What a wonderful kind of day."
If we could learn to work and play
And get along with each other.
Arthur is a long-running kids' TV show that ran on PBS from October 7, 1996 to February 21, 2022. Produced by WGBH Boston, it is an Animated Adaptation of the books by Marc Brown. In a world populated by humanoid-bodied anthropomorphic animals (albeit with non-anthropomorphic pets and wildlife still prominently present), the show follows mild-mannered, bespectacled aardvark Arthur Read and his band of friends as they go through the third grade and some seven summer vacations. They have to deal with bullies, various issues like allergies and learning disorders, and tons of homework given out by their overly enthusiastic teacher, Mr. Ratburn, all in the show's own way. Sometimes, the episodes follow Arthur's sister, D.W. (Dora Winifred, but don't you dare call her that), an amusing Bratty Half-Pint who basically says and does everything every little kid has ever wanted to say and/or do, sometimes to the Moral Guardians' chagrin.
The show has received praise for its witty humor and many Shout Outs, most of which fall into the Parental Bonus category, despite the show being first and foremost for children five to eight years of age (and one of the first of many Anvilicious animated shows found in that demographic). With 25 seasons, 253 regular episodes, 7 specials, and a direct-to-video CGI film under its belt, Arthur was the longest-running children's animated series in the United States, before it was surpassed by Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, and it was the second longest-running animated series in the country after The Simpsons, before it was surpassed by Comedy Central's South Park.note Arthur is also unofficially Canada's longest-running animated series. The show was originally animated by Cookie Jar for its first 15 seasons (Formally as Cinar for seasons 1-8), 9 Story for seasons 16-19, and Oasis Animation for seasons 20-25. However, WGBH handled production and writing in Boston, and the show's animation was also outsourced to studios in South Korea and Hong Kong.
In July 2021, it was confirmed that the show would be ending after Season 25, with the final episode airing on February 21, 2022. However, reruns will still be continued on PBS Kids and the show is still available on streaming services, along with its official website. 2020 also saw the debut of viral shorts depicting the characters responding to flashpoint issues such as the COVID-19 Pandemic; these viral shorts as well as a podcast continue to star the characters following the conclusion of the main series.
In 2004, this show received a Spin-Off titled Postcards from Buster. It takes place during Buster Baxter’s leave of absence during the main show's second season, following him as he and his father travel and meet people in a variety of locations.
No relations to an unrelated film about a drunken heir.
And I say, "Hey!" ("Hey!") What a wonderful kind of trope!:
D.W.: HEY!
Arthur: (falling backwards) Woooooah-ooomph!