When I received word from a fellow Counsel member regarding a hotly tipped CBeebies (the BBC's version of Nick Jr.) program, centered on a patois speaking, Rastafarian, skateboarding mouse, I was sure my leg was being pulled. Aptly dubbed Rastamouse, the show, which started as a 3-part kids book, follows the adventures of, well, Rastamouse and his crime-fighting reggae band “Da Easy Crew” as they play music, convert ne’er-do-wells to do-gooders and “make a bad ting good”. What looks like an egregious pander to the black and West Indian communities of England is actually having an effect far beyond the reaches of the diaper and naptime set. Adults, or more accurately early 20’s to mid-late 30 year olds, are finding their way to the show thru its coded drug references (“cheese” is code for Marijuana, natch) and surprisingly catchy songs. The shows creators Genevieve Webster (an author and illustrator) and Michael De Souza (a Rastafari swimming instructor) seem to be mum as to weather or not it is intentional.
Ok, so let’s get the drug bit out of the way:
This is nothing new. Children’s television has a history of being wildly subversive if not downright sneaky with its continual and consistent references to very adult, very un-kiddie themes (sex, drugs, politics, crime, violence). From Puff the Magic Dragon to Banana Splits to The Magic Roundabout, adult themed subversion in the children’s television sector has a rich history. Without H.R. Pufnstuf there’d be no Yo Gabba Gabba. No Ren & Stimpy, bye-bye Spongebob. And then where would all the baby-carrying Gen Xr’s and Gen Yr’s turn when praying to escape the minutia of saccharine sweet children’s programming they've had to put on for their newborn?
The power of influence that children’s television wields is A.) no secret and B.) no laughing matter. What your child adheres to and familiarizes itself with at an early age has life long effects as to what political, moral and ideological identities they align themselves with as they grow. The shows central theme is redemption (how very "Marley" of them) rather than revenge. For all we know, in 20 years time this could shape the way policy and economics are handled by our youngest. It's the same as how 8 year-olds living today were exposed to American politics in 2008 with a African-American President as a given fact, not an exception. So plainly, this could be a really "good ting"
If Rastamouse continues it's ascent into the greater public conscience, I suspect we’ll see more parents lining up for related musicals and book signings, while curious uni students will go about “eating cheese” to keep "tings irie".
Call it a hunch.