For The Kids #11: Reading Rainbow

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 25, 2020) Will & Lucas are buzzing about this PBS Kids show that was produced in, and heavily features, their hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada! The guys get in all of their many Atlantic Canada references throughout the show while discussing the aquatic equivalent of Thomas The Tank Engine as well as its real-life counterpart, plus Lucas drops hot exclusive information about the show and his connection to it and Will remembers his own encounter with the show's Harbormaster...

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 11, 2020) Hello, neighbor! Will and Lucas get down to tackling a true titan of children's television, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. They cover a brief history of the man himself, his amazing outfits and his innate charisma and showmanship before settling into an episode and ruminating on the big question: Does Mister Rogers' Neighborhood hang with today's crop of kid's entertainment?

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: July 31, 2020) If you love to read, chances are that you saw this titan of children's television as a child and Will & Lucas are here to determine if Reading Rainbow holds up! The guys discuss the revered past and the uncertain future of the show before getting into their own reading habits, Star Trek: The Next Generation, the immortal theme song, and even manage to uncover another Arthur secret! 

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: July 17, 2020) Two out-of-their-depth white guys try and figure out if PBS' show about Chinese history and culture holds up or not! Will & Lucas talk about the representation that Sagwa brought to PBS in the early 2000s, the iconic theme song, and its significant connection to Arthur. There's also more silly fare like Galidor and Ace Lightning, and why Sagwa is China's answer to Kevin Bacon...

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 26, 2020) It's, quite literally, baby's first TV show as Will & Lucas turn back the clock to Barney-mania! Barney & Friends was something of a cultural touchstone of the 90's, so the guys remember their own experience watching as kids, then reflect on the hatedom of the anti-Barney backlash and the weird urban legends it spawned, and finally, take a look at the show and see if there's anything there for kids these days!

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 12, 2020) Could the boys be barking up the wrong tree by revisiting the dog who loves to read? Will and Lucas delve into the history of the lovable Jack Russell Terrier and his literary adaptations, plus they take some time to think on which books should be Wishbone-ified, Medieval Times, the PBS Expanded Universe, and what the show's legacy is for the people who remember it...

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 22, 2020) Will & Lucas take chances, make mistakes, and get messy unearthing the story of one of PBS Kids' most successful shows! The boys explore the franchise's deep and varied history from books to video games to the show itself before diving directly down Arnold's esophagus in "The Magic School Bus For Lunch".  Plus, discussions on favorite characters, Will reviews the show's Netflix-exclusive sequel series, and previews of more potential Patreon spin-off shows...

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 8, 2020) Two Canadians give the freedom bell a rattle and revisit the show that aimed to educate kids about the American Revolution: Liberty's Kids! Will & Lucas delve into both American and Canadian history (and the history of DIC!), remember the animation and music styles of the early 2000s, giggle about this episode's special guest, and gush over the famous Canadian Heritage Minutes!

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 24, 2020) Lucas & Will take a trip back to childhood to discuss the beloved children's book series Redwall and its animated counterpart! The guys talk about the series history including forays into opera and video games, the show's unique identity and methods of storytelling among other kid's cartoons of the time, the animal hierarchy (sigh), and the Redwall way of describing food...plus, information on a new Patreon goal!

(ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 10, 2020) No, not that Zoom, the original 1970s series and, especially, its 1990's remake! Will & Lucas revisit the show that encouraged kids to try new things and left an impression on several generations of children. The guys talk about the history of both iterations and discuss what a modern remake would look like, reveal their special talents, remember when food had faces, and Will gets weirded out by birds...