When I first saw the title character of "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood", my initial reaction was "Aw, what a cute little tiger.", but then I saw that it was going to be shown on PBS Kids, and that's when I started fearing for the worst. I feared that PBS (and its stations) would just make a total mess of it, just like they had done with Super WHY!, Between the Lions, Barney & Friends, and FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman. But I'm delighted to tell you, that they haven't messed it up at all. It's just simply sweet.
"Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" is the story about the little titular tiger cub who goes to preschool (with a cat, an owl, a prince, and a little girl) and plays at his house (usually with his baby sister). Throughout the show, life lessons are taught about sharing, cooperation, telling the truth, trying new foods, potty training, and respect for others - with the use of simple ditties. During each episode Daniel makes believe different things (swimming, superheroes, dancing cakes) and at the end live-action segments featuring real kids doing an activity related to the show's theme (similar to most modern PBS Kids shows).
All of this I've just written is one of the things that makes "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" so special for a PBS Kids show, namely the fact that it teaches useful social skills lessons in each episode. Yes, you heard right, social skills. And that's one of the many things I like about this show. One other thing I like about this show, is the fact that the show has no perpetual smiley characters. There aren't any high fast-paced jolts. The show doesn't use cheesy CGI, and that's terrific. And Daniel wears a pretty red sweater and shoes, but those superficial trinkets are not what this story is about. It's about the fact that people of any age that it's OK to be who they are, and that's a wonderful message.
The characters are by far the best part of this show. Daniel is cute and adorable, but he's not a Barney or Dora type of character. He's not stupid and happy all the time, he's not annoying, but most of all, he's not singsongy syrupy-voiced when he speaks. Mom Tiger is the most lovely mother I've seen in a PBS show for quite some time, next after Jane Read in "Arthur". Dad Tiger is a great father for Daniel. He's also gotten a baby sister, Margaret, in the 2014 season. Margaret (who shares her name with my Mom) is fun loving but is always crying. She and Daniel get along very well, and they stand up to each other, like brother and sister. Then there is Teacher Harriet, who can seem strict at times, since her job is being a teacher of-course, but she's also a good friend when you need one. Oh, and this show is inspired by the classic PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" (which I actually hate). It has the same trolley, same theme song, and same social-emotional curriculum.
The music in this show is truly wonderful, with songs that really feels like they come from the good old days of PBS when it was just the aforementioned MRN, Captain Kangaroo, the Electric Company, Sesame Street, and of course ZOOM 1972, just like it should be. The animation is okay, it's not that revolutionary, in terms of the technology. But hey, since when has feature film quality animation been necessary in order to tell a great story?
In conclusion, what "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" is, is an extraordinary wonderful and triumphant return to the PBS children's shows of the 70s. And that's something I feared we would never get the chance to see again. At least not for the days of NET (National Educational Television) or so. While this show isn't exactly contributing anything to the technological development of the art of animation, it does what no other modern PBS show has succeeded in doing for many years, namely truly return PBS to its origins in children's TV. Lovable characters, a great plot, and wonderful music are the main reason why I feel that PBS should use this show as their main template for how to produce their animated TV series. And if they don't do it, then I will sue them. That's how good this show is. With more shows like this, PBS' future would be safe.
