside jokes),Bear in the Big Blue House(Puppets-Disney playhouse show back in the day.) Now he watches a LOT of cartoon network shows(pokemon),Disney(Wizards,Hanna Montana,Suite Life of Zack & Cody) and Nick cartoon and sometimes Drake and Josh. I must admit I like the Disney shows too. They are cute! :)