TV Shows For Kids Offer More Female Characters
A new season of children’s television begins unspooling this week, bringing forth the usual array of shows about aliens, monsters and dinosaurs. What is different this fall, however, is the number of series built around female characters.
Thanks to pressure from Congress and the Federal Communications Commission, there also are many series this season intended as much to educate as to entertain, among them ABC’s “Science Court,” CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune 2000” and the Disney Channel’s “Bear in the Big Blue House.”
Here are highlights of what’s new for youngsters this fall.
ABC
“101 Dalmatians: The Series” - Animated adventures of the beloved spotted puppies. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6.
“Pepper Ann” - A glimpse into the life and mind of a 12-year-old girl, inspired by the real-life memories of its creator, Sue Rose. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6.
“Recess” - From the creators of “Rugrats” comes this new animated series following the escapades of a group of kids during their favorite time of the school day. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6 .
“Science Court” - From Tom Snyder, co-creator and executive producer of “Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist,” comes an animated combination of scientific learning and improvisational comedy, using a courtroom as a teaching ground. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6.
CBS
“The New Ghostwriter Mysteries” - Based on the popular PBS series, this new version features three children and a ghost who come together to solve mysteries via their reading, writing and problem-solving skills. Saturday mornings , beginning Sept. 13.
“The Sports Illustrated for Kids Show” - Based on the children’s magazine; reporters and guest hosts point out how sports embodies health, nutrition and the natural sciences. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 13.
“The Weird Al Show” - Comedian Weird Al Yankovic hosts this “Pee Wee’s Playhouse”-type series, featuring comedy segments, animated shorts and celebrity guests. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 13.
“Wheel of Fortune 2000” - David Sidoni hosts a variation of the popular game show, featuring children spinning the wheel to solve word and language puzzles. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 13.
Fox
“Ned’s Newt” - Animated series chronicling the adventures of Ned and his 500-pound monster, a product of Ned’s over-feeding. Saturday mornings, beginning Oct. 18.
“Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation” - Everyone’s favorite turtles are back in this live-action comedy series. Friday afternoons, beginning Sept. 12.
“Sam & Max” - Animated series based on the comic about a gregarious dog and a manic rabbit. Saturday mornings, beginning Oct. 4.
“Space Goofs” - Five cartoon monsters from a distant galaxy crash on Earth and take refuge in an empty house. Trouble ensues when the incoming tenants arrive. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6.
NBC
“City Guys” - Comedy set in New York City about two teen boys from different worlds: one is an African American from Harlem, the other a fast-talking Anglo. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 6.
PBS
“Wimzie’s House” - For preschoolers, the adventures of a 5-year-old puppet monster with her friends, parents and lively 150-year-old grandmother. Weekday mornings, beginning Oct. 6.
“Theodore Tugboat” - Another preschool series, exploring the issues of feelings, fairness and friendship through the adventures of a tugboat. Saturday mornings, beginning Oct. 18.
UPN
“Breaker High” - Live-action series set on a cruise ship with 500 teens on board learning about math, science, geography, life and responsibility. Sunday mornings, beginning Sept. 21; and weekday afternoons, beginning Sept. 15.
WB
“Channel Umptee-3” - Norman Lear is an executive producer of this animated comedy set at a pirate TV station. Saturday mornings, beginning Oct. 11.
“The Legend of Calamity Jane” - The famous free spirit (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh) brings truth and justice to the Wild West in this animated action series. Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 13.
“Men in Black: The Series” - Animated adaptation of the summer box-office hit follows the government unit assigned to monitor alien activities. Saturday mornings, beginning Oct. 11.
xxxx KSPS’ schedule KSPS-Channel 7, Spokane’s public television station, expands its schedule of children’s programming beginning Monday. The new lineup includes 7-1/2 hours weekdays, two hours on Saturdays and three hours on Sundays. Here’s the schedule: Weekdays from 7-11 a.m.: “Shining Time Station,” “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” “Groundling Marsh,” “Barney and Friends,” “Sesame Street,” “Big Comfy Couch” and “Reading Rainbow.” Weekdays from 2-5:30 p.m.: “Puzzle Place,” “Barney and Friends,” “Arthur,” “Magic School Bus,” “Kraft’s Creatures,” “Wishbone” and “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Saturdays from 6-8 a.m.: “Kidsongs,” “Barney and Friends,” “Wimzie’s House” and “Tots TV.” Sundays from 6-9 a.m.: “Kidsongs TV,” “Barney and Friends,” “Wimzie’s House,” “Dudley the Dragon,” “Imagination Station” and “Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?”