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Post by SHAKEMASTER TV9 is Don Knotts on Jan 23, 2014 23:38:19 GMT -5
I used to watch the George Carlin Mr. Conductor, Shining Time Station. I watch the current one now with my nephew, he'll be 2 soon. I don't see them selling toys any more than the old shows. Maybe less considering the old shows did have toy train models do the show. I don't find it objectionable aside from being disposable. Shining Time Station there was conflicts with Schemer trying take the kids money or the kids are jealous of someone so when Mr. Conductor would tell a story about Thomas, they actually learn something. Now, it's just ask for help if you're busy and no one gets mad at each other.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Jan 24, 2014 0:49:00 GMT -5
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Post by Mister Pigwell on Jan 24, 2014 0:57:44 GMT -5
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BorneAgain
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Post by BorneAgain on Jan 24, 2014 0:58:17 GMT -5
Having worked at a PBS affiliate for a number of years, I saw a number of Thomas and Friends episodes, and I always found the undercurrent of the engines' obsession with being useful to a bit disturbing. The whole isle of Sodor feels like a really lighthearted setting of a Twilight Zone episode where everyone must be of use, lest they get melted down.
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Glitch
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Post by Glitch on Jan 24, 2014 0:59:51 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 1:15:10 GMT -5
If there was ever a show that defined my childhood, it was this one. And yes, the quality of the show went severely downhill after HiT Entertainment and a few one-track minded head writers took over the show. Thankfully, the new head writer from what I've heard wants to bring the show more towards it's "original feeling", and a few episodes of the newest season that I've watched has shown to be an improvement. Oh, and also, f*** this guy, scared the shit out of me when I was little.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Jan 24, 2014 1:20:36 GMT -5
If there was ever a show that defined my childhood, it was this one. And yes, the quality of the show went severely downhill after HiT Entertainment and a few one-track minded head writers took over the show. Thankfully, the new head writer from what I've heard wants to bring the show more towards it's "original feeling", and a few episodes of the newest season that I've watched has shown to be an improvement. Oh, and also, f*** this guy, scared the shit out of me when I was little. The mean faced trains scared me, as did whenever wrecks happened, since the trains looked so horrified. Also, I find it funny that writers with one track minds were a detriment to a show about trains. Track humor.
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Lupin the Third
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Post by Lupin the Third on Jan 24, 2014 1:27:01 GMT -5
My god, they destroyed what was once a great show and turned it into something that is completely god awful.
I loved this show as a kid. There were so many great stories to be told. And it just went away from what made it a great kid's show.
Thomas was a cheeky little engine who ran his own branch line, and would become wiser in his years of service. Now he has to be friends with everyone and help out as much as possible, even though HE HAS HIS OWN BRANCH LINE AND HAS HIS OWN WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Edward and Toby were old, but wise engines, who knew lots of things and the others looked to them for guidance. Now they're just old and feeble, and have to prove themselves on a constant basis.
James is.......well, arrogant and snooty. That hasn't really changed. Same with Gordon.
Percy used to be the cheeky junior member of the team, helping out at the big station and on Thomas' Branchline. Now he's thicker than concrete.
Henry used to be a sympathetic character, as he was a poor build, but got a new shape and was able to keep doing great things. Then, he apparently became clueless on how to pull the Express, even though he's no. 2 behind Gordon in doing that.
I won't go into the others because they either have had all their characteristics completely turned around, or they haven't even been mentioned in the newer series (Oliver, anyone?).
All in all, the newer series are just.....
Thank you, you three.
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Post by Hit Girl on Jan 24, 2014 7:25:44 GMT -5
Ringo Starr was the best narrator. It's awful now. They don't use models anymore. It's just CGI shit.
The series was at its best under Britt Allcroft, with the exception of that terrible movie.
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Chip
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Post by Chip on Jan 24, 2014 7:30:05 GMT -5
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Jiren
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Post by Jiren on Jan 24, 2014 7:55:51 GMT -5
This never fails to put a smile on my face
Also
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W?Y
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Post by W?Y on Jan 24, 2014 8:50:18 GMT -5
Thomas was my childhood.
I had a lot of die-cast Thomas toys, and I played with them constantly. I still have all the VHS tapes of the original series, and I like to break 'em out every once in a while.
Something about the way it all looked just captured my imagination as a kid. Now that I'm older, I realize how much work went into the original show: Making the models, creating and operating their faces, building the sets; it all looks so realistic and it's clear the crew worked so hard to make a show that would foster children's imagination.
The show, Shining Time Station, was also my first introduction to Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin. It was a looooooooong time before I even realized that Carlin was a comedian, and it took a while to not see him as Mr. Conductor. Even still, his and Starr's voices always make me feel really nostalgic.
The new Thomas is obviously not what I grew up with, and the fact that their faces move is REALLY jarring. I don't hold anything against them for going that way; it's just what kids these days are used to. Plus, it's probably way cheaper and easier to produce as a CGI product, so I don't begrudge them for adapting with the times. The original Thomas will always stand as an achievement in children's programming, and as a landmark of my childhood.
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ICBM
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Post by ICBM on Jan 24, 2014 9:01:43 GMT -5
My son is autistic and loves Thomas in any format. I watch it with him. I always enjoyed the model version with Carlin as narrator or even Ringo. I don't mind the CGI cause my son doesn't. Thank you for posting this link. Hats off to Auburn University for their research into why autistic children love Thomas so much. My speculation is the order of everything on the show. It is very linear and structured. The colors make the engines distinct but are all still familiar bc they look the same except for some minor things. My son used to go into trance like states lining up dozens of engines in separate lines. We started using this as a way to do other early childhood intervention tactics and it began to chip away at stimming fits and behaviors. He hasn't done that particular gimmick in over a yr and a half. Thank you Thomas
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Post by "Sweet & Sour" ImSoFudginGreat on Jan 24, 2014 9:51:29 GMT -5
This show was my childhood, I wouldn't do anything unless it pertained to Thomas the Tank, Henry was always my favourite. Also, number one on this article made me smile.
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AFN: Judge Shred
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Post by AFN: Judge Shred on Jan 24, 2014 10:13:14 GMT -5
F' Yeah Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle!
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Eunös ✈
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Post by Eunös ✈ on Jan 24, 2014 12:05:59 GMT -5
This never fails to put a smile on my face Also I still think that 2nd video is the best use of that Song ever
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Lupin the Third
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Post by Lupin the Third on Jan 24, 2014 23:20:34 GMT -5
So many years later, it still brings a tear to my eye.
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Post by Mrs. Marie on Jan 25, 2014 2:21:51 GMT -5
Hi all, I use to watch Thomas the Train when I was kid, sure the show has changed a lot but I don't really have any complaints. I have an almost 2 year old so that watches it daily and he absolute loves Thomas the Train and he loves the toys as well. Just my personal opinion but, then again, that's why we are here.
Thanks, Mrs. Marie
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 2:31:22 GMT -5
I have younger siblings so I've watched the current episodes more than I'd ever want to. They freak me out. The voice acting is not only terrible but really off. They all talk a bit strange. Like they're forcing their voices out. Then you have the faces. The faces are terrifying, especially when they need to show any emotion. Happy CGI train faces are nightmare fuel.
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Essential1
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Post by Essential1 on Jan 25, 2014 3:19:26 GMT -5
Yes before wrestling Thomas was my addiction. Loved the set, the whole thing was beautiful with all the models. Then the music when I saw the new version it was sad. I had some toys and alot of books.
James and Gordon were the first douchebags I ever knew.
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