As promised in a previous post here is a run-down of some of the many animated kids’ TV shows that are popular on Spanish TV at the moment. The views expressed below are mainly my own personal take on these TV shows with a little help from Dani – based on how much he seems to like them, or otherwise. Apologies in advance. This is a long post but still only scratches the surface. If there are other TV shows you would like me to review then please let me know by leaving a comment.

Sponge Bob Squarepants

OK, I know. Sponge Bob has been around for ages. We all know Sponge Bob right? A relatively old series now; it started in the late 90s – last century! Wow! Worth a mention though as it is suitably wacky enough to keep adults entertained as well as the kids.

Just in case you don’t know: Bob is a sea sponge living at the bottom of the sea – naturally enough – although he resembles a rectangular kitchen cleaning sponge. He lives in a pineapple and works in a burger bar called the Krusty Krab owned by Mr. Krabs. His best mate is a star fish called Patrick. Other regular characters include Squidward (a squid) who is Bob’s next door neighbour and co-worker. Sandy Cheeks is a squirrel who wears an astronaut suit because clearly a squirrel cannot breathe under the sea. Pearl is somehow the whale daughter of Mr. Krabs while Larry the Lobster is a bodybuilding lifeguard at the Goo Lagoon. All good stuff.

It certainly seems to be drug inspired but I quite like it.

Peppa Pig

A children’s staple for some twelve years and a British production. It seems everyone loves Peppa especially those around Dani’s age. Simple childish animation and even simpler storylines certainly keep the kids transfixed. The main characters are Peppa Pig and her brother George who live with Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Other characters include Danny Dog and Pedro Pony. Personally I think it’s crap!

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom

Another British production very much in the mould of Peppa as far as animation is concerned. Holly is a fairy and Ben an elf and they live at the bottom of someone’s garden (naturally) with their respective families. They have adventures in the garden and sometimes a little beyond which include a fair amount of fairy-elf rivalry. Who would have thought eh?. Better than Peppa but only appeals to the kids. Very little adult interest. In fact, none for this adult.

Kate & Mim-Mim

A Canadian-British series based on a 5 year old girl named Kate and her adventures with her purple toy rabbit Mim-Mim. The usually small rabbit grows to human adult size when Kate spins around chanting “Mim-mim funny bunny friend, it’s time to come to life again” (as you do). Mim-Mim then whisks her off to the imaginary world of Mimiloo.

Special mention must go to Kate’s mum who has an outrageously sexy walk for a little kids cartoon. Maybe she has a purple rabbit too?

Other characters include a groundhog called Gobble. Seriously, I am not making this shit up.

Quite good, especially for kids of Dani’s age.

Regular Show

Now we are talking! This is easily the best show and is definitely more for adults than kids. At least that is my take. Wacky enough to keep me entertained for almost an hour as they tend to show a few back to back episodes on Spanish TV. But don’t be fooled. The kids love it too. The show has been running for 6 years and if you haven’t seen it yet then I urge you to take a look.

The characters are a real bizarre mix. The two main characters are best friends; a blue jay called Mordecai and a raccoon called Rigby. They both “work” as groundskeepers at a local park. They are a real pair of slackers who get into surreal, totally daft and out-of-this-world adventures.

The other main characters are all worth a special mention. They are as follows:

Benson: A living bubble-gum machine. He is also the park manager and often tries to sack Rigby and Mordecai for their slack ways. Work that one out for yourself. Crazy but I love it.

Pops Maellard: Pops for short. Apparently his father owns the Park. Pops has a large round ball-like head on a thin body. He is very much an old fashioned English gentleman saying things like “Jolly good show” and the likes.

Muscle-Man: Mitchell “Muscle-Man” Sorenstein is a green skinned character resembling something like a Frankenstien or Herman Monster. Hardly a real muscle man as he has a classic beer drinkers’ obese physique. Best friend to Hi-Five Ghost and another park employee.

Hi-Five Ghost: A head only ghost with a hand sticking up on top for giving flying high fives. A great supernatural dude.

Skips Quippenger: Skips is a big, white, immortal yeti. He plays a bass guitar and also works in the park. Skips is voiced by Mark Hamill. Luke Skywalker himself! Beat that Peppa!

Super Wings

Oh dear. Not only does this one fall over itself trying to be educational it is also dreadful and annoying in equal measure. Walking talking jet planes (in a child-like transformers kind of way) deliver packages around the world.

Apparently this show is a Korean/Chinese/German/American production. That should tell you all you need to know. The only regular “human” character is an annoying twat of an air traffic controller called Jimbo. The rest of the main characters are aeroplanes.

Each episode Jimbo explains to Jett (the main character) a bit about the package’s destination and how to say something in the language of that location.

About as shit as it gets on kid’s TV. I am writing about it right now as Dani is watching it and I have to say, it is really getting on my nerves. Even Dani has had enough. Let’s move on…

Jamie’s Got Tentacles

Double take? Yes; I read that wrong the first time I saw it. However, this show is indeed a load of bollocks. Jamie is actually an alien in disguise who befriends a kid called Erwin. “Off the wall” enough to keep you watching at least one or two episodes. Enough though.

Trucktown

Better than Super Wings but still falling over itself trying to be somehow educational.

All the characters are trucks – as you might expect. It has enough action to keep Dani entertained so on that basis I give it the thumbs-up. Reluctantly.

Pocoyo

A Spanish-British production written by a Spaniard – hence the name “Pocoyo” (little me). The main characters are Pocoyo, supposedly a 4 year old boy, Pato a yellow duck and Elly a pink elephant. There are lots of other characters, more than enough to fuel the toy stores.

This is real kids’ stuff but the younger ones seem to love it. Pocoyo was the first TV character that Dani knew. He used to watch this show and is still young enough to enjoy it ocsassionally.