Things on TV
Update - parents' house now free of under-fives. Fun to have around, but really exhausting! I'm so glad I don't have to see 4.30am again for a while.
However, they did lead to me watching CBeebies...
Whilst I, along with the rest of my generation, are quick to slam new children's television, which has got nothing on Thundercats, Power Rangers, Fireman Sam etc, I found a gem whilst watching CBeebies.
It's called Something Special and features little life outings with special needs children, with a presenter who speaks out loud and in sign! I learned so many words today in sign and my cousin's kids were signing right along with me. I really like that program. Might have to start watching CBeebies (oh the humanity!)
And though we missed the first fifteen minutes, my family and I watched High School Musical over dinner. The first bit was awful and I was begging Mum to turn it off, not wanting to see this trashy, pale imitation of Grease. However, once you get used to it, it's kinda cool - though still really similar to Grease.
With my feminist Girl-Wonder hat on, it does follow Bechdel's Law - there was more than one woman, they talked to each other and not (solely) about men! Oh, come on it was teen angst Disney, there had to be a love interest! But that wasn't the main theme and it was more about breaking social expectations and being whoever you are. The baking basketballer, Zeke, is my favourite but he's not alone. And it was all worked out by Compromise. And there was no overt sexualisation of women, no objectification (though a little gratuitous shirtlessness for the main guy) and no one gave up their hobbies and interests for The One - instead, they added them on!
It's all good. Except...
Disney have commissioned a sequel. *headdesk* WHEN WILL THEY LEARN?!?
However, they did lead to me watching CBeebies...
Whilst I, along with the rest of my generation, are quick to slam new children's television, which has got nothing on Thundercats, Power Rangers, Fireman Sam etc, I found a gem whilst watching CBeebies.
It's called Something Special and features little life outings with special needs children, with a presenter who speaks out loud and in sign! I learned so many words today in sign and my cousin's kids were signing right along with me. I really like that program. Might have to start watching CBeebies (oh the humanity!)
And though we missed the first fifteen minutes, my family and I watched High School Musical over dinner. The first bit was awful and I was begging Mum to turn it off, not wanting to see this trashy, pale imitation of Grease. However, once you get used to it, it's kinda cool - though still really similar to Grease.
With my feminist Girl-Wonder hat on, it does follow Bechdel's Law - there was more than one woman, they talked to each other and not (solely) about men! Oh, come on it was teen angst Disney, there had to be a love interest! But that wasn't the main theme and it was more about breaking social expectations and being whoever you are. The baking basketballer, Zeke, is my favourite but he's not alone. And it was all worked out by Compromise. And there was no overt sexualisation of women, no objectification (though a little gratuitous shirtlessness for the main guy) and no one gave up their hobbies and interests for The One - instead, they added them on!
It's all good. Except...
Disney have commissioned a sequel. *headdesk* WHEN WILL THEY LEARN?!?