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This week I dedicate the column to cartoons. Children often internalise gender role stereotypes from books, songs, television, and the movies. Television, however, is perhaps the most influential form of media and research on television viewing and children’s socialisation indicates that television has a great impact on children’s lives. Some studies show pre-schoolers spend an average of nearly 30 hours a week watching television; some spend more time watching television than doing anything else except sleeping.
By this we can safely say television influences both children’s pro-social and anti-social behaviours, as well as their attitudes about race and gender.
I took time to watch cartoons past week on both stations after being inspired by my brother’s child, whose English has greatly improved, and I asked where has he learnt that. I was astounded when the little boy said, “You need to watch cartoons if you want to improve your English”.
I was speechless, considering that growing up I used to love cartoons also and they were so powerful and educative but with our national television they are trying to spice it up. Given a chance it would be wiser to bring back the old cartoons because those muppets being viewed are boring.
Some of the cartoons are interesting though and being a television critic I am expected to aspire many with my writing. Just because I am old it doesn’t have mean we can’t reflect on cartoons.
Looking at cartoons they are sketches or drawings that symbolise satire or caricature in some action, subject, or person of interest. They are commonly known in comic books, political campaigns, and television shows.
In history, cartoons go as far back as the Renaissance era and evolved into some of the earliest animations. From the 1900s to present time, famous cartoonists and directors such as Walt Disney and Ottis Messmer have made a mark on the cartoon world and changed it forever.
Cartoons have changed and developed over time into what they are today. We all watch them, we all laugh at them, but we never stop to think about them and understand the writer’s motives.
I can tell you that comedy in cartoons has changed over time. Older cartoons were just for laughs, now cartoons have story lines, morals, character descriptions, settings, and more realistic comedy.
Tom and Jerry was a childhood favourite of many, but why?
Slapstick, the comedy of violence with no consequences.
These days cartoons and children’s shows have become more intricate, more diverse, and they have deeper story lines. For example, we all know and love good ole’ Spongebob Squarepants.
What is so different about a sponge named Bob versus a cat who constantly chases a sneaky mouse?
However, on DSTV, MultiChoice and Turner Broadcasting will make African television history this festive season when families all over the continent will be able to celebrate their December holidays with a first of its kind, pop-up children’s channel.
The channel, called Hoolee (DStv channel 197) will boost their festive holidays with surprising shows and outstanding content.
This December till January 31 2016, DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact customers can relax with their family’s favourite characters over the holidays with this ground-breaking, eight-week long family channel joins Turner’s existing children’s channels on DStv – Boomerang and Cartoon Network.
The continent’s very first pop-up children’s channel will have a great mix of exciting and exclusive kids and family content. There will be a selection of exclusive shows from the best that prestigious Cartoon Network & Warner Bros Studios has on offer.
Families can join the characters from five new exclusive shows, never seen before in Africa. Observe a team-up between a shark and hyena as the pair attempts to capture elusive mermaids in Zig & Sharko; Dragons: Race to the Edgeunlocks the secrets of the dragon’s eye; the speedy hedgehog, known as Sonic, will race on screens in his first ever CGI TV series in Sonic Boom; All Hail King Julien parties up a storm in Madagascar; and in The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Puss will try and become a legend.
Included in the summer extravaganza are specially selected Hoolee movies like Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure, Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Power, Babe: Pig in the City, The Borrowers and Balto II: Wolf quest!
“Our Premium, Compact Plus and Compact customers are in for a treat this festive season with even more variety of entertainment options. We’re excited by the brand new and exclusive content that Hoolee will bring to our youngest customers – ensuring that kids are entertained for hours and the whole family can share in the laughter and great adventure,” said Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe.
“Hoolee is a channel that has been specifically developed and designed for our African viewers for this special time of the year,” adds Pierre Branco, VP and Managing Director of Turner Africa. “It is all about family gatherings and treats, through an energetic and colourful branding.”
With a large volume of great shows, the new channel will offer carefully chosen movies and animated shows so that DStv viewers will enjoy all the festivities of the holidays with bright, refreshing, surprising and joyful content.
Happy viewing.
Online Reporter