My daughter has jumped the shark this month, expanding her media diet further. Apparently, she is now into getting scared. Lots of screams where some scenes build tension. These are not horror films. The violence is low-key if even present. The threat of a protagonist being in jeopardy seems to be something that she delightfully anticipates with screams and shrieks.
Just a reminder, I’m a late-in-life Momma who entered college as a fan of Pee Wee’s Playhouse. I have delighted in being an obnoxious noise maker. But, I’m the responsible parent – so let’s keep that in check.
Some of her old faves are in this batch of high-intensity viewing. She loves Wild Kratts and has been referring to the hosts and animated characters by their first names, Chris and “Mark” (…the actual name is Martin). The type of build-up that yields a screech includes a vulnerable animal being preyed upon by one of the stock villains. Sometimes there is an intense scene where the protags are themselves in the lurch.
Another favorite that emerged from the holiday season with a surprising burst of love is the James Corden-led film Peter Rabbit. She makes the request for “Bunnies” The ever-embattled Peter and his struggle with the McGregor family just has her whole heart. She has also started referring to McGregor when the film is not even on.
The most recent serial that has an important role in her viewing is The Octonauts. The term “twee” comes to mind regarding the style of animation, but the 15 minute episodes (two per show) are adventures with a great soundtrack. Think of the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou but animated with animals, fish, vegetables and fruit as the characters.
Yup, it’s a stretch — but, it holds her attention, it’s educational, and the music is cool. Of all the titles, this is the one program that I can GUARANTEE that there will be an outburst. She often leaps out of her seat, runs and dives into a couch or chair, and pulls a throw over her head. Common refrain: “If this is too scary I will turn it off.” Never a response, but always a slow crawl back to the program.
I had to correct my final entry after the most recent viewing of Peppa Pig. With its cute British-tinged humor, somehow moments still grab her in such a way a scream occurs. It does appear that our Peppa Pig window is crowding out some of her former go-tos of the last year: Motown Magic or the YouTube run of music (most recently Bruno Mars and Maroon 5). Considering the brevity of the episodes, their penchant to honestly force a loud laugh from me, and the sound of a piggie’s snort during the theme song, I could adjust to this change rather well.
Most recently the refrain that seems to be repeating itself in more conversations this week, “he got stuck in the muuuuud!” I love this expression and her insistence for dragging out the vowel.
January 31, 2020
Skeptically Viewing Mom 