Edutainment Show: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
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{{quote|''"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning ''fun''! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I ''swear''".''|'''Krusty the Clown''', ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''}}
{{quote|''"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning ''fun''! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I ''swear''".''|'''Krusty the Clown''', ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''}}


As the trope's title implies, the [[Edutainment Show]] combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as ''[[Myth Busters]]''. [[Cooking Show|Cooking Shows]], [[Science Show|Science Shows]], [[Nature Show|Nature Shows]], and other [[TV Documentary]] formats (especially [[Docu Drama]] programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", "[["Reading Is Cool" Aesop]]" or "be a good friend to others."
As the trope's title implies, the '''Edutainment Show''' combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as ''[[Myth Busters]]''. [[Cooking Show]]s, [[Science Show]]s, [[Nature Show]]s, and other [[TV Documentary]] formats (especially [[Docu Drama]] programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", "[["Reading Is Cool" Aesop]]" or "be a good friend to others."


Many [[Edutainment Show|Edutainment Shows]] appear on PBS, the most famous example being ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "[[Nick Jr.]]" block, such as ''[[Blue's Clues|Blues Clues]]'' and ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'', as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.
Many '''Edutainment Shows''' appear on PBS, the most famous example being ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "[[Nick Jr.]]" block, such as ''[[Blue's Clues|Blues Clues]]'' and ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'', as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.


In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have 3 hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying [[Saved by the Bell]], the rules are susceptible to [[Loophole Abuse]] if [[An Aesop]] is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the [[And Knowing Is Half the Battle]] is referring to.
In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have 3 hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying [[Saved by the Bell]], the rules are susceptible to [[Loophole Abuse]] if [[An Aesop]] is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the [[And Knowing Is Half the Battle]] is referring to.
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For the [[Video Game]] counterpart see [[Edutainment Game]].
For the [[Video Game]] counterpart see [[Edutainment Game]].
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=== Other examples: ===
== Other examples ==


* [[3-2-1 Contact]]
* [[3-2-1 Contact]]
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** Its spin-off ''[[Go Diego Go]]''
** Its spin-off ''[[Go Diego Go]]''
* [[Dragon Tales]]
* [[Dragon Tales]]
* [[The Electric Company]]: Both the 1971 version and the 2009 version, though the 1970s version is more well-liked/remembered. Given that the 70s version managed to license Spider-Man and features [[Morgan Freeman]], and managed to make both of them [[Narm|Narmy]], being remembered is guaranteed.
* [[The Electric Company]]: Both the 1971 version and the 2009 version, though the 1970s version is more well-liked/remembered. Given that the 70s version managed to license Spider-Man and features [[Morgan Freeman]], and managed to make both of them [[Narm]]y, being remembered is guaranteed.
* [[Element Hunters]]: An anime that manages to teach chemistry in a [[Monster of the Week]] format.
* [[Element Hunters]]: An anime that manages to teach chemistry in a [[Monster of the Week]] format.
* [[Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids]]: A 1970s cartoon that does a good job teaching life lessons to kids.
* [[Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids]]: A 1970s cartoon that does a good job teaching life lessons to kids.
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* [[Pinwheel]]: The ''Sesame Street''-esque program that launched [[Nickelodeon]] into the limelight; the channel itself was known as "Pinwheel" until 1979.
* [[Pinwheel]]: The ''Sesame Street''-esque program that launched [[Nickelodeon]] into the limelight; the channel itself was known as "Pinwheel" until 1979.
* [[The Puzzle Place]]
* [[The Puzzle Place]]
* [[Pythagoras Switch]] (''Pitagora Suichi''): A show much like ''Sesame Street'', from Japan, known for its [[Eyecatch|Eye Catches]] featuring intricate [[Rube Goldberg Device|Rube Goldberg Devices]].
* [[Pythagoras Switch]] (''Pitagora Suichi''): A show much like ''Sesame Street'', from Japan, known for its [[Eyecatch|Eye Catches]] featuring intricate [[Rube Goldberg Device]]s.
* [[Readalong]]
* [[Readalong]]
* [[Reading Rainbow]]
* [[Reading Rainbow]]
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* [[Unnatural History]] occasionally bases its episodes on history like Sputnik, the Pony Express, and the history of vikings in America. Unfortunately, the line between fact and fiction gets a bit murky (most likely to encourage kids and teens to do some research themselves).
* [[Unnatural History]] occasionally bases its episodes on history like Sputnik, the Pony Express, and the history of vikings in America. Unfortunately, the line between fact and fiction gets a bit murky (most likely to encourage kids and teens to do some research themselves).
* [[Veggie Tales]]
* [[Veggie Tales]]
* [[Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?|Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego]] (based on the series of [[Edutainment Game|Edutainment Games]])
* [[Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?|Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego]] (based on the series of [[Edutainment Game]]s)
* [[Wilbur]]
* [[Wilbur]]
* [[Wild Kratts]]
* [[Wild Kratts]]
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[[Category:Fiction]]
[[Category:Fiction]]
[[Category:Show Genres]]
[[Category:Show Genres]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Edutainment Show]]
[[Category:Edutainment Show]]

Revision as of 15:42, 24 February 2015
"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning fun! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I swear".
—Krusty the Clown, The Simpsons

As the trope's title implies, the Edutainment Show combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as Myth Busters. Cooking Shows, Science Shows, Nature Shows, and other TV Documentary formats (especially Docu Drama programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", ""Reading Is Cool" Aesop" or "be a good friend to others."

Many Edutainment Shows appear on PBS, the most famous example being Sesame Street. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "Nick Jr." block, such as Blues Clues and Dora the Explorer, as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.

In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have 3 hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying Saved by the Bell, the rules are susceptible to Loophole Abuse if An Aesop is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the And Knowing Is Half the Battle is referring to.

For the Video Game counterpart see Edutainment Game.

Other examples

Statler: Say, Waldorf, do you think this show counts as edutainment?

Waldorf: Don't see why not. After all, it encourages people to quit watching and read books!

Together: Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!

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