In an age where everyone has devices that can make the world come to you, it’s nice to be reminded that there’s still beauty and joy and awe out there. And that’s the whole point of Wowsabout!, a new special from The Jim Henson Company that debuted earlier this month on PBS Kids. Now, I recognize that I don’t have any children of my own (nor am I a child), so I’m definitely not this program’s target audience, but I’ve grown up exploring America’s vast, wondrous (and vital) National Parks System, and earned my fair share of Junior Ranger badges, so this special appealed to me. And for what it’s worth, I think it does have some strengths that make it a pleasant special.
But what is Wowsabout! all about? The story focuses on Ronald (performed by John Tartaglia), a pig from the big city of Washington, DC, who’s venturing out into nature for the very first time in the hopes of earning his Junior Ranger badge at Sequoia National Park. And he’s well-prepared, with a backpack full of gear and a smartwatch to help him plan out the tasks to reach his goal down to the minute.
Meanwhile, Roxy (performed by writer and executive producer Dorien Davies), a creative, free-spirited hedgehog from the country pulls into the park on her own adventure to find a giant that her late Grammy told her about. Naturally, the two have very differing styles. Ronald’s highly organized and hates detours from his plan, while Roxy likes decorating and going with the flow. Can two different critters share a campsite without driving each other crazy? Sure, they clash at first, but come on, it’s a kids’ show, of course they come to appreciate one another, especially when a southern Sierra Nevada fisher weasel named Pekan (performed by Alice Dinnean) swipes Ronald’s watch and the two find other fascinating things to explore.
Overall, it’s a cute show. It definitely plays like a pilot for a much larger series, especially with how the special ends. But as it stands, I think perhaps one of its biggest assets is that the park is basically a character in itself, full of mystery and charm. And Sequoia National Park is also extremely picturesque, so the special looks great. As we’ve learned, putting puppets out in the real world really grounds the production in believability. The puppets are expressive, which really allows us to understand their personalities in a very short amount of time. There’s a lot of repeated catchphrases, but I’m guessing that’s aimed at the kids watching. I remember those being a big part of my television watching as a child, so I’m guessing they’ll enjoy it.
Most of all, what I hope kids get from this, in addition from the “awe is all around you” message, is the desire to visit America’s national parks. Even with their issues brought on by the current administration, they’re an incredible resource. They’re home to the country’s collective natural beauty and history. (And they all offer Junior Ranger Badges, which are usually free and really fun to collect.) They’re worth a visit, and if you’re an American, odds are there’s one not far from you. In a perfect world, this would be a pilot and a show with these two visiting parks from sea to shining sea. But for now, this is a brisk, enjoyable special.
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by Matthew Soberman – [email protected]
