You just can't be blue with this puppy!
Written: Sep 19 '03 (Updated Sep 19 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A delightful show that is educational and interactive.
Cons: There is a little too much merchandising for my taste.
The Bottom Line: Blue's Clues is a delightful show that makes it worthwhile for kids to spend a half hour dancing in front of the television.
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| Redlass's Full Review: Blue's Clues |
After going 10 years without even a television set, I found myself delighted by some of the offerings that producers have for children. Near the top of the list was "Blue's Clues."
Back when my son was but 20 months old, my husband and I would frequently sit down with him to watch one of the videos and were thrilled each time. Indeed, we eagerly anticipated each new video release, knowing that the episode would have something delightful in it.
Now, at five, our son has outgrown Blue's Clues, but we still sometimes catch episodes when babysitting for friends.
Blue's Clues is a show that combines live acting with computer animation. The original creator and star was Steve, a live actor who was delightful to watch. He was always willing to be silly and goofy, something that instantly endeared him to the pre-kindergarten set. He made faces, sang songs, spoke with accents, and made funny noises. He also played dumb for the sake of the kids. The kids realize quickly that they're needed and they were quick to talk back to Steve on the screen. It was equally impressive to realize that Steve was doing his acting against a blue screen--something that was hardly noticeable because his interaction with the animated characters was done so well.
Steve has now moved on to other things, but "Joe" has come to take his place. I'm not quite as fond of him as I was Steve. Perhaps it is because he adopted so much of Steve that sometimes it seems he is acting the part of Steve rather than Joe. However, that's somewhat unfair given that he was supposed to build on what made Steve successful.
Blue is a computer animated dog who has ten times the character and expression of a Jar Jar Binks and all the cuteness of a Stuart Little. Blue is also a "she," something that added to the show's appeal to me. She never speaks straight English, though her barking is usually distinguishable as our language.
Then there are all the other characters: Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper (who have delightful accents) and their daughter Paprika, Slippery Soap, Bucket and Pail, Tickety-Tock, Side Table Drawer, Baby Bear, and many, many more. Occasionally there are even guest appearances by other actors.
The basic premise of the show is that Blue wants to do something, sing something, read something, etc. But she won't tell poor hapless Joe what it is she wants. He must figure it out by playing Blue's Clues. Blue will leave three blue pawprints on three objects. They are the "clues." Then Joe and the viewers must put those three clues together, sit in the thinking chair, and think about what the clues mean. An example: Blue wants to buy something. The clues are ice cubes, lemons, and a glass. The solution: Lemonade.
Our son loves the videos because there are all sorts of dances and songs that his parents will do with him and Steve. (We don't have any of the Joe videos. Our son has moved on to Dora now.) He learned how to do Steve's "giant steps"--complete with drawn-up shoulders--shortly after he learned to walk. Now that he's learning to sing, one of his favorites is the Blue's Clue's song. He loves making the hand motions to go with "pawprint", "notebook", and "thinking".
I'm also impressed with the variety of themes that Blue's Clues addresses. So far we've watched letters, numbers, science experiments (in which I learned quite a bit), animals, acting, songs, rhythms, and stories.
While too much television can be detrimental, it is hard to argue with the results of Blue's Clues--children learn through laughter and are encouraged to play games even away from the TV set. Perhaps the important point is that parents make the experience an interactive one--not just one where the child sits and absorbs. And it's not hard to get involved--Steve and Joe make sure there is plenty for adults to laugh at too.
Note: This is a slight update of a review I first wrote on Feb. 00 that got moved to the wrong category. So I updated it before deleting and moving it.
Recommended:
Yes
Type of Program: Educational
Program Quality: Entertaining, but not intellectually or emotionally engaging
Best Suited For: 12 to 36 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
Redlass
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Member: Bridgette
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Reviews written: 526
Trusted by: 482 members
About Me:
I have many loves: family, books, theater, writing, and the many communities I belong to.
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