It’s time to say good-bye to yet another beloved cartoon character. A sad day indeed. Or is it? Today, PBS announced on Twitter that the long-running animated show, Caillou, has been canceled. After two decades of being on the Public Broadcasting Service, Caillou fans (and others) will no longer be seeing new episodes air on PBS Kids.
Caillou Is Canceled
We're saying farewell to @cailloudhx, but remember, when we say goodbye to something… pic.twitter.com/k7gYRgy57l
— PBS KIDS (@PBSKIDS) January 5, 2021
For those who are unaware, Caillou is a Canadian children’s show that centers around the eponymous 4-year old boy. The series follows Caillou and his family as they navigate everyday tasks and activities.
After announcing the show’s cancellation, the PBS Kids Twitter account provided parents a guide on how to break the news to their children. In an article by Eric Rasmussen (Ph.D.), parents are urged to empathize with their children, focus on the positives, and look for your future alternatives whenever a show ends. Rasmussen goes on to say that while “the end of a TV show or online game may not seem a big deal to us, it can be a huge deal for kids.”
Public Reaction
The reaction of parents on Twitter, however, suggests that they very well know the significance of Caillou’s cancellation. Long before the show ended, many have voiced their opinions about how infuriating the titular character is and how the episodic stories lack substance. Also, there have been slightly more serious takes on the animated show. Some argue that Caillou promotes bad behavior and that the series “lacks educational value” for children. Due to this, many took to Twitter to celebrate the end of the cartoon.
Regardless, Caillou is a show that will be forever etched in many people’s childhoods. Indeed, this marks the end of an era. Whether that era is good or bad, it’s up to you to decide.
How do you feel about Caillou being canceled? Are there other animated TV shows out there that just needs to end? Let me know in the comments!