Arthur - Where is the Show Going?

[Muppet Master]

If I were to make an episode plot then it would be for Arthur's parents to get divorce, I know Buster's already are, but it would be interesting how he would deal with it. Other than that, how about an episode where it turns out that Binky being held back was a mistake, and that his grades were accidentally switched with another student, and Binky would have to make the decision whether to stay or not. Also, how about an episode where the school is going to be torn down unless enough money is raised, those are just some of my ideas.

 

[Drtooth]

You know what? While I can harp about the slice of life episodes, I'd rather they make more of those than Arthur Inflicting anymore characters to drivea point home. While I know it's a hypothetical, I'd hate to see any other character go through a parent's divorce. Not every character has to have disabilities, allergies, eczema, or mental problems. Nor do they have to invent a character that's nothing but talking about those problems (though I'm glad Carl came into his own). There's a lot of stuff kids need to deal with, and it's great that Arthur can discuss some of them. But they don't need to do every single topic that exists. I'm actually glad that we haven't had a disease of the week episode in so long, unless you count Buster inexplicably having oral fixations.

 

[Drtooth]

So, seriously D'Snowth... what is up with the traced Arthur "fan art" of characters in their underwear? Especially the Bud with Hershey's Kiss nipples? That was a preview pic that was in my inbox, and it was disturbing. Not the most disturbing thing I've seen on that site, but inappropriate none the less.

 

[D'Snowth]

So, seriously D'Snowth... what is up with the traced Arthur "fan art" of characters in their underwear? Especially the Bud with Hershey's Kiss nipples? That was a preview pic that was in my inbox, and it was disturbing. Not the most disturbing thing I've seen on that site, but inappropriate none the less.

I don't know, I haven't even really been on dA in a while: I've pretty much have had nothing to contribute.

But it's funny... apparently someone out there is doing so-called "fan art" of ARTHUR characters in their underwear, and seemingly isn't getting called out on it... yet years ago, I do one humorous sketch of Jeanette in her underwear, and my arch nemesis blows the whole thing out of proportion and turns it into a controversy.

And I'm with you, there's a whole lot of way more disturbing things out there than just characters being drawn in their underwear.

But anyway, here's a new one: right now there's talk circulating around the fandom (even though it's mostly a joke and fluff) right now that Molly may actually be James's mother rather than his older sister. Theoretically, it's way too much of a stretch (I'm not saying it's impossible, but I doubt on a kid's show they'd have a character whose roughly 8-9 years old having a 3-4 year old son), but many have noticed that they don't seem to have a mother, James looks up to and mimicks Molly more than any normal younger sibling does, and Molly seems noticably act more like a caretaker/guardian to James than an older sibling.

Oh, and after getting to see "Buster and the Daredevils" again a while back, now I know why it seems strange that Slink suddenly and randomly became a Tough Customer later on... Slink goes to Mighty Mountain, not Lakewood Elementary. So somehow, I guess he must have transfered to Lakewood, and as such, no longer associates with Toby, and became a Tough Customer.

 

[Drtooth]

I don't know, I haven't even really been on dA in a while: I've pretty much have had nothing to contribute.

But it's funny... apparently someone out there is doing so-called "fan art" of ARTHUR characters in their underwear, and seemingly isn't getting called out on it... yet years ago, I do one humorous sketch of Jeanette in her underwear, and my arch nemesis blows the whole thing out of proportion and turns it into a controversy.

And I'm with you, there's a whole lot of way more disturbing things out there than just characters being drawn in their underwear.

This is more of a DA issue and all. I've noticed tons of terrible, low quality "art" that's just traced over stills coming into that group. But the underwear bit (with Bud hatless, which is why I brought that up) seems a little... odd. It's not one picture, it's a series. There's a series of ugly "chibis" which amount to nothing more than reusing a MS Paint base. At least there's effort to it, but I want to suggest to the group higher standards of what should and shouldn't be accepted.

I'm sure your Jeanette was humorous. This guy's stuff was gratuitous. And seriously... Bud's giant black nipples will haunt my nightmares for months.

But anyway, here's a new one: right now there's talk circulating around the fandom (even though it's mostly a joke and fluff) right now that Molly may actually be James's mother rather than his older sister. Theoretically, it's way too much of a stretch (I'm not saying it's impossible, but I doubt on a kid's show they'd have a character whose roughly 8-9 years old having a 3-4 year old son), but many have noticed that they don't seem to have a mother, James looks up to and mimicks Molly more than any normal younger sibling does, and Molly seems noticably act more like a caretaker/guardian to James than an older sibling.

That's...disturbing to say the least. Molly's about Binky's age, 9. The logic would stand that she'd have to be able to give birth as old as 4 for that to work, and that's a disturbing thought for even the most overthinkiest of fans. That's why fanbases are starting to turn me off. If a show does something stupid and unforgivable, the wrath of the fanbase can be legendary. But if one of the fans writes a gratuitous, bad fan fic, comes up with disturbing theories, or even more disturbing fan art, it's perfectly okay. Look at the Sonic fanbase. Anything after the 90's is considered the worst ever (and even stuff from the 90's like the not ABC cartoon shows), yet they're perfectly fine with bad fan characters made into bad fan porn.

 

[D'Snowth]

Yeah, I've yet to see any of that stuff, but I think I know who you're talking about... is his handle FERNANDOsomething or other like that? He seems to be like a sock puppet with a paper thin disguise, because he deactivates accounts and opens new ones all the time, just changing the numbers in his handle is all.

And I'm with you man, fanbases are just... ugh... I almost can't stand them anymore, for similar reasons.

 

[Drtooth]

Yup. That's him. I have a real pet peeve about that stuff on DA. There's stuff I see all the time that makes me feel insignificant and worthless of all the man hours and skill that goes into some of those pieces. Then there's those who use bases, trace stuff, steal artwork, and put lame screen grabs up.

As for the show, yay! PBS is being cheap again, and only showing 4 of the 5 episodes of the "season" again. And it's a shame, since number 5 sounded pretty interesting.

Muffy's devastated when she learns her great, great grandmother Mary Alice wasn't royalty, but a common maid. The indignity! However, Mary Alice's old diary reveals a more interesting story

Now that sounds like an interesting story. A bit like the one where the kids are researching their ancestors, sure, but seems like a potentially good episode none the less.

 

[Drtooth]

I see what you mean. By no means do I mean any harm. There are just members on this board that make it...well.. difficult to have a conversation. People who bump old threads to add nothing to the subject, those who have random actions that are impolite in the frame of an internet forum. I've seen other forums where if those kinds of actions don't immediately get the member banned, the entire board will jump on them and heckle and harass them until that member leaves. I'd hate to see this one turn into one of those and I'm glad it hasn't come to that.

Now let's get back to talking about Arthur. And a reminder that if anyone wants to post screen shots or freeze frames to please keep it in context.

 

[Muppet Master]

You know, Arthur just needs to be cancelled, and yes I have said this before, but what is the point of keeping it around? Is it really as much of a cash cow to PBS as SS is, Arthur is way past popularity with kids, shows come and go, but when a show overstays its welcome then it just is annoying. Websites always state that Arthur is the 2nd longest running cartoon behind The Simpsons, yet both of those shows just keep churning out episodes like how you eat chips while watching TV, so if there is little effort, who really cares.

 

[Drtooth]

PBS longevity. I wouldn't knock it. It kept Sesame Street on for nearly half a century. Even then, they have enough episodes to rerun for years without having to make new ones. Clifford certainly lasted a while with no new episodes produced. I think at this point PBS just has a contract with 9 Story that has to be fulfilled. Maybe that's it.