SNET Internet : Features : Survey : Kids' Television

There are probably literally dozens of television shows for children that we could have included in this week's survey, asking which is the best. We suspect Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo would have been 1-2-3 no matter what the competition.

But readers reminded us of some other favorites, as well, both old and new.

The results:

Which of the following is or was the best TV show produced for kids?

Mr. Rogers - 889 (21%)
Sesame Street - 1,784 (43%)
Blues Clues - 113 (3%)
Captain Kangaroo - 734 (18%)
Howdy Doody - 282 (7%)
The Powerpuff Girls - 95 (2%)
Other (Tell us!) - 259 (6%)

Your comments:

"No television show is best for kids. Sitting idly in front of the tube is the worst way kids spend their time." Robinson, Colchester

"'Ki-You' is how you say the name of the cartoon my three-year-old granddaughter watches. It is about a little preschooler and how he perceives life. He has fears that he shares in the story and shows how he deals with them. My granddaughter really identifies with the cartoon story and learns a lot. Their is no violence involved and it is true to life. If adults watch it, they realizes how simple things, like going on a slide for the first time can be scary for a toddler, and how they can help the toddler conquer their fears!" Patty, Milford

"Everyone knows the most imaginative, funniest, and by far the best television program for children ever, was Pee Wee's Playhouse." Anne, New Haven

"I was tempted to vote for the Captain, because I grew up watching his show and I loved it so much. But you wanted to know which program was the best of all....no question - Sesame Street. Countless kids have learned their ABC's with the help of Big Bird, learned to count with the Count, ant the importance of sharing and caring through Oscar and Elmo. I was 5 years old when the program started, truly one of the target groups and first to be glued to the set. I loved the muppets, still do." R.K.A., New Britain

"Barney, of course!" N.L.F., Stafford Springs

"I'd be interested in knowing how many feel the way I do. That is, NO TV is best for children." Ruth, Willington

"OTHER: 3-2-1 Contact, Reading Rainbow, Romper Room." J.M.K., Hampton

"They should bring back some of the great classic kid shows from the 80s like The Banana Splits and The Great Space Coaster. My friend Kevin P. from Hamden is the biggest fan of the Banana Splits and he has every episode on tape." Duke Boy, North Haven

"The best kids show ever was the Mickey Mouse Club! How could it not even make your list?" D.L., Sterling

"Before I had kids, I thought Barney was the worst! Now that I have two of my own, I completely appreciate that purple dinosaur!" Robin, Chester

"Arthur is a very good show for early grade school children. Mr. Rogers is good for the younger child." K.S.A., Franklin

"I remember the good Captain with Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Green Jeans. That was a long time ago. Now we get bombarded with such dribble and drool that it should make anyone sick. Teletubbies? I would rather watch reruns of Mister Rogers. Sesame Street seems to be the norm today, so long as they remember that it is the education of children and not the early formation of their political views that is important. You can only go so far with educational shows, then it becomes BORING! The child will lose interest. New shows should be developed, but not the kind that make it 'politically correct' so that the child will think that they are superhuman or will never be hurt. Does any one remember Ranger Andy?" G.M.K., Waterbury

"You should have included another great kid's show -- Kukla, Fran and Ollie. Not as good as Sesame Street, but much better than Howdy Doody." Frank, Andover

"The media has the wrong numbers on Mr. Rogers. His excellent program actually started with PBS on channel 13 in Pittsburgh. It was called 'The Children's Corner'. All of the Land of Make Believe characters evolved there. He did all the voices and worked the characters and Josie Carey interacted with them. The year was 1955. I got to know Mr. Rogers many years later, when I was involved in the theater scene. He is the genuine article. I hope that after his retirement, he stays involved in childrens television, as his view point is much needed in the vast wasteland that is television in America." Jon, Glastonbury

"The best show for kids, in my book, was the original Mickey Mouse Club. We felt we knew the cast (all the kids and the two adults), and not just because they wore white tee-shirts with their names on them. They sang and danced. Sometimes one would be featured. I can still picture Cubby playing his drums with glee. He was a 'Meesketeer.' What a shock when I learned later that he and Karen were my age! I identified with the older kids. Also, there were segments that kept us in suspense from show to show, such as The Hardy Boys, and Spin and Marty. I had one memento - a bright red, vinyl wallet with Mickey and his famous black ears popping out of a circle on the front. I was grief-stricken when it was stolen in high school. Today, adults who saw the show as children will start singing 'M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E . . . Why? Because we LIKE you!' What a great message!" Bonnie, Bloomfield

"Wonderama with Bob McAllister. Remember the songs "Excercise" and "Kids are people too"? I have great memories of that show. It was the only channel we got with rabbit ears. Times have sure changed!" Tina, Prospect

"Arthur is the best television show for children." M.L.G., Bristol

"What about 'THE ELECTRIC COMPANY'? How could you forget the coolest, kicka** show. Yeah, Captain kangaroo and Mr Rogers are legends, but that janitor with the prison stripe jumpsuit, who painted numbers on everything, was a cool cat. HEY YOU GUYSSSSS!" Z.I.N., Middletown

"I really loved the Mickey Mouse Club growing up! Howdy Doody was good, but Annette, Karen, Cubby, Cheryl, Darlene,Tommy...these kids were my idols! Not to mention my crush on Jimmy Dodd! I enjoy your polls, they make you think, however mindless they are. Keep up the good work!" Candace, Old Saybrook

"Sesame Street is by far the BEST childrens show on the air! I hope it is still on when my children have children!" S.O., Southbury

"Romper Room had 'em all beat. Then Ranger Andy and then The MICKEY MOUSE Club." G.R., Deep River

"Rocket Power is the best show around!" M.E.M., Haddam

"Sharri Lewis & Lambchop was the best kids' TV show." Renée, Norwalk

"The Children's Television Workshop had a real winner with 'The Electric Company,' The best children's program ever." A.J., Ellington

"I think "Bear and the Big Blue House" is adorable and educational. My 15 month old granddaughter loves the show and the music." R.W., Prospect

"I am almost sixty years old. When I was young I was glued to the TV (when we finally got one) for Howdy Doody. When my son was a child not a day went by when Sesame Street and Mr Rogers weren't on. Now my grandaughter can't keep her eyes off of Blues Clues. I certainly think Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street are the greatest teaching shows for children." G.S., Killingly

Previous survey results are available.