Does anyone else remember a time when PBS children's shows were actually about, you know, education? Those halcyon pre-Barney-influence days when you knew you'd get good quality programming on PBS that the whole family could enjoy? Well, Between the Lions is definitely a return to those days. It probably feels like that because, according to what I've read, a lot of people who worked on pre-Elmo's World Sesame Street work on this show. So they know very well what a quality children's educational program should be like. I watch this show every day with my students (I'm an elementary school teacher assistant), and it definitely helps them with phonics and basic reading skills. It feels like the next step up from Sesame Street, building on the letters they learn from that program and showing how they are used in forming words. Plus, like Reading Rainbow, it introduces them to stories and books they might not be exposed to otherwise.
Yeah, some of the little sketches and running jokes with the lions are kinda silly and corny (ie: Cliff Hanger, "what took you so long?", etc.), but but those things are only a small part of the show. It's not like there's a major part of the show that's irritating. If you don't like Cliff Hanger or any other of those bits, take comfort in the fact that a) it's probably not on every episode and b) the segment will only last 2-4 minutes, if that. (And plus, the kids like Cliff Hanger. They'll say "Can't...hold...on...much...LONGER" with him when they see him.) So, to sum up, Between the Lions is a wonderful show to watch with your children to help teach them basic reading skills. There are corny bits, yes, but by and large, it is an entertaining show for all, and it serves its purpose well!
Yeah, some of the little sketches and running jokes with the lions are kinda silly and corny (ie: Cliff Hanger, "what took you so long?", etc.), but but those things are only a small part of the show. It's not like there's a major part of the show that's irritating. If you don't like Cliff Hanger or any other of those bits, take comfort in the fact that a) it's probably not on every episode and b) the segment will only last 2-4 minutes, if that. (And plus, the kids like Cliff Hanger. They'll say "Can't...hold...on...much...LONGER" with him when they see him.) So, to sum up, Between the Lions is a wonderful show to watch with your children to help teach them basic reading skills. There are corny bits, yes, but by and large, it is an entertaining show for all, and it serves its purpose well!