Arthur 25: Seasons 23 When Duty Calls

Arthur PBS 

    Welcome to our penultimate post in the  Arthur Marathon, this time we are heading to season 23, and this time we are doing a 30 minute special because why not, and the fact that seasons 23 and  24 are very short. I  have a belief that seasons 22, 23,  and24 were done around the same production and just broken up into their own little seasons. They did also add new 1 hour specials around this time as well. (The money from viewers like you is lacking somewhere, give them more money , you!) 

  

       I picked this 30 minute special, even though I haven't done the introduction episode of the character that is focus of this episode, and well one day, I probably will. 

 

   "When Duty Calls" first aired on October 16, 2019.

            The special two-parter breaks from the normal set up of a cold opening so we just head right into the episode.  Arthur, Buster, Muffy, Fern, and Ladonna are having a story making thing together. Ladonna and Fern had been working together on something and it was Ladonna's turn her story ends with  a character named "Lafonna" was carried away and "Vern" never saw each other again.  This stuns Fern, then Ladonna says she thought it would be good to end the book since she won't be working on it anymore.

Our book is about ourselves/ Copyright WGBH

    

        Ladonna then announces that her father is being transferred to Oregon and she's moving away.  Since her family is a military family and has moved before, including to Elwood City. Fern seems more upset than Landonna was. Meanwhile, Bud, Landonna's little brother, is going around D.W's room and saying goodbye to stuff. 

             Bud seems sad that he's moving while D.W seems to be sad too.   While Fern, seems confused, Ladonna comes up to the treehouse and gives back stuff she borrowed.  They are kind of sad because they wanted her to keep it. The episode remembers that Buster went away for awhile (a while season almost!)  They decide to use Buster's experience,  with ice cream. (That's how something works) 

Actually my Dad is CIA and we have to leave or.../ Copyright WGBH

            It kind of works, Buster mentions he now remembers that he was afraid that his friends would forget him and there's a nice Arthur and Buster hug.(bros for life) Fern guesses that Ladonna is worried about them forgetting her. Muffy intercepts an idea and suggests they make a video. Since this is Muffy, I'm sure it will be an extravagant and over the top.

      D.W is trying to dictate a letter for Bud to her Dad to write, this is hard.  D.W decides to try other ideas, we'll see how that works. Muffy puts together a  video and it goes well as something Muffy makes something. Muffy's video is a mess. (Muffy's self awareness is dead) 

More after the jump

The Lookback: Arthur : Seasons 21 and 22 : Sue Ellen and The Last Page/ When Rivals Came to Roost

Arthur PBS 

    We've headed towards the 21st and 22nd seasons and this is nearly the end of our long marathon of posts. (If you are reading this when we do in order or something) 

  

        We head to season 21, with episode 3b, now we've covered episode 3a  .  This is "Sue Ellen and The Last Page" that first aired in October 2017. 

     

   Cold Opening:   YouwhoTube, their version of Youtube, that Muffy is on becasue I'm sure many people are just interested in Muffy's life, just like millions. Sue Ellen wants Muffy to show the library and Sue Ellen 

  

    The episode:  This is an episode from 2017 , that's important.  Since the show ebbs and flows with being with modern times, it was always has, the funny thing is that show had been on for so long that early episodes that were modern for their time have some outdatedness just by the factor of time. The funny thing is that Arthur ends every airing with a message to check out "Arthur" books and other books at your local library. 

        

Libraries are scary/ Copyright WGBH

            This episode is about the library possibly shutting down. The city council wants to cut the funding because there aren't as many patrons as before due to the internet. Sue Ellen wants the place to continue. Her idea is get many people in support of the library to the council meeting.

      

    Oh this episode isn't trying to present the new era is bad and that modern people should feel bad because they might have ignored libraries for a few years. (That'd be a different show)  They instead are showing civic investment.  That you, the viewer, (the kid viewers mostly) if they feel something   is wrong to work for what they feel is right.  In this case, work for the something you care about, like the library. 

 

       During the meeting, Sue Ellen gives a speech to plead for the library. (I like that she mentions that's been in town for just about a year, which is true for the series, but also feels funny since the show has been on the air so long)  Anyway, ironically Sue Ellen finds out from a newspaper that the library will be closing down.  

 

         Because Muffy likes internet hits, she's happy that her recording of Sue Ellen's speech got hits.  Sue Ellen sees that Muffy modified the speech  but says that are supportive comments about the library and  they get the idea to raise money for the library. (It's weird to see an episode mention hashtag)   They also find out that libraries also do other things.  (they do?) 

           Then Sue Ellen and Muffy find out that the library used to dances, and even though the place was saved, there's going to be some cutbacks, even with some of the money raised. Muffy, thanks to seeing the picutre of her parents dancing at the library gets an idea.  Her father has sponsored new computers for the place. Then there's dancing. 

          

         They kind of pull a big save for the episode thanks to having a rich guy help, maybe the moral is find a rich guy to help.  The episode was fine, it was presented more neutrally with the idea of working to save something you care about was  a good one.  

  More after the jump

The CW Holiday Programming 2021

Holiday Christmas CW 

    The CW has released their holiday programming, and pretty early to announced and that's because they are also doing some Halloween/ October specials as well.  The return of  "Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer" of course. 

  

  Here's the schedule. (All Times ET/PT, Denver and Saint Louis) 

           Friday, October 29 

8pm  Scooby Doo, Where Are You Now! 

  Saturday, October 30 

9pm  World's Funniest Animals : Halloween 

   Friday, November 26 

8pm Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic 2021 

9pm Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer 

Saturday, November 27

   8pm  Whose Line is it Anyway?  (Encore) 

 8:30pm   Wellington Paranormal    

Sunday, November 28

8pm  The Waltons' Homecoming 

Wednesday, December 1 

8pm Beebo Saves Christmas 

9pm  World's Funniest Animals: Christmas

Saturday, December 4

8pm Silent Night- A Song for the World (Encore)

Wednesday, December 8

8pm  Christmas Around the Word 

Friday, December 10 

8pm  Penn & Teller : Merry Fool Us  (Encore) 

Sunday, December 12

9pm  Greatest Holiday Commercials  Countdown 2021 

Wednesday, December 15

8pm I Heart Radio Jingle Ball 2021

Thursday, December 16

8pm Dogs of the Year 2021

Friday, December 17

8pm  The 89th  Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade 

Saturday, December 18

8pm  Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer 

Tuesday, December 28 

8pm Popstar's Best of 2021 

Press Release after the Jump  

The Lookback: Arthur 25: Seasons 19 and 20: Mr. Ratburn's Secret Identity/Arthur and the Whole Truth

Arthur PBS 

     We've made it to seasons 19 and 20 as our Arthur turns 25 marathon continues.  Back when we did the 20th year, Season 20 didn't start yet , Season 19 was the last season we did for that run. Eventually, Season 20 did get a post  and thankfully we get to do a partner episode for that one. 

 This is a look at season 19 , episode  9a.  (You can read about season 19 episode 9 b here) 

      The Cold Opening :   It starts with Arthur and Buster leaving a movie and talking how people don;'t notice  how a superhero, Dark Bunny, looks like his non super counter part. (Oldest topic ever) While superhero things happen around them without noticing. If there was a superhero in their city they'd notice, they said.

     The Episode:  First in class his portable telephone rings (his words not ours) and he has to leave the class with a movie while he takes care of something. Arthur and Buster wonder what's going on because it was so out of character for him.  Buster claims Mr. Ratburn is a super hero. (They also reference season 1 where they thought he was a vampire) 

        Mr. Ratburn was talking to Principal Hainey about  Sir. Chester Whimple is coming to town, who is a great opera singer. He's coming to guest star at the community theater.  Buster walks by the teacher's lounge and sees Mr. Ratburn singing and looking like he's flying since it's one of those doors that only has a window that can show shadows. 

  

            Buster imagines a whole super hero scene where Ratburn and he take down aliens. Oh yes, the episode gives away that Ratburn is not a hero early on, and decides to mess with Buster and now Ladonna when they see him carrying a giant rock thinking it's real.  Ladonna imagines that she is in the swamp, and Mr. Ratburn a swamp creature superhero.  Arthur doesn't believe Ratburn is a super hero.  

  

Take me to Park Avenue ! / Copyright WGBH

        While he goes to the man's house, convenience comes into play again when  Mr. Ratburn decides to go outside and leap around in tights and the door getting closed by the wind and locked. (Because that's how these shows have doors work)  He sees an open window to scale back into the house and now Arthur is convinced. Arthur now imagines Mr. Ratburn as Silkworm man. (what?)  Arthur is Larva lad. (what?)  This episode is weird. They start to act weird around the teacher and they found out he's a costume designer.  

 

           It's funny that season 1 episode is mentioned because it's kind of re-tread of that one where kids think Mr. Ratburn is something he's not, this time Arthur tries to doubt and prove differently buts into is as well. It's slightly entertaining to see though, the episode uses convenient moments to as the joke and to make things seem as they aren't.   

More after the jump

The Lookback: Arthur 25: Seasons 17 and 18: Binky's Music Madness/Fountain Abbey

Arthur  PBS

      ,    We head to seasons 17 and 18 now, and wow Arthur is a long running show and many of you were surprised that Arthur has been this long.  We've covered the partner episodes before, which were actually part of our wrap up during 2016. That post covers 3 episodes from seasons 17-19 because 20 hadn't come out yet, so we stuck 3 together, we won't be doing that this time. 

    Now to season 17,epsiode 10a, "Binky's Music Madness" 

             

      The Cold Opening: Arthur explains that Binky can play almost any kind of music you can think of. (Even Freeform Jazz?)  Arthur tries to play a piece of music, Binky comes down and warns everyone not to listen to it, it will get stuck stuck in your head. Arthur hits play and the episode starts. 

       The Episode :   Francine and Muffy are at a music show with a group called Bang on A (sideways) Can Allstars.  Apparently Francine liked their music.  They meet the group and Francine asks if they could come to their school. It's funny to watch Muffy try to cover up from not liking their music. Meanwhile, Arthur seems to have enjoyed the music he heard on Francine's player, the line about how it must feel to be Buster was funny.  Binky listens to the music and apparently it makes him trip into a different mind set.

Woah man/ Copyright WGBH

      Binky wants to reject it but he doesn't know what to do. The music apparently made him hear music in everything. (We also don't question how the kids with ears on top are listening to music on the side of their heads.)  He tries to play his clarinet but the noises mess with him and he decides to go to sleep. 

   

      The he as a dream of his friends being zombie like wanting him to listen to the music. He tries to play his clarinet then it makes quack sounds.  Then he wakes up and gets the idea to record random sounds; then make his own music with those sounds.  He makes up his own music group name and plays it for his friends.   Apparently, the friends liked it.  Binky reveals that he made it and reveals he took 3 days and nights to make it, and they still like it.  Bang on a Can All stars show up and they like Binky's music.  They decide to add more to his music. It ends with them all playing together. 

     

       The message that music can be anything is really nice, and the episode is pretty fun to enjoy. Also this is a real music group in real life so that was a nice addition as well. 

  More after the Jump

The Lookback: Arthur 25: Seasons 15 and 16: Muffy's Classy Classics Club/So Funny , I forgot to Laugh

Arthur PBS 

          We have headed to Season 15 (and 16) and the last time we did these seasons like this, they were the 2nd to last of the marathon, well not this time. oh my.   You can read that post here   

    This is season 15, episode 8a.  

                   

       The Cold Opening:  Bailey, Muffy's Butler, talks about how he enjoys working for Muffy. (Apparently, he's lost it) He does say it's not easy to work for her,  but it's never dull.

    

     The Episode:  Muffy gets a doll that seems to be a knock-off of American Girl, it comes with books that encourages people to start book clubs and Muffy decides  to start her own book club. She sends a book to Arthur, Francine, Alan (the Brain) , and has Bailey join her too. (She just drafted people into her club like a mad man)  They found the house has library but with mostly fake books. (When you want to look good but not that good)  The library also has a fake fire place. 

     Anyway when it comes up, the book has mixed reviews with the others not liking the book.  Then Muffy finds out book clubs switch books each week, so that means Alan gets to suggest a book.  Muffy decides the best idea is to not read the book. Anyway, the next book club, Muffy can't bluff her way through fake the book.  When Arthur fakes up what happens and they catch her.

This is how you hold a book/ Copyright WGBH

     Muffy gets mad and Francine, Alan, and Arthur decide to quit her book club. (revolt) She tries to get others to join but this is a failure. I also have to laugh at her father being surprised they have library. Muffy admits her books are not very good, since they sold mostly to sale dolls.  

   In the fake library, Muffy finds the book Francine wanted to read and reads it. She seems to enjoy it.  She has a weird dream (an "Arthur" hallmark) and I'm disturbed. The next day, she decides to rejoin the book club and things seem to have gone better. 

           Muffy learns that mass manufactured books that are meant to sell toys exists, and she learned to give other things a chance. Yay!  The library joke was strange but funny. This wasn't a bad episode it got it's message out clearly.

  More after the Jump 

The Lookback: Arthur 25: Seasons 12 and 14 : Matchmaker , Match Breaker/ All the Rage

Arthur PBS 

              Now on to season 12 of  Arthur  and to episode 6b, which is a b-side to the episode we did in 2016 called "The Cherry Tree" 

            The Cold Open:   Arthur has a diary (oooh) and Francine wants to see what he's writing but you know privacy and Francine gets annoyed by this.  Muffy shows up  and does the same thing, but Arthur climbs and tree and they walk away.   Arthur tells us somethings are just private. 

    The Episode:  Muffy's brother , Chip, shows up home from college.  Muffy is very excited  and throws him a welcome home dinner.  Francine's family is also there , because of course, but it seems that Chip and Catherine (Francine's sister) seem to be getting  along.  Fun fact: this is the first episode Chip actually shows up in the series, he's been mentioned before. 

            

                  This gives Francine and Muffy the idea that their siblings should get married so, they can become sisters. (What?)  The show even gives us Laverne and Shirley parody.  Anyway, they decide the logical thing to do is to get these two to be in love with each other. (This is too much work)  They convince their siblings to go to a movie and they nitpick stuff the two siblings do, but they notice that they are seemingly doing well. 

                Later they find out that their siblings are going out to lunch.  While they stalk them , Francine and Muffy start to get into tension with each other and the Laverne and Shirley Parody seems to have gotten angrier too. They decide to help end the relationship between their siblings.  This is not a good plan.  Especially since what they do can be easily traced back to them, which is for the best.  Catherine sees Chip and they talk and figure out that their siblings were doing stuff.  They admit what happened and realize that maybe they shouldn't be sisters anyway.  

My family has some weird decorations/ Copyright WGBH

  

                 The Laverne and Shirley parody was funny, the episode was alright. There was some fun charm to this episode and Francine and Muffy wanting to be sisters was sweet.  The episode goes as expected the moral of not  meddling in others affairs.  

          

     More after the jump

The Lookback: Arthur 25: Seasons 10 and 11: D.W Aim's High / Germophobia

Arthur PBS 

    

       We've made it to the tenth season (again!) Season 10 of "Arthur" first aired on PBS in 2006, during the show's 10th anniversary. They had these little Easter eggs in episodes based on the number 10; the season also had 10 episodes but that's not because of an over active 10 theme.

  

   Anyway, I've covered the partner episode to this one before,  now we are looking at  episode 5a the first aired in May 2006.

              The Cold Open:  It starts with Arthur telling us about Albert Einstein and D.W interrupts, but he continues talking about Einstein's  life but then D.W comes in and she wants to know when the show is going to start.

    

        The Episode:  It starts now!  At D.W's preschool and there's something they have to do, to talk about what they want to be when they grow up.   Back at home, Arthur and DW's dad is  watching a show about Space.  D.W gets inspired and wants to be the first to walk on Mars. (Ha Mars)   D.W "Goes to Mars" with her imaginary friend, Nadine until the dog messes up the "space ship".  (woof) 

          She goes to see the Tibble twins and they mention that Martians are on Mars and she shouldn't go, this causes her to not want her dream to be that anymore. Her dad wants to her to see some stars and then look for Mars to show her. Arthur figures out that she heard about Mars from the kids who were watching a movie, thanks to Buster making him watch it. (True friends aren't made to do anything) Glad she believes Arthur, so that's nice. 

   

The space program has gone too  far/ Copyright WGBH

   I'm also confused the dad had the book The War of the Worlds just sitting there ready for the moment to mention about people had worries about Mars. (He saw the plot)   The next day he takes her to the museum to learn about Mars, then gets a Mars model.  Now she's inspired to go to Mars to prove what lives on Mars if anything.   She also teaches her class the truth about Mars. (The truth the CIA wants you ..hey owww help help)   

             

      So the moral is don't listen to movies, good. That and it's better to research and not just accept the first thing you hear for someone because it might not be true.

 More after the jump