Normally, I’m pretty positive on this site. At least, I’ve been trying to be. I want to talk about the things I love and avoid just being a place to rant about pop culture. However, I also feel an obligation to talk about some things that are less than good.
Which brings me to Paw Patrol.
Most successful kid shows have the following formula:
– A problem that explores a theme of interest to kids and expands their knowledge base.
– The problem usually involves solving three different mini-problems.
– Audience interaction by characters breaking the fourth wall to talk to the viewers.
Sesame Street had elements of these a long time ago, but I would attribute it all to Blues Clues, really. Steve would establish a theme, Blue would want to do something related to the theme, and the audience would play Blues Clues to find out what’s Blue wants. It’s a simple formula that is open-ended enough to fit anything the show wants to do.
After Blues Clues, shows like Dora the Explorer, Wallykazam, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Team Umizoomi have fallen into this type of show. Meanwhile, shows like Bubble Guppies have roughly followed the formula, but change it enough to make things fresh.
But, then we have Paw Patrol.
This is a show about dogs who drive big machines and solve whatever problem that’s going on in the episode.
I get the high-interest that kids have for big machines and my son loves barking at the dogs on the screen, but there isn’t much more to it than that. The problem of the episode never explores different areas of knowledge like history, math, or language. The pups never address the audience. And while my son is engaged by the action, he gets nothing from it, so we don’t watch it anymore.
Yes, I realize that TV isn’t supposed to teach my son nor would I want it to. Duncan and I read a lot together and I help expand his vocabulary through the books we read. And while I probably shouldn’t tear down a kids show, I feel justified because there are so many other GREAT shows out there that I don’t want to waste our time with Paw Patrol.
Combine the lack of quality lessons with the horrid voice-acting and obnoxious theme (“GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! PAW PATROL! PAW PATROL!”) and you’ve got one terrible show to be avoided at all costs.
You are way off base here. Paw,Patrol is an excellent show and my two boys enjoy it daily.
If you want education for your kids, turn off the TV.
Bob,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad you like Paw Patrol with your two boys. If it is something you enjoy, then more power to you. But, for my time, I would rather watch what I would consider higher quality children’s television. Obviously, you are free to disagree with me on quality since quality is a totally subjective experience and cannot be objectively quantified, really. Especially within the minutia of kids TV.
As for the comment about education for my son, I addressed that comment in the article itself when I said, “Yes, I realize that TV isn’t supposed to teach my son nor would I want it to. Duncan and I read a lot together and I help expand his vocabulary through the books we read. And while I probably shouldn’t tear down a kids show, I feel justified because there are so many other GREAT shows out there that I don’t want to waste our time with Paw Patrol.” So, next time, maybe read the whole of the article instead of jumping to conclusions.
-PC
Recently I watched PAW patrol with my daughter, finding it sort of sexist in a way. Skye is the only girl in the group which makes me nervous she we feel left out or be the weakest link at her school
-MB