Joe TV List Play Turtle, Draw Turtle, Sing Turtle

#29: Oobi
(Noggin, 2003-2004)

On first look, Joe think Oobi creepy. Hands ... eyes ... lack of linking verbs ... no place for kids. Possibly damaging. But then, Joe keep watching Oobi. Joe decide Oobi funny. Joe read that Oobi might actually benefit early language skills. Nate like Oobi, too. Joe and Nate watch Oobi together, but not for long time now, since Joe want Nate learn verb conjugation. Still, Joe think fondly of Oobi. Sometimes Oobi charming, like when gang make train, boat, and plane from boxes and Uma take trip through house. Sometimes Oobi bizarre, like when Kako conjure pretend circus. But mostly, Oobi hilarious, especially Tyler Bunch as Grampu. Joe wonder why all neighborhood women swoon over Grampu, though. Sexy arm hair, maybe? And why Uma obsessed with chickens? Why Angus eat own eyes? What hell happened to Frieda? More important, where Oobi and Uma parents? How much Grampu know about disappearance? And why Grampu practically raise Kako? Grampu possibly blackmail Kako's father, after Papu accidentally poison Oobi parents with tainted okra? Questions ... too heavy. Too many. Better avoid altogether, or risk unfortunate accident involving falling piano. Look up and last thing see, Grampu and Inka at window. They laugh, then crash, and all go black. Then they sigh and shake hands. A lot. Grampu happy. Inka happy. No more questions. For now.

Comments

[Lori]

Sorry... Oobi is definitely creepy and also damaging... when Ryan started to watch it when he was a baby he went from speaking perfect sentences to talking like Oobi! No more Oobi here...

[Joe]

I won't argue the point, 'cause you're not the only one to make it. I'm surely in the minority in liking the show, from what I've read.

But I've also read persuasive arguments that the language on Oobi is effective for kids just starting to talk, because the idea is simply stringing subjects, verbs, and objects together. I suspect that older kids (as I said, we haven't DVRed it for a long time) maybe should find entertainment elsewhere. But creepy? No. I did think so early on, but overall, I think the writing and voice work are hilarious. No surprise when talents like Tyler Bunch and Stephanie D'Abruzzo are involved.

But, again, I'm sure most parents are happy Josh Selig and Little Airplane moved on to Wonder Pets -- except, of course, the parents who whine about Ming Ming's speech impediment.