Has anyone paid attention to commercials lately? If so, you may have noticed that there are some really bizarre kids toy advertisements out there.

The first one I noticed was for various preschool-age educational toys with a Care Bears theme. Exaggerated in a surreal Ovaltine commercial sort of way, the little kids play with the toys, saying things like “HOORAY FOR ME!” and “Shake it Wish Bear!”, cuz, you know, Wish Bear likes to get his groove on.

Is it just me or is there something odd about a 7 year old white girl whispering this line of encouragement to a fake bear that dances when you push some buttons? I mean, at least if she did it with some attitude I could understand, but she says it like it was totally normal.

Topping the toy oddities are the other Care Bear products, that include talking aerobics instructor Bears that move and motivate kids to work out, as well as the Hokey Pokey Elmo.

What ever happened to the simple, non-moving, plush animals and plastic toys of yore? And, how is it fair that kick-ass franchises like Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, and the like have seen a major comeback and are being enjoyed by kids who don’t even know that there used to be a cartoon show?!

Thank God I’m not a kid anymore…..or else I’d probably TOTALLY want these toys!

Posted at 8:40 AM |

Apparently not the same stuff you’ve been watching!

2 | Posted by: Jennifer on November 24, 2004 @ 9:15 AM