Life was much easier when Uncle Jesse fixed our problems

I was watching Nickelodeon with my 6-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister the other day… I was watching Nickelodeon with my 6-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister the other day — something I usually do. Maybe I’m bored, maybe I’m trying to put off my schoolwork, or maybe I just can’t resist the glow of the screen that illuminates their faces and beckons me to join. Whatever the reason, I hardly ever hesitate to grab some popcorn and plop right next to them as the kid inside me comes alive.

Suddenly, I’m taken back to my childhood when my biggest fear was the green-eyed monster who lived in the dumpster down our street. I’m immediately reminded of the little girl who was happiest playing Barbies in her bedroom. I’m led to a simpler time when I had my little brother’s carefree attitude and my younger sister’s amazing ability to laugh non-stop. But those moments and experiences seem only to last as long as the total run-time of our favorite childhood TV shows — no more than a few years.

So the more I watch my little brother’s and sister’s favorite shows, the more I miss all of my old favorites — the shows that pushed me to finish my homework quickly so I could watch television. The ones that made me want to get up at 7 a.m. on Saturday with a bowl of cereal in one hand and a remote control in the other. The shows that kept me glued to the television when and only when they were on and kept me outside and active whenever they weren’t. The ones that were and always will be a significant part of my childhood and my memories.

Yeah, they should bring those back.

Remember the Power Rangers? No, not the Power Rangers that’s on television nowadays. I’m talking about the one and only Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. I lived for that show. Every day, after I came home from school and after I rushed to finish my homework, I would sit in front of the television and enjoy a wonderful half-hour of watching the Rangers fight for all that was good in the world. I, like every other girl I knew, idolized and fantasized of one day being the Pink Ranger and I had a crush on the oh so dreamy White Ranger. My older sister and I would squeal with delight whenever it was “Morphin’ Time” and don’t think for a second that we didn’t simultaneously act out every Morphin’ movement and call out every Morphin’ creature along with the rangers. The action scenes, to me, were beyond cool and were not unrealistic in any way. I jumped up and down with excitement and cheered the Rangers on as they fought against the enemy. And who could forget the exceptionally perfect head-banging theme song? “Go, go Power Rangers, na na na na na.” That was one sick electric guitar.

Four words: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Whoever came up with the idea of four humanoid turtles trained in the arts of the ninja to fight evil outside the sewers of Manhattan should be crowned genius of the world. I made it a point to watch Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo fighting all the bad guys every Saturday morning. They were the epitome of awesome with their pizza-eating, crime-fighting and heroic lifestyle. And each turtle had his own individual personality. Leonardo was the brave leader who stood for honor and integrity. Raphael was somewhat aggressive and was the rebel of the quartet. Donatello was the smart scientist and inventor. And my favorite was Michelangelo who was the funniest of the four and who always made me laugh. Admit it — he influenced you to constantly use the phrase “Cowabunga, dudes!”

I don’t know many people who share my love for Pinky and the Brain. In fact, some of my friends have never even heard of the cartoon and I have yet to understand why. But nonetheless, this show was brilliant. Two mice were caged in Acme Laboratory and every episode showcased their efforts to escape from captivity and reach their ultimate aim of taking over the world. The show was so funny and the humor so expansive that I remember my mom sometimes joining my older sister and I to watch it. Brain came up with the bright plans to somehow reach world domination while Pinky was best as his funny, dim-witted self. I never knew which mouse I liked best, but I always respected their tireless and courageous endeavors to achieve their goal. And when Brain would ultimately fail to reach supreme power at the end of every episode, I would look forward to the conclusion of the show to hear the famous lines: “What are we gonna do tomorrow night, Brain?”

“The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world.”

Full House was and always will be my favorite sitcom of all time. Looking back, I see that the show and the Tanner family protagonists were sort of cheesy at times, but I was obsessed with it anyway. The family values that Full House conveyed and the happy lifestyle that DJ, Stephanie, Michelle, Uncle Jesse, Joey and Danny led just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Each show dealt with problems and situations to which kids across the country could relate — bullies, friends, sibling rivalries and peer pressure. In the end, every episode concluded with some sort of emotional and comforting conversation between two or more characters complete with sappy music and hugs and kisses — I loved every minute of it. And yes, I still think Uncle Jesse is extremely hot!

How I miss being a kid and being immersed in these shows. I miss the joy they brought to my mornings, afternoons and evenings. Sure you may be able to catch some of them being re-run sometimes, but it’s not the same. If only my favorite TV shows could somehow be given new life. Perhaps a Power Rangers return? A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comeback? Maybe Pinky and the Brain could try to take over the world for at least one more season. Or the Tanner family could have a reunion. Well, whatever happens, I’ll be watching.

Put down your remote and e-mail Elham at elk23@pitt.edu.