I've seen a few episodes of this cartoon and I must say I like its retro appearance. It looks like a cartoon from the seventies and eighties, I'm not sure if that is intentional. In the UK, the voices are dubbed by British voice actors which also seem to give it a more retrospective feel.The trouble is, that's where the niceties of this show end. The plots are quite simplistic and dross. Ruby wants to do something and so does Max and there is a little conflict, Ruby being the oldest tells Max "no" and to go and play elsewhere. Sometimes she tries to make him play in her games doing what she wants and he doesn't want to, he ends up being naughty, usually by mistake but it all works out okay in the end.I don't like the way Max talks. I know he's only three but I'm sure the programme could adapt a little and allow him to have better conversational skills. What's that teaching children? That's basically the gist of it really. I have tried to watch the show and like it but although it looks nice on the outside, deep down it's hollow repetitive junk.

Max is a spoiled three year old. You can tell he's not had a day of education in his life. He doesn't have the vocabulary of a 3 year old. He has a vocabulary of a ten month old. Ever notice how ten month olds tend to repeat one word over and over again? That's what Max does. I'm watching an episode right now where Max is tugging on Ruby's dress saying "SUPER BUNNY" then runs the other way, causing Ruby to almost knock over a box of shoes. If that were my child or my little brother doing that and I was in charge of watching him, he'd get his little ass BEAT. He'd also be put in time out and not allowed to see his superhero because he was misbehaving and being disobedient. He needs to learn a lesson. And in my house, the lesson included spanking, time out, and privileges taken away. And don't give me that "child abuse" crap. Spanking never hurt anyone. So, pick your jaw up off the floor because someone is brave enough to say something about spanking. That's what the kids needs. It'll straighten him up real quick.

With all of the great kid's shows out there, like Backyardigans and Jack's Big Music Show (to name but two), I rue the day that my 3 year old accidentally discovered Max and Ruby. The episodes have seem to follow one of two themes: Ruby being bothered by Max misbehaving, or Ruby having to take on age inappropriate responsibility for Max which results in inappropriate scolding. I don't believe this show teaches children positive interactions between siblings. The messages seem to be to either tolerate misbehavior or be bossy and over-bearing.People have pointed out that it is good that the children have to manage daily life on their own and it shows children problem solving for themselves. This may be true, but what it does NOT show is teamwork or genuine supportive behavior. The Backyardigans has no parental figures but those children are always working together to reach a common goal. They encourage one another and provide lessons on kindness and politeness. It also (like Jack's Big Music Show) encourages imaginary play and for the viewing children to interact with the show through music and dance. Max and Ruby provides no real lessons, no desirable behavior to emulate, nor any additional benefit like exposure to music, dance, or a creative outlet that can be re-created outside of the show. It is merely a passive viewing experience with little merit.I am waiting with bated breath for my 3 year old to out-grow her interest in this drivel.

My older son (he is 4, his brother is 1) doesn't just watch this show; he has my wife or me come and watch it with him. He thinks Max's antics are hilarious.I think the point of the show has been missed by some people. It is directed at children who are in the Ruby role, I believe. Ruby is not a good caretaker. She is bossy and doesn't pay enough attention to her brother. Just about every episode I have seen has as its central lesson that if Ruby had paid more attention to Max and his needs, she would have solved her own problems or made her own life a little better.The lack of parents is not an issue to me, as the show centers on the dynamic between the two kids, which I think anyone with more than one kid can understand.One of the qualms I have with the show is that it reinforces gender roles a bit too sharply. As far as I can see, all the boys on the show are very physical and speak only in single words and get dirty. All the girls wear dresses and play dress-up and speak eloquently. It can also be pretty boring for an adult, but that is not its intended audience anyway.