Developmental Programming

Dr. X posts this from the sofa:

"We're watching a fine new show on tv called Wonder Pets. I'm a fan - it's well-done. Each episode is an opera, and the (good) music is performed by an actual orchestra. And even though it's fun, the show has learning objectives, which run onscreen before the title sequence. Yes, learning objectives - learning objectives which are also are incorporated into a meta-structure of learning objectives for the entire Noggin children's channel.

"It is nice to know that, thanks to this conscientious curriculum development, my children will develop into fully-evolved self-actualizing achievers, simply by watching tv.

"But what about all those shows we watched when we were kids. Weren't they educational?

"Herewith, I offer learning objectives for Underdog:

"Underdog enhances children's ability to

• understand and interpret plans to take over the world
• survive attacks by super villains
• assume super powers by taking pills
• open cans of whoop-ass

"And it had a cool theme song. Disney has an Underdog movie coming out this year. I hope it's based on that episode where Simon Barsinister invents a mind control device and makes people do what he says. That one taught me a lot."