Polka Dot Door

It appears that "Polka Dot Door" started out fifteen years before I was born, but ran for over twenty years in total. I first saw it at a very early age, and think I saw reruns of it shortly after its demise (even though I may not have liked it as much by then, as I may have been slightly past the age group it was meant for). It may not have been one of my childhood favourites, but I still found it entertaining for a while, enough for me watch many episodes, leaving me with permanent memories.

The show featured two hosts, one male and one female. The hosts of the show would change from time to time. It took place inside a large playhouse, which the hosts would enter through the Polka Dot Door. The two hosts of the episode would provide the young viewers with "songs, stories, and so much more." A group of stuffed toys, Marigold, Humpty, Dumpty, and Bear, lived in this playhouse. After the hosts came in, they would take these stuffed toys out of the box and do various activities with them. Towards the end of the episode, the Polkaroo (a mischievous kangaroo in polka dots who never said anything other than "Polkaroo!") appeared just outside the playhouse.

Some parts of that description may sound a bit silly, but remember, this was a programme for the very young folk, and despite how incredibly simple it was, it pleased many of those in the age group it was meant for in Canada, as well as some in the United States! It could also be educational for them in some ways. Since the show ran for over twenty years, it was obviously very successful, and people from several generations can say they watched it during an early part of their childhood! For all those reasons, "Polka Dot Door" definitely deserves some credit.

Back in the days when budgets were spent on good writing and not special effects, Polka Dot Door was produced by TV Ontario and was a children's television series that aired 5 days a week in ½ hour episodes. It ran from 1971 – 1993. Polka Dot Door is a fun interactive kids show that features three main stuffed animals, Marigold, Humpty and Dumpty and Bear. The hosts would interact with these stuffies to teach children fun facts and even advocate for each stuffy by providing a voice to make them come alive. Another main attraction of Polka Dot Door is Polkaroo, an elusive kangaroo that would only appear to one of the two hosts of the episode and then the other host would be dismayed that he or she missed Polkaroo again. Children simply love Polkaroo with his colourful spots and he would always be so cute saying Polkaroo, Polkaroo, and would came out every so often so there was anticipation building up to see when Polkaroo would pop in.

There would be different themes for each day of the week for each episode. Monday would be Treasure Day, Tuesday was Dress-Up Day, Wednesday was Animal Day, Thursday was Imagination Day and Friday was Finding-Out Day. The series is fun and interactive, and encourages children's imaginations while including a social aspect by taking them through the Polka Dot Door and into the real world. Cast includes Cindy Cook (host), Jim Codrington (host), Gloria Reuben (host) and Alex Laurier (Host). This is a must-see children's series and inspires creativity and imagination.

Dudes, Polkaroo rocks. Who are the losers who gave it a 4? For shame! Polkaroo is a cultural icon for an entire generation of Canadians, some Americans, and even some Irish! Why, my brother once used Polkaroo as his ICQ nickname for crying out loud. Man, I can't believe that The Polkadot Door got canceled. Polkaroo, Goldilocks, Bear... Man, those were the days. The Polkadot door is what made me the man I am today. Without those cherished memories of Polkaroo's innocent, happy, naïve voice happily chanting his name, I think my scarred childhood would have been unbearable. I can honestly say without the least bit of exaggeration that THE POLKAROO SAVED MY LIFE. He is a celebrity... an icon... nay, dare I say, a NATIONAL HERO.

ALL HAIL POLKAROO! LONG LIVE POLKAROO!! In the immortal words of the master himself: "POLKAROO! POLKAROO!"

Regards, David

This show was great, maybe someone can't appreciate it because they're used to nonstop crap being pummeled at them through their countries shows. I found this site searching for the seasons to buy, for my 3 kids. This show made kids use their minds and imaginations as opposed to most of the cartoon or mind numbing shows that are on now. And it was from Canada - but how can it compare with jewels like KFed and Brit from your great country, I guess. Loved this show when I was a kid, I know lots of other people did too. I wish I could find some toys and memorabilia to buy, all of the shows that were on when I was little were so much better than the majority of stuff now.

The people who dislike the Polkaroo (and/or the show in general) haven't a clue what they are talking about. I watched this show all the time as a child, and my unbelievable memory is even today still capable of pulling up a memory of seeing the Polkaroo on stage when I was only 1 or 2 years old. I was being extremely annoying that day, wanting to be moved CONSTANTLY, either because of restlessness or because the Polkaroo was constantly escaping my limited field of vision. But I digress. Even though I am having trouble finding reruns of it on TV, and I must resort to watching YouTube clips permanently downloaded on my computer, they are enough to drown me in childhood memories and also memories of that silly Polkaroo. I am 18 going on 19 in February 2010, and also I am autistic, but this show was the GREATEST kids' show EVER MADE. LONG LIVE POLKA DOT DOOR AND THE "POLKAROO!"