Updated: December 20, 2023
Originally Published: May 3, 2015
Back in the day, aside from Saturday morning cartoons, children had limited programming options. So what’s a kid who’s not a fan of nature supposed to do? Tune into adult shows, of course! And let me tell you, sitcoms from my childhood were anything but shallow. We had themes like the Korean War, life in the projects, quirky characters with questionable morals, child abduction plots, and more harried, divorced mothers than you could shake a Hungry Man dinner at. Even Scooby-Doo struggled to figure out why Ann Romano was perpetually single! “Ruh-ro, Raggy!”
And if you were home sick from school? You’d catch reruns of sitcoms that aired long before you were born: Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Odd Couple. The characters on these shows were complex, often grappling with dissatisfaction and mild depression, and let’s face it, they were never exactly glamorous. In other words, they were relatable!
Now, let’s talk about the current television landscape, which is unfortunately filled with sitcoms geared toward kids. As a mom to a 7-year-old, I’ve been subjected to my fair share of this nonsense. The formula seems to be a cast of impossibly attractive kids, decked out in designer outfits, living in lavish homes, hardly acknowledging their parents, and getting everything they want. Oh, and let’s not forget their unprovoked cruelty—these kids are ready to tear each other or any adult apart over the slightest things!
I’m not saying kids aren’t capable of being mean; I had my moments too, but I was usually just acting out of insecurity. Plus, my insults were at least clever. Today’s TV kids have it all and yet still manage to complain in the most cringeworthy ways. But, they’re marketed as “aspirational.” I’ve attended countless meetings where I was told they want characters who are better than the kids watching the show—richer, prettier, more popular. Apparently, that’s what kids should aspire to.
To be fair, I also aspired to be like the characters I saw on TV growing up. Hence, today, I find myself as a slightly neurotic comedy writer (thanks, The Odd Couple) who’s made questionable choices in partners (looking at you, Cheers) and has spent plenty of time in therapy (hi, Bob Newhart). I’m also a good friend and kind-hearted (shoutout to Mary Tyler Moore).
However, I don’t want my son to look up to the self-centered brats on TV. I’ve even banned one Disney show from our home. That said, if I could watch The Brady Bunch, I can’t completely restrict him from every bad show out there. So, when we do watch these Disney and Nickelodeon shows together, I take two approaches: First, I excuse myself to the restroom to mentally reset, and then I return and comment loudly, “Wow, that kid is a total brat!” or “Why are they so mean?” or “Girls can be smart, you know!”
My primary concern is that my son finds this programming genuinely funny. I’ve adopted a two-part strategy to tackle this issue. For starters, I’ve stopped pretending the bad stuff is good. Since he values my opinion, when he asks, “Isn’t that funny?” I respond with something like, “Not really my thing,” or “Seriously, you didn’t see that coming?” Secondly, I’m making sure he gets a taste of the classics. While we’re not quite at Rhoda or One Day at a Time, he’s developing a fondness for the Marx Brothers, and we’ve just begun enjoying The Carol Burnett Show together. So far, his favorite moment has been Dinah Shore singing “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Unintentionally hilarious. He’s rolling on the floor with laughter!
We’ve also started watching adult sitcoms like Fresh Off the Boat and black-ish. He doesn’t catch all the jokes, of course—the more mature themes fly right over his head, and we often find ourselves explaining the racial humor, which is an interesting conversation given that racial differences aren’t as apparent to him today as they were to us growing up. Yes, the kids on those shows are cute, but they’re well-developed and relatable, not just cookie-cutter characters. The best part? We can all gather around the TV and enjoy a good laugh together, just like I did with my own family.
So, the next time you’re out at a restaurant enjoying some Avocado Club Egg Rolls and you overhear a little girl complaining about her iPad dying while her dad stews, remember that these kids are just embodying what they’ve been taught to aspire to—becoming little brats.
For more insights on parenting and the television landscape, check out this article on intracervicalinsemination.org. And if you’re considering home insemination, visit Make a Mom for reputable at-home insemination kits. For those exploring fertility treatments, March of Dimes is an excellent resource.
In summary, while programming for children can be a mixed bag, it’s essential to find ways to engage with quality content, foster meaningful conversations, and share laughter as a family.
Leave a Reply