Bear in the Big Blue House

Perfectly lovely. I watched this with a 2 year old girl I was nanny for, and found MYSELF enjoying it. My husband and I are looking forward to watching it along with our first child. I like that it is personal, and sweet. It teaches empathy, I love that. It is the only program I am looking forward for him to see. I have been disappointed by many of the programs around geared toward younger viewers.

For readers that think I have slowly started to crumble into a world of watching television for the sake of seeing colourful images moving, I must clarify that I came to The Bear a year ago as part of helping out some friends. A young family stayed with me in my house and they included two children of about 2 and 3 years old. Each morning as I was eating breakfast, the children would be merrily watching the Bear on channel 5 and joining in with his fun. So, from their critical point of view the show certainly appears to have worked – but they cannot type so damn them and damn their opinions.

Watching it as an adult I must admit that it is a good product that has the strengths of the genre but has none of the major weaknesses that you would associate with something like Barney. Bear is actually quite a warm character and he has a bit of personality behind him rather than just churning out phrases and corny clichés. The fact that the other characters are pretty good also helps as, although they are cute of course, they are not so sickly that I ever feared becoming diabetic from just watching it. It has a nice warm feel to it and Bear approaches the audience like a kindly Uncle rather than doing patronising baby talk. It isn't quite Sesame Street but it has more of that feel than the dreaded dinosaur. The characters all look good and are well delivered (although Shadow as an idea is just plain creepy if you ask me) and the voice work matches it all well.

Overall this is an enjoyable show for pre-school kids that can be watched by adults without getting annoying in the way that some others do. Like I said, not Sesame Street but effective nonetheless.

I can't say enough good things about this show. It is the only children's program that consistently addresses the everyday aspects of life, such as potty training, cleaning the house, bathing, brushing one's teeth, going to school, etc. The amazing thing is how it's all done in the most entertaining way with fun songs and lots of dancing -- not an easy thing to do well. My kids absolutely love it when Bear feels the Cha Cha Cha coming on! The entire cast is extremely talented. I never hear them talking down to children as I do on many other shows. The segment with Luna is wonderful to open children's minds to contemplation -- it is so soothing.

My children, now 3 and 1, have adored this show since they were old enough to hold their heads up and it's one of the few programs that I actually enjoy myself as there is a subtle humor that adults can appreciate. Most importantly, however, this is a show that actually teaches kids about real life while entertaining them and opening their imaginations. My personal favorite of all the current kids shows, and objectively speaking, one of the three best kids shows on TV. Also, the pacing is great and it does not contribute to the short attention span syndrome like so many other kids shows.

I have a confession to make : I'm 16 and I loved this show, been watching it since i was 10 (much too old for this kind of show)Of course it's a kiddy show so there's no exciting plot lines and i already know most of what it's teaching. But It's so entertaining, the songs, the characters. I loved bear, he's so huggable and adorable. Tudder's hilarious so are pip and pop. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the scenes and going 'awwww' at others. The way they teach, it makes it easy for the younger kids to catch it, with songs, examples, stories etc. And they teach the more important things: like sharing, forgiving, being a good friend, good sportsmanship, discovering the world around you etc. this is one show!! It's not boring for the older audience too, it's funny and witty. Overall, this is an excellent show for the young and the young at heart.

I saw this show the first time because of my nephew and niece, twins aged 3.

From the first time I saw it, I loved it.

Basically, all you need to know is: It is made by Jim Henson Company. I mean, when I was a kid, I loved Sesame Street and I loved the Muppet Show. Now I am 25, and I really like this show, too. And, unlike many other kids tv (Pokemon, Teletubbies), even as an adult you can watch the show, without going insane.

In my eyes, it is the perfect Kids TV. When the Bear talks towards the camera, the kids really get involved in the show. You can't go wrong with that show.