When I reminisce on my childhood, quite a few of the glowing memories I recall are related to the shows and media I consumed as a child. With charming illustrations and exciting narratives, it’s no surprise that certain endearing cartoons and characters reside in my mind like souvenirs.
Some of my favorite shows to watch during my early childhood included “The Berenstain Bears,” “Arthur” and “Caillou.” They all happened to air on PBS Kids Sprout, so this channel was our go-to pick when we turned the television on.
In addition to streaming my beloved cartoons, Sprout also aired “The Good Night Show” every night from 6-9 p.m. Watching this program with my mother for a few minutes before bed was a semi-regular routine.
After a bath, I’d snuggle into her bed in my jammies and enjoy a few quiet moments of watching and interacting with the show before bedtime. This time was very special to me, and my memories of it shine sweetly.
If you’re unfamiliar with “The Goodnight Show,” allow me to provide a brief explanation of the program. The primary characters include the host, Nina, and Star, an excitable talking star-shaped puppet. Lucy the firefly and Hush the goldfish joined the two main characters on occasion.
During the opening of the show, Nina appeared dressed in colorful pajamas each night, perched on a couch with a moon-shaped headboard. A smiling Star sat beside her among cozy, vibrant-hued pillows and blankets.
Each episode opened up with Nina and Star chatting on the couch, then moved into activities and interactions with other characters. “The Goodnight Show” offered plenty of opportunities for children and their parents to interact while watching it together.
One thing I immediately recall when reminiscing about “The Goodnight Show” is the sea of quilts Nina and Star would float through while transitioning to different segments of the show. Part of the allure of this program was the unique, dreamy visuals it portrayed.
As a small child, I cherished Nina. I looked up to her as a teacher figure and enjoyed her warm, nurturing presence while watching the show. I also adored Star’s silly, lively presence, and his conversations with Nina prompted plenty of giggles and grins from me.
According to The Sprout Press Room, this program’s intent was to help parents wind down their young children at the end of the day. “The Good Night Show” also offered introductions to sign language, Spanish, stretching exercises and more.
Every night, I asked for “The Nina Show,” and my mother happily obliged. My mother, a kindergarten teacher, was fond of “The Good Night Show” for its educational nature and for its settling effect on me.
Though the brilliant animations and lovely characters delighted me, watching “The Good Night Show” was made most memorable by the fact that I watched it with my mother.
This program will forever reside in my heart, both for its special production and characters and for the lovely moments it accompanied and created during my childhood.
O’Brien can be reached at [email protected].
