PBS Kids Go Unleashes New Show
Weekdays at 10 a.m.
Part game show, part reality TV and
part spoof, Fetch With Ruff Ruffman features real
kids, real challenges, real science and an unreal animated host
— a dog named Ruff Ruffman. The series mixes unscripted live
action with animation and breaks the mold with its educational and
comical take on one of America’s most popular television genres.
Targeting 6- to 10-year-olds, the series is spontaneous and full
of surprises.
The star of the show is Ruff, a slightly
neurotic yet lovable and charismatic canine, who runs the show from
his state-of-the-art headquarters — otherwise known as his
doghouse. Interacting with the animated Ruff is a live-action cast
of six “tweenage” contestants — Julia, Khalil,
Anna, Brian, Noah and Taylor. Each episode follows one or more of
the kids as they embark on mystery assignments, concocted by Ruff,
to test their determination, their daring and their intellect.
True to the reality TV format, the
kids have no idea what they are getting into until they’re
off on their challenges. If things aren’t exciting enough,
Ruff throws in an unexpected twist to up the ante. At the end of
each episode, Ruff awards points and declares a daily winner. For
the season finale, the contestant with the most points wins what,
according to Ruff, is an “unbelievably fabulous grand prize!”
The series offers an extensive outreach
initiative, designed to extend the impact of the show’s three
science themes — animals, space and invention.
The show’s Web site, pbskidsgo.org/fetch,
gives viewers a chance to play along with the show even after the
TV is turned off.
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