Good morning again fans. Parents, if your kids are around today's edition of Reel Reviews is another great chance to read together with your children. This morning, as promised, I've got a preview of another pair of episodes from the beloved PBS Kids' series starring the late John Ritter. Today, we focus on another pair of Valentines Day episodes in "T-Bone, Dog About Town" and "Clifford's Big Heart". That's in this edition of Reel Reviews. While you're at it, don't forget to check out the new Reel Reviews facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141. We'll be posting more reviews there, now. So if you want to keep up with all the new reviews, head over there, and click "Like". And make sure you tell your friends and family about it too. Once you do that, you can read about this review, and others. That being noted, hoo about we get into today's edition of Reel Reviews. Let's get into it!
Clifford The Big Red Dog is one of PBS' kids programs. Even years after the untimely death of John Ritter (who voiced Clifford), Clifford is still a favorite of kids and parents alike. it's so beloved because it teaches lessons and entertains at the same time, even on Valentines Day. One of the lessons in question is about simply being yourself. That lesson comes in the episode, "T-Bone, Dog About Town". Its companion episode, "Clifford's Big Heart" teaches that sometimes, the best gifts aren't the ones that are bought, but rather, the ones that come from...well...the heart; the simple ones.
In "T-Bone, Dog About Town", T-Bone meets Mimi for the first time. When he first sees Mimi come off the ferry at the island, he falls head over heels for her. But after getting muddy when he goes to meet her and her human, Ms. Smith chases him off. It happens again after he falls on some sea turtle eggs. Luckily, the eggs don't break. Instead, they hatch. T-Bone tries all kinds of things to impress her before giving up, thinking Mimi doesn't like him. But as Clifford had hinted early on, Mimi tells T-Bone that she liked him for him, not for how he looked. This is a lesson which every young viewer will understand when they get older, thus making it relavant not just on Valentines Day, but every day.
The companion episode, "Clifford's Big Heart" teaches audiences that the best gifts that can be given are the simple ones; the ones that come from the heart. Great gifts dont have to be bought. Early on while making valentines with Emily Elizabeth and Charley, Jetta seems to think that valentines have to be bright and sparkly. This eventually leads Clifford to take some of Mr. Bleakman's roses. After realizing what he did wasn't a good thing, Clifford puts the rose bush back. This teaches a secondary lesson about taking things that one probably shouldn't be taken. In the end, Clifford gives up and curls up. Emily Elizabeth sees him, and how he looks like a big heart. She says that he's a big red valentine, just like he had heard Jetta say a valentine should be; big and red. Again, this is a lesson that the best gift is the one that comes from the heart. It isn't always the one that's bought.
These two episodes are just one more hint of what made Clifford The Big Red Dog such a great show, and what makes it so great even years after it ended. the lessons are easy to understand. But they arent' preachy. the original hand drawn animation style and music add an extra layer of enjoyment, too. Altogether, they make for yet another enjoyable watch, bot for Valentines day, and for any time.
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Philip Sayblack can be contacted at psayblack@wnct.com
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