Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ is a show that makes it feel like we never left the original Clubhouse nine years ago. The writers kept so much and stuck to the original formula and interactive nature that was severely lacking from the spinoffs and what made the original show so iconic. The main cast is back to their personalities from the original series with a few updates from the spinoffs, such as Daisy's catchphrase "Quackers".
The new elements of the show not only update the Clubhouse to expand and add to it but provide new features that make the target audience understand the scenarios more and learn from example. The addition of Little Helper had me worried at first, but I came to realize that they are the physical representation of the preschool audience. They're a way of stating that it's okay to make mistakes and that you must keep trying in order to learn.
They're fast-paced nature does make the show seem rushed but I understand that it's a way to make the adventures more exhilarating and allows the younger audience to learn what the show is about and reintroduces the format to the older audience.
Unfortunately, there is one major flaw that is universally agreed by all viewers to be a big mistake on behalf of the writers behind the show. That being how they treated Toodles. As a diehard Toodles fan, Toodles was the one thing I was looking forward to seeing in Clubhouse+ more than anything in the world. But despite all the character development he received in the original series, it felt as if the writers undid it all sans Toodles having his adorable face. They seemed to have sidelined him and delegated back to prop/plot device status again and it hurts to see because Toodles is the thing fans of the original show loved the most and several were looking forward having him play major roles in the new series after only having five episodes where he played a major role in the original. Especially after being overlooked and changed to cameo status in the spinoffs.
To make matters worse, Toodles voice actor from the original series, Rob Paulsen, stated that he really wanted to come back and reprise the role and was baffled over the fact that Disney didn't ask him to return! Toodles' own voice actor said that! After dealing with stage 3 throat cancer and traveling all over the country with the fan circuit, he still wanted to reprise the role! Not only that, but the majority of the original staff beg the original show returned for the revival. Including the show's original creator, Rob LaDuca. But it feels as if they forgot all the things that made Toodles special beyond his Tool Distributing program! Things significantly noticeable in seasons 3 and 4 of the original show! What's worse, no one has asked LaDuca why he did such a thing and he has no known social media platforms where fans can ask him such questions.
While Little Helper has taken on a more active role helping Mickey and the gang beyond the need for Mouseketools, that doesn't mean Toodles should be ignored! He's still a loyal friend who loves helping others and what Disney and Rob LaDuca have done seems to have made Toodles biggest fear established in the episode "Road Rally" come true: being forgotten by his friends in favor of another helper. And said helper is Little Helper!
This unfortunate change is heartbreaking to fans old and new! To me, it's the equivalent of one's first heartbreak to a dangerously high level! I broke down in tears over this!
I hope Rob LaDuca and the staff behind Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ see how upset the fans are with this change, acknowledge the mistake, and fix it in future episodes.
Aside from that, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ is a great show for younger viewers and their parents and I believe it will be just as awesome as the original. Esp if they fix that one significant flaw.
