And behind door number 22... a guide to some music of the more traditional kind
Catherine Munn and Jacob Martin list their Top 5 programmes to watch over the festive period.
And behind door number nine... some dazzling musical delights
The complete arts guide, for week 9
Do you remember the 1990s, gentle reader? I do, because I was fortunate enough to grow up in that blessed decade. Younger readers may be perplexed at this; not understanding the finer points of the Macarena Dance and only having the vaguest recollection of the Spice Girls phenomenon. They may even weep with anxiety at our references to Sega Mega Drive, the Goosebumps books, and Bill Clinton. Fear not, for although the present age is dark with despair, there was a time when optimism and quality were supreme, especially in the field of children’s programming. No wonder, says I, those of us reared on the teat of that golden era have character and mental fortitude that Hannah Montana cannot even contemplate. Reminisce, gentle reader, and be gladdened.
Arnold (aka ‘Football Head’) regularly acted to save not only his grandparents’ boarding house – home to tenants such as Oskar Kokoshka and the never-seen Mr Smith – but the whole neighbourhood, aided by his school friend Gerald and nemesis-cum-stalker Helga Pataki. They frequently succeeded, despite overwhelming odds.
Two genetically engineered white mice – one is a genius, the other’s insane. Every episode began with the same declaration: “Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?” “The same thing we do every night, Pinky – try to take over the world!” And, just as predictably, every scheme would end in failure.
The comedy-drama series followed Cory Matthews as he struggled to make his way from boyhood to adulthood, not without the help of his eccentric brother Eric (who eventually became a hermit named Dances-with-Squirrels) and his ever-present mentor, Mr Feeney, who went from primary school teacher to university lecturer without any eyebrows being raised.
Willard Smith cut his teeth on this comedy about a street-smart young man moving in with his rich relatives, including the always-grumpy Uncle Phil and the always-nerdy Cousin Carlton. Every good ‘90s child memorised the lyrics to the opening song, on occasional pain of death.
When David Jason wasn’t running Trotters Independent Traders (T.I.T.) he moonlighted as red post-box dwelling mouse who was also the greatest secret agent in the world. Aided by his trusted sidekick Penfold, Danger Mouse (‘DM’) always foiled whatever evil menaced the world, usually courtesy of the insidious Greenback.
Really, if you don’t know what this is about, what have you done with your life? Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, and Raphael, four turtles flushed down the toilet and exposed to radioactive waste, along with Master Splinter, a humanoid rat, were the heroes of the decade. God, I want some pizza…
Characters from ‘The Jungle Book’ are re-imagined as members of a 1930s-esque world of cargo planes, sky-pirates and zeppelins. Baloo the bear is a hot-shot cargo pilot for ‘Higher for Hire’, King Louis is a smooth pilots’ club-owner, and Shere Khan the tiger is a Mad Men style business executive. Simply put: genius.
“Awww, here it goes!” Kenan and Kel were, to all intents and purposes, the greatest comedy duo in the history of television. Kenan’s desire for success was counterbalanced by Kel’s easy-going streak, general lunacy and a fetish for orange-soda. Yet Kenan always dreamt up some new way of getting them into trouble.
Why is Sabrina the greatest live-action kids’ show of all time? There is no single answer, because everything about this program was excellent – Melissa Joan Hart’s comic timing, the friendly banter between Aunts Hilda and Zelda, and, of course, the irrepressible Salem the cat. We shall not see its like again.
Why? Because Tintin is…well, Tintin! The greatest series of graphic novels is brought spectacularly to animated form, with the same amazing stories, characters, and satisfying resolutions. Long live Tintin.
Well not quite a kids show, but I'd like to put my hat in for Batman: The Animated Series. Soo good.
i actually still love and watch boy meets world. eric is no doubt the love of my life, until he became playswithsquirells that is.
and its playswith not danceswith! :p
It's worth saying that all of Sabrina is on youtube - and just as good as I remember it!
Thanks to Nat, I've now been indulging in what can only be described as shameless regression - a Sabrina epic happened on friday night 
My entire life has become a Sabrina epic...I watch it on my iPod while I brush my teeth!
You have a sickness, Nat.
Going a bit early 90s here but I watched repeats of Saved by the Bell religiously. Zac's jumpers, Mr Belding, Screech (who's now a pornstar apparently), Jessie the "feminist". Memories.
Stupid Showgirls, ruined Elizabeth Berkley's career.
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