Dave Johnson, a married father of two named portrays an immature and spoiled personality, similar to a whiny toddler.Dave Johnson, a married father of two named portrays an immature and spoiled personality, similar to a whiny toddler.Dave Johnson, a married father of two named portrays an immature and spoiled personality, similar to a whiny toddler.
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There is literally nothing better than a repeated comedy, like Little Britain. This is also one of the many repeated comedy sketches that I love. My favourite moments is when Catherine says "Dave! Stop it!" And my absolute favourite of all is when Dave calls Catherine a Wicked Witch, and I had been making Wicked Witch jokes out of Catherine ever since. I highly recommend that you give the Childish Dad series a watch and also subscribe to Lozzie's channel. She posts so much good content and it is so watchable and hilarious. She even featured me and my best friend in her videos which was a really nice surprise. Keep up the good work Lozzie.
Series 6 of Childish Dad has just started, and it's already off to a hilarious and brilliant start!
In Aldi Goes to Her Store, we see Childish Dad back to his usual antics, throwing a massive tantrum just because he couldn't get his favorite Walkers crisps. It's exactly the kind of funny, over-the-top chaos that makes this show so special. Aldi trying to deal with him while staying patient made it even funnier.
The beginning of Series 6 shows that the creators haven't lost any of the charm that made the earlier seasons so great - if anything, it's even better now. The humor feels fresh, and the characters are as entertaining as ever. If this episode is anything to go by, Series 6 is going to be one of the best yet.
I'm really excited to see where the season goes from here!
In Aldi Goes to Her Store, we see Childish Dad back to his usual antics, throwing a massive tantrum just because he couldn't get his favorite Walkers crisps. It's exactly the kind of funny, over-the-top chaos that makes this show so special. Aldi trying to deal with him while staying patient made it even funnier.
The beginning of Series 6 shows that the creators haven't lost any of the charm that made the earlier seasons so great - if anything, it's even better now. The humor feels fresh, and the characters are as entertaining as ever. If this episode is anything to go by, Series 6 is going to be one of the best yet.
I'm really excited to see where the season goes from here!
Several Childish Dad videos have been recommended to me on YouTube for years. However, I never watched any of them until 6 months ago because I found a few videos I was curious about when I read the titles. I could tell just by the words "and Gets Grounded" in some of the titles that this was going to be another unoriginal, cringeworthy GoAnimate grounded series, so I knew I wasn't going to like the Childish Dad series anyway. IDK how many videos I've watched, but I'm guessing that I've seen 7-14 full videos, so I gave the series a fair chance. I won't watch any more episodes unless I find more that I'm curious about.
My main issue with Childish Dad is the way the protagonist, Dave Johnson aka Childish Dad, is constantly being rejected by his family because of his love for kid's stuff, mainly preschool shows like Barney and The Wiggles. This makes the family dynamic ageist and a form of opinion-bashing. His wife, Catherine, forbids him from watching preschool shows and getting his hands on preschool show merchandise because he's "too old" for them, while their children, Brian and Emma, always support Catherine's decisions and side with her.
The series portrays Dave as the "bad guy" just because of his inability to express his needs (more about that later) and quote-unquote childish interests. Being too old for a TV series or product is a ridiculously lazy and invalid excuse in many cases because it overlooks their quality overall, ignores the fact that some preschool programs and children's products can appeal to all ages, and is likely a sign that one has never given them a chance. Just because certain shows or products are made for younger kids doesn't mean they suck or people other than the target age range can't enjoy them. Some people do indeed grow out of things they enjoyed when they were younger, but it shouldn't lead to behaviors regarding age discrimination.
Dave mentions in several episodes that he has autism and behaves the way he does because of that. The stereotype that autistic people throw tantrums and are poorly behaved is highly offensive. Many experience meltdowns due to overstimulation, leading to a loss of emotional control, and they need care and understanding. In contrast, tantrums result from wanting something and failing to express that desire appropriately. As someone with autism who enjoys preschool shows and toys, I find Dave's portrayal and family dynamic particularly insulting.
Nearly every episode follows the same basic "cookie-cutter" plot: Dave/Childish Dad wants something-usually preschool show merchandise or some other product made for kids. Catherine says no, which leads him to a meltdown, and he gets grounded or kicked out of his destination at the end. Just because every episode of a show follows the same formula doesn't mean it sucks, but the only differences between all the Childish Dad episodes are that the Johnson family is at a different place and Dave wants a different item, making them nearly indistinguishable from each other. Not to mention, most episodes repeat their dialogue word for word, with the only difference being the item Dave says he wants. If you've seen one Childish Dad episode, you've seen them all.
Several of the characters' quotes are overused, especially Dave's "Stop that, you entitled Karen!" and Catherine's "Dave, stop it! You're not only embarrassing yourself but also the whole family!".
Similarly, the title character's obsession with Barney is acknowledged in every episode. He treats the purple dinosaur like a figure of reverence, almost like his Lord and Savior.
There are several episodes where Dave receives presents for Christmas and his birthday where he receives products that are "age appropriate" rather than what he requests, causing him to have meltdowns. For instance, in one episode, Catherine gives him a Sonic the Hedgehog game for Christmas when he wants a Sesame Street game, Elmo's Zoo Adventure, instead. In another episode, she gives him DVDs of adult shows like Family Guy and South Park when he wanted preschool show DVDs instead. Dave's family is aware of his dislikes, making it possible that they're intentionally tormenting him. These actions not only disregard his feelings but seem to push his buttons, causing unnecessary distress.
Dave is not allowed to do anything or receive anything without Catherine's permission, and I don't understand why. He always asks her to buy toys and preschool show merchandise for him and to take him to kids' places, such as the Peppa Pig store at the mall or Chuck E. Cheese. However, she never allows it. Dave could easily buy those products for himself or go to those places on his own unless he doesn't have any money.
For example, in the episode where he wants to go to the Peppa Pig store, he could simply go by himself while his family does what they want to do since they're all at the same mall and not too far away from each other. In another episode, he lies to Catherine about going for a walk but instead sneaks off to the mall for a meet-and-greet with Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles, only to get grounded for it afterward. It seems excessive for Catherine to ground Dave as an adult with his own house just because he wanted to meet Dorothy. He should be able to make his own choices, especially when it comes to something fun like that.
If Dave really wanted to go to the mall, it seems he should be allowed to do so without getting into trouble. It's not like he's making a hugely irresponsible decision; he is simply trying to enjoy something he loves. What bothers me even more is the possibility that if Dave were to ask for something essential, like food or clothes, Catherine might still deny him. This raises questions about how fair her control is over his choices.
Dave is a 37- or 38-year-old man who has a house of his own, so he shouldn't still get grounded no matter how he behaves. Plus, Catherine can't ground him because she's not his mother. Brian and Emma shouldn't be grounding him either, especially since he's their father and one of their main authority figures, while they act like they're two of his authority figures.
Speaking of Brian and Emma, they're flat and boring characters. They do nothing but side with their mother and sometimes assist her with punishing Dave. Therefore, their character relies exclusively on the actions of the people around them, leaving them with little to no individuality or personality.
The characters are poorly animated at times. The best example I can think of is that whenever Dave lies on the floor and throws a quote-unquote tantrum, he looks like he's dancing or flexing his muscles rather than banging his limbs on the floor.
Because of Dave and Catherine's dysfunctional relationship and hatred for each other, I can't imagine how they can handle living together or why they haven't divorced. If I were in their position, I would end the marriage immediately. However, in a few YouTubers' versions of the Childish Dad series, the couple divorces, and Dave remarries a woman named Bridget aka Childish Mom, who is a better match for him. When they meet for the first time in one version, they watch Barney and play with a Barney stuffed animal, and nobody stops them. Finally, Dave can live the life he wants! Unfortunately, he remains married to Catherine in most uploaders' versions. Why can't there be more videos about them divorcing?
In contrast to all the negatives, Dave once expressed the benefits of being different, particularly his experience with autism and the importance of independence, better than I could. In a video where he and Catherine divorce, he stated, "I don't want to deal with you anymore. You always complain about how childish I am, yet you never let me make my own choices. Having autonomy and doing things without your approval is a huge part of maturing, and depriving me of my autonomy prevents me from maturing. Oh, I am too old for kids' shows? That's bullspit. The most productive adults I know love kids' shows, whether it be Scooby Doo or Barney and Friends. Mature adults don't obsess over how much preschool shows suck, nor do they disrespect others who like them; they focus on other things, like working or paying bills.
You also never allow me to be myself. Mature adults are comfortable in their own skin and don't act like someone they're not, which you are also banning me from. After all, we are all unique in our own way. Worse yet, you are trying to convert me, an autistic man, to fit in more with neurotypical people. Autism is not a condition I chose to have, nor is it a disease that needs to be cured. It's just who I am as a unique individual. Albert Einstein was autistic. If he was forced to act more like a neurotypical, he wouldn't have made all those scientific discoveries he did.
Lastly, suicide is nothing to joke about, let alone tell others to do, no matter how much they dislike them. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Many people who had their whole lives ahead of them and the potential to be successful lost that opportunity due to suicide.
You know what? I am divorcing you and taking Ivy and Ana with me. You can take care of Brian and Emma by yourself. I hope I never see you again. In fact, I might even file a restraining order against you. I hope you're happy now."
In conclusion, while the Childish Dad series may appeal to some viewers for its humor, its portrayal of the main character and family dynamics raises concerns. Issues like ageism, misunderstanding of autism, and a lack of empathy toward Dave's interests lead to a repetitive narrative. The show reinforces negative stereotypes and fails to delve into deeper emotional themes. Until it evolves to offer a more balanced perspective (which I doubt will ever happen), I find it hard to support it. Addressing these issues could make the series more inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience.
My main issue with Childish Dad is the way the protagonist, Dave Johnson aka Childish Dad, is constantly being rejected by his family because of his love for kid's stuff, mainly preschool shows like Barney and The Wiggles. This makes the family dynamic ageist and a form of opinion-bashing. His wife, Catherine, forbids him from watching preschool shows and getting his hands on preschool show merchandise because he's "too old" for them, while their children, Brian and Emma, always support Catherine's decisions and side with her.
The series portrays Dave as the "bad guy" just because of his inability to express his needs (more about that later) and quote-unquote childish interests. Being too old for a TV series or product is a ridiculously lazy and invalid excuse in many cases because it overlooks their quality overall, ignores the fact that some preschool programs and children's products can appeal to all ages, and is likely a sign that one has never given them a chance. Just because certain shows or products are made for younger kids doesn't mean they suck or people other than the target age range can't enjoy them. Some people do indeed grow out of things they enjoyed when they were younger, but it shouldn't lead to behaviors regarding age discrimination.
Dave mentions in several episodes that he has autism and behaves the way he does because of that. The stereotype that autistic people throw tantrums and are poorly behaved is highly offensive. Many experience meltdowns due to overstimulation, leading to a loss of emotional control, and they need care and understanding. In contrast, tantrums result from wanting something and failing to express that desire appropriately. As someone with autism who enjoys preschool shows and toys, I find Dave's portrayal and family dynamic particularly insulting.
Nearly every episode follows the same basic "cookie-cutter" plot: Dave/Childish Dad wants something-usually preschool show merchandise or some other product made for kids. Catherine says no, which leads him to a meltdown, and he gets grounded or kicked out of his destination at the end. Just because every episode of a show follows the same formula doesn't mean it sucks, but the only differences between all the Childish Dad episodes are that the Johnson family is at a different place and Dave wants a different item, making them nearly indistinguishable from each other. Not to mention, most episodes repeat their dialogue word for word, with the only difference being the item Dave says he wants. If you've seen one Childish Dad episode, you've seen them all.
Several of the characters' quotes are overused, especially Dave's "Stop that, you entitled Karen!" and Catherine's "Dave, stop it! You're not only embarrassing yourself but also the whole family!".
Similarly, the title character's obsession with Barney is acknowledged in every episode. He treats the purple dinosaur like a figure of reverence, almost like his Lord and Savior.
There are several episodes where Dave receives presents for Christmas and his birthday where he receives products that are "age appropriate" rather than what he requests, causing him to have meltdowns. For instance, in one episode, Catherine gives him a Sonic the Hedgehog game for Christmas when he wants a Sesame Street game, Elmo's Zoo Adventure, instead. In another episode, she gives him DVDs of adult shows like Family Guy and South Park when he wanted preschool show DVDs instead. Dave's family is aware of his dislikes, making it possible that they're intentionally tormenting him. These actions not only disregard his feelings but seem to push his buttons, causing unnecessary distress.
Dave is not allowed to do anything or receive anything without Catherine's permission, and I don't understand why. He always asks her to buy toys and preschool show merchandise for him and to take him to kids' places, such as the Peppa Pig store at the mall or Chuck E. Cheese. However, she never allows it. Dave could easily buy those products for himself or go to those places on his own unless he doesn't have any money.
For example, in the episode where he wants to go to the Peppa Pig store, he could simply go by himself while his family does what they want to do since they're all at the same mall and not too far away from each other. In another episode, he lies to Catherine about going for a walk but instead sneaks off to the mall for a meet-and-greet with Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles, only to get grounded for it afterward. It seems excessive for Catherine to ground Dave as an adult with his own house just because he wanted to meet Dorothy. He should be able to make his own choices, especially when it comes to something fun like that.
If Dave really wanted to go to the mall, it seems he should be allowed to do so without getting into trouble. It's not like he's making a hugely irresponsible decision; he is simply trying to enjoy something he loves. What bothers me even more is the possibility that if Dave were to ask for something essential, like food or clothes, Catherine might still deny him. This raises questions about how fair her control is over his choices.
Dave is a 37- or 38-year-old man who has a house of his own, so he shouldn't still get grounded no matter how he behaves. Plus, Catherine can't ground him because she's not his mother. Brian and Emma shouldn't be grounding him either, especially since he's their father and one of their main authority figures, while they act like they're two of his authority figures.
Speaking of Brian and Emma, they're flat and boring characters. They do nothing but side with their mother and sometimes assist her with punishing Dave. Therefore, their character relies exclusively on the actions of the people around them, leaving them with little to no individuality or personality.
The characters are poorly animated at times. The best example I can think of is that whenever Dave lies on the floor and throws a quote-unquote tantrum, he looks like he's dancing or flexing his muscles rather than banging his limbs on the floor.
Because of Dave and Catherine's dysfunctional relationship and hatred for each other, I can't imagine how they can handle living together or why they haven't divorced. If I were in their position, I would end the marriage immediately. However, in a few YouTubers' versions of the Childish Dad series, the couple divorces, and Dave remarries a woman named Bridget aka Childish Mom, who is a better match for him. When they meet for the first time in one version, they watch Barney and play with a Barney stuffed animal, and nobody stops them. Finally, Dave can live the life he wants! Unfortunately, he remains married to Catherine in most uploaders' versions. Why can't there be more videos about them divorcing?
In contrast to all the negatives, Dave once expressed the benefits of being different, particularly his experience with autism and the importance of independence, better than I could. In a video where he and Catherine divorce, he stated, "I don't want to deal with you anymore. You always complain about how childish I am, yet you never let me make my own choices. Having autonomy and doing things without your approval is a huge part of maturing, and depriving me of my autonomy prevents me from maturing. Oh, I am too old for kids' shows? That's bullspit. The most productive adults I know love kids' shows, whether it be Scooby Doo or Barney and Friends. Mature adults don't obsess over how much preschool shows suck, nor do they disrespect others who like them; they focus on other things, like working or paying bills.
You also never allow me to be myself. Mature adults are comfortable in their own skin and don't act like someone they're not, which you are also banning me from. After all, we are all unique in our own way. Worse yet, you are trying to convert me, an autistic man, to fit in more with neurotypical people. Autism is not a condition I chose to have, nor is it a disease that needs to be cured. It's just who I am as a unique individual. Albert Einstein was autistic. If he was forced to act more like a neurotypical, he wouldn't have made all those scientific discoveries he did.
Lastly, suicide is nothing to joke about, let alone tell others to do, no matter how much they dislike them. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Many people who had their whole lives ahead of them and the potential to be successful lost that opportunity due to suicide.
You know what? I am divorcing you and taking Ivy and Ana with me. You can take care of Brian and Emma by yourself. I hope I never see you again. In fact, I might even file a restraining order against you. I hope you're happy now."
In conclusion, while the Childish Dad series may appeal to some viewers for its humor, its portrayal of the main character and family dynamics raises concerns. Issues like ageism, misunderstanding of autism, and a lack of empathy toward Dave's interests lead to a repetitive narrative. The show reinforces negative stereotypes and fails to delve into deeper emotional themes. Until it evolves to offer a more balanced perspective (which I doubt will ever happen), I find it hard to support it. Addressing these issues could make the series more inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience.
This is one of the only few original concepts in the GoAnimate Community that I actually enjoy from time to time. Lozzie created a popular series starring original characters that has stuck with the community, inspiring others to feature the Johnson family in their own videos! Dave gives you the vibe where you wish you were a kid again, that is until he acts out, then we know we were raised right. This may not be the best series in terms of GoAnimation, but at least it's a great series in terms writing and creativity. Lozzie definitely has potential as a GoAnimator, and I am looking forward to seeing what she has next in store!
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