Tube Talk: Three childhood episodes to remind you of the important things
“Full House” — Season 5, Episode 2 “Matchmaker Michelle”
Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) feels like she is missing out on something important without a mom in her life after talking with a friend about his own mom. Becky (Lori Loughlin) tells Michelle that her dad, Danny (Bob Saget), needs to fall in love with a woman in order for Michelle to have a new mom. Michelle decides that her kindergarten teacher (June Lockhart) is the perfect person, and invites her to lunch at the Tanners’.
The combination of ’90s style, ample Michelle screen time and plenty of Joey’s (Dave Coulier) cartoon impersonations make this episode one to remember. It closes with Danny telling Michelle that love is what makes a family a family, not the fact that there is a mom, a dad and children. Ultimately, this fatherly advice will remind you to be grateful each day for the people who care about you, and may even inspire you to finally call a friend or relative (like you’ve been promising for the past three weeks).
“SpongeBob SquarePants” — Season 1, Episode 2, Segment 2a “Bubblestand”
SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny) goes entrepreneurial in this episode with his bubble stand, offering lessons and the chance to blow a bubble for 25 cents each. Patrick (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), being the ever-loyal friend, is the first customer. Meanwhile, Squidward (voiced by Rodger Bumpass) mocks the pair for such an idiotic idea. However, when Squidward attempts to blow a bubble it proves more difficult than he thought.
The sound effects in this short segment are spot-on and the plain silliness of it will take you back to the first time you watched SpongeBob and couldn’t stop laughing. Although I often turned on SpongeBob for a brain break back in the day, it’s important to remember the messages of each segment. Squidward’s actions through the episode will show you the dangers of a big ego and that sometimes one simply needs to accept the help offered. And, as Patrick says, “Don’t forget the pelvic ‘WOO!’”
“PB&J Otter” — Season 2, Episode 3, Segment 3a “Eye Spy”
Flick Duck (voiced by Eddie Korbich) is embarrassed about his recent need for glasses and tries to keep this secret from his friends. Peanut (voiced by Adam Rose) and Jelly (voiced by Jenell Brook Slack) realize that something’s wrong when Flick forgets his latest copy of Mallard Man, his favorite comic, at their dad’s store. They become determined to find out what’s wrong, but Flick is equally as determined to hide the truth.
This episode may make you realize that whatever you feel embarrassed about is not as important as you think. Besides, your true friends will help you in any situation and bring out the superhero inside you. One lesson that sticks regardless of the segment of this show: when times get rough, just use your noodle and that bulb will light up in no time.