VeggieTales (NBC)

common sense media says

TV tales are strong on morals, but downplay Bible.


parents & educators say
  • 43% say there are positive messages
  • 29% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of these TV episodes aren't the same VeggieTales you'll find on DVD and video -- they're a newly edited version. The morals remain as strong and clearly (if not subtly) presented as ever, but the biblical verses and stories are gone. It's also worth noting that the main characters always seem to be male.

Positive messages: The heart of every VeggieTales episode is its moral about virtues honesty, trust, or faith. That said, it's worth noting that the main characters are almost always male.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: You can purchase miscellaneous VeggieTales merchandise, but the program, not the products, seems like the raison d'etre.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on VeggieTales

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the messages of each episode. Try stopping halfway through to find out whether kids have caught the moral before they spell it out -- it's a good way to gauge their ability to predict a story as well as how well they can distinguish right from wrong. Then you can get into the finer points of each story. What do you think the character needs to do to get his friend back? Do you think he should act that way? (And so on.) Families who've watched the original VeggieTales videos and DVDs may want to discuss the differences between those and the TV version (for those episodes that have been edited).

What's the story?

What's the story?
In VEGGIETALES, every "VeggieTale" is a short story with a distinct moral, acted out by a cast of plump, appealing animated vegetables. Each story is framed by a brief introduction and farewell from the two lead veggies, Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato. The stories are funny and clever (even when the lesson is being delivered), and the songs are catchy. Some of the newly edited TV tales (not all episodes are edited for TV), unlike the best-selling video and DVD series, deal with basic moral tenets, like forgiveness and the Golden Rule, rather than biblical stories and instruction. The lessons at the heart of these episodes are the kind that should be palatable to viewers of any -- or no -- religious persuasion.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Because the morals usually veer toward the obvious, Veggietales will probably be most amusing for younger kids, or, perhaps more accurately, less sophisticated viewers. It's not the lessons themselves that older kids might object to -- more the fact that you can see them coming a mile away, and even the best songs can't make getting there any more exciting.

TV themes & details

Themes
TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: NBC
Cast: Lisa Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: NBC

This review was written by KJ Dell Antonia
 
 

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What parents & educators say

2
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say there are positive messages
  • 29% say there are positive role models
  • 29% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

PikachuLover121
kid, 13 years old
 
I loved this show in the 3rd Grade. I even purchased the "Silly Songs With Larry" CD so I could listen to it every day. This show is absolutely perfect for Christians like me. I do remember one episode were they said "stupid" though, :(.

tiff0795
teen, 16 years old
 
I've been watching veggietales since I was little and it basically has a bunch of Bible stories, with all the violence taken out. Like in Ester instead of being hung, they went to the Island of Perpetual Tickling. And in Joshua and the battle of Jerrico, they threw grape slushies at them. Then there was a pie war. There are silly songs with lary, one of which is called schoolhouse polka, where he is talking about homophones, adjectives, etc. It also makes serious situations light and good for younger kids to understand, while still keeping it very much like any origional story that they use. Beware, though, you might end up getting the songs stuck in your head or find something in the show that makes you laugh every time you see it.

fredder
kid, 10 years old
 
bible values
This show is the best! the silly songs are really funny and you learn good values while watching it. The old ones are way better, because the silly songs are less funnier in the new ones.good bible values.the people that say this is dumb is dumb!

DynamiteMan6000
kid, 11 years old
 
How much I appreciate VeggieTales!
I loved VeggieTales since I was a few months old. My mom would always buy me lots of VeggieTales items, because she knows how much I love it. My brother gave me his Larry the cucumber stuffy that when you turn it inside out he is Larry Boy. He gave it to me when I was like seven years old. Everytime it comes on I tell near people or my friends how long I've loved it and how much I love it! Even when I go to church at Lakewood/Kid'sLife! Im VeggieTales biggest fan!

Media9
kid, 8 years old
 
Love It
It tell the word of God. It is awesome!!!!!!

TheWithers87
kid, 11 years old
 
Great for the whole family!
The best educational show! I am their biggest fan and when I was newborn and now!

HTFMime
teen, 16 years old
 
I liked this show when I was in Preschool to 2nd grade! I used to have alot of video tapes of this show! Veggie tales was my favorite! :D

Meli B.
parent of and 2 , 4 , 5 year old
 
My kids love it, and it's great adult memories
My kiddos love it. They sing the songs all the time. Even my husband will stop for certain songs to sing along, which is not typically something he would do with other movies. It is just great Christian family fun!

KforKitty101
teen, 15 years old
 
A great choice to teach kids about the lessons of the Bible and everything else
This is a classic. With it's great lessons, exciting animation, silly songs, and large heart, VeggieTales is one heck of a show.

hamstergurl09
teen, 17 years old
 
Awesome for Kids
When I was a kid I absolutely adored Veggie Tales. Sometimes I still borrow the old VHS tape of it from the library and watch it just for old time's sake. Great for kids from 3 to 7.

 
it calls the carttooon name "cartoon" on nbn,every Saturdays at 8:30 (not NBC/ION)
the best in Discovery Kids, Add it to Turkey Armenian Channels, i think it is on ARABIC, channel 770 on DISH. all ages

amandasdaddy
parent of 4 and 6 year old
 
We Love Veggie Tales!
We love Veggie Tales in our house. Always a positive message. Sometimes a little difficult to transition story from Veggie Tales to actual Bible stories, though. The songs are fun. A great concept and a great show. Too bad for the people that only see the show on TV because the miss Silly Songs with Larry. Something great for kids and a show parents can enjoy too!!!

foxyman
kid, 10 years old
 

vikings622
teen, 16 years old
 
veggies
Veggie Tales is a great show

reviewgirl13
teen, 16 years old
 
Great for ages 3-7
This is a great show for kiddies. They learn about Bible stories in a fun, non-scary, kid-friendly way. Plus, they learn how to be humble, kind, etc. Great choice.

kellipetrelli
teen, 14 years old
 
Awesome Animated (Practicallly) [for children, i mean] Bible.
My child hood right there. I grew up on veggietales since i wasnt able to go to sunday school. But this was great. cute laughs, great for kids, nice lessons. But VERY religious. Centered toward Christians. Jewish people might accept certain episodes, but mostly christianity is the main concept of this show.

eyoungmom
parent of 3 year old
 
Mine just didn't like it...
I really wanted my daughter to like VeggieTales, but she just wasn't into it. Couldn't keep her attention :(

g00dman12
kid, 13 years old
 
Boring brainwashing
This show sucks hardcore so don't waste your time on this junk.

LECkitty
kid, 11 years old
 
Great!
A good show with very positive messages. I prefer the non-edited version (with nods to the Bible) but still, a perfect show for young children.

Rainstripe
teen, 14 years old
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age