Don't Beat Down The Fresh Beat Band

by Shannon on 8.1.09

fresh_beat_bandI am really glad I don’t work in television programming.

A couple months ago I started seeing commercials on Noggin for a kids’ band called “The JumpArounds.”  The music was catchy, and the message seemed innocuous: music is awesome, so get up on your feet and be happy.

The commercials disappeared for awhile, but now The JumpArounds are back under a new name, The Fresh Beat Band, with a new show premiering in August. I was curious why they changed the show’s name, so I Googled it. What I found has me perplexed and a little incredulous.

This show is stirring up some mad craziness online.

On one message board, a parent commented:

“… the black kid acts more white than the white kid and the white kid must be some executives son or something because he can’t sing and his dancing is horrible, and the girls..omg the dark haired one is scary looking, looks fake…”

On a separate forum was this comment:

This show with it’s pre-teen jumping and dancing reinforces so many of the negative stereotypes and ideas that I work to keep my child away from. Cheesey, too thin, too pretty, too talented, hardly mulitcultural, no redeeming intellectual value unrealistic preening.

Hmm… so they are either talent-less and scary-looking or they are too talented and pretty.

Then there’s this comment:

I remember one line from the old JumpArounds commercials – something about “when you’ve got to get down when you just got up” – Noggin is a place where children should be learning about shapes, colors and numbers … not “getting down.”

Really? I could get up on my high horse about childhood obesity, but I won’t. I’ll just say that any preschool show that encourages music and movement is A-OK with me. I can’t fathom how a parent would have a problem with that. Perhaps it’s the term “getting down” that the parent quoted above has a problem with. I guess that’s too “suggestive?” {shrug}

I’m sure this type of criticism happens with ANY new show coming out. Seems like parents are a pretty hard bunch to please.

I’ve never been one to get all worked up about television programming. People are different. Everyone raises their kids differently. If you don’t like it, turn it off.

I recently met Angela Santomero, the creator of Blue’s Clues and Super WHY!. She was discussing with a group of parent bloggers how Super WHY! was developed and the outreach programs they are doing in conjunction with the show. I was so impressed with her. Her passion for children’s programming is so obvious when you see her speak.

Anyone who spends their time trying to create ways to help my child learn earns my initial respect. Give the Fresh Beat Band a break.

And I never did find out why they changed the name, although there is a rumor about a similar-named band asking for the change and another suggestion that “The JumpArounds” is just too exciting a name and would get kids too riled up. {eye roll}

The Fresh Beat Band will premiere on Nickelodeon Monday, Aug. 24th.

{ 151 comments }

Heather Viverette October 18, 2009 at 10:56 pm

OK FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY THIS. HOW CAN YOU JUDGE A SHOW THAT IS TEACHING KIDS TO LEARN AND BE ACTIVE. LIKE SERIOUSLY HOW CAN YOU BE SOME MEAN AND RUDE. SOME PARENTS WHO HAVE MADE A COMMENT ON THIS HAS MADE ME VERY UPSET. MY CHILD IS 19 MONTHS AND SHE LOVES THE SHOW. SHE GETS UP SINGS AND DANCES WITH THEM AND SHE INTERACTS WITH THEM. ITS A LEARNING EXPERINCE LIKE ANOTHER PARENT STATED IN THE POST ABOVE. HOW DO YOU EXPECT KIDS TO LEARN. WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL ITS THE SAME THING. SO WHAT WILL YOU DO TAKE THEM OUT OF SCHOOL. I DONT THINK SO. GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE. AND FOR THE RECORD IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW A PERSON ACTS FOR SOME ONE TO SAY THE BLACK BOY IS ACTING TO WHITE WAS JUST WRONG. THAT MEANS NOTHING. THE KIDS ARE LEARNING AND IF YOU TOOK OUT THE TIME TO WATCH IT YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING AND SEE THAT THEY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE KIDS AND HOW THEY ACT. IT DOES FOR MY DAUGHTER. PARENTS GROW UP PLEASE.

Sherry October 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm

I agree with Kiersten and Heather Viverette..I think it is an awesome show. Their songs have wonderful lessons in them…helping out friends, working together, learning what music terms are, etc. If the “black kid” had pants sagging to the ground and rapping or the “white kid” was dressed as a punk rock star or similiar, the girls dressed in “Bratz” type apparel,then I think stereotypes would come into play. But the band does not wear anything offensive or geared to any certain genre, the music is all positive and upbeat with a postive message that makes my daughter want to dance and sing. The kids are clean cut, respectful, well mannered……even my 16 year old likes to dance and sing along. Nick Jr has some great preschool shows that help teach, but they are to be applauded for The Fresh Beat Band. I actually enjoying watching this with my daughter. Also,to the parents that do not like or approve of the show…..you have control over what your child watches and you are entitled to your opinion, but no one is forcing you or you child to watch it..all you have to do is change the channel.

noelia October 20, 2009 at 4:39 pm

k. so I’m so happy that there are people out there that do support the Fresh Beat Band!! I can’t stand when people say they are not multicultural…what??? you have all races, all colors and come on they even play instruments…I have a 3 and 1 year old boys, that love the show. I have to record it for them to watch it during the day. My boys love to dance to it and you can even hear my 3 year old (who has speech problems) singing their songs. He even wants to play the instruments like they do. Plus, I love the show, it gives me a moment to dance and let go w/them, cause they just want to be kids for a moment and come on kids are kids….we do want them to learn as much as possible…but they are children and they need to act and play like what they are…..not having to be acting like older to be more upto date w/everyone else.

I say keep the Fresh Beats, they are fun, full of energy, and entertaining…most of all, my boys love them and noone can’t change that!

Stephanie October 23, 2009 at 1:28 pm

I personally love the show and my daughter(21 months) is crazy about it. This is a show that lets her be active instead of sitting and learning to count in Spanish/or Chinese, she barely gets English yet so I would rather not confuse her now and save the foreign languages for when she is a little older. Don’t get me wrong she still loves to watch Dora and Nehao Kailan but prefers to sing and dance along to The Fresh Beat Band. One thing though, Mirena used to be on days of Our Lives and that is kind of hard to get used to but besides that, the show isn’t for me to enjoy it is for her to. I think it’s like a new age versions of the wiggles. The Wiggles didn’t really teach about shapes, numbers, color etc either but nobody complained about them.

Jane October 27, 2009 at 7:42 am

My 3 yr old loves it, she loves all music from all the shows. I like it too and dance around with her. It’s a TV show for pre-schoolers!!! They’re using actors instead of animation. Big deal. And please, moms who think music doesn’t equal learning. Get your facts together first, read a few articles on music and math!!

Nanette October 27, 2009 at 10:43 am

My daughter loves this show. Are they coming out with a CD of their music?

Nelida November 5, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Personally, I think the show is a bit cheesy for me, but any show that keeps my 3 yr old’s attention longer than 5 mins is OK by me!! The music is catchy and sometimes I find myself singing along with my kids! I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old that keeps their eyes glued to the tv when the Fresh Beats come on. My 3 yr old has some speech delay but I hear him singing along to the songs. We’re actually watching the show as I type!

Tera November 10, 2009 at 12:10 pm

My 2 1/2 year old daughter loves this show! Yes…it is cheesy and there is a bit of overacting but OVERALL it is a great show that gets my daughter up and grooving in the afternoon. No excuse not to get outside and move around but we have a lot of fun dancing together! (Indoors where no one can see me LOL) give it a chance…Keep Rockin FBB!

Darlah November 10, 2009 at 3:26 pm

I was so dishearted to read people complaining about The Fresh Beat Band. My 4 yr old little girl is so hyper and this show is an outlet for her. What gets me….its a kids show…not a grown up show. SO why give them a hard time? I mean i am a grown up and I love the show. It teaches music and get kids up and moving.I mean they are already taking music out of the public school system(budget cuts my eye) so how are childern going to be exposed to the arts….singing…..playing a musical instrament. It just baffels my mind that grown folk could be so harsh on such a wonderful show.

valerie November 15, 2009 at 2:11 pm

My 18 month old grand son loves the fresh beat band. He can hear their music playing from another room and he stops and runs to where the show is on. I also find myself watching it and I have to admit I like it too. So for all you haters out there please stop criticizing the show and give it a chance.

pam November 17, 2009 at 8:51 am

all I want to know is where can I purchase their dvd. My grandson loves them and I can’t find it anywhere.

Andrea November 19, 2009 at 11:26 am

I personally think it’s silly, but these are people in their mid twenties…who choose to show children how to solve their problems. Sure the songs are silly and get stuck in your head, but when I see my two and three year old get excited and they learn to figure things out on their own..I let them watch it. It may drive me crazy but as long as they are learning it is good. They have fun, also good, not all learning has to be boring. Plus my daughter sees Marina who is a red head with blue eyes like her, and she associates with it. It is positive for her.

Chris November 23, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Normally I’m not one to write/post anything about what’s on TV because I’m a busy stay home mom. I figure my voice is heard by what I let my children watch or not watch. There is so much children’s programming on, you could have the TV on all day, but that’s why I’m the parent and you’re the parent.

I’m glad to see the positive comments about the Fresh Beat Band. My children think they’re great. They like Twist because he’s funny and makes funny noises, Shout because of his crazy legs, Kiki because she has a guitar, and Marina because she plays the drums. I’ve lost more pencils and have marks on my walls because my girls are drumming everything in sight and listening to the sounds. So what?, they’re just pencils, and marks come off walls.

Here’s my two cents as the mom: they teach music, rhythm, tempo, rhyme, names of instruments, dance moves, music terminology (i.e. we’re going to sing a duet; a song for two people), they use songs to help children remember things [loopity loop and through the hoop; pull it tight, now that's all right (tying shoe laces, sung to the tune of the ABC's]. The kids (the actors) are respectful, they are not mean & cut someone down to make themselves feel better, they help each other, work together, problem-solve, encourage excitement about learning and going to school, and they are clean and neat. This great show incorporates the arts and LIFE SKILLS. Yeah, sometimes the songs get stuck in my head but alright. They’re catchy, and I like them too. There’s nothing wrong with learning about music, dance, and instruments; and with pending budget cuts in some schools, the arts are always the first to go; grrrr.

Other shows feature counting, colors, shapes, manners, and safety in English/Spanish/Chinese and they have their place. Parents, don’t get your knickers in a knot and overthink. Continue to be discerning and responsible. Maybe the show we watch is not the show you watch; it’s cool. But LET THE KIDS HAVE FUN; childhood is getting shorter & shorter. They’re born, you blink, and they’re driving.

Thanks to Nickolodeon for the Fresh Beats, their fine cast with the four main characters and excellent support cast; I know they’re all working hard. Keep up the good work. We are fans! :)

Uncle 101 November 25, 2009 at 2:52 am

Leave the Fresh Beats alone!!!! My niece and I enjoy watching them together every morning before i have to depart and start my day. She loves singing and dancing with the cast, plus learning. I appreciate the Fresh Beats and what they have to offer. I am happy that the african american kid acts “white”. We all dont rap and DJ, keep keyboarding Shout!!!

Norah November 30, 2009 at 9:37 pm

My 3 year old twins love to watch this show because they don’t know any better. I think it’s absolutely horrible. The actors/singers are not the slightest bit talented and ridiculously corny. The show’s creators/producers should go to YouTube and take a long look at Kids Incorporated. The show wasn’t phenomenal, but it puts The Fresh Beat Band to shame!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the songs on The Fresh Beat Band are meant for children between the ages of 1 and 6 (roughly). However, if you introduce their young, influential minds to mediocracy in music, then they will continue to believe that this level of talent (or lack thereof) has quality. Distracting them for 23 minutes shouldn’t be the draw. If the show intends to teach them music / dance appreciation, then give them something of substance and quality to appreciate.

steph December 3, 2009 at 12:34 pm

My son loves The Fresh Beat Band. I don’t see anything wrong with the show it teaches the kids to think of a solution when things don’t go as you want to get up and move around and not just lay there and watch tv. I think their songs are creative and very catchy

R December 3, 2009 at 2:02 pm

I’m glad to see that most of the people commenting on here are saying positive things about the show. Personally I’m 19 years old and I love the show! I’m a nanny for a 1 1/2 year old boy and he loves the show as well! We both enjoy the songs they sing and I find myself singing along. I love the fact that this show involves music and that the cast is made up of young adults. I mean come on! You wanna talk about “creepy” characters? Try watching “Imagination Movers” THEY are creepy and give me the heebee-jeebies. Anyway The Fresh Beat Band is a great show and I’m glad they came out with it. Singing, playing instruments, dancing, helping your friends, kindness and respect. You can’t go wrong with this show.

jen December 4, 2009 at 12:29 pm

yes the characters are creepy because they are 25-27 years old trying to act like tweens. So, yes, in adults eyes they look ridiculous. To a kid though, they dont’ see that

lauren December 4, 2009 at 3:02 pm

My 3rd old niece loves this show!! I love this show, there’s enough shows on TV that teach her things, the Fresh Beats is our time to have fun. we dance together, sing together (yes I know all the songs) it’s a great time. I always look forward to playing with her and watch the FBB. I love them, keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spongebob December 9, 2009 at 9:02 am

I have a 18 month old little boy and he loves the show. No matter what he is doing he stops to watch the show, he even dances with them!! So as far as I am concerned its a good show. They don’t put people down they make people feel better. They also show to get up on your feet and be interactive. I am actually trying to find the DVDs for him for christmas!

mercy December 12, 2009 at 8:57 pm

FBB is a great show! it has my 2 year old singing, dancing, and now even playing his mini drum set! I also have an 8 year old autistic son that loves this show! he has learned most of the lyrics to theyre songs and also plays the drums..and just to today i caught my boys playing together which is rare because of my 8year olds autism… if you sit and over analyze the show and its characters then of course you will find something to complain about but, if you try seeing things from a childs point of view the you too will fall in love with FBB!

Rob M December 13, 2009 at 3:24 pm

It saddens me to see that some parents are so ill informed and ignorant that they spend time trashing an educational, emotionally positive, and excercise/activity encouraging kid’s show. The show advocates for learning about music and dancing, teamwork, friendship, physical activity, and is intriguing to a much larger age group than the majority of other educational shows. I have a 17-month old who already asks for it at bedtime, a 3+1/2 year old that practices what she laerned at dance school while watching, and a 5 year old that turned down a peice of pie two weeks ago so he didn’t miss any fresh beats. All 3 have learned new words, they try to play music together with toy instruments in the house, and their idols aren’t fake giant purple dinosaurs, or poorly drawn cartoon characters, or some other character that speaks babytalk and/or uses made-up words, and/or solves imaginary problems that can’t be related to real life……….. PARENTS… get a clue! Do you want your kid to learn things while practicing social skills, or to be an expert in watching cartoon characters battle gumdrop monkeys in the mickey mouse forest with hokie jokie beams shot from the car the 5 year old is driving???? come on

tammy adkins December 16, 2009 at 3:18 pm

i dont really see what the problem is with this show. i have 4 yr old twins and they love watching it. i let them watch it cuz it keeps them interested and out of trouble.

Shirley December 16, 2009 at 6:34 pm

Nicely put!!! I am amused about the one comment that stated the show is supporting “stereotypes” being the parent of a black child I applaud the show for not making the black kid the rapper!!!!

Lyndsey December 17, 2009 at 12:12 pm

I have an 21 month old girl and she LOVES this show. She to dance anyway but when the Fresh Beat Band comes on you can see her eyes light up, she will try to sing along with them. She absolutely loves this show!! And I agree with one of grandparents… where can we buy a DVD?

Susie December 20, 2009 at 2:03 am

Ok, I just read all of the comments and had to laugh at a good number of them. First of all, if you have a problem with the show, turn the channel. There’s absolutely nothing stopping you. Next, to those complaining that the show doesn’t teach shapes and such, since when is it the job of a television show to teach your child these things? I thought that was my job as the PARENT.

Yes, the show is obnoxious. It annoys the heck out of me. However, I’m not the audience that the show was intended for. My 2yr old twins like to watch the show. Then again, any show with music makes them stop, listen, and start to dance. They’ve always been like that.

Yes, the voices of the actors are “to upbeat” but that’s exactly as they should be. Kids respond better to perkiness than not. Would you rather they be emo or something and talking in monotone voices?

If my kids get up and dance to the music, that’s fine by me. At least they’re not vegetables in front of the television. Sure, we have NickJr. on all the time but it’s background noise. They’re usually doing something else.

Much like the UpsideDown show (btw…those guys are actually they Umbilical Brothers. They’re hiliarious with ADULT humor. Check YouTube.), it’s annoying but it’s a kids show for goodness sake. If it was meant to be adult entertainment, it wouldn’t be on NickJr.

People want to say how “fake” these actors are. Who cares? I’d rather watch FBB than I would something like Oobi with its “hand puppets’ and totally lack of english sentence structure. Again, it’s a KIDS show. Get over it. Kids become disillusioned adults fast enough. Let them have their fun now. Grit your teeth and bear it. If you can’t do that, turn the channel.

J December 20, 2009 at 8:39 am

If you do not like the show, then do not watch it. My kids do not watch it, but it is not due to the content. I am often marveled at the time and energy people waste typing ridiculous comments on an Internet chat board. If these “parents” posting to a chat board spent the time “educating” their children instead, they would increase the propensity of their child to consume relevant information by 10 minutes. Compound this over the course of a year, and you would not need Nick to educate your child.

susan nelson December 22, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Where can one purchase Fresh Bbat Band CDs?

Bridget January 4, 2010 at 1:17 pm

My daughter LOVES this show! She is 19 months old and there are a lot of shows she likes (Dora, Elmo, etc.), but when the Fresh Beats come on… Hip Hop And Pop… she just can’t stop! LOL She loves the colors and the songs, and she dances all around the room!! I can’t wait for them to put out a DVD or CD. I tried to find them on Itunes but no luck. I think their great!

Michelle Amodei January 5, 2010 at 12:36 pm

As an early childhood education professor and Mom of 3 young children I think the FBB has many positive qualities that support young children’s development. All three of my children, ages 9, 7, and 2 love the show! We sing the songs a lot (especially “Freeze Dance”), and enjoy getting up off the couch and dancing around! Keep up the great work Nickelodeon!

Brandon January 11, 2010 at 2:30 pm

I realize this is old, but I can’t help but put my input into a comment I saw. Some guy said his son thought the characters were too loud…has your son ever seen Dora? Dora is much louder than fresh beats. Dora doesn’t EVER talk in an indoor voice. She’s always yelling. And the music in Dora is SO much less stimulating…”i’m the map i’m the map i’m the map i’m the map…..” and it goes on and on and on and on.

Fresh Beats songs really get kids up and dancing…*GAPS!* You mean, they actually teach my kids to get off their butts and get some exercise? OH NO! And the things they teach are things like problem solving and critical thinking, how to work as a team, and how to be a good, helpful person. And I love that they teach about the arts. As a musician, I get very disappointed when the arts get cut out of school.

Now I should go back and clarify something. I know I put Dora down, but I will admit that it’s a good show for teaching Spanish. But that’s the only reason I like it.

My daughter doesn’t watch a lot of TV to begin with. My wife and I are against prolonged exposure to brain melting TV. We teach her all her shapes and colors and letters and numbers by actually spending time with her. Even when we go out side to play we still teach her those things. For the time that we are indoors, Fresh Beats is a GREAT show. Because even though she’s inside and in front of the tv, she’s still up and moving around to the music.

Yung Dirt January 13, 2010 at 1:08 pm

Heres an idea…how about all of you parents that have a problem with the fresh beats get off your rears and teach your kids what “they should be learning” instead of complaining about what the television teaches them. Last I checked you should be raising your children, not the television. Theres an idea. Leave the fresh beats alone

Jamie January 15, 2010 at 1:44 pm

I wish i had as much time on my hands as some of these people do to pick apart and critisize t.v. shows! My 18 month old stops what ever she is doing when the FBB comes on and that does not happen very often!!! Like some one already said it is my job to teach my child about colors and shapes not t.v. I just wish they would come out with more episodes!!!!! I love dancing around with my child and being goofy and the FBB is great for that instead of just dancing to music on the radio. I am not a musically talented person so if it can get her interested in music that is great cause i can teach her the rest of the stuff she need to learn (colors, shapes, counting)Koodos to the FBB!!!!!

Elizabeth January 22, 2010 at 2:19 pm

both of my girls love them. learning isnt about shapes, colors etc. its about music, feelings, friends, energy. everyone has their own opinion but i dont see it fair for parents to disgrade a show that young children obviously love. like susie said….the show is for kids not the parents :)

MICHELLE February 2, 2010 at 12:26 pm

I will have to say ..I thought no show could irritate me as much as Barney..i was wrong.The Fresh Beat Band is awful and fake.Too fake .Kids don’t act that way..It makes me crazy ..I would think those kids could find better jobs..

Mum to 2 clever girls! February 4, 2010 at 7:03 pm

RELAX PLEASE! My highly intelligent (county tested) just loves them as does my 6 year old. I love seeing the ‘getting down’ and they ARE learning too – so no shapes, colours etc, who cares, they get that elsewhere (if you’re teaching your kids that is). I love them and hope they stick around and keep jumping around. The African-American actor CORRECTLY! Whoever said more white than the white guy, geez – so ignorant. The white guy, maybe he’s not the best dancer or beat-boxer but my kids could care less, he’s goofy and funny! The young girls are adorable! Great job guys, keep it up, think of sane parents like me and not some of these other idiots. Go Fresh Beats! Mrs. S in Ellicott City, MD

Mum to 2 clever girls! February 4, 2010 at 7:07 pm

Ugh – Sorry, I had to re-submit this as my typing skills are horrid!

RELAX PLEASE! My highly intelligent 2 year old (county tested) just loves them as does my 6 year old. I love seeing them ‘getting down’ and they ARE learning too – so the show doesn’t go crazy exposing them to shapes, colours etc, who cares, they get that elsewhere (if you’re teaching your kids that is). I love them and hope they stick around and keep jumping around. The African-American actor acts CORRECTLY! Whoever said he acts more white than the white guy is soooo ignorant. As for the white actor, maybe he’s not the best dancer or beat-boxer but my kids could care less, he’s goofy and funny! The young girls are adorable! Not weird looking, they are cute! Great job guys, keep it up and think of sane parents like me and not some of these other idiots. Go Fresh Beats! Mrs. S in Ellicott City, MD

tony February 7, 2010 at 4:25 pm

I want you cd how can i get

Lisa February 25, 2010 at 1:18 pm

We just love the Fresh Beats! Great job!

Charles February 28, 2010 at 10:37 am

Okay so first this is not a “kids” band. There are all grown ups. The redhead has been on Mad Men and some other shows. That’s fine, that is how it works. But it isn’t a “kid’s band” unless you mean directed at kids.

Next, the white kid has to go home every day and just hate himself. I don’t know how you look in the mirror doing the nonsense they ask him to do. They might as well ask him to play a Saudi Princess, he would be about as qualified. It also doesn’t help that he appears to have downs syndrome. I’m pretty sure there are laws against forcing retards to work.

Shirley February 28, 2010 at 10:48 am

WOW Charles, you went beyond ignorant with your post.

Brandon February 28, 2010 at 7:33 pm

Seriously Charles, I think you went a little too far with this one. The white kid is acting the way his character is supposed to. Supposedly the people in this show are “kids” at music school. This would explain why they act like kids.

If you watch more than one episode and pay close attention to it, you would know this. The white kid is the wild one of the bunch with the wild imagination.

If you think he is bad, look at the wiggles…or basically any other adult doing a show directed at kids (like the guy who did Blues Clues). They always over act and act incredibly stupid. That’s just the way kids shows are. I hate it as well but that’s just how it is.

Amanda March 2, 2010 at 1:17 am

I have a 16 month old daughter an she adores the fresh beats. I think it is awesome that there is a show out there that teaches kids about music, rhyming, and problem solving. The music has her dancing everytime. There is no other show on the TV like this one. I hate the way people get on the computer and gripe about this show, if you dont like it then turn the channel, its that easy, and as for the comment saying that Noggin is supposed to be teaching children numbers etc… thats your job as a parent. The Fresh Beat Band is great, its good clean fun for kids which is alot more than I can say for most of this programs on TV today and its multicultural too. I cant say anything negative about this show. Calling these people retarded just shows your own ignorance, no child is going to sit and watch a serious show, its a kids show, not a show for adults, hence the goofiness.

allison March 7, 2010 at 10:33 am

I absolutely love this show! I’m 36 years old and I have a 3 year old and 8 year old and I agree that my kids get up and move to this show! So do I! When my sister and I are together with the kids we put on our own show and sing and dance the moves! Our kids love it! I also agree about not enough about the arts. They also teach team work which I love! They also show a lot of different instruments (some which I never heard of)! I’ve learned things too. Also for all the parents that say negative things about the show, have you ever heard that saying “If you have mean things to say, don’t say anything at all”. I haven’t found one kids show yet that I can sit through with my child and not cringe or roll my eyes at. Keep it up Fresh Beats!!! I’m a fan for life!

c0l1n March 11, 2010 at 12:30 pm

Seriously, how can you, as a parent, subject your children to this abomination? It is pure brain-dead trollop! The only reason any kid is interested in it, is because it is loud and bright. If my kid turned out like one of those fresh beaters, I would truly despair. If you are content to allow your little crotch-fruit to blossom into some vacuous, superficial, and intellectually challenged pseudo-human, then that is your prerogative. I mean, it seemed to work out OK for Paris Hilton, the cast of ‘The hills’, Nicole Ritchie, Ms. Spears etc etc. But they all have money, so they don’t need to be smart. Your average working class post-nuclear couple is simply breeding tomorrows failures if they put stock into programming like ‘fresh beat’. Turn that TV off, and take them to a park, or museum or zoo. Or even go to a library and find some books your child is interested in. Don’t be a TV parent. If you are forced to have to rely on TV time, then at least go PBS, or buy some dvd’s. Don’t leave it up to Nick or Disney to choose what is best for your kid. Of course, if you’re going to be entering them into ‘talent’ shows, then forget anything I said…

brandon March 11, 2010 at 12:41 pm

c0l1n, there is nothing wrong with this show. It teaches kids about the arts (which no other show does) and it’s the only show that actually gets them up and moving around. This show is not going to make kids retarded. At least the characters don’t yell every single word like they do on Dora.
Fresh Beats is doing what gets kids attention…being bright and flashy.
I like that it teaches the arts and gets kids moving. I also like that it’s the only show that teaches teamwork and how to be a good friend in EVERY episode.
My child watches Fresh Beats while I work (I work at home) and then later on in the day we go outside for lunch and spend a good amount of time out there. I would much rather my child watch Fresh Beats than those retarded education shows on PBS. I prefer teaching her her letters, numbers, and colors, which I do.
From the tone of your post (calling kids crotch-fruit) it sounds like you don’t even have kids. And if you do, I hope you don’t teach them to talk like that. If you did indeed watch this program, you clearly didn’t pay attention to the messages in it…though they are hard to miss.

Robert March 11, 2010 at 2:10 pm

c0l1n, WOW!! your complete and total ignorance, obtuse judegment, and pretentiousness is frightening. One can only hope that someone like you is not responsible for the development of another human life. Your misuse of vocabulary, your poor sentence structure, and the idocy of your thought process demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of the goals and process of child-rearing. LOL I am so sick and tired of all these pretentiouos ill-conceived notions that all TV is bad, and parents who allow it to be viewed are causing detriment to their children. GUESS WHAT, video, TV, theatre, DVD, etc are all valid and valuable forms of both entertainment and education. What do you contend “playing in the park” would teach my children? Why do you assume they don’t do that as well? Do you or your children watch TV? you must all be idiots and bad parents then, right?? Please mention here, two or three shows/movies you find to be acceptable, I would like to experience the genious that you have employed in raising your pretentious and perfect children…….. BTW, My wife and I are very well educated, make plenty of money, have a backyard better than any park you may have, and my children are very intelligent, meeting or exceeding all development benchmarks. We know this because of my Psychology, and my wife’s Child Development degrees and subsequent background. LOL…. some people

c0l1n March 11, 2010 at 8:41 pm

Robert, you said ‘lol’, that means you aren’t too smart. It says it all about the state of America, when ‘fresh beat’ is considered art. I’m so glad that you, your wife, and your kids are the best things ever, but please, don’t try and talk down to me because you have a crappy bachelors. I am in no way intimidated. And if you, as a psychologist, don’t know what the benefits of outdoor activities are, I would have to question the website you bought your degree from!
I’m all for the televisual experience that has actual content! You know, good ideas, well executed, by people with talent, that imparts an emotion or in someway enriches an audience. All of which are not ‘fresh beat’. I don’t expect children to be enamored by Tarkovsky, Mishima, or Gorecki, but please, this is one of the worst shows in existence, and there are a LOT of bad shows on TV. I would have to say it was borderline dumb! Who writes and produces this stuff? As an artist involved in ‘fresh beat’, do you not feel shame for your work? And what is with the twenty somethings as tweens? And all that smiling? Brrrr, sends shivers down my colon.

c0l1n March 11, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Brandon, when my child is an adult, he can talk any way he wants. But seriously, why would I teach my kid to say crotch fruit? That doesn’t make any sense. Same as drubbing PBS programming like Sesame Street. Are you a drinker?

Robert March 11, 2010 at 10:16 pm

Truly hysterical… c0l1n, you make me laugh LOL…. I suppose it would be better if television program could be educational and entertaining, as well as starring 5 year olds instead of teenagers or 20 somethings, AND especially if they didn’t smile, sing, or dance…. I’m going to write PBS and ask them to create and air a show starring some genious, intuitive, and creative child you can teach my kids something that would “evoke emotion…”. Cause that’s what kids aged 1 to 10 really need. Thatis what they are capable of, and that is what’s important at these ages.. BTW. Sometimes I wish I only had a bachelors degree from some website, because then it wouldn’t have taken 7 and 1/2 years and cost like $240K. But, it doesn’t take an education to see the faults in your logic, it’s very simple minded……

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