The long running era of the Saturday morning cartoon has officially ended, but no one can stop you from fulfilling your true weekend calling. Cartoons and Saturday mornings were made for each other and no one can tell us otherwise. It is to that end that we maintain vigil, bringing you animated selections each Saturday morning until the internet dies, or until we run out, good thing there’s always reruns.
“Arthur” (8 out of 10) Episode 1.1 “Arthur’s Eyes/Francine’s Bad Hair Day” Created by Marc Brown; Directed by Greg Bailey; Written by Marc Brown and Kathy Waugh; Starring Michael Yarmush, Michael Caloz, Bruce Dinsmore, Sonja Ball, Daniel Brochu, Jodie Resther, and Arthur Holden. Originally aired September 2, 1996.
“Arthur” is the longest running animated children’s television series and second longest running animated series in the United States behind only “The Simpsons.” The show is based on the children’s book series of the same name created by Marc Brown.
The theme song “Believe in Yourself” (which gets stuck in my head on a weekly basis) was performed by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
Brown was initially skeptical about translating his series into a television show but was won over when he learned that the series would encourage kids to read.
The series follows Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his family, and friends. The show tackles issues that kids encounter growing up such as confidence and self-worth. The episode we’re watching today, has two segments “Arthur’s Eyes” and “Francine’s Bad Hair Day.” The first segment begins with DW, Arthur’s little sister, finding a photo album with baby pictures of Arthur before he had glasses. This sparks a memory of when Arthur first got glasses and the challenges he faced with his school mates about the change in appearance. Arthur is ultimately comforted when he discovers that Wilbur Rabbit, the actor who plays Bionic Bunny, Arthur’s favorite television superhero, wears glasses as well.
While watching the episode I’m reminded of a friend of mine who is almost entirely deaf and the comfort they received from learning that watching “The Incredible Hulk” as a kid and learning that Lou Ferrigno was hearing impaired as well.
The second segment revolves around picture day at school, Francine is approached by Muffy, the resident fashionista, who wants to do a makeover so that Francine can have a respectable picture. This segment tackles body image issues and the concept of bodily autonomy.
Considering that this is the first episode of the series, aired almost twenty years ago, it’s impressive that it tackles such modern issues in a way that would make the most liberal among us impressed.