Fun and educational! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the smartest, most educational TV shows we grew up with and molded us into the people we are now.
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00:00K is for Kermit.
00:03L is for Luis.
00:04Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:06And today, we're counting down our picks
00:07for the smartest, most educational TV
00:10shows we grew up with and molded us into the people we are now.
00:14There will be minor spoilers.
00:16Mr. Ratburn is married.
00:18I still can't believe it.
00:19Yep, it's a brand new world.
00:24Number 20, Wishbone.
00:26Blending adventure with literature,
00:28Wishbone follows the titular Jack Russell Terrier,
00:31who relates his current situation
00:33with that of a character of a work of classic literature.
00:36Public humiliation, nothing worse than that.
00:39Sort of like being Quasimodo.
00:42He's the main character in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
00:45by Victor Hugo.
00:46In this dreamscapade, Wishbone usually
00:49plays the lead in a costume, although occasionally he
00:52plays the side character, with others also playing
00:55as classic lit figures.
00:56Smart, witty, and wholesome, Wishbone
00:59is a child-friendly introduction to long and often intimidating
01:03classic novels, distilling their plots
01:05without sacrificing their messages.
01:07Plus, let's be honest.
01:09It's fun to watch a dog play Hamlet in Robin Hood.
01:12It's too bad the show isn't running now.
01:14Learning about classic literature
01:16only gets tougher from middle school on.
01:18Trust us.
01:19We're so lucky to have such a learned and sophisticated
01:22gentleman as you in our midst.
01:24Number 19, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
01:28A game show that puts our geographical knowledge
01:31to the test.
01:32Looks like everybody's ready.
01:33Daniel, we'll start with you.
01:34What do you say?
01:34Macau.
01:35Macau.
01:35What do you think, Keisha?
01:36Hong Kong.
01:37This PBS show follows three middle school-aged contestants
01:41as they try to figure out where Carmen Sandiego's cronies are,
01:44with two rounds and a bonus one.
01:46In the bonus round, the contestants
01:48have to figure out the location of Carmen Sandiego
01:51herself based on clues from one of her fellow crooks.
01:54The format was so successful, it won the 1992 Peabody Award
01:59and seven Daytime Emmys.
02:01Not bad for a show that got its start due to Americans'
02:04lack of geography knowledge.
02:06Get me out of this town.
02:08These Americans are so uncultured.
02:11Relax.
02:12I'm sending you to a country that's so cultured,
02:14their president is a writer.
02:16Number 18, Between the Lions.
02:19You don't need to read Between the Lines
02:21to know what Between the Lions is all about.
02:23Come on, come in, begin, the world awaits.
02:34Set in a library and following charming anthropomorphic lions,
02:38each episode focuses on a particular book,
02:41whether it is the lions reading it and learning from it
02:44or an adaptation of the story and show.
02:46Between the Lions also has animated sequences,
02:49parodies, and gags a la Sesame Street,
02:52including the memorably catchy Cliffhanger.
02:55Cliffhanger, hanging from a cliff,
03:00and that's why he's called Cliffhanger.
03:03Excuse me, excuse me.
03:06Other notable segments are Monkey Pop-Up Theater,
03:09Little Wendy Tales, and Fun with Chicken Jane,
03:12a parody of Dick and Jane.
03:13Just remembering has us itching to visit the library.
03:17Number 17, Ask the Storybots.
03:20A kind of Mythbusters for children,
03:23this animated show follows a group of storybots
03:25who live beneath our screens,
03:27going on an adventure to answer kids' questions.
03:30At the end of the episode,
03:32the show provides an answer to the question
03:34in the form of a music video or song.
03:36Colds are kinds of viruses, now as for what a virus is,
03:40well, they're little invaders taking over healthy cells.
03:45The show's format is a great kid-friendly exposure
03:48to natural science and biology,
03:50as well as math and history, all in a humorous package.
03:53Some of the questions include how eyes see,
03:56how cell phones work, what electricity is, and so forth.
03:59Ask the Storybots was popular and successful enough
04:02to be acquired by Netflix and even get a Christmas episode.
04:06We're getting crazy, crazy, crazy for Christmas time.
04:09The presents are under the tree for me.
04:11We're gonna have a party cause it's Christmas time.
04:14Oh, won't you sing along with me?
04:16Number 16, Peppa Pig.
04:18Yes, everyone's favorite proper chummy pig is on this list.
04:22Uh, can you whistle, Susie?
04:24No.
04:25Oh, good.
04:26I mean, that's sad if you can't whistle.
04:30But good, because I can't whistle.
04:32Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals,
04:35the show follows a piglet named Peppa
04:37as she and her family go on various everyday activities.
04:40A kind of Arthur for the preschool set,
04:43Peppa's slice-of-life escapades,
04:45usually leading to embarrassment,
04:47always end in a lesson of some sort,
04:49with an off-screen voice narrating the action.
04:52The show's popularity led to Peppa
04:54and her friends' Britishisms being adopted
04:56by many young viewers, hence the Peppa Pig effect.
05:00Peppa Pig has won a variety of children's awards
05:03for its writing, animation, and performances,
05:06and with good cause.
05:07Mommy, Daddy, you have to watch us.
05:11Okay.
05:12We're watching.
05:13Number 15, Zabumafu.
05:15For shows about learning about nature and the animal world,
05:18there are few as educational as Zabumafu.
05:21Created by Chris and Martin Kratt,
05:23the show began as an unofficial spin-off
05:26of Kratt's Creatures, also a wildlife show.
05:29This show follows the delightfully enthusiastic
05:31Kratt's brothers and the titular Zabumafu,
05:34a talking lemur, as they discover animals in the wild.
05:38A baby effluent?
05:39Elephant, Zab.
05:41Elephant.
05:43Elephant.
05:45Hi, elephant.
05:46The show eventually produced a spin-off called Wild Kratt,
05:49which is similar, except it mixes flash animation
05:52and live action.
05:54In whichever iteration of the show,
05:55Zabumafu is a fun, enjoyable way to learn
05:58about different wildlife and their capabilities,
06:01and it's definitely responsible
06:03for our animal phase in elementary.
06:05Kauai noses are great smellers.
06:08Those noses can smell food buried in the sand.
06:11Number 14, Cyberchase.
06:14For learning applicable math
06:15and environmental computer science,
06:17you won't go wrong with the smartly written Cyberchase.
06:21You're a genius, boss.
06:23And smart, too.
06:25Following friends Matt, Inez, and Jackie
06:28in their adventures in cyberspace,
06:30the three amigos foil the machinations
06:32of the evil hacker through mathematical principles
06:35and concepts, economics, and environmental science.
06:38After each episode, the show has Cyberchase for real,
06:42which shows real-life actors using the mathematical concepts
06:45in the show in real life.
06:47What happens if we estimate low?
06:49We run out.
06:50Exactly.
06:51And if we estimate too high?
06:53We have leftovers.
06:54To make?
06:55Turkey sandwiches for lunch the next day.
06:57Cyberchase's use of both fantasy
06:59and mathematical principles is a clear winner,
07:02and it has been nominated for several awards.
07:05It's certainly not nostalgia talking
07:07when we say this show is a clear winner.
07:10Number 13, Super Why.
07:13Another program that encourages reading and literacy,
07:16there is no need to wonder why Super Why is on this list.
07:20H-O-U-S-E, house.
07:29The show follows storybook characters Wyatt Beanstalk,
07:32Woofster, Princess Pea, and Red Riding Hood
07:35living in Storybrooke Village as they venture inside the book
07:38to resolve their problems.
07:40The show makes good use of its classic fairytale characters
07:44and exposes children to other classic stories as well.
07:47Super Why also encourages the viewer
07:49to identify super letters.
07:51Super letters!
07:53You see super letters?
07:55Which ones?
07:57The show's popularity has led to a live show and spin-off series,
08:01proving the ever-perennial appeal
08:03of reading and storytelling.
08:06Number 12, Barney and Friends.
08:09I love you.
08:09You love me.
08:10I love you.
08:13You love me.
08:15We're a happy family.
08:20When it comes to children's edutainment,
08:22there are few shows as iconic and instantly recognizable
08:25as Barney and Friends.
08:26The show follows kids and their friend,
08:28a magical purple dinosaur that comes to life,
08:30who teaches them important life lessons.
08:33Other dinosaurs include Baby Bop, BJ, and Riff,
08:36with their own theme songs and personalities.
08:39Although the subject of countless schoolyard parodies,
08:42Barney's positive messages, adventurous storylines,
08:45and catchy songs are no doubt the basis for its popularity
08:49and led it to becoming a massive hit.
08:52Who took the cookies from the cookie jar?
08:55Happy took the cookies from the cookie jar.
08:58Who, me?
08:58Yes, you.
08:59Couldn't be.
09:00Then who?
09:01Number 11, Little Einsteins.
09:04Those Baby Einstein videos have reaped fruit
09:06in this animated series for children.
09:09We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship.
09:15Zooming through the sky, Little Einsteins.
09:19Like the videos, this show integrates
09:21fun childhood adventure with classical music
09:24and high artworks.
09:25The show follows five friends, Leo, Quincy, June, Annie,
09:29and Rocket, as they travel the world solving problems
09:32or helping people.
09:34The show aims to expose young children
09:36to classical music and art and build appreciation,
09:39which the showrunners believe can aid in brain
09:42growth and development.
09:43Art by Katsushika Hokusai and Paul Gauguin.
09:49And.
09:53Little Einsteins is a great way for children
09:55to learn art and culture in a kid-friendly way,
09:58as well as encourage art appreciation.
10:01Number 10, Bluey.
10:03We are never blue watching Bluey.
10:05This slice of life show follows the adventures
10:07of an energetic Australian blue healer, Bluey,
10:10and her friends and family.
10:12Welcome to the show.
10:14Wait, this side.
10:19The depiction of contemporary life in the show
10:22has been praised as realistic, with both of Bluey's parents
10:25working and taking care of their children.
10:27Bluey's father, Bandit, is also praised as a positive role
10:31model for children.
10:32Hey, Bluey, I found a wand.
10:34Oh, use it on dad, OK?
10:37Rack him and stack him, kids.
10:38We've got to grow.
10:42All in all, Bluey focuses on helping children
10:45navigate their everyday lives.
10:47Older viewers may pick up a few lessons as well,
10:50with the show having a fan base of adults, not all of whom
10:53are parents.
10:54Number 9, Dora the Explorer.
10:57While many children's shows depend on viewer interaction,
11:00arguably the best and most iconic
11:03has to be everyone's favorite Exploradora.
11:06Who do we ask for help when we don't know which way to go?
11:12The map.
11:13The show follows seven-year-old Dora Marquez and her monkey
11:16boots on adventures.
11:18Along the way, Dora encounters a thieving fox
11:21named Swiper, who steals people's belongings
11:23that Dora and us must return to their owners.
11:26The show is great at teaching children rudimentary Spanish
11:30and solving games and puzzles.
11:31Where's the larger one?
11:36Exacto.
11:40Dora's popularity has led to a live-action film adaptation,
11:43and a live-action series starring a tween Dora
11:46is in development.
11:47Que emoción.
11:49Number 8, Blue's Clues.
11:51Another iconic interactive children's show
11:54stars another lovable female blue dog, Blue,
11:57who leaves her pawprints as clues for Steve and us to find.
12:01Clue, a clue.
12:02A clue?
12:05Oh, you're right.
12:07There's a clue on these glasses.
12:10The show is distinctive for being the first American
12:13cutout animation series for preschoolers,
12:16using innovative research in early childhood development.
12:20A surefire hit, Blue's Clues became
12:22an iconic and beloved show, nominated for nine Emmy Awards.
12:26It was eventually rebooted after its initial release
12:29as Blue's Clues and You, starring a new host.
12:32Think it, Blue, it's Blue's Clues and You.
12:36Here's hoping Blue leaves more clues for the generations
12:39of preschoolers to come.
12:43Thanks for doing your part.
12:46You sure are smart.
12:47You sure worked hard.
12:49Number 7, Schoolhouse Rock.
12:51Where would we be without this show and its iconic songs
12:54about the American Revolution?
12:56Schoolhouse Rock was conceived to help
12:58schoolchildren memorize historical dates
13:01and mathematical operations in a fun series of songs.
13:05The very first one was Three is a Magic Number.
13:08The past and the present and the future, faith and hope
13:11and charity, the heart and the brain and the body
13:14give you three as a magic number.
13:18Other popular ones include Conjunction Junction
13:21and I'm Just a Bill.
13:22Bob Durow's catchy songwriting style
13:25is great for children to learn and retain important concepts.
13:29The show's format was a success.
13:31There were even popular artists who covered the songs
13:34in a tribute album.
13:35This fog thick soggy and fozzy thick foggy
13:38and then I was ready to tell them my tale.
13:43Knowledge is power.
13:44Number 6, Reading Rainbow.
13:47Take a look, it's in a book.
13:49Take a look, it's in a book, Reading Rainbow.
13:54This iconic show brought the love of reading
13:57to a whole generation of kids.
13:59Hosted by actor LeVar Burton, the show
14:01had several celebrities and guests reading
14:04from a select children's book.
14:05Reading Rainbow also had an ending segment
14:08called Book Reviews, where children
14:10would give their opinions on the books they liked.
14:12You may think that this is crazy,
14:14but I think that bats are really cool.
14:17And if you don't believe me, just
14:19take a look at this book called Amazing Bat.
14:22The show's success has led to a boatload of other literacy
14:26shows that encouraged reading and literacy skills.
14:29By the time it came off the air, it
14:31was the third longest running children's series on PBS
14:34and a major influence for many a bookworm.
14:37Number 5, The Magic School Bus.
14:40Learning about science and biology
14:42has never been so adventurous.
14:44Seatbelts, everyone.
14:45Please let this be a normal field trip with a friend.
14:49No way.
14:49This acclaimed series follows an elementary class
14:52and their eccentric science teacher, Ms. Frizzle,
14:55on a magical school bus that can shrink and expand at will.
14:58The series was actually based on a book series
15:01of the same title.
15:02Since the success of the show, it
15:04has been adapted into a series of games
15:06and even revived in 2017.
15:09Through the magical field trips, through several biomes,
15:12and the human body, the series aims
15:14to inspire children about the wonders of science
15:17and the natural world.
15:18She's sharing her food with you, Ralphie.
15:21In a hive, it's one for all and all for one.
15:25If you say so, Ms. Frizzle.
15:28Number 4, Bill Nye the Science Guy.
15:32Bill Nye the Science Guy.
15:33Bill Nye the Science Guy.
15:36Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill.
15:39Bill Nye the Science Guy.
15:43Science rules.
15:44Another award-winning science show
15:47that inspired countless scientists
15:49was hosted by actual engineer Bill Nye,
15:52playing his science guy persona.
15:54Quirky and sharply edited with a banger of a theme,
15:57the show aims to answer and explain scientific concepts
16:01and perform experiments.
16:03Apart from the host's science background,
16:05the series received funding from the National Science
16:07Foundation and the US Department of Energy.
16:10Bill Nye has since then been enthroned in pop culture
16:13consciousness as an authority on all things science.
16:17And his show has definitely inspired a whole generation
16:20of scientists and researchers.
16:22Most amphibians live the first part of their lives where?
16:24That's right, in the water.
16:26And the rest of their lives on what?
16:28Land, yes.
16:30Number 3, Arthur.
16:32One of the most popular children's series of all time,
16:35Arthur has left an indelible mark on children's edutainment.
16:39This slice of life series about an animated aardvark
16:42and his friends and family was the inspiration
16:45to countless series of the like, including Peppa Pig and Bluey.
16:50Based on a series of books, Arthur
16:52deals with many important topics in a kid-friendly manner,
16:55including poverty, swearing, dyslexia, cancer, and autism.
17:00Wow, is he a genius?
17:03Sort of, but he has a lot of trouble
17:05being around other people.
17:06Why?
17:07His brain just works differently.
17:09The show has inspired its fair share
17:11of internet memes, mostly involving
17:13Arthur's hilarious younger sister, DW.
17:16And of course, Arthur was developed
17:18to encourage reading in the first place.
17:20Its protagonist's last name is even Reed.
17:23The show also made history by showing
17:25its first same-sex wedding, proving
17:27it's more than a kid's show.
17:29But if Patty's his sister, then who is Mr. Rathburn marrying?
17:39Number 2, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
17:42One of the longest-running kids' shows,
17:44Mr. Rogers has since proven to be not just a popular kid's
17:47show, but one of the best American TV series of all time.
17:52Hosted by the titular Fred Rogers,
17:54the show follows him on his daily routine,
17:57singing the show's theme, which he wrote.
17:59Since we're together, we might as well say,
18:03would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor?
18:08Rogers talks to the camera about several topics,
18:12not shying away from difficult topics such as death, anger,
18:15and divorce.
18:16The show also contained popular segments
18:19like the Neighborhood of Make-Believe,
18:21starring puppets and guest stars.
18:23The sad death of Fred Rogers put an end to the show,
18:26but its legacy is still present in the generations
18:29of children raised on his gentle presence.
18:32Even when you're feeling blue, that it's you I like,
18:40it's really yourself, it's you.
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18:59Number one, Sesame Street.
19:02Does this show even need an introduction?
19:05Chances are, if you're any kind of American,
19:08you know Sesame Street.
19:10The Shakespeare of kids programming,
19:12this show combines sketch comedy, puppetry, animation,
19:15short films, and cultural references.
19:18Hey, Richie, you've got to take care of these pearly whites.
19:22Yeah, I want them around for a lifetime.
19:24I don't just want them for two, three years, you know?
19:26It was the first children's show to be influenced
19:28by early childhood education and learning
19:30and is one of the most award-winning shows on TV,
19:34as well as the longest running.
19:36Filled with iconic characters such as Big Bird, Elmo,
19:39The Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch,
19:41Sesame Street has included many celebrities and guest stars.
19:45I got a song to sing, and I'm gonna sing it.
19:50There's a good time on its way, and I'm gonna bring it.
19:53The goal?
19:54Preparing children, particularly low-income ones, for school.
19:58The show also promotes pro-social behaviors, diversity,
20:02and non-aggression, making Sesame Street the best
20:05in children's programming.
20:07Which other children's educational series
20:10really holds up well to your adult scrutiny?
20:12Let us know in the comments below.
20:14Take a look, it's in our book, reading Rainbow.
20:20Do you agree with our picks?
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