Disney Junior has a collection of kids' shows that are supposed to be educational and entertaining. It's probably the most popular kids channel... or at least, the most promoted channel than PBS Sprout or any other network.
And the channel seems more appropriate channel seeing that Cartoon Network seems more mature, adult-like than it used to be.
And the channel seems more appropriate channel seeing that Cartoon Network seems more mature, adult-like than it used to be.
On Disney Junior, you'll probably see some kids' shows that are mediocre or even worth watching. I'll admit that some of the shows are good, but then there are others that are just weird and childish. And plus, there are some shows that even a three or four-year-old would say that it lacks common sense at even the most critical times. Case in point: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
If you're a big fan of Mickey Mouse and wanted to get your kids into liking him too, then just know what you're dealing with here. The creators and writers of this show somehow made this famous cartoon icon look and sound like a Disney alternative to Barney the Dinosaur.
In terms of the setting, the show usually takes place in a fictionalized clubhouse created through the characters' imaginations. And the clubhouse obviously looks like Mickey Mouse: the main building, the glove hand, the shoe garage..., which I got to say was very creative.
It's kind of like how the creators from Big Idea came up with the LarryMobile for LarryBoy.
It's kind of like how the creators from Big Idea came up with the LarryMobile for LarryBoy.
The show also features the usual Disney characters like Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Daisy, Ludwig von Drake, and Pete.
Now, before we go any farther on this review, it's best to tell you that the show is clearly based on Mickey Mouse.
Being 80-something now, Mickey has been the apple of Disney's eye, the success of the Disney company, and even getting his own star on the Walk of Fame (although he's a cartoon character). During his early years, he was shown to be in adult-like situations the majority of the time. Some of his earlier works may have seem less innocent and cutsy, but for some reason, he kept his viewers still watching. This show, however, made Mickey a laid-back, Barney-like main character, which means that he always had a smile whenever trouble brews. I'm not kidding: whenever trouble starts up, he always has this laid-back attitude as if life is good. This suggests that he, in this show, has become one-dimensional, because he doesn't get depressed or angry... he's just like Barney, when you come to think of it.
Being 80-something now, Mickey has been the apple of Disney's eye, the success of the Disney company, and even getting his own star on the Walk of Fame (although he's a cartoon character). During his early years, he was shown to be in adult-like situations the majority of the time. Some of his earlier works may have seem less innocent and cutsy, but for some reason, he kept his viewers still watching. This show, however, made Mickey a laid-back, Barney-like main character, which means that he always had a smile whenever trouble brews. I'm not kidding: whenever trouble starts up, he always has this laid-back attitude as if life is good. This suggests that he, in this show, has become one-dimensional, because he doesn't get depressed or angry... he's just like Barney, when you come to think of it.
As for the characters, I'll give you the skinny on them. I even compare them to their earlier works with Mickey:
-Donald Duck
Back then: A compulsive whiner and screamer that usually has the most misfortune than Mickey
Now: Still a whiner and screamer, but has less misfortune than back then
-Daisy Duck
Back then: Madly in love with Donald, but wears the pants whenever they're dating. Plus, she can be psychotic at times...
Now: Good-natured; a good friend to Donald; NOT psychotic
-Goofy
Back then: Disney's only acceptable means of slap-stick humor; a laid-back oddball with the exception of SOME frustration
Now: Not much of a slap-stick humorist, instead a joke-making oddball; stil laid-back
-Pluto
(not much has changed with this dog)
-Minnie Mouse
Back then: Mickey's flame; expects a lot from Mickey when she and him are in a relationship; an obsessive perfectionist
Now: Innocent and cutesy; not as demanding of Mickey; has some goals
-Pete the Cat
Back then: Greedy; the usual bad guy that tries to get rid of Mickey with any means of evil
Now: An occasional pest; the most obnoxious character on this show; has remorse after he does something wrong
(Yes! This show has changed most of the characters!)
The show teaches kids problem-solving and early math skills, which is impressive.
In addition, the show has positive messages and pretty good role models for kids to look up to. Plus, the show encourages interaction: this means that the characters ask the kid audience questions on problem-solving and math questions, and the kids in turn must answer them.
The characters even have this gadget called Toodles that literally gives them the tools that they need to solve a problem.
But is it all too good to be true sometimes?
Granted, the show does have a gentle side on kids, but are they playing kids for fools sometimes? There are times when one would watch an episode and think: The problem would've been solved right away if the characters weren't so naïve the whole time or How come they didn't notice the culprit/problem the first time? Plus, Toodles doesn't exist in real-life; so what if a kid calls out to Toodles, and no one shows up to save the day? Why not tell your kids that they need to ask for stuff in order to solve their problems?
The show even tries to put in some comedic antics every once in a while, which is okay at first, but then you just wish that they would get serious. Shouldn't we be teaching our kids to know when to play around and when to be serious? I mean, how would you like it if a tragedy happens, and your kid is laughing and joking about it the whole time? If you want to add humor in a kids' show, fine; but don't overdo it: tell a story, connect, emote, and be credible. However, I got to say that the show has some good character-based jokes every once in a while, which is tolerable.
And then there's the obnoxious and the out-of-place characters. Almost very character is either too laid-back or they're just as naïve as everyone else.
In fact, I think that Daisy Duck is probably the most decent character in this show, because you can actually see yourself in her: she would have problems every now and then; she has goals (more than Minnie, in fact) that are almost-real-life-related that kids may relate to; and she's much more memorable whenever she does her spying and action-packed adventures. (Minnie may have some adventures, too, but she plays it way too Red-Riding-Hood-ish. It pays to be a tough girl.)
Oh, and, don't get me started to Pete the Cat. He's the most obnoxious character on this show!
Sure, he may not be as evil as he was back in the day; but here, he's just weird and childish! It's like: are we supposed to take him seriously, or is he just there to annoy everyone?
Now, as far as storyline goes, there's a bazillion plot holes in the entire series. For example, the "Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt."
Here are some plot holes:
1. If the sections of the clubhouse floated away by Pete's saying the magic words wrong, then how the hell are they able to track some of them down, if one of the sections is in space?!
Imagination can't be the only answer! There has to have some logic behind that!
2. If this special is supposed to revolve around Easter...
(Okay, that's not really a plot hole... However...)
This special is supposed to revolve around Easter, but in truth, this so-called "Easter special" has very little Easter in it, except for the beginning scenes and the ending. It's like buying The Avengers DVD and then realizing that there's only one or two scenes of the superheroes in action. Such a scam!
So, by analyzing this show, is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse worth watching or not?
Well, I think the show is tolerable for the little kids, because at that point in their lives, they're only starting to learn things like basic math and problem-solving skills. There are so many likeable characters, with the exception of the weird and childish. The problems that they introduce in the storyline are relatable, despite there being some plot holes.
It turns out that it's okay to make kids laugh, but it return, it's not worth the constant forced humor and the lack of common sense that some of the characters would have at some point. Plus, it also important to tell a story, instead of tossing things at the kids like junk food; be nutritious and entertaining, as well as showing connecting with kids, having real-life emotions, and show credibility.
If you enjoy this show, good for you. If not, then it's your call. If your kids really love this show, then let them see it. If they prefer something else, then let them see another kids' show.
Amateur Critic
Sources:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Veggietales (those two pics)
All rights go to Disney, and the two pics belong to Big Idea Entertainment
-Pluto
(not much has changed with this dog)
-Minnie Mouse
Back then: Mickey's flame; expects a lot from Mickey when she and him are in a relationship; an obsessive perfectionist
Now: Innocent and cutesy; not as demanding of Mickey; has some goals
-Pete the Cat
Back then: Greedy; the usual bad guy that tries to get rid of Mickey with any means of evil
Now: An occasional pest; the most obnoxious character on this show; has remorse after he does something wrong
(Yes! This show has changed most of the characters!)
The show teaches kids problem-solving and early math skills, which is impressive.
In addition, the show has positive messages and pretty good role models for kids to look up to. Plus, the show encourages interaction: this means that the characters ask the kid audience questions on problem-solving and math questions, and the kids in turn must answer them.
The characters even have this gadget called Toodles that literally gives them the tools that they need to solve a problem.
But is it all too good to be true sometimes?
Granted, the show does have a gentle side on kids, but are they playing kids for fools sometimes? There are times when one would watch an episode and think: The problem would've been solved right away if the characters weren't so naïve the whole time or How come they didn't notice the culprit/problem the first time? Plus, Toodles doesn't exist in real-life; so what if a kid calls out to Toodles, and no one shows up to save the day? Why not tell your kids that they need to ask for stuff in order to solve their problems?
The show even tries to put in some comedic antics every once in a while, which is okay at first, but then you just wish that they would get serious. Shouldn't we be teaching our kids to know when to play around and when to be serious? I mean, how would you like it if a tragedy happens, and your kid is laughing and joking about it the whole time? If you want to add humor in a kids' show, fine; but don't overdo it: tell a story, connect, emote, and be credible. However, I got to say that the show has some good character-based jokes every once in a while, which is tolerable.
And then there's the obnoxious and the out-of-place characters. Almost very character is either too laid-back or they're just as naïve as everyone else.
In fact, I think that Daisy Duck is probably the most decent character in this show, because you can actually see yourself in her: she would have problems every now and then; she has goals (more than Minnie, in fact) that are almost-real-life-related that kids may relate to; and she's much more memorable whenever she does her spying and action-packed adventures. (Minnie may have some adventures, too, but she plays it way too Red-Riding-Hood-ish. It pays to be a tough girl.)
Oh, and, don't get me started to Pete the Cat. He's the most obnoxious character on this show!
Sure, he may not be as evil as he was back in the day; but here, he's just weird and childish! It's like: are we supposed to take him seriously, or is he just there to annoy everyone?
Now, as far as storyline goes, there's a bazillion plot holes in the entire series. For example, the "Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt."
Here are some plot holes:
1. If the sections of the clubhouse floated away by Pete's saying the magic words wrong, then how the hell are they able to track some of them down, if one of the sections is in space?!
Imagination can't be the only answer! There has to have some logic behind that!
2. If this special is supposed to revolve around Easter...
(Okay, that's not really a plot hole... However...)
This special is supposed to revolve around Easter, but in truth, this so-called "Easter special" has very little Easter in it, except for the beginning scenes and the ending. It's like buying The Avengers DVD and then realizing that there's only one or two scenes of the superheroes in action. Such a scam!
So, by analyzing this show, is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse worth watching or not?
Well, I think the show is tolerable for the little kids, because at that point in their lives, they're only starting to learn things like basic math and problem-solving skills. There are so many likeable characters, with the exception of the weird and childish. The problems that they introduce in the storyline are relatable, despite there being some plot holes.
It turns out that it's okay to make kids laugh, but it return, it's not worth the constant forced humor and the lack of common sense that some of the characters would have at some point. Plus, it also important to tell a story, instead of tossing things at the kids like junk food; be nutritious and entertaining, as well as showing connecting with kids, having real-life emotions, and show credibility.
If you enjoy this show, good for you. If not, then it's your call. If your kids really love this show, then let them see it. If they prefer something else, then let them see another kids' show.
Amateur Critic
Sources:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Veggietales (those two pics)
All rights go to Disney, and the two pics belong to Big Idea Entertainment
Wow! What a detailed post! I have always liked this show as a child and now I see my nephews and nieces watching the same show. It is also available on Netflix and we must thank Andy Yeatman for that. Even if it is not coming on tv or there it is other time of the day then we can easily put it online for the kids.
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