Canada has brought us a few live-action, animal-puppet-based TV series, including: 'Under the Umbrella Tree' and 'Today's Special'. These shows typically have at least one singing-and-dancing human cast member to keep the puppet characters (who often represent children) in check.
...and this template somehow works, thanks largely to the cheerful songs and the quirkiness of the puppet characters such programs are known (and much beloved) for. :3
Among the more recent of these shows is 'Mustard Pancakes' (MdPs). The demographic for the series is children 3-6, with its stories and themes being primarily friendship-focused.
MdPs's human member is RL singer-songwriter Courtney Campbell. The puppets (Tiny Tina, Oogleberry, Mo and *Mr. D) represent Courtney's pets (and save for Mr. D the Cat, all the main puppets are dogs/puppies).
*the 'D' is short for 'Divine', according to the show's website
The puppets look really good, too, having been built by Trish Leeper of Jim Henson's production company.
MdPs follows a formula that may be described thus,
A character has a problem/needs to learn a lesson. The solution and/or lesson is conveyed through one of Courtney's stories, which are often acted-out by the puppets. The issue is thence resolved, we get a song, and everything's right in the world ...until the next episode. ^_^
A note about Courtney's stories is they often begin with some kind of magical device called a 'story spinner'. I'm unsure how the story spinner works in-verse, but as an element in the show, the device serves as the segue from the 'real world' to the imaginations of the pets (who, again, see themselves playing the roles of the characters in Courtney's story).
As for the show's title, 'Mustard Pancakes', it derives in-verse from one of Courtney's childhood tales,
COURTNEY (narrating over puppet action): "On Sunday mornings at my house, we eat pancakes! We put sweet things on them, like honey or syrup. ...My brother snuck over to the table. We went over to the syrup and switched it with something else! You know what it was? Mustard! You see, he thought I wouldn't notice since the syrup and mustard containers looked pretty much the same. ...But I saw it was mustard and knew it was a trick, just like I knew my brother was hiding behind the stove"
In short, Courtney pretended she liked the mustard pancakes, to spite her brother ...who was himself made to eat the corrupted comestibles after the parents found out. I'm unsure I believe Courtney's story, but it's the only explanation we're provided. :3
Apart from liking this episode's title, I had no specific reason why I chose to review this one ...but it's as 'good' as any I've seen. ^^
The story begins at Courtney's house, wherein we see a banner reading 'Happy Birthday', as well as our friends blowing up party balloons.
COURTNEY (to viewer): "Oh, hi! Glad you're here. Come on in and spend some time with us!"
Uh, I'm already standing in the middle of your living room. :P
So, this is one of those shows that breaks the fourth wall from time to time, but not often enough to be annoying.
Anyway, we learn the party (which begins tomorrow) will be for Courtney's brother Johnny. :3 Ah, but what's a birthday party without cake? Mo the Dog has that covered, as she has just finished decorating the cake (which, to add, Mo made herself).
The cake, IMHO, isn't much to look at, albeit it's enough to impress Courtney and the pets.
With the cake and decorations prepared, Courtney suggests the cleaning of the back yard (raking leaves, sweeping the porch, etc). The pets roll up their sleeves (or would if they had any) to get the job going. ...Well, everyone save Mr. D, who, being a cliche cat in a childrens' show, is obliged to do the least he can get away with.
Mr. D is my favorite of the characters, but I had to tell it like it is here. :3
On the subject, each of the animals has a distinct personality all their own. Although none of these significantly defy the cliches each of said personalities is based on (ie, the lazy snob, the enlightened artist, the hyper preschooler, etc), they prevent the characters from being interchangeable and allow for a broad range of stories and situations throughout the series. That said, this show (again) is for young children, so the characters (though diverse) tend to be a bit one-note/single-minded at times.
...and there's too many dogs (is cat person)! D:
Having assigned jobs to themselves, the cast goes outside for work, leaving the camera to zoom in on the cake.
Gee, I wonder if something's gonna happen to it...
It's not long before Tiny Tina needs a refreshment break. With her broom still in hand, Tina enters through the kitchen door, pausing a moment to admire Mo's cake. As she does so, the voice of Oogleberry beckons Tina from outside. As Tina turns to respond, the swing of her broom strikes from the cake from the table and onto the floor.
Well now it's an upside-down cake! *shot*
TINA: "I gotta get outta here! Oh, maybe no one'll notice? Oh, dear oh dear oh dear!"
...Right. Tina places what remains of the cake on the table before returning outside.
To soften the mood, we're treated to some light humor in the yard, mostly on the part of Mr. D pretending to work.
MR D (having picked leaves from the ground, one by one): "Let's have a look---five leaves; I'd say I was doing rather well. (raises voice) I have five leaves! Five leaves, everyone! Five leaves for Mr D!" (looks down) Oh, there's another. That would be six leaves---six leaves for Mr. D. 1-2-3-4-5 and 6. (yawns) That calls for a small break I'd say"
...I admit, I'd have lost it if he'd said 'Six. Six leaves, ah-ha-ha!'. ^^
Anyway, Mr. D saunters off, tossing his six leaves behind his back as he does so.
Meanwhile, the work outside continues among the other characters. Oogleberry note Tina seems dispirited, but is unable coax an explanation from her, albeit he helps her with what's rest of her workload.
With the work finished, Courtney and the pets merrily enter the house---only Tina seems apprehensive ...and for good reason, as the condition of the cake is quickly noticed by Mo,
MO: *gasps* "My cake! My beautiful cake!" *sob-sob*
All the cheer from the moment before evaporates as the cast gathers round the confectionary calamity.
COURTNEY: "Oh, Mo, I'm so sorry!"
MO: "How could this have happened?"
COURTNEY: "Well, I'm sure it was an accident"
MO: *sobs*
COURTNEY (to pets): "Do any of you know what happened to the cake?"
MR D (seemingly affronted): "Well, I have no idea what happened, Courtney"
OOGLEBERRY: We were outside working on the leaves the whole time!"
TINA (with lowered voice): "...I don't know"
Courtney suggests a story that might help everyone (esp. Mo) to feel better. The friends assemble in the living room for Courtney's story, beginning thus,
COURTNEY: "This is something that happened to me when I was a little girl. One morning, Johnny and I were getting ready for school. Our parents were really in a hurry that day because we were all late"
Mo suggests the use of the story spinner.
...Ok, digressing, and I probably (definitely!) have a dirty mind here, but with Mo sitting in Courtney's lap, I'm compelled to wonder where the puppeteer has their arm. :P
Anyway...
The story spinner transitions us into the casts' imagination, wherein we see the school-aged Courtney (played by Tina) and her brother Johnny (played by Mr. D) getting ready for school.
I will not ask how Courtney the Human began life as a dog puppet wearing a wig, neither will I question how she has a cat for a brother... And I'll certainly not inquire how the parents here (played by Mo and Oogleberry, respectively) appear the same ages as their litter ...nope, not asking questions here! ...but I will take an Advil. :P
The story continues with, as expected, the family in a hurry. The mom hasn't time to prepare the kids a lunch, so she gives Courtney-pup a a sum of lunch money that Courtney-pup is to split with Johnny.
The idea is Johnny is unaware that Courtney-pup received lunch money for the two of them ...so, insofar as Johnny knows, he won't be eating today. Hm...
Anyhow, the story continues at the school...
COURTNEY (narrating over puppet action): I knew I should give half of the money to Johnny, but I thought to myself, 'imagine all the extra treats I could get with his money'"
The lunch bell rings and Courtney-pup dashes to the cafeteria.
Seriously? Who'd be this excited for school food? :P
Either way, Courtney-pup piles her plate high with treats (*...including a whole chocolate cake) bought with both shares of the money.
*Ok, so there is reason for excitement! XD :9
Of course, Johnny is also present here. He riffles through his pockets hoping to procure some monies ..but, alas! Only lint! D:
COURTNEY (narrating): "I was just about to finish my last cookie when Johnny came into the lunch room. He looked desperate!"
Digressing, but how's this story supposed to help Mo feel better? XD
...Courtney's not kidding about Johnny's desperation. As Courtney-pup has spent all the money, Johnny proceeds to search the school over for food---eventually giving into the temptation to eat some kid's macaroni art. :P
*sings*
Don't eat the pictures/ No no no/ Don't eat the pictures/ No! When you go to muse-ee-umm!
*ahem*
But it's ok---Courtney-pup offers Johnny her last cookie ...before helping Johnny beg for money from another student (which gets him a sandwich). ...Boy, how long are the lunch periods at this school?
COURTNEY (narrating): "I was glad that (Johnny) wasn't hungry anymore, but I also felt very bad that I hadn't been honest with him"
Skipping a bit: after school, the parents learn of what happened as Johnny tells the how good it was that Courtney-pup helped him beg for sandwich money.
COURTNEY (narrating): "All I could do was stand and watch as Johnny explained to my parents what had happened, and how I had helped him. ...This shocked my parents since they knew that when I left in the morning, I had enough money for both of us!"
Johnny learns the truth of the matter, hence Courtney-pup is obliged to confess. Despite this, Johnny hopes to be avenged by his parents. The actual result is Courtney-pup receives a light talking-to with emphasis on how glad the parents are that she admitted her wrong...
As if Courtney-pup had a choice. I mean, perhaps a lesson was learned, albeit the confession didn't come willingly. What's the lesson here---only admit your guilt when you're out of options?
MOM-MO: "You shouldn't have taken the money---you know that! But it's really good you told us the truth, and you did help Johnny out. That's very important"
No, what matters are that the apology cookies Courtney-pup later made for Johnny. Remember, kids: atonement is found between the chocolate chips! :9
More important still is Tina's response to the story,
TINA (to Mo): "...I have something I need to tell you. I... I-I was the one who ruined your cake, but it was an accident! I-I hit it with the broom by mistake, I-I feel terrible! I am so sorry"
MO: "Well, why didn't you tell me?"
TINA: "I-I-I-I-I-I ...was scared. I thought you wouldn't be my friend anymore"
Should go without saying that Tina is given Mo's wholehearted forgiveness ...so I won't say it ...as I did just now. Anyway...
The story ends with Mo and Tina deciding to make a new cake together.
All's well that ends well, I suppose ...Albeit, we still have about eight minutes of video left. Most of the remaining time is dedicated to the guitar-playing Courtney, singing for us (in this case, an original song titled 'Jimmy Magroo': a silly ditty about Magroo doing basic two-step tasks in reverse order).
It's fine. :3
After, we get an odd matter-of-fact lesson about cheese production in France (gotta meet that educational-content quota). :3
CONCLUSIONS: ...I like this. :3
The story here could've been better, perhaps with some stakes that'd be determined by Tina's honesty. Like, perhaps Mr D could have entered the house for his catnap and, being observed by Oogleberry, this may have resulted in Mr. D taking the blame for Tina's blunder. Sure, that's a classic 'liar revealed' trope, but it might've worked? Even so, the lesson here wasn't lost---young children will gather from Courtney's story and Tina's confession that honesty is the best policy ...and that if you're dishonest, you might end up with mustard pancakes on your plate (and no one wants that)! :3
"The cake is a lie !"...no...not that quote from portal, it comes out too much...
"Wait a minute. Those cookies weren't chocolate chip. Those...are...raisins. WHYYYYYY-HY-HYYYYY?! SHAWTY, DESTROY ALL THE FOOD DISPENSERS! WIPE THE RAISIN ABOMINATIONS OFF THE MAP! I JUST WANTED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?" Now that quote from tiny tina (the one of borderland 2), i like it ^^
"The cake is a lie !"...no...not that quote from portal, it comes out too much... "Wait a minute. T
