Bluey

I'm one of the few Americans in this review section, since this particular cartoon, which originates from Australia, didn't premiere in the USA until 9 September 2019 on the Disney Junior. I've been hearing rave reviews for the series, so I was excited for it to premiere. It went way beyond my expectations.

The series is the perfect show about families. There are no stereotypes or cliches; for example, Bandit (Blue's father) isn't a bumbling buffoon, Chili (Blue's mother) isn't a subservient weakling, Bingo (Bluey's sister) isn't a bratty half-pint, and Bluey isn't a girly-girl, for once. THANK GOD. We need more tomboy characters in mainstream preschool shows.

The family is realistic. They aren't an abusive, dysfunctional family, or an overly perfect family, but they reflect real families. Sometimes they don't get along, but they always love each other.

My most favorite thing about the series is that it depicts play in a positive light. Young kids should go outside, play and just let their imaginations run wild instead of staying inside and watching crappy Elsagate channels on YouTube. Almost every episode emphasizes playtime in a grand manner. For example, a game of keeping the balloon in the air later becomes a matter of life and death. It's really fun and exciting. It reminds me of shows like Recess, Codename: Kids Next Door, Hey Arnold, Craig of the Creek and Clarence.

Since Elena of Avalor and The Lion Guard are sadly both ending after season 3 (check the MooseZeeOnNickJr Facebook page), this show and TOTS are the current best Disney Junior shows, even though this show is an acquired property and not a Disney original. The show already has a wide Australian fanbase, and hopefully this will become a huge hit in the United States of America, hopefully it will beat out Peppa Pig and dethrone that wicked tyrant once and for all.

Simply impossible to explain this show. Nothing I write will do it justice. I've been around since The Magic Roundabout, The Flumps, Captain Pugwash, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo... Nothing from that era, or today's attempts like Peppa Pig, or anything in-between, come anywhere near to the standards of Bluey.

I sit with my young daughter (not that you need a young one to watch this,) and I'm laughing hard one minute, and fighting off the tears the next.

The creators, in fact the whole team from the story writer, to the animators, to the sound and music team, and especially to the actors... And every single other person involved... Are purely fantastic human beings.

If you listen from a distance it doesn't sound scripted half the time, it just sounds like an amazing family having fun. Most of the stories hit home, hard. Every character has amazing depth and are so loveable. Every single episode has something unique and amazing in it.

What did I learn from this? These kids are awesome.

It seems an animated serie first for adults. For the many provocative stories, for the fresh and refreshing perspective about family and, especially, for the relations between parents and kids, for humor - the fine irony is a great virtue. Short, just charming in its mixture of chaos and not ordinary forms of wisdom

Massive kudos to the makers and cast. Who needs kids as an excuse to watch this? Brilliant stuff and long overdue for this country to be producing something of this calibre. Whoever voices Bluey and Bingo deserve individual recognition too. Clever, entertaining and hugely amusing. If this doesn't rank up there with Peppa Pig and the plethora of other great British kids' shows, there really is no justice.

"Bluey's Dad, Bandit, is an Archaeologist (who loves to dig for bones) and is voiced by award-winning musician and song writer, Dave McCormack (frontman of rock band Custard). Bluey's Mum, Chilli (who works part-time in airport security), is voiced by actress Melanie Zanetti (Tidelands, The Bureau of Magical Things, The Family Law). Bluey, Bingo and some of their friends are voiced by children of the production crew, making this series truly a family affair, on and off the screen."

This is such a great show, right up there with Charlie and Lola and Peppa Pig. Except it's Aussie! My 4 year old loves it and so do I. Keep it coming!