Did you know that the average child spends up to 32 hours per week in front of the television?
Children’s shows remain one of the most financially lucrative and popular forms of television programming. And while you might think you know everything there is to know about your favorite kids’ TV show, we have a few fascinating tidbits that are sure to surprise you.
Keep reading to learn a few strange and fun facts about your favorite children’s shows!
Rob Zombie Got His Start in Children’s Television
Whether you know him from his hard rock hits like “Dragula” or his box office hit horror movies like “House of 1000 Corpses,” Rob Zombie’s aesthetic doesn’t exactly come across as kid-friendly. Which makes the fact that he once worked as a production assistant on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” all the funnier.
Though you won’t see the name ‘Rob Zombie’ anywhere in the credits, Zombie is quite proud of his work on the beloved children’s show.
He wasn’t the only celebrity to have a production job on the show, either. “Boyz n the Hood” director John Singleton served as a security guard for the set.
“Adventure Time” Takes Place Post-Apocalypse
“Adventure Time” is a cute and quirky show about a boy and a talking dog embarking on magical adventures. However, the show’s universe, The Land of Ooo, is darker than you might believe.
According to series creator Pendleton Ward, “Adventure Time” is set about 1,000 years after a nuclear war wipes out humanity. The bombs awakened a terrible creature known as The Lich, who took out another chunk of the surviving population. With hardly anyone left to fight over resources, the world reverted to a place of whimsy and magic.
The event is known as The Mushroom War, and is referenced in several episodes.
Here’s a bonus fun-fact for you: Canonically, Earl of Lemongrab is a cultist, with possible ties to Satanism. Baphomet is even in the show!
“Veggietales” Allegedly Started as a Show About Candy
If you grew up in the 1990s, you no doubt have memories of Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber along with a whole cast of anthropomorphic fruits and veggies.
But did you know that everyone’s favorite vegetable-based parables almost involved candy, instead?
According to series creator Phil Vischer, the plan was to use chocolate bars and other sweet treats to draw kids in. However, his wife stepped in and said using candy would send the wrong message.
Instead, Vischer vouched for dishing out moral lessons through wholesome side dishes instead!
Learn more about the Veggietales characters here, and get ready to fall in love with one of your old childhood favorites all over again.
The Truth Behind Your Favorite Children’s Shows
Whenever you grew up, we hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Children’s shows will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Want more info on your old favorites? Make sure to check back with our blog for tons of extra content about the latest and greatest in entertainment.
