Big Babies Online

This is a refreshing break from the usual children's TV I've seen for a long time,and I suppose the only reason it's had such a negative rating is because the basic idea might shock some people who have set ideas about what children's TV is for. The other thing is that it might be too 'non-US' for some people to find funny (judging by stats that say all the ratings of 10 are non-US).

As I see it, children's TV is not educational: that's a contradiction in terms for children, and a typically hypocritical adult way of looking at the way kid's TV is usually 'used' by adults. An important part of all the best kid's TV is that adults can watch it WITH their children... that's about as educational as TV gets!

This show delivers on all fronts in that respect: more please! The plot revolves around them getting into trouble in some way in every episode, and then being saved by a scraggy toy called Budge (unbeknownst to them). But it's the way it's done, not what they do that makes it so funny (e.g., the script often fits around the movements babies make, like a hand reaching out and patting something (the way a 10 mth-old might). I just want to give an example of some of the great writing, so SPOILER ALERT (although I don't really give much of the plot away)... They are in the car on their way to a dinosaur theme park:

• Um.. when did dinodoors exist before they were made extincted? - Well, it's difficult to be pacific, but according to carbon baking, it was 1981. - What killed them off? - Duran Duran Duran

Followed by 5 seconds of Duran Duran's "Wild Boys".

These guys are indeed wild boys, shepherded all the while by a mum with a very old beat-up car and a striking yellow mac when out and about (her voice is actually the producer's). We never see her face which adds a strange sense of mystery, and when out, the babies usually have to keep face in spite of Gonch 'the coolest kid on the block' with his customized pushchair and bling. Watch it!!

What on earth is this programme doing on cbbc channel (children's bbc to the uninitiated)? It is so not a kiddies programme. The execution of this brilliant idea is excellent and it is actually funny. I came across it by accident a couple of days ago and could not quite believe my eyes. Real babies with adults heads superimposed interact with one another. It is well written and acted and it amuses me and my wife no end. I don't know whether it will really appeal to children at all. It is good to see someone do something in an original way and in a convincing way. It was a little disconcerting seeing a baby with a beard at first (so surreal) but one quickly gets over that hurdle. Good on the bbc for taking it on but not so good of them to bury it away in the schedules at 15.30 in the afternoon when hardly anyone will bother to watch it because it is a "kids programme". Wrong!! By the way if one uses upper case for bbc IMDb accuse you of shouting. Tossers!

One day I was home alone sick. It was around 10-11 in the morning and I was bored. I decided to flick through the channels - it was all just morning talk shows. That was until I got to ABC3 (the kids channel). I laid my eyes on the unearthly creation of "Big Babies", it was half-way through yet it was the only thing on. As I watched, I couldn't believe this was a kids show, it was... entertaining. I started... liking the characters. I started even... laughing. I had found one of the smartest shows ever, one of which is horribly unappreciated. I only found it on twice on the TV, so I took it upon myself to find it online. Lucky someone put up each episode on YouTube. It has become a big hit at my school (I'm in high school, so that's a MAJOR achievement for a show on ABC3) and I really hope the make a second season.

The story revolves around the adventures of two babies who live in a world where babies can communicate with one another, but not to adults. Also Toys can interact with each other, but cannot be seen doing so under the presence with either adults or babies. Its quite an intricate plot which can be seen as "Even further developed Toy Story, but live action and with British humor". Of all the characters, there is one which truly stands out; the Gonch. Gonch is seen as the evil baby, constantly trying to impress both Rocco and Budge. He has hilarious raps and is constantly shooting out funny remarks. You are constantly finding yourself waiting for him to come on again. It kind of runs parallel to that of the original Office; sure it's funny all the time, and is always surprising you, but you just can't wait to see Mackenzie Crook's character, Gareth in the scene again.

10/10 - Brilliantly humorous, intelligent and engaging for ALL audiences - literally. The editing looks great, and the character development is one of a kind. Sure, Gonch makes the show, but I have also made a great appreciation for Rocco, Budge and Brooks.