Children And TV With More Than 50 New Programs To Watch, Your Kids Are Sure To Find Something They Like

There are more than 50 new children’s series debuting this fall. Forget all the debate about “educational” and “FCC friendly.” You want to know what’s watchable.

Our preview is segmented here into four categories: live-action, comedic animation, action-adventure animation, and preschool fare. The most promising entries in each genre are listed first, with premiere dates when appropriate.

Live action

NBC’s Saturday-morning lineup faces more non-animated competition, with much of it designed for preteens.

“Bailey Kipper’s P.O.V.” (CBS, Saturdays) - An intriguing and entertaining comedy featuring an 11-year-old (Michael Galeota) with a wild imagination who alters the video diary of his daily life.

“Where in Time is Carmen San Diego?” (PBS, weekdays; Oct. 7) - This history-based game show gives the popular “Carmen” franchise another educational outlet. With Lynne Thigpen and Kevin Shinick.

“Amazing Animals” (Disney Channel, Sundays) - Based on Dorothy Kindersley’s children’s books, this series looks at animal characteristics (such as armoring) and is hosted by a girl and an animated gecko.

“Audubon’s Animal Adventures” (Disney Channel, Sundays) - Series focusing on animal species.

“Bone Chillers” (ABC, Saturdays) - Mad monsters and ghastly ghouls await a group of high-school students in a mystery series based on author Betsy Haynes’ work.

“Secrets of the Crypt-Keeper’s Haunted House” (CBS, Saturdays) - Game show filmed at Universal Studios.

“Flash Forward” (ABC, Saturdays) - A Disney Channel junior-high comedy starring Theodore Borders, Asia Vieira, Jewel Staite and Ben Foster.

“Kenan and Kel” (Nickelodeon, Saturdays; Oct. 12) - Stupid variety show/sitcom with “All That” stars Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell.

“Big Bad Beetleborgs” (FOX, weekdays, Saturdays) - Series follows in silly superpower footsteps of “Power Rangers ZEO.”

Comedic animation

There are plenty of adaptations from movies, books and comic books - plus one show that takes place inside a comic. Some of the most interesting shows feature African-American characters.

“C-Bear and Jamal” (Fox, Saturdays) - Rapper/ executive producer Tone Loc gives voice to a teddy bear that comes alive to befriend a 10-year-old African-American boy. Premiered with a three-part miniseries in February. Also features Debbie Allen, Jamie Foxx and Dawnn Lewis.

“Hey Arnold!” (Nickelodeon, Mondays and Wednesdays; Oct. 7) - Funky show about an imaginative fourth-grade boy with a head shaped like a football. Celebrities provide guest voices.

“Kablam!” (Nickelodeon, Fridays; Oct. 11) - Quirky animated sketch comedy show hosted by animated kids Henry and June, who embark on adventures from inside a comic book.

“World Premiere Toons” (Cartoon Network, TNT and TBS, various times; Oct. 9) - The birthplace of “Dexter’s Laboratory” has six outlandish, high-energy shorts: “Ignoramooses,” “Godfrey and Zeke,” “Jungle Boy,” “Buy One, Get One Free,” “Kitchen Casanova” and “Tumble Weed Tex.”

“Inspector Gadget’s Field Trip” (History Channel, Sundays, Saturdays; Oct. 27) - The National Education Association is consulting on these hourlong adventures featuring an animated character (voice of Don Adams) and live-action footage of places such as the Tower of London and Great Wall of China.

Preschool

Even children already in school, as well as their parents, should find something new to like in fare for preschoolers.

“Blue’s Clues” (Nickelodeon, weekdays) - Entertaining show in which a live-action host lives in an animated storybook environment. Young viewers are invited to help solve puzzles presented by an animated puppy, Blue. Monday’s episode repeats Tuesday through Friday.

“Arthur” (PBS, weekdays; Oct. 7) - Author-illustrator Marc Brown’s beloved aardvark and his sister, D.W., star in 30 charming programs that focus on children’s issues. Catchy theme song by Ziggy Marley.

“The Wisdom of the Gnomes” (The Learning Channel, weekdays; Nov. 5) - Spinoff of “David the Gnome” includes global adventures.

“Tot’s TV” (PBS, Saturdays) - Three tots (one speaks only Spanish) occupy a secret house with a donkey and a Furryboo.

“Theodore Tugboat” (PBS, Sundays; Oct. 20) - Friendly stories, introduced and narrated by The Mamas and the Papas’ Denny Doherty, explore feelings, fairness and friendship.

“The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss” (Nickelodeon, Sundays; Oct. 13) - The first series based on Theodor Geisel’s characters has puppets (The Cat in the Hat hosts) on computer-generated sets, orchestrated by Jim Henson Productions.

“Dream Big” (FOX, Saturdays) - From home video, an educational look at vehicles and animals.

“Cavekids” (some PBS stations, weekdays) - Pebbles and Bam-Bam are cuter than ever.

“Mr. Conductor’s Thomas Tales” (PBS, Mondays; Oct. 7) - New George Carlin-told tales of the engine from Sodor, without the “Shining Time Station” wraparounds.

“Groundling Marsh” (Disney Channel, weekdays) - Puppets, animation and songs.

Action-adventure animation

A well-populated if not well-executed genre, though some series seem to try to execute entire populations.

“Real Adventures of Jonny Quest” (TNT, weekdays and Saturdays; TBS, weekdays; Cartoon Network, weekdays) - These 52 compelling new episodes, grittier and more lifelike than the hit 1960s series, get 21 cable airings each week. Jonny (voiced by J.D. Roth), now 14, still solves problems without super powers. Features George Segal as Dr. Benton Quest.

“Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm” (USA Network, Sundays, Saturdays; Sept. 21) - Luke Perry, Ron Perlman and Olivia D’Abo in a martial arts showcase.

“Wing Commander Academy” (USA Network, Saturdays, Sundays; Sept. 21) - Mark Hamill and Dana Delany voice pilots training to battle the Kilrathi Empire.

“Dragon Flyz” (Fox, Saturday) - Boys’ toy-driven companion to “Sky Dancers.”