Family/Tween Friendly TV Shows

[robinb]

Indeed, they wouldn't be. They have smaller audiences, so will appear on minor networks (like ION) or local stations.

That link I provided leads to a page that will help you find these programs on the channels available to you.

I find it shocking that parents of tweens wouldn't want to sit down with their kids for an entertaining hour of "Busytown Mysteries" and "Doodlebops"!

 

[SaraJayne]

Indeed, they wouldn't be. They have smaller audiences, so will appear on minor networks (like ION) or local stations.

That link I provided leads to a page that will help you find these programs on the channels available to you.

No thank you. My kids are past the Doodlebops and toddler shows.

 

[bicker]

I find it shocking that parents of tweens wouldn't want to sit down with their kids for an entertaining hour of "Busytown Mysteries" and "Doodlebops"!

The sarcasm points out another mechanism in play here: Parents and children used to enjoy the same things a lot more than they do now, at least in terms of television entertainment. Now, what children would enjoy and what parents would enjoy, have comparatively little overlap. I think we can attribute a lot of that to a change in our attitudes and perspectives. Perhaps, thirty or forty years ago, children weren't as often allowed to enjoy things that their parent's wouldn't enjoy. There was surely a lot more boundary-setting by parents, with regard to the entertainment that they'd allow their children to consume.

In the last several decades, more and more often, parents have turned their children over to television, as a babysitter of sorts. They've essentially given children tacit permission to enjoy things separate from what parents would enjoy to watch as well. And once down that road - once they see what there is to enjoy out there, absent parental editing - they have realized what they enjoy more and what they therefore prefer. So perhaps parents would still enjoy what they've always enjoyed, but now children know that they enjoy other stuff so much more.

Remarkably, things have gone in the exact opposite direction with regard to music, where it isn't uncommon, anymore, for a mother and teen daughter to have significant overlap between the playlists on their respective MP3 players.

 

[sksjasams]

My DS12 and I still enjoy some nick tween shows together like iCarly and Big Time Rush.
We'll watch American idol now that it's back on. He'll watch Glee with me but probably never admit that to friends Our favorite newer sitcom is Raising Hope.
We enjoy whatever new game show is on...right now its the Million Dollar Money Drop. In the past it was Minute to Win It and Wipeout, until we got tired of those.
We do enjoy old sitcoms on nick at nite or tvland. His latest favorite is Everybody Hates Chris. We watch that almost every night. He also likes Everybody Loves Raymond and Home Improvement.
His favorite line from Raymond is when Ally says to her little brother, "Why did you call the teacher Mommy? Was she yelling?" He cracks up just thinking about it.

Go Pack, Robin!!

 

[Sorsha]

DD10 and I watch together:

Amazing Race
Dancing With The Stars
Good Eats (she gets a huge kick out of Alton Brown)
Mythbusters
Dirty Jobs
Iron Chef (both the old Japanese one and the Iron Chef America version)
Re-runs of the Cosby Show (she really loves the Cosby Show!!)
Old re-runs of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirly - I watch them, but they are SO dated to her, that they are almost incomprehensable...
America's Funniest Home Videos (she watches that more with her father)
Wipe-Out (definitely with her father!!)
occasionally, an episode of House Hunters International (she likes seeing how people live in other countries)

That's about it, really. I don't watch much else, except Survivor - which she is NOT allowed to watch (I just think it gets TOO snarky and devious and nasty for a 10 year old) and every once in a while something totally off the wall like Ghost Hunters or something. She watches stuff like Sponge Bob and iCarly with her little sister, but *I* am not going to watch THAT with her!!

Sometimes we watch Boomerang (the TV channel) together - I don't mind the OLD cartoons like Yogi Bear and Flintstones and Scooby Doo. I think those are vastly preferable to most of the junk they call kids' cartoons today.

 

[kldmom2000]

My 10.5 year old still watches icarly, Hannah Montana, Wizards, Victorious, etc..... she also likes Sarah Palin's Alaska, Kate Plus 8, 19 Kids and Counting, DWTS, American Idol, and loves Billy the Exterminator

 

[goofy!]

The sarcasm points out another mechanism in play here: Parents and children used to enjoy the same things a lot more than they do now, at least in terms of television entertainment. Now, what children would enjoy and what parents would enjoy, have comparatively little overlap. I think we can attribute a lot of that to a change in our attitudes and perspectives. Perhaps, thirty or forty years ago, children weren't as often allowed to enjoy things that their parent's wouldn't enjoy. There was surely a lot more boundary-setting by parents, with regard to the entertainment that they'd allow their children to consume.

In the last several decades, more and more often, parents have turned their children over to television, as a babysitter of sorts. They've essentially given children tacit permission to enjoy things separate from what parents would enjoy to watch as well. And once down that road - once they see what there is to enjoy out there, absent parental editing - they have realized what they enjoy more and what they therefore prefer. So perhaps parents would still enjoy what they've always enjoyed, but now children know that they enjoy other stuff so much more.

Remarkably, things have gone in the exact opposite direction with regard to music, where it isn't uncommon, anymore, for a mother and teen daughter to have significant overlap between the playlists on their respective MP3 players.

I can guarantee you that 50 years ago, my mother had about as much desire to sit through endless hours of Captain Kangaroo and Romper Room as I would the Doodlebops and the other shows on your toddler list now So, I beg to differ that things have changed much in regards to young children programming.

Oh, and my parents gave me full permission to Love the Captain and Mr. Greenjeans, even though they thought it corny. I also loved Bozo the Clown and I don't ever remember my parents sitting there watching it with me. So, even 50 years ago, children were enjoying things separately from their parents.

Back to the original question:

We don't do a whole bunch of censoring in our household. Our youngest is 14, but he has been watching Law and Order, CSI, etc with us since he was young. One of our favorites awhile ago was Crossing Jordan and we watched it all together.

With sports, we don't get a whole lot of time to watch together, but this is what we DVR and watch together when we can: (we only skip through commercials)

Bones
House
Idol
DWTS
Big Bang Theory
*&^% My Dad Says

We have other shows we enjoy when we can catch them, but this is our main list.

I DVR Private Practice and House Hunters and our 14 year old will sometimes sit and watch with us.

DD loves Baby Story, although the 14 year old thinks it is gross.

 

[Shelton123]

Modern Family is a good one! Some cursing, some innuendo, but overall great rolemodels and message.

 

[goofy's friends]

Unnatural History was our favorite to watch together, but it's had maybe 6-8 episodes, then nothing else...it was about a high school in the Smithsonian and the kids solved mysteries. Very good show. I hope it comes back on.

DD12 and DD14 like:
Cupcake Wars
Ace of Cakes
House Hunters International
Sarah Palin's show
Amazing Race
Survivor
Home Makeover
Mythbusters
Wipeout
The Middle

 

[Kat77]

If you can catch Freaks & Geeks reruns, my kids really enjoyed watching their way through that series with us.

Our DVR list:
Doctor Who
Being Human (BBC version)
Torchwood
Eureka
Glee
Psych
White Collar
House
Outsourced
Parenthood
Raising Hope

ABC Family gets on my nerves. It's pathetic how they portray family dynamics.

 

[Sorsha]

Soooooo...

The OP's first post specifically said that she was tired of watching "reality-type" shows with her daughter, and she was asking for suggestions for other types of shows to watch. Its seems that - rather overwhelmingly - when we all post lists of what we watch with our kids that's pretty much what we watch - the reality stuff - myself included!! I admit it, that's about all I watch. I don't like dramas or sitcoms, can't stand most of the "fictional" programming on network TV (and yes, I am well aware that the most of the network reality stuff is just as scripted and fictional as the other stuff.)

So IS there a lot of "family-type" Un-Reality Tv to watch with the tweens out there? Or is it pretty well divided between "adult TV" and "iCarly and Hannah Montana TV" and "Reality TV"?

Is there a reason why we choose the kind of programming we do for our TV viewing? I, personally, tend to choose things that I feel can have at least a wee bit of educational value. The Discovery channel shows, HGTV, Food Network, etc shows, at least I can pretend my kids are learning something from it . Even Amazing Race and Dancing with the Stars, they learn a llittle something... DD10 has picked up geography from AR, and one day a song was playing on the radio and DD16 said she thought it would be a good Paso Doble song and she was right! After several seasons she can tell a waltz from a tango and she can tell you what a "salsa roll" looks like and when someone has left it out of their dance routine. Important in daily life - no, but still learning *something*.

But then again - they also watch TV with their dad. TV where the best part of the tradition is running into the living room screaming out BIG RED BALLS!! while vaulting onto the couch. And that's OK too. they don't learn anything from it but they laugh hysterically when a guy in a Superman cape and tights crotches himself on a padded teeter-totter and then falls into a pool of cool-whip.

 

[Sorsha]

Unnatural History was our favorite to watch together, but it's had maybe 6-8 episodes, then nothing else...it was about a high school in the Smithsonian and the kids solved mysteries. Very good show. I hope it comes back on.

DD12 and DD14 like:
Cupcake Wars
Ace of Cakes
House Hunters International
Sarah Palin's show
Amazing Race
Survivor
Home Makeover
Mythbusters
Wipeout
The Middle

I forgot about Extreme Home Makeover - my kids love that one, and we usually sit down and watch it together. I have a very low tolerance for people boo-hooing on television though, so I usually have to go get a snack while they are crying about things. The kids know this, so they usually give me a warning... "Look out mom, I think she's about to start crying again, you might want to go refill your iced tea!" Our favorite part is the house reveal at the end - we love to see all the cool rooms and think about how we might copy some of the ideas.

As far as Unnatural History goes, I looked it up on Wikipedia (I know, never believe everything you read on Wikipedia, but they are usually a pretty good quick reference on TV shows) and it appears they were not picked up for a second season.

On November 19, 2010, It was announced that Cartoon Network will not renew the series for a second season. On December 29, 2010, Creator Mike Werb revealed that he intended to have the show picked up by another network, but a deal could not be secured. Werb also revealed his plans if the show had been renewed for a second season:

SEASON 2 THOUGHTS for those interested: I had planned a 2-part opener with extreme adventures involving Genghis Khan’s tomb, a Mongolian death worm, Henry’s disappearance in a sand storm, the rescue of a newborn camel as well as Henry’s parents and uncle Bryan. The rest of season 2 (upon the leads return to DC) would have covered subjects ranging from the kids finding the 18 1/2 minute gap of the Nixon/Watergate tapes, Hemingway’s lost novel, vampire finches (they really exist), a Stradivarius violin, a Native American mystery, DB Cooper, the underground railroad, etc. etc etc — plus a deepening of the triangular relationship between Henry, Maggie and Jasper, the return of Jasper’s mother from France — among other familial and emotional issues set against historical and scientific adventures.
Anyway, for the handful reading this — wishing you all a happy, healthy 2011.
—Mike Werb, creator, Unnatural History

Too bad someone won't pick it up, it sounds like an interesting show. There's also a Wiki/fan page here if you're interested. They are trying to get Warner to release a DVD set.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have a DS11...he watches a lot of Nick oldies, like Family Matters and Full House.

As far as family viewing, we don't watch too much...We sometimes catch The Middle, and Modern Family (although I do find it "mature" sometimes)

One Nick show that we all really enjoy is iCarly. I've heard that the reason it is so witty is because the sitcom writers for the major networks are now producing shows for Nick and Disney (since sitcoms on major networks are lacking).

We watch quite a bit on Food Network too...the challenges, DDD, Chopped, Unwrapped.

We also watch a lot of Netflix series', since we have the very lowest tier of Dish Network and don't get a lot of the cable stations (like TLC). So he watches Pawn Stars, Dirty Jobs, Myth Busters, etc., and we just finished all five seasons of John and Kate last night (kind of weird knowing how it was going to end when we first started watching it). He also likes Cake Boss.

 

[NHdisneylover]

There seems to be a big hole for any type of "family friendly" TV lately.
I discovered The Hub and fell back in love with The Wonder Years and Doogie Howser (they also have Family Ties. It's like watching TV 20 years ago!) As I've been watching it really hit me how horrible most shows are right now.

It also hit me how old I am!

My kids (12 and 14) LOVE Family Ties. We ahev to get thigns on DVD (no reurns of English speaking shows in Germany. . .) and sooooooo wish they could figure out all fo the rights and get The Wonder Years out on DVD.


We are with Magpie in watching DVDs (even when we lived in the USA). The only things that are on now that we watch are:
Glee
Monk
The Hustle (a BBC show)

Otherwise, my 14 year old daughter's favourite shows to watch in rerun are:
Star Trek (mostly The Next Generation and Enterprise butshe likes all but the original seris quite well)
Family Ties
The Dick Van **** Show
The Muppet Show
Fresh Prince of Bell Air
Home Improvement

 

[robinb]

The Dick Van **** Show

*snork* You must mean the Dick Van Lesbian Show .

ETA: I loved that show as a kid back in the 60's and 70's. We were lucky because we lived in Chicago and had WGN and some local UHF channels that would show the old sitcoms.

 

[MsLeFever]

My nine year old DD and I are currently watching (via netflix) Little house on the prairie. We've also watched Buffy and Charmed. Lots of varied "girl power" in these choices I'm realizing!

There isn't too much on regular TV right now that interests her - she's mostly a Nick/Disney channel girl - with a nice dose of Disney movies as well.

 

[Magpie]

My kids (12 and 14) LOVE Family Ties. We ahev to get thigns on DVD (no reurns of English speaking shows in Germany. . .) and sooooooo wish they could figure out all fo the rights and get The Wonder Years out on DVD.


We are with Magpie in watching DVDs (even when we lived in the USA). The only things that are on now that we watch are:
Glee
Monk
The Hustle (a BBC show)

Otherwise, my 14 year old daughter's favourite shows to watch in rerun are:
Star Trek (mostly The Next Generation and Enterprise butshe likes all but the original seris quite well)
Family Ties
The Dick Van **** Show
The Muppet Show
Fresh Prince of Bell Air
Home Improvement

For Hustle! That one's awesome! The BBC puts out some really smart shows.

I forgot to mention, we've also been working our way through the seasons of Supernatural lately.

 

[bicker]

I can guarantee you that 50 years ago, my mother had about as much desire to sit through endless hours of Captain Kangaroo and Romper Room as I would the Doodlebops and the other shows on your toddler list now So, I beg to differ that things have changed much in regards to young children programming.

My comment was referring back to an earlier message...

Did you ever wonder, "What happened?" For so many years shows like Family Ties, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, Full House, Home Improvement, and many others were ratings giants (cornerstones of their respective programming blocks). Where are those types of shows now?

Perhaps you'd like to provide a reply in that context?

 

[NHdisneylover]

*snork* You must mean the Dick Van Lesbian Show .

ETA: I loved that show as a kid back in the 60's and 70's. We were lucky because we lived in Chicago and had WGN and some local UHF channels that would show the old sitcoms.

I have seen the DIS filter his name before Poor guy--and he even has such a strong tie to Disney. Ah, well

I wathced it in reruns as a kid in the 80s. Loved it. My kids found it at the library a few years ago and THEY loved it. That show is calssic. My daughter's class had to do reports on comedians last spring. Everyone else was doing current stand up (and there are good ones) and she came in with Van ****. Her teacher was shocked she even knew who he was.

For Hustle! That one's awesome! The BBC puts out some really smart shows.

I forgot to mention, we've also been working our way through the seasons of Supernatural lately.

Oh yes, the BBC puts out some great stuff. I keep hoping they will release another seaons of Hustle on DVD soon.

My comment was referring back to an earlier message...

​

Perhaps you'd like to provide a reply in that context?

I have no stats to know--but did Who's The Boss, Growing Pains and Full House ever have much of an adult audience? I watched them as a kid but my parents didn't and none of my friends' parents did either.
Family Ties I recall being watched by adults as well as kid. I was in college by the time Home Improvement came out--but I knew adults who watched it too.

 

[bicker]

I have no stats to know--but did Who's The Boss, Growing Pains and Full House ever have much of an adult audience?

As I recall, yes, those shows were highly rated in the key demographics. As Toad Passenger put it, above, they were "ratings giants".