Common Sense Note
Parents should know that this fun-filled series not only introduces children to the joys of listening and dancing to music, but also explores the various components that go into making music -- such as rhythm, lyrics, and instruments. The endearing puppet characters also encourage creativity by suggesting that viewers can use everyday objects for making music.
Families can discuss what children learned from each episode. What problem were Jack and his friends trying to solve? Who helped them solve it? What was the solution? Another discussion topic could be the music in each episode. Did you like the songs they sang? What were the songs about? Which songs were your favorites? What did you learn about music in this episode? How can you make music at home?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Larisa Wiseman
Jack, the star of Noggin's rockin' series JACK'S BIG MUSIC SHOW, is a cool, music-loving puppet who hangs out in his backyard clubhouse every day with his puppet friends -- best pal Mary and dog Mel.
Their time together always centers on making lively music (Jack plays the guitar, Mary the accordion, and Mel the drums), and each episode involves some sort of music-related adventure or dilemma that the trio must solve -- such as being granted three wishes from Prudence the musical genie, or figuring out how to get their instruments back when Sheldon the Grumpy Squirrel makes them disappear.
Musical guests -- including well-known ones like Yolanda Adams and Buddy Guy -- usually drop by the clubhouse to show off their prowess, talk about instruments, or help solve the problem at hand (usually through song); sometimes the guests also play characters with whom the puppets interact.
Each episode also includes a music video, often by acclaimed children's vocal artist Laurie Berkner, whose fun, original songs feature nurturing lyrics about liking yourself and being different, among other things. A winsome a capella puppet quartet even pops up occasionally to sing a ditty related to the episode's events.
All of the puppets in Jack's Big Music Show are wonderfully cute and funny, and the silly humor -- on a par with Sesame Street's -- never fails to hit its mark. And aside from the educational value of some of the music, the lively songs the puppets play are sure to get any toddler bouncing to the beat. Many of the videos show children dancing around, which encourages young viewers to move to the music.
Best of all, the tunes won't drive parents crazy (unless, of course, they have an aversion to loud, jumpy music). Although many of the numbers played by Jack and his pals are based on the repetitive melodies of well-known children's songs, you've never heard them like this before.
Jack's Big Music Show is an excellent way to expose children to different kinds of instruments and styles of music, and kids will develop creativity and an enthusiasm for the art while dancing, singing, and being silly.
Preschoolers and puppet fans will no doubt enjoy Sesame Street; also check out Pinky Dinky Doo, an educational series that celebrates and encourages the art of storytelling.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
|
||
Violence |
|
|
||
Language |
|
|
||
Message |
|
 |
||
Social BehaviorMusical guests and the children shown in the videos are from diverse ethnic backgrounds. |
 |
 |
||
Commercialism |
 |
|
||
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
||
