Clifford the Big Red Dog

In September of 2000, the Public Broadcasting Company (PBS) introduced a fun show aimed toward younger children. Clifford the big red dog is about a red dog that is about 20 feet tall. Clifford the big red dog has friends with whom he has adventures. In the fictional Birdwell Island, Clifford the big red dog, his owner Emily, and all of their friends live and play together peacefully.

With the show being aimed at a younger audience, the Clifford the big red dog episodes are fairly formulaic, but are simply wonderful for the age group at which they are aimed. In each of the episodes, Clifford the big red dog is read a story by his owner, Emily Elizabeth. The story is always about Speckles, who is also a dog. The Speckle story links two stories within the episode. At the end of each Clifford the big red dog show, a short promotional spot is shown for one of the characters from the show. Often times, at the end of the Clifford the big red dog episode, there will be a short piece on a real kid and his or her dog.

In 2002, PBS officially ended production of Clifford the big red dog as John Ritter was returning to ABC to work on a sitcom. Since Ritter’s death, there have been no plans made by PBS to produce any new episodes. For the time being, fans of Clifford the big red dog may want to look into the mail order video available. The rumor is that there are some original Clifford the big red dog episodes that never aired.

Children’s programming that offers education without being boring to the very kids it is to educate is unusual in this day and age. The exception, of course, is Clifford the big red dog. What better way to bring smiles to both children and adults then to bring Clifford the big red dog to the mix.