Children's TV on the broadcast channels now has something in common with those old Life cereal ads.
The shows are supposed to be good for kids - just don't tell them that.As always, broadcast networks and syndicators are preparing to roll out a whole slew of new children's programming this fall. The big difference is that the Federal Communications Commission has added the requirement that a good chunk of that programming has to be educational or informational.
On Monday, FCC regulations kick in requiring that each broadcast station provide at least three hours of regularly scheduled educational/informational programming each week. Those three hours must be "specifically designed to meet the educational needs of children under the age of 16."
But we're not talking about programs that teach math or history or physics. The FCC regulations are vague, requiring only that these be "educational programs that further kids' cognitive, social and emotional development."
Which explains why everything from a new version of "101 Dalmatians" to "The Weird Al Show" is "FCC-friendly," as broadcasting types refer to the new mandate.
"We've taken that mandate quite seriously," insisted Geraldine Laybourne, president of the Disney/ABC cable networks, who also supervises ABC's Saturday-morning lineup. "We've embraced it. We've had fun with it. And we didn't measure it out by the teaspoonful."
Actually, the way they measure it, all of their animated Saturday-morning programs qualify as FCC-friendly.
Fox, the leader in broadcast TV for kids, has been injecting information into its program for years, according to Margaret Loesch, vice chairman of Fox Kids Worldwide. She pointed to shows like "Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?" and the "Fox Cubhouse" and "Life with Louie."
"I think that 10 years from now we're going to look back on all this and say - well, of course television is filled with educational programming for children," she said. "And of course it's integrated into entertainment so that the kids don't necessarily see that they're getting a lesson.
"I think we're getting better and better at integrating lessons and information into programming and still keeping that show interesting for kids."
That's somewhat of a new philosophy over at CBS, but one they wholeheartedly agree with at that network.
"Having a purpose does not preclude being fun to watch," said Lucy Johnson, CBS's senior vice president of children's programs. "Our overriding objective is how to produce shows with valuable information but still capture a kid's imagination and their viewing loyalty. Our whole message and our whole purpose is to do shows that kids want to watch."
Some CBS shows seem like obvious fits for the mandate - like the returning, science-oriented "Beakman's World." And then there's a new version of a PBS series produced by the Children's Television Workshop - the force behind "Sesame Street."
"The New Ghostwriter Mysteries" will be "dealing with social issues that kids face," according to Marjorie Kalins, senior vice president of production and programming for the Children's Television Workshop. Among the topics - peer pressure, plagiarism and theft.
"You can do a lot of things that happen around kids all the time. It's a very good vehicle for doing several things at once," she said.
That's the same theory applied to NBC's "Saved by the Bell," which is also being put forward as educational/informational programming - that it teaches lessons about dealing with life.
NBC also counts "NBA Inside Stuff" as informational. And CBS is also coming to that venue with "The Sports Illustrated for Kids Show."
"We're trying to teach life lessons through sports," said Ted Shaker, president of Sports Illustrated Television.
But how, exactly, does a show headlined by Weird Al Yankovic fit the bill?
"There is a moral to each episode - an educational objective, if you will," said Yankovic. "And it does stress individuality. I think self-esteem is probably the larger umbrella as far as a moral objective. Developing self-esteem is one of the biggest things facing the youths today, at least according to the educators that we consulted prior to putting the show together."
And there have been a lot of educators consulted. "We used educators on everything from interstitials to full-length programs," said Geraldine Laybourne.
(As to those interstitials - the little between-show programming bits - CBS is reviving its "In the News" spots and ABC is adding "Genie's Great Minds Think for Themselves," which features the voice of Robin Williams as the genie from "Aladdin" in humorous profiles of great people.)
Here's a quick rundown on what's new for in kids' TV this fall:
ABC
All of ABC's new Saturday-morning kids' shows are scheduled to debut on Sept. 6.
101 Dalmatians: The Series is a sequel to the movie - those adorable pups bouncing around in various adventures. (The series is also part of the syndicated Disney Afternoon, which airs locally on KJZZ-Ch. 14.)
Pepper Ann is sort of the female answer to "Doug." She's a 12-year-old girl negotiating middle-school life.
Recess is a promising new series from the creators of the oh-so-popular "Rugrats." It's about a group of elementary-school-age kids and what happens during (you guessed it!) recess.
Science Court is an animated educational show that uses a courtroom to teach science lessons. Comedian Paula Poundstone is the voice of the judge.
CBS
All of CBS's new Saturday morning kids' shows are scheduled to debut on Sept. 13.
The New Ghostwriter Mysteries is a continuation of the popular PBS series. This version features three new youngsters who solve mysteries with the aid of an unseen ghost - and by reading, writing and using their brains.
The Sports Illustrated Show for Kids is based on the magazine Sports Illustrated for Kids. In addition to appearances by sports stars, the show will feature educational spots about health, nutrition and exercise.
The Weird Al Show is a fast-paced successor to "Pee-wee's Playhouse." Weird Al Yankovic, of course, is the star of this half hour of comedy, parody, music and animation - and it's all fairly . . . weird.
Wheel of Fortune 2000 is a kids' version of the popular game show. In addition to its human host (David Sidoni), there's an animated letter-turner named Cyber Lucy - a cartoon version of Vanna White.
Fox
Space Goofs is a wild and sort of out-there cartoon about five space monsters who crash-land on Earth and take up residence here. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 6)
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation is a live-action half hour featuring those teenage mutants - more like the theatrical movies. And, for the first time, there will be a female turtle. (Friday afternoons; debuts Sept. 12)
Sam and Max is an animated comedy about a talkative dog and his loony friend, a rabbit. (Saturday mornings, debuts Oct. 4)
Ned's Newt is an animated half hour featuring a young boy named Ned and his newt - which grows into a 500-pound monster when Ned overfeeds him. (Saturday mornings, debuts Oct. 18)
NBC
City Guys is another live-action teen show that centers on the relationship between two New York boys - one black, one white. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 6)
PBS
Wimzie's House is intended for the preschool set. Wimzie is a lovable puppet/monster who interacts with her family - including her 150-year-old grandmother. (Weekdays, debuts Oct. 6)
Theodore Tugboat is another series for preschoolers. It follows the adventures of a tugboat as he learns about life, friends and family. (Saturdays, debuts Oct. 18)
UPN
Breaker High is UPN's answer to "Saved by the Bell." It's about a group of teens who go to school aboard a cruise ship. (Weekday afternoons beginning Sept. 15; Sunday mornings beginning Sept. 21)
WB
The Legend of Calamity Jane is an animated series based on the legendary character from the Old West. Jennifer Jason Leigh provides Jane's voice. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 13)
Channel Umptee-3 is an animated series set at a pirate TV station. Believe it or not, it's produced by Norman Lear, the man behind "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son." (Saturday mornings, debuts Oct. 11)
Men in Black: The Series is an animated half hour based on the current hit film. (Saturday mornings, debuts Oct. 11)
Syndication
There are also a number of new kids' shows syndicated to local stations around the country. Here's what the local lineup includes:
The All-New Captain Kangaroo casts John McDonough in the role inhabited by Bob Keeshan for so many years. It's back to the Treasure House with Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose and lots of new friends. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 13 on Ch. 14)
Click is a game show for 13- to 16-year-olds. Pairs of teens are matched in a fast-moving game that requires them to answer questions from the giant "Click" computer and Word Wizard. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 6 on Ch. 14)
Mr. Men is an animated British series that teaches children about emotions. (Weekday mornings, debuts Sept. 5 on Ch. 14)
Peer Pressure is another game show for 13- to 16-year-olds. It's a "wild trip around a life-size game board trying to survive the trauma of teenage life." (Sunday mornings, debuts Sept. 7)
Popular Mechanics for Kids takes kids behind the scenes and shows them how everything from sewers to subways works. (Saturday mornings, debuts Sept. 21.)
Van-Pires is a live-action series about four teens known as "Motor-Vaters." Seems they were affected by a passing meteor and now battle the "Van-Pires" - blood-sucking derelict cars who only come out at night. (Sunday mornings beginning Sept. 14 on Ch. 13)