Bluey Is a Kids’ Show That Adults Can Love, Too

The big picture

• blue
  offers a refreshingly modern take on parenting dynamics, showing equality and growth in a humorous yet relatable way.
• The inclusion of well-developed adult characters adds depth to the show, providing humor and levity for older viewers.
• blue
  tackles serious issues with compassion and honesty, representing a diverse range of people without feeling forced or performative.

It's a common problem you face as a parent, babysitter or anyone else who has regular contact with children. You need them to settle. They ask and ask you to turn it on. It's all you hear; kids wear the characters on their clothes, shoes and lunch boxes and have all the toys. That's right, we're talking about children's television. The destruction of so many adult existences. Those colorful, loud, almost overstimulating shows that kids seem to go crazy for. For this writer, it was like a series The tracks of blue i little bear —or anything that was on Noggin Station, really—but nowadays it seems PJ Masks, Patrol Canineand the abandoned Cocomelon have taken their place. Every once in a while, though, kids get an absolute gift: a kids' TV show that doesn't melt their brains. And currently, dear readers, this savior show is blue.

For those outside the circuit, blue is an Australian children's cartoon that started in 2018. The series centers around the 6-year-old puppy Blue Heeler and his family, consisting of father Bandit, mother Chilli and little sister Bingo. Follow Bluey's daily adventures with her family and friends as she plays and learns a little about life along the way. The series just concluded its third season on April 14, 2024 with “The Sign”, leaving many fans in their absolute feelings. Now, for the most part, it's a silly little show that does a great job of showing how kids play and learn, with a few serious moments thrown in for good measure. In a fascinating twist, however, it's not just kids who enjoy this show aimed at preschoolers. Adults, with and without children, have created quite a dedicated fan base for the series. It's worth asking why it seems to capture the hearts of an adult audience nearly as well as it does its target audience, and there are a few points that can answer that question.

An accurate depiction of modern parenthood

Perhaps the most important point blue for parents and other caregivers in the audience, it is bluethe representation of modern parenthood. Many children's shows fall into a frustrating rut with parents; it's almost always a lazy or inept father and a hard-working, unappreciated mother. It's a dynamic that's incredibly tiring, especially in our day and age, and blue it doesn't go that way. Instead, we often see Bandit staying home with the kids and looking after the house while Chilli goes to work, and when Chilli is at home, we see her doing a similar job with Bandit supporting her. They are represented as equals, although Bandit is often more silly and susceptible to Bluey and Bingo's games than Chilli.

Also, there are many moments where Chilli and Bandit learn parenting lessons. In the Series 1 episode, “Yoga Ball”, Bandit works from home and ends up being a little too rough when playing with Bingo. Bingo enlists Chilli's help in telling her that he has hurt her feelings, and Bandit listens carefully, apologizes, and changes his behavior. He never dismisses her feelings or tells her to toughen up; admit your mistakes and improve. This can be a hard lesson for parents to learn, and blue handles it well by showing that Bandit's apology led to a positive resolution.

There's also the Series 2 episode, “Baby Race”, which shows Chilli struggling with feeling inadequate compared to other parents. She worries that Bluey isn't progressing as quickly as the other children, especially a puppy named Judo, and tries to push Bluey to progress until another parent sits with her. They have a heart-to-heart, and Mom tells Chilli that she's doing a good job and that all kids do things in their own time. It's a real problem that many first-time parents face, and the series shows that these feelings are normal and that talking about them with others can help instead of letting them sink in. There are also many points in the series where the parents admit they need breaks and are shown taking time to be alone and practice self-care, and there are many points where they are not perfect but work hard to improve and be better parents. . However, these things are always treated with compassion and care, and serve to set an example of what good parenting can look like. The show is a learning experience for both the adults watching it and the children.

Adults are part of the fun too

There are also several adult characters in the series. Even though many of them only see each other once or twice, they still manage to have established personalities and arcs in their episodes. Much of the humor that appeals to older fans comes from these adult characters; they are often a bit sarcastic and have some amazing one-liners, and watching them try to keep up with the children's imaginations and games is both funny and heartwarming. Having these characters add some dialogue is a big part of what makes the show appealing to adults; Like any good family medium, you have to sneak something in for the people who will take the kids to the movies.

Naturally, most of the adult characters in the series are parents. Despite this, blue it goes out of its way to show different types of people as parents. Bandit is a fun-loving, goofy dad with a sarcastic wit. Chilli is much more introverted than her husband, but we often see the two bouncing off each other's energy. Jack's dad is more “traditional” and has some old-school beliefs about participation awards among other things, but he's obviously pretty laid back. Coco's mother is shown to be trusting and kind, albeit a bit high-maintenance. However, there are many other adult characters who provide fun personalities in the series Calypso, Bluey's teacher, is a gentle free spirit who provides a nice contrast to many of the adults in the series. Frisky and Radley brought a lot of humor to the episodes where they found themselves being awkward young adults in a brooding relationship. There are plenty of other characters, such as retail employees, random parents, and other family members, and they continue to add to the series' fun adult interactions. This variety and focus on the adults of the series in addition to the children it makes it easier for adults to relate and find a connection with the show.

Serious moments that resonate

Despite this, blue it has its moments of seriousness. The show is not as condescending as some other children's shows. The series strikes a pretty impressive balance between learning for kids and adults, and in doing so, steers clear of speaking down to either part of its audience. There are a few episodes that demonstrate this point quite well; one is the Season 1 episode, “Copycat.” the episode talks about the subject of death in a kind and honest way while the girls find an injured bird and take it to the vet. Although aimed at children, the explanation doesn't seem convoluted or contrived, as Bandit explains that death is a part of life.

Another is the Season 3 episode, “Onesies.” The episode deals with the topic of infertility in a way that many found very empathetic and real by introducing us to Brandy, Chilli's sister, who doesn't visit often. It is implied that due to fertility issues, she may never have the children she wants, and seeing Bluey and Bingo often causes this pain. The subject is approached in a very honest and digestible way for children but incredibly relatable for adults who have experienced the same thing. In Season 3's “The Sign,” considered by many fans to be the series finale despite the show's creators saying otherwise, we see Brandy again, and this time, she's pregnant. blue don't shy away from these difficult topics. It embraces them in an open way that doesn't make kids scared or upset, but it also doesn't trivialize these things that many adults have experienced. Brandy's story especially demonstrates thisas he addresses the struggles he had with respect and explains that sometimes when people struggle, some things can make them hurt or scared, but he pulls back after the initial mention of this topic to give a conclusion .

All kinds of people are represented

Also, the series is quite progressive. While many shows for young children will shy away from things like showing LGBTQ+ couples, neurodivergent children, or deaf children, blue he has shown all these things and in a natural way. A big problem with media representation is the sense that it's performative or an afterthought, though blue it doesn't feel that way. It's what the characters are like; they are shown as normal people, leading normal lives, and no unnecessary attention is drawn to how they are “different”. Instead, it focuses on how they are equal. In that sense, it's something adults are desperate to see. We want to see a positive representation of these things in our own media, and it really means the world sees it in children's media. It's good to know that the next generation is getting this representation without it being forced. It is done with care and respect.

Some might wonder why this is important. It's just another children's show. It will be over and done with when the next big title arrives. Despite this, blue he seems to have the ability to become a mainstayone that people look back on fondly as the current generation does The tracks of blue i sesame street. Although, he may even have this kind of nostalgia for his adult fans in the future due to his ability to educate young and old without feeling condescending and provide a good laugh with his positive view of family modern It sets a precedent for future children's programming taking on the challenge of providing positive representation of all kinds to its viewers and tackling difficult subjects with honesty and compassion. But let's be honest. It's just a miracle to have a show for preschoolers on the air that adults can absorb. so thank you blueto save fighting children everywhere!

blue is available to stream on Disney+ in the US

Watch on Disney+