The Puzzle Place

... If you don't believe me, just ask the concerned public. Why was this show cancelled? It was pure genius ... whoever created such a masterpiece should be knighted -- no! Sainted! "The Puzzle Place" could have been used in elementary schools to explain good morals and manners to children just verging on the kindergarten age.

Every episode contained an incessant reel of socialized brainwash ... made lacy and inviting with promises of singing and dancing puppets and their strangely human relatives. ... And I always had a crush on Skye.

When I first saw this show at a very young age, it stuck with me so hard even after several years of never bothering to look it up. It might have been the whole basis of my childhood dreaming and fantasy life, it was just that good.

When I first came back to it, I realized the underlying messages behind each episode, and wondered why I didn't grow up with it more often than I did. Every kid, from a very young age and up, needs to be learning about other people's backgrounds and personal differences, which is something that was underlined in every episode of this show.

It truly breaks my heart to know that this show wasn't successful enough to grow to be more popular today, and I do sincerely wish that it would be brought back in at least some way, shape, or form for children these days to at least be more exposed to.

My daughter, who is almost 13, and I were discussing shows that she watched and enjoyed as a toddler today. Puzzle Place was at the top of our favorite list. We both remember fondly watching the series on PBS. We loved it! Each show was a lesson in multi-cultural education and friendship. The series was full of songs, games and crafts from around the world. The format was fun, but not "corny". We had a "Puzzle Place" play-set and a stuffed Sizzle and Nuzzle, providing hours of fun for my daughter and I. Anyone from PBS or other children's programming network, please bring this series back for all to enjoy and to learn the all important children's lessons of sharing and caring for each other.

I loved, LOVED this show in the 90's when I was in grade school. When I tried watching this show again in February 2014 (I was 27 at the time), I was sick at home with a bad head cold. At that time, I thought the show was cheesy and outdated. But giving it another try in 2021, I know now that it was and still is heartwarming and thought-provoking...for any age, really. I think what turned me off originally in 2014 was the production value. Some segments are still a little childish, but it had its moments even for adults. I'd take a dose of The Puzzle Place over most of what PBS aired after they got rid of Square One TV (when if it all is that show ever going to be released on DVD?!), and it was far better than Barney & Friends.

So what exactly made the show so good? I can think of a few reasons:

-The idea for the show came about because of the Los Angeles race riots involving the Rodney King beatings and the associated white policemen who were acquitted.

-Most of the puppeteers came from Sesame Street and the show was produced by Lancit Media, who were responsible for Reading Rainbow.

-No two kids were the same ethnicity, and that was the point, to celebrate their diverse backgrounds.

-Careful research was made on all the ethnicities.

-Some episodes were heartwarming, including Leon not being invited to his white friend's birthday party just because he was black.

-Besides racial harmony, it also talked about the equality of boys and girls.

-Sizzle and Nuzzle were so cute, and the subplots involving them were just as entertaining.

-Guest stars included Ernie Hudson, Sinbad, Amy Hill, Patti LaBelle and Nia Peeples, as well as Lynne Thigpen as the Chief from Acme Crimenet.

-The Puzzle Place itself was the perfect spot to let loose and have fun.

-Many real-life children wished they could be teleported to The Puzzle Place.

Also, if you'd like a good history of the show, check out the Defunctland documentary on YouTube.

If they ever release The Puzzle Place on DVD, I'll buy it. It needs to become popular again.

I suddenly remembered this show out of nowhere a few nights ago, there was a thunderstorm that made me think of one of the episodes. When somebody (I think Kiki) was afraid of the storm. Where'd it go?! There is virtually nothing on this show anywhere. :( It was a good show, I watched it all the time when I was like 10 or 11.

I checked the PBS website, it says to check back for future updates! What future? The show doesn't even air anymore. Netflix doesn't have it either. I'm really sad about the whole thing.

It's a really great show though, very educational. Entertaining as well. The characters genuinely reflect a person's emotions. They handled things as realistically as possible, or so I thought. Most kids shows come at things too unrealistically, assuming that people will always react "the right way". This teaches kids how to interact with each other and learn to solve their own problems.