Well, I've seen my share of preschool shows, and have come to appreciate when a good one comes along. The same with preschool lit. I appreciate them if only because some of the others are such a torture to watch. In the time that I've had preschoolers around (the youngest is in kindergarten now, the oldest is 14), here's the shows I actually could watch with them and enjoy myself, and would watch again if I could:
Peep and the Big, Wide World (actually made me laugh)
Blues Clues, the Steve years... I've actually had online chats with other moms about this. Joe, Steve's "brother", was of that variety of actor in children's entertainment who clearly doesn't get how to talk to a kid. They grin a lot and you can smell their fear. Steve... well, it's like he was a kid, a kid who could do Elvis impressions. Those episodes are TV classics.
Kipper
Story Time
Max and Ruby - actually annoying in many ways, yet boasts a perfect toddler... He gives his "wonderful" sister loads of trouble, speaks in single word sentences... he's like the rabbit version of my son. And there was a dance Max did when he was really happy that we just had to imitate.
And then there were the hypnotic ones, shows I watched either because I just couldn't believe my eyes, because they had something in there that I liked, or because for some reason I was temporarily fond of them. These include episodes of Go, Diego, Go and episodes of Dora the Explorer... specifically the one with the Strawberry Festival and the one with the poor little bull plummeting in a leaky hot air balloon while screaming "sticky tape!! !" in hopes of dubious rescue... also seeing Tico take an acorn to the head... also...
Maisy
Teletubbies (videos of British children... cuuute)
The Big Comfy Couch - can't describe it
JoJo's Circus
Yo Gabba Gabba - where else can a little kid get beat boxing tips?
The Backyardigans - some of the most... tolerable... music in a kids' show, even if it isn't original. I would mind having Mystery Lifeguard on my iPod.
And I'm probably forgetting some. Also, we've recently discovered Pingu, which is pretty good. As for the dislikes, it'd take too long.
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"Pack up my head, I'm goin' to Paris!" - P.W.
The world loves diversity... as long as it's pretty, makes them look smart and doesn't put them out in any way.
There's the road, and the road less traveled, and then there's MY road.