[JoshuaZ]

I`m going to show a US TV show for the last class of my third year middle school students. They have had three years of English, and some are decently good. Because this is our last class together I thought I`d be nice and show a video. But what to show? I was thinking of two 20 minute TV eps, but would what be good?

Smurfs? The Tick? Simpsons? Spongebob?

Any ideas would be helpful.

[euchomai]

Emmanuelle in Space (just fast forward to the 20 min of good stuff)
My Name is Earl

[cjrivera]

3 Stooges episodes?
Beavis and Butthead?
Old episodes of The Facts of Life or Different Strokes?

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

3 Stooges episodes?
Beavis and Butthead?
Old episodes of The Facts of Life or Different Strokes?

I totally just downloaded 40 eps of Beavis and Butthead.....

[ironknee]

Peewee's playhouse

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

I totally just downloaded 40 eps of Beavis and Butthead.....

Talk about taking their English lessons to the next level...

Fartknocker
Buttmunch
Cornholio
Bunghole

[Tardbus]

Family guy.

[Doofy]

Ren and Stimpy. Safe for kids, funny, and the voices of the characters will make them listen a little bit harder than usual.

[Agasthya]

Entourage.

It is good healthy family fun.

[iLikebeer]

If you're feeling lazy, Samurai Jack.
If you want them to speak in out of date slang, Bugs Bunny!
Teach them bad accents with any Transformers episode with the Dinobots, especially Grimlock

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by ironknee

Peewee's playhouse

http://www.usatoday.com/life/televis...-pee-wee_x.htm

A good argument can be made for Peewee's Playhouse!

Entertaining to all age groups and maturity & intellectual levels.

It won 22 Emmys.

Three of it's regular characters went on to bigger fame and acclaim.

Lawrence Fishburne, S. Epatha Merkersen and Phil Hartman. By giving your students this as an appetizer you can open up their interest in movies like The Matrix or TV shows like Law & Order or NewsRadio.

It's a delightfully entertaining show even for adults.

From what I've seen of Japanese TV (snippets here and there) PWP's imagination, visual effects, colors and animation would be in the same 'ballpark' as what your students may be used to. But, from that commonality of senses the subtle differences between cultures can be further explored from the POV of people (Japanese teens vs American younger children) who are learning the rules of American culture and society.

I think it would be a great teaching tool that they probably won't see any other way unless you get the dvd's.

Good call, ironknee!

EDIT: Just check out the website to get an idea of it's excellence and richness of experience.

http://www.peewee.com/

[JoshuaZ]

Oddly I never even thought of Pee Wee`s as an option. I`ll see if I can find some eps to download. That would clearly win the attention span of a bunch of 14 year olds.

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Oddly I never even thought of Pee Wee`s as an option. I`ll see if I can find some eps to download. That would clearly win the attention span of a bunch of 14 year olds.

Me either until ironknee brought it up!

[boots]

Disney's Recess.

[Lateralus]

Originally Posted by ironknee

Peewee's playhouse

God I miss that show...

[Cubeoid]

Smurfs

[JoshuaZ]

Smurfs would be super funny. So would the Power Puff girls.

[Gamoe]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Ren and Stimpy. Safe for kids, funny, and the voices of the characters will make them listen a little bit harder than usual.

I disagree. Ren and Stimpy is not wholesome kid entertainment.

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Oddly I never even thought of Pee Wee`s as an option. I`ll see if I can find some eps to download. That would clearly win the attention span of a bunch of 14 year olds.

"Pee Wee's Playhouse", in my view, has perverse sexual undertones (nothing wrong with a little sex, but when you mix it up with kid's stuff it becomes perverse and wrong). As "wholesome" as the show might seem on the surface, I think it followed in the lead of its main actor closely.

I also don't suggest SpongeBob.


My suggestion: Superhero cartoons like--

• X-Men

• SpiderMan

• Batman (Not The Batman, but the older animated cartoon)

• Batman & Superman Adventures

• The Justice League (or JLA Unlimited)


They're exciting and good examples of American icons.

Alternatively:

Jackie Chan Adventures- An American show with an Asian twist. Even though it isn't Japanese, you could point out the convergence of different cultures. Also, funny and enjoyable.

[alphamatrix]

Rocky and Bullwinkle

[Cubeoid]

Language aside, I think the children will be lost in the cultural gap, which runs miles between US and Japanese programs. The approach to children's TV, especially the element of humor, in the US and Japan is a world appart. I wish you all the best in this task none the less JoshuaZ, please report on your choice and how the viewing went.

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

"Pee Wee's Playhouse", in my view, has perverse sexual undertones (nothing wrong with a little sex, but when you mix it up with kid's stuff it becomes perverse and wrong). As "wholesome" as the show might seem on the surface, I think it followed in the lead of its main actor closely.

You are obviously INVENTING this objection to Peewee's Playhouse.

His arrest took place AFTER the show had concluded. Therefore the show couldn't have, "followed in the lead of it's main actor."

Ohhhh! I get it, you're just getting a little 'dig' in on the ole aber for his stand on the Bowie spot where he jacked Snoop's bling. Heh, heh, heh! Good one.

Now, if PWP subtly condoned thievery, THEN you'd have a valid argument.

As far as sex, the only sexual under/overtones in the show are in your mind. One of the hallmarks of the Peewee character is his sexual ambiguity.

22 Emmys.

[f1000]

[turtle777]

Jerry. Jerry. Jerry.

Hands-down the BEST family show out there !

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Jerry. Jerry. Jerry.

Hands-down the BEST family show out there !

I`m going to show a US TV show for the last class of my third year middle school students. They have had three years of English, and some are decently good. Because this is our last class together I thought I`d be nice and show a video.

Family show wasn't specifically mentioned by the O.P.

[SSharon]

Invader Zim!

No really, choose something where they have a chance at hearing all the words.

[Tardbus]

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

You are obviously INVENTING this objection to Peewee's Playhouse.

His arrest took place AFTER the show had concluded. Therefore the show couldn't have, "followed in the lead of it's main actor."

Ohhhh! I get it, you're just getting a little 'dig' in on the ole aber for his stand on the Bowie spot where he jacked Snoop's bling. Heh, heh, heh! Good one.

Now, if PWP subtly condoned thievery, THEN you'd have a valid argument.

As far as sex, the only sexual under/overtones in the show are in your mind. One of the hallmarks of the Peewee character is his sexual ambiguity.

22 Emmys.

hahahahahahahaha. BUSTED!!!!!

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by Tardbus

hahahahahahahaha. BUSTED!!!!!

Other than in your dreams, where would there be evidence that anyone was busted in this post?

I'm quickly losing any respect I may have had for your intelligence.

[only120xs]

Originally Posted by f1000

[Tardbus]

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

Other than in your dreams, where would there be evidence that anyone was busted in this post?

I'm quickly losing any respect I may have had for your intelligence.

?

Are you on crack? The guy you quoted was trying to invent that peewee's playhouse had sexual overtones. You clearly pointed out that he got 'busted' after the show was already done, how many emmys it won, and how great it was for kids. I agree 100%. I'm laughing because the person inventing the crap up about peewee's playhouse got caught red-handed, by you. Hence, busted.

I'm starting to doubt your intelligence.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

Family show wasn't specifically mentioned by the O.P.

Ah, whatever. It's even more perfect for foreign students. So they at least get an idea what Amaraca is all about

[Dakar]

What a Country!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090543/

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by Tardbus

?

Are you on crack? The guy you quoted was trying to invent that peewee's playhouse had sexual overtones. You clearly pointed out that he got 'busted' after the show was already done, how many emmys it won, and how great it was for kids. I agree 100%. I'm laughing because the person inventing the crap up about peewee's playhouse got caught red-handed, by you. Hence, busted.

I'm starting to doubt your intelligence.

Guilty.

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by f1000

yes! this or rocky and bullwinkle.

[boots]

Originally Posted by Tardbus

?

Are you on crack? The guy you quoted was trying to invent that peewee's playhouse had sexual overtones. You clearly pointed out that he got 'busted' after the show was already done, how many emmys it won, and how great it was for kids. I agree 100%. I'm laughing because the person inventing the crap up about peewee's playhouse got caught red-handed, by you. Hence, busted.

I'm starting to doubt your intelligence.

Before the bust, I thought it has some sexual overtones too. But hey, so did bugs bunny. He was even a cross dresser. Anyway, it was done is a way that adults would get it, but the kids would be laughing at something else.

And aberdeen....you don't have respect for anyone anyway, so why to you pretend that you might have?

[ironknee]

meca leca hi meca hiny ho

[Y3a]

South Park
Strangers with Candy
Ren & Stempy
Martin
American Chopper

[rparke1]

Originally Posted by Y3a

South Park
Strangers with Candy
Ren & Stempy
Martin
American Chopper

1. yeah and teach them why its bad to put two triangles together
2. what the heck? never heard of this show
3. yeah, GREAT show to kids, that image alone scares me
4. good way to teach kids why some people shouldnt produce/write scripts
5. is all ill say

[SpaceMonkey]

Isn't Pee Wee kind of juvenile for 14 year olds? I can't remember.

I would suggest "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." Good as a reference to American culture and it appeals to a really wide demographic.

[AppleCello]

Seinfeld.

Walker, Texas Ranger (If you want to reinforce our cowboy stereotype!)

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Isn't Pee Wee kind of juvenile for 14 year olds? I can't remember.

I would suggest "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." Good as a reference to American culture and it appeals to a really wide demographic.

Check the link provided in my first post and you'll be reminded. Another one of the hallmarks of PWP was it's appeal to kids AND adults.

And just because PWP may be a good suggestion doesn't make it the ONLY good suggestion.

I've never seen "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" but I'd bet it's probably good.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

I disagree. Ren and Stimpy is not wholesome kid entertainment.

Granted, I ain't seen it for ten years so I'm only going off vague memories of Stimp's "first material possession"... ...but they put it on during the kid's teatime slot here.

So...

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by boots

Before the bust, I thought it has some sexual overtones too. But hey, so did bugs bunny. He was even a cross dresser. Anyway, it was done is a way that adults would get it, but the kids would be laughing at something else.

And aberdeen....you don't have respect for anyone anyway, so why to you pretend that you might have?

Actually, I do have respect for each of you. I just don't show it ALL of the time. And my respect varies by amount as I see evidence which causes me to reassess my belief. It is always being updated. I respect each of you for differing reasons.

For instance, take a look at the posters who I never take issue with. Compare them with those you say I don't respect.

Ooops, but you say I don't respect ANYONE. So, I guess you can't do the comparison.

Sorry. My fault.

[ironknee]

you know the more i think about it, the more i want to watch pewee! i think it's perfect for the kids

[OwlBoy]

Originally Posted by f1000

Yes, this!

NARF!

-Owl

[Tesseract]

Originally Posted by ironknee

meca leca hi meca hiny ho

Our temple's had a fair share of rabbis in the past
But most of 'em were nudniks and none of 'em would last
Well our new guy's real kosher, I think he'll do the trick
I tell ya, he's to die for - he really knows his shtick

[ghporter]

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Really. Not only does he reinforce positive, developmentally appropriate material for young kids, but it's always sweet and wholesome. And everyone speaks clearly and well; pronounciation and diction will not be a problem.

Remember, U.S. television is the "vast wasteland" of legend. Not much is really a good thing to show people who don't live here because much of what's part of the programming is dependent on deep details of our culture that are frankly hard to explain. Would you show someone who is unfamiliar with deep details of Japanese culture any Japanese TV?

[aberdeenwriter]

I LOVE Mr. Rogers and often watched him as an adult. In fact I NEVER watched him when I was a kid.

[meelk]

fraggle rock.

[Salty]

I second Pinky and the Brain. Not sponge bob...

[Paco500]

Good lord- you want to keep them safe from even the subtlest hint of sexuality (which I never noticed or truly believe was there) but you sure are ready to pump them full of the violence.

I hate this country sometimes.

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

I disagree. Ren and Stimpy is not wholesome kid entertainment.



"Pee Wee's Playhouse", in my view, has perverse sexual undertones (nothing wrong with a little sex, but when you mix it up with kid's stuff it becomes perverse and wrong). As "wholesome" as the show might seem on the surface, I think it followed in the lead of its main actor closely.

I also don't suggest SpongeBob.


My suggestion: Superhero cartoons like--

• X-Men

• SpiderMan

• Batman (Not The Batman, but the older animated cartoon)

• Batman & Superman Adventures

• The Justice League (or JLA Unlimited)


They're exciting and good examples of American icons.

Alternatively:

Jackie Chan Adventures- An American show with an Asian twist. Even though it isn't Japanese, you could point out the convergence of different cultures. Also, funny and enjoyable.