Bluey creator reveals why breaking one major stereotype made the children’s show a worldwide success – as new season pulls record high ratings
The director and animator behind children’s program Bluey has revealed the secret behind the show’s popularity.
Richard Jeffery told The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, the show has been a success because ‘it offers an honest portrayal of modern parenting’.
‘I think we did take a fresh approach… Part of that was just a more honest portrayal of modern parenting, how parents can be, you know,’ he explained.
‘Most cartoons, the dad’s always a buffoon, mum’s stay at home. It doesn’t have to be like that. I think with Dad particularly, we wanted to portray a very competent – well, both the parents are very competent parents.’
‘IÂ think it makes it more relatable… And I think there’s just some genuine writing that appeals to the parents as well: relatable moments.’
The creator of popular Aussie show Bluey has revealed the secret behind the children series’ success as ratings skyrocket
Richard explained the show has gained a ‘co-viewership’ and this has been one of the many factors for its success.
It comes after season three of Bluey premiered on the ABC Kids channel on Sunday.
The newest Bluey episode, ‘Cubby’, pulled in an impressive 1,498,000 viewers, the highest since its launch in 2018.
The total audience includes 866,000 overnight viewers, with an additional 149,000 watching the evening encore, and 483,000 on the iview VPM.
Bluey, arguably Australia’s most popular children’s TV show, follows the adventures of ‘a loveable, inexhaustible six-year-old Blue Heeler dog’ along with her family, which includes her mum, dad and younger sister, and her friends.
The animated series won the Kids: Preschool Award at the 2019 International Emmys.
The show has even captured the hearts and minds of schoolchildren across America and is changing the way they speak.
Richard Jeffery told The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday: ‘Most cartoons, the dad’s always a buffoon, mum’s stay at home. It doesn’t have to be like that. I think with Dad particularly, we wanted to portray a very competent – well, both the parents are very competent parents,’ he saidÂ
Kids in the United States are beginning to speak with an unmistakable Australian twang after watching Bluey.
The cartoon has become wildly popular in the U.S. after premiering on the Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ in September 2019.
In 2020, The New York Times described the show as ‘the biggest Australian export since The Wiggles’ – the country’s most famous children’s band.
The cartoon stays true to its true-blue roots and is packed with ‘g’day’ greetings and Aussie phrases like ‘show us your thongs, muffin!’
Richard explained the show has gained a ‘co-viewership’ between parents and children and this has been one of the many factors for its success