An Animated Confession

Uh…hi…*ahem* Ummm…my name is Paula…and…uh…and…
…I like…cartoons.
THERE—I said it!
Feels so good to get that off my chest! It’s a little secret I’ve been keeping for far too long. The truth is, it’s either The Disney Channel or Nickelodeon on our TV 90 percent of the time. And I’ve gotten to the point where…I kind of like it.
In fact, even when the kids aren’t home, I STILL WATCH CARTOONS! Well, I mean I have the TV on in the background while I’m doing dishes or cleaning or something. It’s not like I just plop down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and zone into my favorite animated worlds…all the time.
Now, I don’t just like ANY cartoon, mind you. I do have standards. But there are a few that tickle my fancy. AND maybe even wish I could have a cartoon character as a best friend…
It all started with Spongebob. (No, that is NOT a typo.) When my kids first started watching Spongebob Squarepants, I thought, “This is stupid!” But then the show started to grow on me…and now I hear myself saying, “Hey, turn it to Spongebob!” Words I never thought would come from my mouth.
If you haven’t ever watched Spongebob, you’ve either been living under a rock (like Patrick!) for the past few years, OR you’re a much better parent than I am and only let your children watch educational TV, if any at all. I’m betting it’s the latter.
I guess what makes me laugh about Spongebob is just how nonsensical and downright cheesy it is at times. And once you get the songs in your head, they’re there for good. Take for instance, one of our favorites, “The Campfire Song.”
You’re going to be singing it all day now, aren’t you? Told ya so.
Another new cartoon that has fast become a favorite of mine is Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb. The show is basically about two brothers (Phineas and Ferb) who don’t want to be bored during summer vacation so they execute elaborate plans to make their own fun each day. Their older sister, Candace, is totally annoyed by her brothers, and especially the fact that their sweet but clueless mother never finds out. But the most bizarre yet endearing character for me is Perry the Platypus, AKA Agent P. Perry is a blue platypus who is the family pet, which is odd in itself. But he’s also a secret agent, unbeknownst to Phineas and Ferb or the rest of the family. As Agent P he fights his nemesis Dr. Doofenschmirtz, who is just not very good at pulling off his evil schemes, most of which are hidden under the guise of his company Doofenschmirtz Evil, Incorporated.
Here is a clever music sequence featuring Perry the Platypus as Agent P.

And just to drive home just how great this show is, watch Perry’s song about missing his nemesis. It will bring tears to your eyes…I just love a good parody…

Okay, ONE MORE CARTOON and I’m done. Hang in there. This one’s a keeper.
Enter, Bessie Higgenbottom in Nickelodeon’s The Mighty B!
How does one describe Bessie?

• She’s a member of the Honeybee troop and she’s always looking to score a new badge.
• When things get tough, she imagines she’s a superhero called The Mighty B who can do anything—or at least looks pretty buff in her bee costume.
• She rescues a reluctant dog she names “Happy,” who goes everywhere with her.
• She draws a face on her finger and talks to it. “Finger” often wears hats.
• She’s a girl who is not afraid of being herself and chasing her dreams. She’s no beauty queen, but she’s resourceful, kind, and unknowingly charming.
Yes, I wish Bessie would be my BFF.
I love her.
And NO WONDER the show is so great. I JUST learned that the creator and voice of Bessie is none other than Amy Poehler of SNL fame! Here’s how Amy described Bessie in Animation Magazine (And NO, I don’t subscribe! Sheesh!):

“Bessie represents the ever-optimistic spaz, who believes she can grow up to be a rock star, actress, politician and brain surgeon all at the same time.”

Bessie’s even got her own BLOG! Check it out!
But don’t just take MY word for it. Watch this riveting review (with some great Bessie clips) from the AP’s Remote Patrol:
So  there you go. The truth about me and my peeps, Spongebob, Perry the Platypus, and Bessie Higgenbottom.
Who needs The Lipstick Jungle or Lost? 
I gots me all the entertainment I need. 

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