i never noticed that when i watched the older episodes, and it certainly didn't stop any of my little brothers or sisters (i have lot of them) from understanding it. as for the life and learning lessons being less complex in the older episodes, i think it is actually the other way around. the newer episodes become less complex entirely, going from, say, wishing you were more mature, or being poor when you have a rich friend, to cupcakes being stolen. (although i do like some of the newer episodes, and a few of them do have good "life lessons," a lot of them are just random time wasters.  )

but i understand what you're saying, that's a problem with a lot of kids shows made in the eighties that are still making episodes. usually cartoons back then were not well made at all, (Arthur is an exception.) so they had to try and live down a lot of criticism by making "better" episodes, and hiding the old ones. Arthur seems to be doing the same thing even though the older episodes were some of the best. the new ones aren't bad, and i think they will get better with every episode, (hopefully.) but they certainly aren't better than the older ones.

kudos if you read the whole thing. 

ugh. too dated? ugh. i really hate how a lot of people think that just because something happened a long time ago means it's bad, or that if something is "old -fashioned" then automatically it's awful. some people think that is the way teens think, so they think that way too, so people will think they are "hip" or whatevs. i am a teen and we don't think like that at all.

ugh. stupid pbs.

well, i was able to get an account here even though he's not really handling this anymore. thank goodness for that. ive seen other sites where the one in charge left, and even though people were still interested in the forum and stuff, they couldn't get an account. 

sighg. i misspelled the title. ignore...it...okay?!?!?!?!

i never did get why some people made such a big deal about that episode. a lot of people, (mostly oversensitive parents.) wanted it banned. i personally think that it would be one of the better episodes, and i would let my kids watch it. i would watch it a lot more often, but the last time i did, my mom yelled, "what are you watching?!?" me, "oh, just Arthur, mom!" mom, *hairy eyeball.* i don't think my mom trusts Arthur anymore.

*face-palms.* this happened to me at pop secrets, too. when i finally can get on the site, the main poster/creator isn't here and has mysteriously disappeared.  *sigh.* hopefully, if he does ever return, it wont be like it was with FM, where the minute she returns, she's turning everything off and kicking people out.

(popsecrets was my old hangout.)

when mr ratburn came up to arthur with his suggestion, i thought he would say," ANDY! can eat..cake..."

imagine the brain singing that song near the end.

*sees chocolate cake in video. looks around.* wheres mr. ratburn?

george:mm, nice cookie! francine:thats a napkin. george.: oh! hahaha... (what he was thinking, "well, with busters cooking...)

there are so many jokes you can think up during this episode.