Can we talk Caillou?

somethingchangd · March 2011

I was reading the preschool TV post below and so many people said Caillou was whiney. Everyone at a Sip and See I was at this weekend said the same thing. I DON'T GET IT. I think Caillou is really sweet, uses his words well and very rarely complains. I really really like the character and find myself hoping Ollie is similar when he's 4.

So when you say he's "whiney", what do you specifically mean? The tone of his voice? His attitude? The fact that he's not a rough and tumble boy? What is it?

(I secretly think that no one would complain that he's "whiney" if he was a girl...)

GypsyEsq · March 2011

I actually only sort of think he's whiney. Whoever voices him doesn't do him very many favors, but that said, I don't think he acts like a 4 year old -- I would have thought he was just a verbally precocious 2 year old before I had a toddler of my own. But aside from his "voice" I think it's a cute show, although you're right, he's not the archtype of the American boy and I wonder if that's b/c it's a Canadian show. In any case, I'm glad DD doesn't prefer to watch it because I like some of the other shows she likes more -- Wonder Pets for the music and full orchestra arrangements and Kipper because dogs and pigs talking in British accents cracks me up --- but Caillou is a fine choice if she wants to watch it.

schmoodle · March 2011

I've never even heard of this show. What channel is it on?

somethingchangd · March 2011

schmoodle:
I've never even heard of this show. What channel is it on?

PBS

GypsyEsq · March 2011

schmoodle:
I've never even heard of this show. What channel is it on?

I'm not sure...PBS kids or Nick Jr....since those are the only two we have DD's shows on. Toodle might love it, you should try it out. Caillou has a baby sister.

AlissaCell701 · March 2011

I am one of those who can't stand the show. I find that kid to be totally annoying and super whiney. When I nannied for a little girl she was 2 at the time she LOVE Caillou like most 2 year olds do. THe little girl actually started talking and whining like him!!

I think it's his voice mostly, high pitched naisily thing. And he does have kind of a bad attitued and sometimes talks back to his parents. But I do like that the parents have him play independly a lot and he does quite a bit of imaginary play. WHich I think is great to show kids.

This is just not my faviorte show and I am not sure it's teaching any "lessons" like sesame street or my favorite Kipper the english dog!!

Germanwife2b · March 2011

I am one who likes Caillou!!!! I think he talks like a kid. I never noticed him to be particularly whiney.

cjsbdl · March 2011

I don'y really mind the show and Henry loves it. It's definitely very popular among the toddler set.

I think the whiny factor is his voice and not necessarily his attitude.

I think he doesn't always play well with his friends (episodes often depict him being jealous or contentious with playmates), but I'd say that's an accurate depiction of a toddler/preschooler, even if it's not a good example for my own kid. And no kids show is perfect in that respect...I particularly hate the bad grammar on Sesame Street.

somethingchangd · March 2011

cjsbdl:

I don'y really mind the show and Henry loves it. It's definitely very popular among the toddler set.

I think the whiny factor is his voice and not necessarily his attitude.

I think he doesn't always play well with his friends (episodes often depict him being jealous or contentious with playmates), but I'd say that's an accurate depiction of a toddler/preschooler, even if it's not a good example for my own kid. And no kids show is perfect in that respect...I particularly hate the bad grammar on Sesame Street.

Ok, this I pretty much understand. His voice is certainly high pitched, but I don't think that makes him "whiney" per se. And I agree that he doesn't always act perfectly, but I kind of think that's the point of the show: he acts irresponsibly, is told to change his behavior, and does. To me that's teaching a very simple lesson about very simple things in a very simple way.

I guess it just irks me that people seem to have no issue with sassy characters or princessy characters or loud characters, but everyone is bothered by this relatively real kid.

choco_lab · March 2011

I like this show! I think there's good lessons in it and it's not "flashy".. just a little story about little kids. (And I like that the mom kind of has a little pudge to her.. realistic) Wink

I would let him watch this 1,000 times before I would turn on that crazy Yo Gabba Gabba! Those creatures are just plain freaky and weird!

crystalgirl · March 2011

I agree with you. We love Caillou around here (Dora, notsomuch). I have noticed though that the newer episodes are MUCH worse than the old ones. I don't let DS watch the newer ones.

LIAngel · March 2011

DS hasn't seen Caillou yet, since I still remember how annoying I thought he was when my niece used to watch him when she was 2 (6 yrs ago). Maybe I will revisit it though.

Plus- what the heck kind of name is Caillou?????

RoxBride · March 2011

Cailou on Sprout? I love him.

Cailou newer episodes on the local PBS? So whiny.

I don't know what happened between seasons, but he went from adorable cute show with little stories to Mr. Whinypants.

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