Tv set Critic Critiques “Higglytown Heroes”

As aunt of a preschooler and an aspiring voiceover actress (I knew all these hrs of seeing Bugs Bunny would appear in helpful), I know all the kids’ displays as effectively as each individual kids’ DVD out there.

In my impression, there is certainly no greater way famous people can recoup their outrageous salaries than entertaining and sometimes educating young ones. And They May Be Giants get the “cooler than Elvis” vote for singing the topic tune to one of Playhouse Disney’s newest hits, “Higglytown Heroes,” which is also on their CD/DVD for youngsters, “Here Appear the ABCs.”

For all those of you not common with all points Higgly (an adjective utilized as a lot as “Smurfy” but not, thank Higgles, as a verb), the collection centers on a modest town and 4 tots named Eubie, Kip, and siblings Wayne and Twinkle. Believe “South Park” with superior artwork and no foul mouths. The strongest language is, “Aw, pickles,” usually uttered by Twinkle (pinker than Trista Rehn Sutter!) just after her fanciful strategies for fixing the kids’ dilemmas get gently punctured by Fran, a friendly squirrel voiced by Edie McClurg.

In every two-episode 50 percent-hour clearly show, the Higgly Young children knowledge typical, innocent childhood situations this sort of as obtaining a caterpillar, hosting a tv bash for the Delighted Furry Higgly Monster Primetime Particular, dropping a tooth, Kip’s Grandpa locked in the bathroom, or caring for an not happy fowl. The young ones test to remedy their issues, guided by Fran who is the voice of cause, served by their loving households and the at any time-enthusiastic oddly Invoice and Ted-ish Pizza Guy…moreover someone exclusive. Then will come the inevitable tune…

“Someone specific, who could it be?

This job’s far too major for you and me.

We require some enable!

But under no circumstances dread-o,

It seems like a position for a…Higglytown Hero!

A Higglytown Hero!”

Some of the heroes are normal selections, specially following September 11: Law enforcement Lady, Firefighter, and so forth. But how a lot of of us think of sanitation employees, electricians, plumbers, gardeners, mail carriers (voiced by Kathie Lee Gifford) and farmers as heroes? Or a phone operator (voiced by Cyndi Lauper)? Even though the heroes have superstar voices, the Higgly Children uncover that the serious stars all around them are the people who solve difficulties each working day.

Some of the dilemmas get a minor absurd from an grownup viewpoint. For example, when Kip climbs a tree to help you save a beloved neighborhood cat and her kittens, his buddies aid him. Why, when he gets trapped, can’t they support him back again down? Ahem…when was the very last time you tripped and panicked? You want help in your very own life each and every day without thinking about it.

The beauty of “Higglytown Heroes” is that it celebrates functioning with each other, “owning pleasurable alongside one another,” and the Higgly Kids as properly as their family members under no circumstances take for granted the Heroes in their life. The Electrician (Lance Bass) gets invited to share in the “Higgly Monsters” Television celebration soon after restoring the circuitry for Kip’s residence. The Fire Fighter (Donald Faison) who will get Kip out of the tree shares in a birthday get together for the neighborhood cat. How many of us go out of our way to thank the men and women who make our lives simpler? From time to time we ignore to see them as people today with demands and emotions.

We even forget to see our individual family members as heroes. Kip’s Grandmama (voice of “Golden Female” Betty White, with Rose Nylund-like hairdo) knits the little ones sweaters. Kip’s serious-estate agent Mother, Bitty, acts like the soul of ’50s domesticity, but will get rewarded when Kip and his buddies make her a get-properly card. Wayne’s Mom, Plunkie, exhibits the youngsters a caterpillar and drives them to the beach front, whilst Wayne and Twinkle’s Uncle Lemmo cooks them breakfast at his diner and, in the Christmas special, drives Wayne and Twinkle about in his sleigh.

Apparently, Higgly people usually are not constantly nuclear households, a little something Disney portrays as regular devoid of contacting consideration to it. Kip’s household is the proverbial nuclear loved ones, with twin sisters, a little one sister, a mom and dad, Fripp, (who operates a incredibly hot pet cart), and two grandparents who possibly reside in Kip’s large home or pay a visit to consistently. Twinkle and Wayne’s mom seems to be a one father or mother (while all are African-American, no a single has screamed racism nevertheless), and Eubie is seemingly remaining lifted by his Southern-accented Aunt Mellie and Uncle Zooter, with visits from his Southern-accented Grandpop Crank (a farmer).

In several techniques, Higglytown is idealized. No one actually would seem to fear about positions, funds or standing. People go to the library, and a Librarian is a Higglytown Hero! The young ones “operate true hard” and acquire accountability (gasp) by imagining up strategies to support by themselves and their households, and in every single episode there are minimal moral lessons and suggestions (get care of your animals, do not use way too substantially energy, make an individual smile) to display the young children how they can mature up to be…Higglytown Heroes!

Cynics and naysayers will deride this as kiddie pablum. I phone it a refreshing dose of reality and a tribute to the heroes all about us. The Disney animators are Higglytown Heroes for making this present.

Author’s Notice: Just after this review initially created the rounds on the Net, actor Rory Thost, who offers the voice of “Kip,” was type plenty of to be a “Higglytown Hero” and make my day by telling me how considerably he and the cast liked the evaluation. For all of individuals who believe our young children are total troublemakers, younger Grasp Rory Thost is 13: http://imdb.com/name/nm1191277/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxzZz0xfGxtPTIwMHx0dD1vbnxwbj0wfHE9cm9yeSB0aG9zdHxodG1sPTF8bm09b24_fc=1ft=4. His showbiz profession is already for a longer time than mine! Much more importantly, in a planet wherever negative habits by stars is unfortunately the norm, this young man remains polite, experienced, effectively-educated and well-grounded.

Author’s Notice II: This series will get greater and superior. The continuity is even on a par with most primetime reveals. Kip has adopted a pet dog named “Shadow,” who can make guest appearances we meet Fran’s mom and dad after observing them in the Christmas distinctive Eubie’s Grandpop turns into a Higglytown Hero Eubie’s hen Flappy makes appearances from time to time. The Firefighter returns. The Electrician proposes to the Trainer, and Pizza Man and Fran get to be Higglytown Heroes!

Author’s Be aware III: Disney has designed Higglytown Heroes Toys. This sequence has, er, legs!