Review: The Fresh Beat Band, Upbeat & Positive
The Fresh Beat Band premiered on Nickelodeon last week after many, many promotion videos. The show is about four best friends, Marina, Kiki, Twist, and Shout, who go to music school together and play in The Fresh Beat Band. This live action program is targeted to preschoolers. They sing about solving problems with fun dance moves and includes a little musical education.
The group was originally called The Jumparounds, then inexplicably changed to The Fresh Beat Band. Noggin and Nickelodeon started to heavily promote the show over a month ago. The songs quickly grew on me and I was excited about the premiere last Monday. After viewing the first episode, I found the show just okay. My 2 year old daughter watches it sometimes, but it isn’t her favorite. I try to get her to dance with me when they are on. Some of the moves are little complicated even if I tried to follow them.
The show encourages creativity and playing musical instruments. The show is more entertaining and fun to watch than educational. However, I never expect anything from Nickelodeon to be educational. Noggin is wrong – they are not “just like preschool!” Television can never replace personal one-on-one interaction. I think the explanation of how a show is supposed to enhance social awareness before a show begins on Noggin are a joke. Okay, I am stepping off my soap box now.
I do like that Kiki and Marina are modestly dressed. They wear dresses and skirts, but have leggings underneath. The boys are appropriately dressed as well. The songs are fun and positive. I kind of like the “Great Day” song. Shout’s rapping does getting a little annoying, because that is so 1997. Hopefully, the show will only get better. I think it has a lot of potential.
Many folks in the Nickelodeon forum think the show is too mature for preschoolers and find the music irritating. I personally don’t find this show as annoying as other preschool shows on television. I think it would be super adorable if my little girl danced and sang the songs. I hope The Fresh Beat Band improves with each episode, because I am still tuning in.
This show has a lot of folks on either side of the fence. Did you find the promos annoying? What do you think of The Fresh Beat Band?
Share the fun: Email + Del.icio.us + Digg + Technorati
Jason (my husband) and I were just talking about them lat night. He loves them. Ha ha. Oh and so does my 3 year old.
My 4 year old loves them and was singing their songs months ago when the promos started. I haven’t seen the full show yet, but the promos were fun and made me want to get up and dance!
My 4 year old son is all out obsessed with the Fresh Beat Band and I wish it was on more often…especially after it was so heavily promoted!
I was considering recording an episode or two so the boys would have something to watch while I cook supper. They liked the promos so I’m wondering if they’d like the show.
[...] to watch in one day? Over the last 2 years on The Mom Crowd we have had many discussions about new preschool television shows and inappropriate content in movies, but we haven’t discussed how much TV is okay. I bet that [...]
Hi there,
My daughter wants to have the Fresh Beat Band birthday party… She loves the songs, I have heard them on XM in my car as we drive to and from school… My kids love them, I like them better then letting my daughter watch older shows…
If anyone knows of where I can get some birthday party stuff..
Thank you,
Courtney
I have two boys ages 2 and 3 (almost 3 and 4) and they love the Fresh Beats. the sing and dance with them. its so cute. i dont see the problem with the show.
My 5 year old LOVES The Fresh Beat Band! It is great to have a show that she can dance to and is just mature enough to keep her entertained. The dancing is great too. It is perfect for her age! Other shows that are on are either a cartoon or too young for her. This show even makes her get out of her seat and dance around!!
My 4 & 2 yr old love this program. I think is very safe for children and very entertaining! Thumbs up!
My daughter is 22 months and she loves the show! She like many others was excited about it just by the previews. She is musically inclined so I am sure that is why it appeals to her. It does surprise me that it is marketed to the pre-school age but I still see nothing wrong with it. We love it!
My 3-1/2 enjoys this show. It isn’t educational but in my daughter’s case it gets her up & dancing. Adults aren’t the target audience so if the show bugs you that much change the channel or turn off the t.v. People are so weird.
My son is 2-1/2 and he just loves this show. Although it’s not my favorite thing to watch I’m happy my son is excited about music. I’m glad there’s a show that’s introducing children to the world of musical instruments and music in general. Yes, the show is a little silly but the show’s I use to watch a child were silly too.
My 3 yrs old daughter she loves it soooo much. And she continuesly watching on the nickjr.com .Look like she can’t get enough of it . And it is good too .
All of my children love the Fresh Beat Band and so do I. They are 5, 3, 19 months and 7 months. When I turn on the Fresh Beat Band they all stop and watch.. Three oldest get up and dance for the whole show! It’s not teaching them abc’s but it is teaching them musical terms..My son wants some turntables like Twist.LOL!
Oh gosh! My daughter isn’t even one yet and she LOVES them! Everytime they come on shes dancing around and she actually tries to sing the songs! I love them.
My 19 month old loves them. It’s so cute to watch her sing and dance with them.
My 19 month old absolutely loves them! She runs to the tv when they come on and starts dancing like crazy and tries to sing the songs its adorable. I wish it was on more!
I have two daughters, 4 & 2 and they love the fresh beat band. People complain that the show is not educational. This show teaches about music and instruments..who says thats not important? The show also provides lessons such as working together.yes its silly but hello its a kids show. My daughters love this show and thats what matters
My 18 month old loves the Fresh Beats I have recorded every episode so far and when I have to make her lunch or do something else around the house I can just turn one on and I can get things done while she sings and dances around (especially the LOCO Legs episode). I find it very irritating when I read on other websites about their dislike of the Fresh Beats…they are something new and different for a new generation…lets give them a chance to before we start knocking them. I love them and so does everyone else in my house….especially my daughter…keep up the good work Fresh Beats.