LITTLE ROCK — I remember spending hours with Beatrix Potter at bedtime when our son was young. There’s nothing like a brave, mischievous, impulsive and resilient little rabbit to go along with the evening’s traditional finale of Goodnight Moon.
Nickelodeon has tapped into that nostalgic childhood treasure with Peter Rabbit. The new computer-generated animated preschool series debuted last week and airs at 11 a.m. today. In a TV world hip-deep in inappropriate programming, Peter Rabbit is a welcome, family-friendly addition.
The series is a re-imagining of Potter’s three popular children’s books of the early 1900s - books that have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide in 35 languages. Not bad for an anthropomorphic lagomorph.
For the record, the three books, all illustrated by Potter, are The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904) and The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909).
As with any children’s series worth the time, Peter Rabbit features educational goals “that encourage preschoolers to learn problem solving and interpersonal skills, self-efficacy, resilience, positive reframing and fostering an interest in and respect for nature.”
It’s all set in northern England’s Lake District, a magical and timeless place and the home of 6-yearold Peter Rabbit, who lives with his mother in a hidden burrow. It’s Peter’s fondness for radishes and desire for adventure that propel him and his friends through imaginative adventures designed to delight preschoolers.
All of Peter’s friends - and foes - are included in the series. They include Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail, Flopsy and Mopsy, Squirrel Nutkin and, of course, Peter’s arch nemesis, John McGregor - the elderly gardener whose radishes so tempted Peter.
The sometimes brash Peter and his friends encounter real dangers and “must use their wits to outsmart incompetent villains whose barks are way worse than their bites.” These include a smooth talking fox and a foul-tempered badger.
Peter misses his late father and desperately wants to grow up to be just like him. So, armed with his father’s journal (a guide to everything one needs to become a truly wild rabbit) and aided byBenjamin and Lily, Peter sets off to make his own mark in life and have adventures even greater than his dad.
But because Peter is incessantly curious, his adventures frequently get him into trouble.
Nickelodeon hopes the series will introduce a new generation to the world of Potter. I would also hope that the new generation will also want to actually go and read the books as well.
Filling the void: I hear you complaining out there. You’re having Downton Abbey withdrawal now that Season 3 is over.
Never fear, HBO has stepped up to provide Parade’s End, a five part miniseries written by playwright Tom Stoppard and adapted from the four novels of the same name by Ford Madox Ford.
Parts 1 and 2 air at 8 p.m. today, followed by Parts 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and the final episode at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Parade’s End stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Rebecca Hall (The Awakening) as Christopher and Sylvia Tietjens. Australian Adelaid Clemens (the forthcoming The Great Gatsby) portrays the young suffragette Valentine Wannop.
Note that this series is a bit juicer than Downton (it is on HBO). It’s basically a love triangle between the old-fashioned Christopher, his bitter wife, Sylvia, and the free-spirited Valentine.
The Downton touch is that it’s also set during World War I when European society is on the brink of upheaval. Christopher goes off to war. The son he leaves behind may or may not be his, and he has an important decision to make - Sylvia or Valentine. Let the drama begin.
Reality world: Two reality series are set to debut for those of you who like this sort of thing.
At 7 p.m. today, ABC returns with more Celebrity Wife Swap. Tonight’s episode features Playmate Kendra Wilkinson trading lifestyles, children and homes (“but not bedrooms”) with Kate Gosselin. Heaven help us all.
At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Syfy unleashes Stranded, in which a group of paranormal “enthusiasts” are isolated in a spooky place. Star Island in New Hampshire is up first.
PBS special: AETN will air Makers: Women Who Make America at 7 p.m. today. The three hour special recounts the seminal events in the women’s movement.
Narrated by Meryl Streep, the film features interviews with Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Ellen DeGeneres, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters and Katie Couric.
The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. E-mail:
Style, Pages 30 on 02/26/2013