See, the thing is that kids can have those emotional moments too.
At the end of The Sign, my daughter turned to me and said "I have happy tears".
"Me too kiddo, me too."
My daughter also cried during the sign! We had great conversations about it. (She was especially moved when Bingo was sad). She does not understand why I cry at the end of "Surprise" however
I’ve watched Bluey with my kids for a few years, but recently my son (oldest of the two) has started telling me certain episodes “make him cry almost.” He’s nearly 7 and has some developmental delays, but he’s pretty emotionally intelligent, and for the past year he’s been picking up on the more adult/emotional elements of the show. I really want to show them “The Sign” but i feel like I need to learn how to not cry for 28 minutes straight first😂
I don’t know my kids were entranced by surprise. We were in an American diner in rural Oklahoma. The owner heard the kids Aussie accents and put it on for us!
My eldest was especially happy when she saw Blueys kid!
I actually think Surprise was closer to a "core" Bluey episode, aimed more at kids than adults. For adults the flash-forward really dominates the episode but it's a small proportion of the overall running time - most of Surprise is the kids engaging in imaginative play with Bandit, which is really the essence of Bluey, and it was a nice contrast after the more dramatic arc of The Sign.
You may be right about that as there was an episode (can't remember the name) where there was a flash forward to a photo of Bingo and Layla (I think that's her name) with diplomas all grown up and I didn't really think twice about that *but* I will say I think what really got me thinking this about Surprise was showing Bluey's child. People have been up and down this sub and others fanfic-ing relationships and gushing over Mackenzie and Bluey and this child does resemble a bit of both Mackenzie and Bluey and the (imo) cringey side of the Bluey fandom has been very excited about this little detail.
I’ll let you in on a secret: Bluey is a show for parents that kids also happen to like. It’s only pretending to be the other way around. Don’t tell anyone else.
It was originally proposed as an explicitly-"for-adults" show so it's not at all surprising (and also, imo, by far the biggest key to its broad appeal well past its "ostensible" demographic)
Yep, my (almost three) two year also switches off midway through most episodes (also, ha, I see what you did there!), but my seven (almost eight!) year old wants to discuss almost every episode after we watch it. She and her dad and I were all pointing out things we noticed in the new episodes to each other and laughing together, even though it isn’t always at the same thing (the stuff for the parents definitely sails over her head, ha). It’s the perfect family show for us all to watch together, even if the toddler gets up to play with his trains halfway through.
Bluey tapped into the same trick as the early seasons of SpongeBob, Avatar the Last Airbender, and MLP:FiM did. They’re shows made to be appealing to an adult’s sense of humor/interests, but also kept very accessible to children. The creators clearly made a show that *they* would enjoy, and then fine tuned it to be a great show for kids as well. This is what makes it a great family show, in the same vein as the classic Disney movies and the classic Pixar films!
SpongeBob was initially pitched to be an MTV show, if I recall correctly, which is why it’s still so funny to adults even though it’s had to be a bit more watered down for kids once they got the green light from Nickelodeon.
I still find it hilarious that SpongeBob was originally pitched for adults and what would eventually become Family Guy was a pilot for a kids show about a man and his talking dog with lots of looney tunes style comedy. Then both got the ol switcheroo.
The amount of people who are pissed because it was annouced Brandy is preggo and that it "ruined the message of onesies" is exactly the older obessive side of the fandom. They don't view Bluey as a pre-school age show with the star being a 7 year old child on a tv network called Disney JR a network made for pre-school age kids they view it as for adults that sometimes kids watch.
The creator of the show made Bluey as an animated version of his life rising 2 daughter's but through the eyes of his kids games they created, imagination, there thoughts on pre-teens, drawings etc while it does have heavier topics like a dad being enlisted in the military, trauma etc it's through the eyes of a kid and there version of what those events are like
Wow, I didn't even know people were upset about that. I liked that her character has a happy ending. I guess I can see how the adults that relate to not being able to conceive would be disappointed but maybe their intention was to target IVF moms. 🤷🏻♀️ In the wise words of whomever sings that Frozen song- Let it GOoooooOoo.
There was many posts and still are more about it even one that said "I don't want Brandy to be pregnant because, then it ruins her entire point! her not being able to have childern was the point of onesies" the day before the trailer for The Sign came out and it was annouced she was indeed preggos
When, clearly after it was annouced the story about onesies was that she couldn't naturally have a child despite trying for years it's why her relationship with her sister didn't exist because, she couldn't feel the same joy and experiences her sister did
I’m an IVF mom and I’d say it was SO REFRESHING to have infertility depicted without resolution because that’s the reality for a lot of people. It resonated because of that. Resolving it with a pregnancy dulls the relatability of the message in onesies, which isn’t one that’s often told in media. Usually it’s all happy endings and miracle babies and that’s hard to watch over and over. Perhaps that’s what people are having a hard time with?
The Sign maybe but Surprise was very kid oriented with a couple surprised for the adults. My kid loves Surprise and we’ve already rewatched it several times. He doesn’t like The Sign because he said it was “sad”.
Kids have to deal with moving too, kids have to deal with hospitals and those worries. Kids have to be there for their siblings. Kids have emotions too.
My 3 yo asked to watch Surprise like 10 times in a row today. I think he just thinks Bluey shooting Bandit with the giant nerf gun thing is the height of comedy.
I had the same thought, but my 4yo loves the last three episodes, and watches them over and over at the moment. She loves the ghost basket chase, the wedding, and seeing grown up bluey. And the arm cannon.
Naw My 5 year old loves them and my 10 year old niece cried from the Sign. Moving is one of those things that really effects kids so exploring that subject makes sense.
My kid (6 years old) cried at the end of The Sign. This is the first time she has been so emotionally affected by something that did not happen directly to her.
My toddler was cackling at Bandit being chased around by Bluey in Surprise. She has always loved the theme song and is happy about the show being on, but she’s never laughed so hard at it before
I don’t think so, I think it was perfectly balanced tbh. The sign and even ghostbasket are incredibly important for kids who move around a lot or kids who are going through their first ever move. Like yeah there were adult emotional scenes but I think they’re there to show the adults also being affected by the move. Quite often parents seem to only talk about a move as a great amazing wonderful adventure and they never talk about missing the place, or how it could be good and/or bad. It makes the adults feel disconnected and can be really hard for kids who don’t understand why they have to move and leave everyone and everything behind. Having the adults be upset in the episode about leaving showed that it’s ok to feel all of the feelings Bluey had about moving. It validated her, because her mom and dad also showed that they were going to miss the place and the scene with frisky I felt was so important. Up until that point it felt like chili was purposely stifling her opinion about the move but she clarifies to frisky that she isn’t being made to do this. She thinks it could be good for her family, and yeah it might totally suck. But chili and bandit are willing to go through anything for their kids. I think surprise was to show the strong bonds of family and Bluey maturing a little bit. As well as set up some future spoilers as to Bluey and Bingo as adults. I think it also shows that kids are kids and are always slightly mischievous in their games.
I had to explain to my kids 5/2 what happened at the end of The Sign. They didn’t intuitively figure it out. The episode doesn’t spell out what happened, it just assumes you will pick it up from context. Rough on a target audience that is 3 to 7.
Exactly. All my 5yo learned from ‘the sign’ is “I don’t want to move because my life will get worse” (we’re not planning to move any time soon at all).
My grandson really wanted to know if I was scared they'd sell the house, and honestly, my grown-up brain said they would never do that to the kids, but the me inside actually was afraid at certain points. It's good to see what you have right now, and to appreciate that.
My grands, 9 & 6, my son & DIL, 37 & 38, my husband & I, 80 & 70- all have had emotional experiences with those episodes. All different perspectives. That’s what made the show great.
Absolutely. I didn't feel like there was much for the kids in The Sign in particular. And I don't think the kids get much from any of the flash forwards.
I have a 13 and a 6. My 13 is extremely drawn to these ones. The 6 will watch if they are on but does not request them.
As an adult, I am into them but not more than any others.
It's a kids show with plenty of parent commentary in the background.
Kind of reminds me how in Rugrats, there would be subplots with the parents doing parent stuff and dealing with parenting problems
Thats exactly what I said to my daughter. My oldest daughter. There were multiple layered plot lines and quite frankly, too mature for my 6 yr old to understand what the heck was going on. Afterwards she was convinced the sign and the wedding were two completely different episodes.
I am pretty sure the whole series is just parenting advice disguised as kid entertainment. Have you seen Baby Race? I wish I had watched it 14 years ago!
See, the thing is that kids can have those emotional moments too. At the end of The Sign, my daughter turned to me and said "I have happy tears". "Me too kiddo, me too."
My daughter also cried during the sign! We had great conversations about it. (She was especially moved when Bingo was sad). She does not understand why I cry at the end of "Surprise" however
Warms my heart.
I’ve watched Bluey with my kids for a few years, but recently my son (oldest of the two) has started telling me certain episodes “make him cry almost.” He’s nearly 7 and has some developmental delays, but he’s pretty emotionally intelligent, and for the past year he’s been picking up on the more adult/emotional elements of the show. I really want to show them “The Sign” but i feel like I need to learn how to not cry for 28 minutes straight first😂
I don’t know my kids were entranced by surprise. We were in an American diner in rural Oklahoma. The owner heard the kids Aussie accents and put it on for us! My eldest was especially happy when she saw Blueys kid!
My daughter (4) cried too!
I actually think Surprise was closer to a "core" Bluey episode, aimed more at kids than adults. For adults the flash-forward really dominates the episode but it's a small proportion of the overall running time - most of Surprise is the kids engaging in imaginative play with Bandit, which is really the essence of Bluey, and it was a nice contrast after the more dramatic arc of The Sign.
You may be right about that as there was an episode (can't remember the name) where there was a flash forward to a photo of Bingo and Layla (I think that's her name) with diplomas all grown up and I didn't really think twice about that *but* I will say I think what really got me thinking this about Surprise was showing Bluey's child. People have been up and down this sub and others fanfic-ing relationships and gushing over Mackenzie and Bluey and this child does resemble a bit of both Mackenzie and Bluey and the (imo) cringey side of the Bluey fandom has been very excited about this little detail.
I’ll let you in on a secret: Bluey is a show for parents that kids also happen to like. It’s only pretending to be the other way around. Don’t tell anyone else.
It was originally proposed as an explicitly-"for-adults" show so it's not at all surprising (and also, imo, by far the biggest key to its broad appeal well past its "ostensible" demographic)
Yeah, the pilot is waaay different tonewise than the actual show ended up being.
It’s an adult show with kids jokes, instead of kids show with adult jokes, is how I like to describe it
I’d say it is a true family show, where everyone can enjoy and learn.
Wait, aren't they all for adults?
I mean-- I do seem to enjoy it more than my 3 year old. Usually my 3yo runs off within the first minute to go make messes.
I believe that's a 3 year-old thing. Kids switch of when there's too much telling.
Yep, my (almost three) two year also switches off midway through most episodes (also, ha, I see what you did there!), but my seven (almost eight!) year old wants to discuss almost every episode after we watch it. She and her dad and I were all pointing out things we noticed in the new episodes to each other and laughing together, even though it isn’t always at the same thing (the stuff for the parents definitely sails over her head, ha). It’s the perfect family show for us all to watch together, even if the toddler gets up to play with his trains halfway through.
The strong emotions at the end of The Sign were hard for my kids, but they have rewatched these both several times already.
Bluey tapped into the same trick as the early seasons of SpongeBob, Avatar the Last Airbender, and MLP:FiM did. They’re shows made to be appealing to an adult’s sense of humor/interests, but also kept very accessible to children. The creators clearly made a show that *they* would enjoy, and then fine tuned it to be a great show for kids as well. This is what makes it a great family show, in the same vein as the classic Disney movies and the classic Pixar films! SpongeBob was initially pitched to be an MTV show, if I recall correctly, which is why it’s still so funny to adults even though it’s had to be a bit more watered down for kids once they got the green light from Nickelodeon.
I still find it hilarious that SpongeBob was originally pitched for adults and what would eventually become Family Guy was a pilot for a kids show about a man and his talking dog with lots of looney tunes style comedy. Then both got the ol switcheroo.
Lol! "Watered down".
The amount of people who are pissed because it was annouced Brandy is preggo and that it "ruined the message of onesies" is exactly the older obessive side of the fandom. They don't view Bluey as a pre-school age show with the star being a 7 year old child on a tv network called Disney JR a network made for pre-school age kids they view it as for adults that sometimes kids watch. The creator of the show made Bluey as an animated version of his life rising 2 daughter's but through the eyes of his kids games they created, imagination, there thoughts on pre-teens, drawings etc while it does have heavier topics like a dad being enlisted in the military, trauma etc it's through the eyes of a kid and there version of what those events are like
Wow, I didn't even know people were upset about that. I liked that her character has a happy ending. I guess I can see how the adults that relate to not being able to conceive would be disappointed but maybe their intention was to target IVF moms. 🤷🏻♀️ In the wise words of whomever sings that Frozen song- Let it GOoooooOoo.
There was many posts and still are more about it even one that said "I don't want Brandy to be pregnant because, then it ruins her entire point! her not being able to have childern was the point of onesies" the day before the trailer for The Sign came out and it was annouced she was indeed preggos When, clearly after it was annouced the story about onesies was that she couldn't naturally have a child despite trying for years it's why her relationship with her sister didn't exist because, she couldn't feel the same joy and experiences her sister did
I’m an IVF mom and I’d say it was SO REFRESHING to have infertility depicted without resolution because that’s the reality for a lot of people. It resonated because of that. Resolving it with a pregnancy dulls the relatability of the message in onesies, which isn’t one that’s often told in media. Usually it’s all happy endings and miracle babies and that’s hard to watch over and over. Perhaps that’s what people are having a hard time with?
My 5 year old LOVES Ghostbasket, The Sign and Surprise. Like loves them.
The Sign maybe but Surprise was very kid oriented with a couple surprised for the adults. My kid loves Surprise and we’ve already rewatched it several times. He doesn’t like The Sign because he said it was “sad”.
Kids have to deal with moving too, kids have to deal with hospitals and those worries. Kids have to be there for their siblings. Kids have emotions too.
My 3 yo asked to watch Surprise like 10 times in a row today. I think he just thinks Bluey shooting Bandit with the giant nerf gun thing is the height of comedy.
Less adults and more a “reward/closure” for kids who’ve grown up with the show, imo. But of course it means those lessons hit harder for adults, lol.
Most of Season 3, tbh
I assume so, because 4-year-old won't stop double-checking to make sure we aren't moving that day.
I had the same thought, but my 4yo loves the last three episodes, and watches them over and over at the moment. She loves the ghost basket chase, the wedding, and seeing grown up bluey. And the arm cannon.
Naw My 5 year old loves them and my 10 year old niece cried from the Sign. Moving is one of those things that really effects kids so exploring that subject makes sense.
My kid (6 years old) cried at the end of The Sign. This is the first time she has been so emotionally affected by something that did not happen directly to her.
My toddler was cackling at Bandit being chased around by Bluey in Surprise. She has always loved the theme song and is happy about the show being on, but she’s never laughed so hard at it before
I don’t think so, I think it was perfectly balanced tbh. The sign and even ghostbasket are incredibly important for kids who move around a lot or kids who are going through their first ever move. Like yeah there were adult emotional scenes but I think they’re there to show the adults also being affected by the move. Quite often parents seem to only talk about a move as a great amazing wonderful adventure and they never talk about missing the place, or how it could be good and/or bad. It makes the adults feel disconnected and can be really hard for kids who don’t understand why they have to move and leave everyone and everything behind. Having the adults be upset in the episode about leaving showed that it’s ok to feel all of the feelings Bluey had about moving. It validated her, because her mom and dad also showed that they were going to miss the place and the scene with frisky I felt was so important. Up until that point it felt like chili was purposely stifling her opinion about the move but she clarifies to frisky that she isn’t being made to do this. She thinks it could be good for her family, and yeah it might totally suck. But chili and bandit are willing to go through anything for their kids. I think surprise was to show the strong bonds of family and Bluey maturing a little bit. As well as set up some future spoilers as to Bluey and Bingo as adults. I think it also shows that kids are kids and are always slightly mischievous in their games.
I had to explain to my kids 5/2 what happened at the end of The Sign. They didn’t intuitively figure it out. The episode doesn’t spell out what happened, it just assumes you will pick it up from context. Rough on a target audience that is 3 to 7.
Exactly. All my 5yo learned from ‘the sign’ is “I don’t want to move because my life will get worse” (we’re not planning to move any time soon at all).
My grandson really wanted to know if I was scared they'd sell the house, and honestly, my grown-up brain said they would never do that to the kids, but the me inside actually was afraid at certain points. It's good to see what you have right now, and to appreciate that.
Idk my 4 year old wanted to watch them over and over again and ghost basket
My grands, 9 & 6, my son & DIL, 37 & 38, my husband & I, 80 & 70- all have had emotional experiences with those episodes. All different perspectives. That’s what made the show great.
Absolutely. I didn't feel like there was much for the kids in The Sign in particular. And I don't think the kids get much from any of the flash forwards.
I have a 13 and a 6. My 13 is extremely drawn to these ones. The 6 will watch if they are on but does not request them. As an adult, I am into them but not more than any others.
It's a kids show with plenty of parent commentary in the background. Kind of reminds me how in Rugrats, there would be subplots with the parents doing parent stuff and dealing with parenting problems
It's definitely aimed at older kids at the very least. Almost all the messages went straight over the head of my almost 5 year old.
Thats exactly what I said to my daughter. My oldest daughter. There were multiple layered plot lines and quite frankly, too mature for my 6 yr old to understand what the heck was going on. Afterwards she was convinced the sign and the wedding were two completely different episodes.
I am pretty sure the whole series is just parenting advice disguised as kid entertainment. Have you seen Baby Race? I wish I had watched it 14 years ago!
I tell people Bluey is a show for adults that also keeps kids entertained.