Nickelodeon brings back their best shows, Disney should follow suit

Oct. 12, 2015

April Wefler
[email protected]

My childhood returned to TV on Oct. 5 and I’m thrilled.

Not only did “The Wild Thornberrys,” “Rugrats,” “All That,” “Hey Arnold!” and “CatDog” come back to Nickelodeon, re-runs air every night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. There’s also talk of “Doug” returning.

It’s perfect for students that don’t work or have class late at night.

I’m especially excited for “The Wild Thornberrys.” I re-watched the movie on Netflix this summer for the millionth time, then re-watched the crossover movie with “Rugrats.”

“Fairly Oddparents” and “Spongebob” are good shows, but there’s only so many times I can watch them in a row.

TeenNick is showing these programs, despite the majority of fans being past their teenage years.

Bringing back Nickelodeon’s best shows is worth celebrating, but it emphasizes what the once-great Disney Channel is missing.

Disney Channel needs to follow in Nickelodeon’s footsteps.

Disney and Nickelodeon were the channels to watch in the ‘90s. The last time I turned on Disney, only “Liv and Maddie” piqued my interest.

For a channel that once had great shows, Disney Channel has lost its originality. Don’t get me started on “Dog with a Blog.”

If you’re lucky and happen to turn on your TV at 3 or 4 a.m. (assuming you’re awake after a long day,) you might catch an episode of an old Disney show, like “Phil of the Future.”

But instead of having random episodes when people should be asleep, Disney needs to have a channel with block programming like Nick.

I want the kickass heroine of “Kim Possible” and her trusty sidekick Ron Stoppable. I want the kids of Third Street Elementary School in “Recess.”

I want “Lizzie McGuire” trying to figure out adolescence and Raven Baxter telling off fashion companies that only want thin models in their shows. I want the Stevens siblings that fight with each other constantly but don’t hesitate to fight for each other. I want the Diffys, who never seem to make it back to the future.

I want the kids that taught me to stand up for what I believe in and to never take family for granted. I want the kids that had abilities besides singing – the kids people could relate to.

Between homework, jobs, presentations, essays, class time and trying to have a social life, we’re due for a break every now and then. And giving us our childhood back from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is the perfect break – even if it’s just on the weekend.

Disney doesn’t have to bring back all their shows, just the shows ‘90s kids grew up with that taught us messages beyond dogs talking.

But until Disney gives us back our shows, I’ll plant myself in front of the TV and relive Eliza Thornberry fighting with her sister Debbie and Tommy Pickles coming up with yet another adventure while Chuckie Finster tries to talk him out of it.