As children of the 90s, most BYU students recall the glory days of cartoons on television. Today, networks like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network are simply not the same. Here are five shows that defined the childhood of many BYU students.
1. ‘Hey Arnold!’
“Hey football head!” If these words are yelled anywhere on campus, chances are students will instantly be able to identify that they come from none other than the horribly heinous Helga Pataki. Even though she was secretly in love with Arnold, this cartoon villain could never express it to him (except for that one time in the “Hey Arnold” Movie).
For many kids, “Hey Arnold” was a classic staple of childhood. This is the case for Tanner Matthews, a philosophy major from Fountain Valley, Calif.
“I liked the animation (and) the way they drew Arnold’s head,” Matthews said.
Without this signature shape, “Hey Arnold!” simply would not be the football head we grew to love growing up.
2. ‘Rugrats’
Tommy, Chuckie, Phil & Lil and Angelica are all members of the most beloved group of babies of our childhood decade. What episode would be complete without mention of Reptar or Chuckie nearly wetting himself out of fear? Also, what would happen if Angelica never consulted Cynthia on important matters? Simply stated, the Rugrats rocked our childhood.
“I loved that show as a child because it was easy for me to understand, and the silly events that happened in the show pertained to me at that age,” said Virginia Hitimana, a management major from Chicago.
3. ‘Doug’
This show was, for many of us, our first run-in with young love. Doug Funnie and Patti Mayonnaise were the perfect couple, and those who disagree can go play with their pogs in the corner. Remember the episode when Doug takes on the feat of eating liver and onions? Gross.
Viewers of “Doug” also recognize The Beets are not simply a vegetable but a musical phenomenon. These are the reasons why many of us fell in love with Doug, Patti, Skeeter, the illusive Judy and, how could we ever forget, Porkchop.
4. ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’
Does anyone else find it odd that Dexter has a thick accent? This is one of many questions we asked after watching one of our Weekly Five’s cartoons that defined our childhood. “Dexter’s Laboratory” also taught many of us the popular French phrase “omlette du fromage” and the necessity of downing our dumb little sisters.
“I love how he was a scientist and the crazy things he invented,” said Cami Cartwright, a food science major from Provo. “I also used to dream that I could have a secret lab in my room.”
5. ‘SpongeBob Squarepants’
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Need we say more? Krabby Patties, Grumpy Neighbors, a starfish that lives under a rock, clarinet, Mrs. Puff’s Boating School, a snail that meows and jellyfishing all comprise what is the phenomenon of SpongeBob Squarepants. This cartoon is the only one on our list that has successfully transcended a generation gap, bringing today’s college students together with little kids alike. What better way to do it than through a talking sponge?
