Top 5 Classic Children's TV Shows and their 2008 Reincarnations

So many of today’s children’s shows are reminiscent of children’s shows from the past. Check out this list of classic shows and the new shows they inspired.

• Classic show: ZOOM. ZOOM aired on PBS between 1972 and 1978. A cast of seven kids performed and demonstrated songs, games, experiments, and recipes submitted by viewers. Viewers of the original series can probably still speak Ubbi-Dubbi, a Pig Latin-esque language occasionally spoken on the show, and remember the Zoom mailing address’ Boston zip code, 02134, which the ZOOMers sang in every episode.

• Today’s reincarnation: Fetch with Ruff Ruffman. Sure, ZOOM was brought back to life between 1999 and 2005, but Fetch gives the ZOOM premise a much-needed game show twist. A cast of six real life kids compete in challenges given by Ruff Ruffman, an animated dog. The challenges range from dancing and yoga to cooking and science experiments.

• Classic show: Jem. This animated series ran from 1985 to 1988. The show's heroine, Jerrica Benton, led a double life, moonlighting as Jem, lead singer of an all-girl rock band called the Holograms.

• Today’s reincarnation: Hannah Montana. This live action Disney series premiered in 2006 and stars Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart, an average teenager by day and a rock star named Hannah Montana by night. Strangely, this modern day Jem is comparatively low tech: Jerrica required the help of a holographic computer named Synergy in order to make her transformation to rock star while Miley requires only a blonde wig.

• Classic show: Clarissa Explains It All. This show ran on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1994 and starred Melissa Joan Hart, who later went on to become Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Clarissa was a typical preteen dealing with typical preteen angst over boys, zits, and sibling rivalry. She frequently broke the fourth wall (addressed the audience) to explain her situation.

• Today’s reincarnation: Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. This show ran on Nickelodeon between 2003 and 2007 and followed Ned Bigby and his friends as then navigated middle school. Ned frequently broke the fourth wall to give tips and advice to the audience.

• Classic show: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This show ran from 1993 to 1995 and originally featured 5 rangers, teenagers who had been given the power to morph into superheroes and summon giant robots in order to protect the fictional town of Angel Grove.

• Today’s reincarnation: Power Rangers: Jungle Fury. The Power Rangers have been reincarnated continuously since 1993: Time Force, Wild Force, Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder, etc. The current version, Jungle Fury, features only three teenage rangers who work at a pizza parlor and moonlight as superheroes.

• Classic show: Sesame Street. This show premiered in 1969 and combined live action, muppet, and animated segments to teach kids their ABCs and 123s.

• Today’s reincarnation: Sesame Street. This show is irreplaceable—it’s the longest running children’s program on TV. Adults will be happy to find that many of their favorite characters are still around and that many of their favorite celebrities drop by to sing songs and hang out with Elmo.

Got a favorite children’s TV show? Whether it was a show you watched when you were little or a show you watch when you’re babysitting, let us know by leaving a comment.