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Parents' Guide to

Rolie Polie Olie

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Imaginative world fit for a giggly preschooler.

TV Disney Channel Kids' Animation 1998
Rolie Polie Olie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 5 parent reviews

nduns
nduns Adult
March 30, 2013
age 2+

Surprisingly good.

You know, it's funny, I actually didn't grow up with this show, but after checking out a bit of it, I kind of wish I had. This is probably one of the most well-thought-out preschool shows ever made. The art direction is incredible. For early CGI, this looks great adding to the fun of the images on screen. And on that note, the writing is really good too. It teaches great messages to kids without coming off as condescending. In other words, it treats kids like intelligent human beings, and I admire that greatly. If you're looking for something for your children to watch, this is a great show for them. Also, one last thing to note to the one who gave it 0 stars... okay, I can understand having issues with the lingo used in the show from time to time, but that is NO reason to give it 0 stars.
Sean M.
Sean M. Parent of 4-year-old
August 2, 2022
age 3+

Visually delightful, but content feels dated

All of the reviews on here are from around the time the show was current, and given that it's available on streaming services in 2022, it seems appropriate to revisit this show with fresh eyes. Bottom line - it's just ok by modern standards. The show was created at a time when most creators believed that the only way to engage young children was with quick cuts and unrelenting action. It's got that "addictive" quality that is found in some modern shows such as Paw Patrol, and it's discomforting for parents. There's no real messaging, just silliness, so it's hard to feel good about sitting your little one in front of this one for long periods of time. The real problem, as mentioned in a previous review, is that the English used on the program is invented, and doesn't reflect real-life language. For that reason, it can't be recommended for a child whose language skills are emerging. The young robot on the show is voiced by an adult mimicking baby talk, and the speaking style will rub off easily on young viewers. The art direction on the show is great, however. The future-retro aesthetic is awesome and truly inspired. Visually, it reminds me a lot of Pee Wee's playhouse. I like watching this one alongside my 4-year old for that reason, but I insist on changing this after one episode. If art and visuals are important to you, then maybe this will have some value, but otherwise the pacing makes this one to skip if you've got young children.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ROLIE POLIE OLIE, Olie (voiced by Cole Caplan) lives with his parents, little sister Zowie (Kristen Bone), and robotic dog Spot (Robert Smith) in a teapot-shaped house with eyes that wink and blink at different pivotal points in the plot. The parents may move like robots, but they're very smooth in their parenting skills, supporting Olie and Zowie to find their own solutions to challenges. At first Olie's parents seem to be perpetuating gender stereotypes, with Mom always in a dress and coiffed hair and Dad wearing a bow-tie, but they're in fact much more contemporary and can rumba their way out of any sticky situation. Olie also has a friend and neighbor, Billy, who looks very different: He's a square-headed robot and lives in a square house with furniture that has edges and corners. Though he looks different, hye and Olie have similar interests and family life. Another colorful character is Olie's rockabilly uncle, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Elvis.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (10 ):

This is the type of show that parents need to take a breath and watch for a while to appreciate. Yes, the songs will be stuck in your head for the day. But for a very young preschooler, it's funny, not scary, and extremely silly. Okie dokie?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about many of the issues Olie's family faces, from how to get along with a brother or a sister to what kind of behavior is appropriate at the dinner table. Families can also talk about how much fun it is to use your imagination. What shapes and colors would make up a world all their own?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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