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2* AccidentalInnuendo:
3** The episode covering plants features a scene where Wanda gets hit by "white stuff" ejected from a chloroplast that's "gooey and sticky"[[note]]it's sugar, thankfully[[/note]] and is subsequently grossed out by the fact that it lands in her mouth before she finds out that she likes the way it tastes. Children's educational television, everybody!
4** "At my old school, we never got baked."[[note]]The kids, Ms. Frizzle, and the Bus were being baked inside of a cake.[[/note]]
5* AdaptationDisplacement: The TV show is better known to some than the original books; in fact, a new series of paperbacks went into print based on the TV episodes.
6* {{Adorkable}}: Arnold has a bunch of dorky hobbies like collecting rocks and minerals but is also a neurotic NiceGuy.
7* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
8** Is Ms. Frizzle something like a Willy Wonka who is teaching the class to find a successor to the Magic School Bus?
9** Is Ms Frizzle a normal human or not? She's implied to be {{older|ThanTheyLook}} than her roughly 30-to-mid-40s look, and she is into magic.
10** Is the school bus really magic or is it SufficientlyAdvancedTechnology? Or perhaps [[{{Magitek}} both]]? It's an oddity that a science teacher would be involved with magic. ClarkesThirdLaw comes into effect.
11** It's commonly interpreted that the producers (Malcolm and Susan) are a grown-up Tim and Wanda. "Hops Home" seems to ''heavily'' imply this as [[BabiesEverAfter Bella and Herman's kids are shown after the episode's end.]]
12* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt:
13** Creator/{{Nelvana}} does an excellent job streamlining the characters in Bruce Degan's illustrations for animation. The animation itself, while not Disney-quality, is surprisingly fluid and expressive for a public-funded {{edutainment}} show.
14** The scene where the bus takes the kids back in time in "The Busasaurus". Ralphie points out that they just went "rewind!" as people and animals move backwards, complete with volcanos refilling with lava. It ends with the asteroid returning to the sky in reverse.
15* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The show's intro song is peppy, funky, and catchy. And who better to sing it than the late great Music/LittleRichard?
16* BrokenAesop: Despite ''Explores the Age of Dinosaurs'' pointing out the theory that birds are dinosaurs, the MiniGame Dino Madness has a turkey and an ostrich as correct answers for the "That's Not a Dinosaur" questions. Made especially jarring when those questions have ''Archaeopteryx'' as a wrong answer.
17* CargoShip: Who's the fandom's number one Frizzle-related ship? Arnold or one of her other students? Someone's [[OriginalCharacter OC]]? Mr. Ruhle? One or more of the producers? [[BestialityIsDepraved Lizzie?]] No, don't be ridiculous - it's [[http://frostbackcat.tumblr.com/image/42725356447 the bus]], obviously.
18* CrackShip:
19** Some of the fandom likes involving Ms. Frizzle in [[CrossoverShip crossover]] lesbian relationships with Film/MaryPoppins (both are [[Series/DoctorWho Time Lords]], apparently) or Franchise/CarmenSandiego. Others just ship her with [[CargoShip the bus.]]
20** According to Tumblr, Carlos apparently grows up to be the perfect, wonderful scientist who moves into [[Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale Night Vale]] and falls in love with the host, Cecil.
21* EpilepticTrees: The popular theory that Ms. Frizzle's students grew up to be the Planeteers in ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'', which originated from [[https://i.stack.imgur.com/ziv8W.png this image macro noticing the uncanny resemblance]]
22* {{Fanon}}: Her traveling through time, space, and dimensions with a group of students in a shape-changing vehicle has led to the nigh-unanimous fandom consensus that Ms. Frizzle is a [[Series/DoctorWho Time Lord.]]
23** The 2nd most popular theory is that she is an immortal witch which is kind of ironic since she's into science.
24* GeniusBonus: Judging from the visible C drive on the screen, the computer in "Gets Programmed" is obviously running MS-DOS.
25* HilariousInHindsight:
26** In "Out of This World," aired years before [[ScienceMarchesOn Pluto's demotion]], the class is rehearsing a play about the solar system where they each play a different planet, but Dorothy Ann is late, so they had to start without her planet... ''Pluto''. Given that the episode is one big ShoutOut to ''Franchise/StarTrek'', it's almost eerily prescient that the transformed bus vaguely resembles the [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise NX-01]] ''Enterprise''.
27** In "Gets Programmed," Carlos' brother Mikey, a child genius, tells the class, "I heard your [[WesternAnimation/PawPatrol yelp for help]]." In fact, an earlier episode had the kids being assigned to take care of their African-American authority figure's pet chicken, who of course gets into trouble...
28* LauncherOfAThousandShips: Arnold. He's been shipped with ''everyone''.
29%%* LoveToHate: Janet, Janet, a thousand times over, Janet.
30* MemeticMutation:
31** "CARLOS!" [[LamePunReaction as a response to]] his [[{{Pun}} terrible puns]]. It's even used as a reaction to a bad pun or two on Website/TVTropes.
32** Footage from the show seems to be popular for YouTubePoop (although, given the NostalgiaFilter protection the show has garnered in North America, it's probably {{affectionate|Parody}} more than anything).
33** "I knew I should have stayed home today..."
34** In Israel, the show was just called 'The Magic Bus' (because school buses are not as ubiquitous there). Unfortunately, 'magic' (or, more accurately, 'acts of magic') sounds a lot like 'drugs' in Hebrew (קסמים ''ksamím'' vs. סמים ''samím'', respectively). Cue many jabs from kids who've outgrown the series about the bus adventures being a case of MushroomSamba.
35** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXHZiKu5f90 Girl that's a booty hole.]]"
36** Captioning any picture of a school bus in a strange situation with "[[http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/774550-the-magic-school-bus Dammit, Ms. Frizzle!]]"
37** [[AccidentalInnuendo "At my old school, we never got baked."]]
38** Comparisons between Carlos and [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans]], as both of them are [[PungeonMaster Pungeon Masters]] who wear blue hoodies.
39** Website/YouTube has videos playing the animated show's opening theme over any real-life or fictional footage of bus accidents or stunts.
40** "Arnold ''dies''." The first episode has Arnold instantly freezing due to taking off his helmet on Pluto, and though of course he doesn't die, it's not clear until the next scene that he hasn't. Given that this is supposed to be a kids show, the internet has had a field day regarding this moment.
41--->"[[https://youtu.be/AXxBhOc7jEA YOOOOOOOOOOO! YO, HOLY SHIT, HE DEAD!!!]]"
42* SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames: The series had many video game spinoffs, and most of them were well received.
43* OlderThanTheyThink:
44** With how enduring the series is as a staple of elementary school classrooms, it can be jarring to learn that the animated series started in 1994 and that the book series started even earlier, in 1986.
45** The premise of the series is also similar to Filmation's ''WesternAnimation/MissionMagic'' Except this time, the teacher, Miss Tickle, is ''explicitly'' a witch.
46* ParanoiaFuel: If you're sick, a science class might enter your body in a shrunken bus to find out why.
47* PeripheryDemographic:
48** The series has gained a large amount of older fans, many of whom grew up with it. It helps that both the facts ([[ScienceMarchesOn for the most part]]) are still relevant and the characters are interesting. Older fans have been known to revisit the show because of how much they forgot that they had learned in elementary.
49** Conversely, unlike most shows of its age, the series continues to draw in fans from newer generations, thanks to how a good amount of its factual content is still true today (the only majorly flawed episodes [[ScienceMarchesOn by modern standards]] being "Lost in Space", largely due to Pluto no longer being a planet as of 2006, and "The Busasaurus" due to new discoveries about dinosaurs), leading it to still be commonly read/shown in elementary school classrooms year after year.
50** It's also popular among adults who work in or teach science, who are relieved to see a science-education show that actually gets things right most of the time, and clarifies when it doesn't.
51* RetroactiveRecognition:
52** Keesha's voice is Erica Luttrell, who had been one of the kids from ''Series/ShiningTimeStation'', and would later voice [[WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian Princess Candy]], WesternAnimation/{{S|tevenUniverse}}apphire, and [[VideoGame/Dishonored2 Emily Kaldwin]].
53** Wanda's voice is Lisa Yamanaka (now Lisa Jai), who would later voice Yoko in another Nelvana/PBS series, ''WesternAnimation/TimothyGoesToSchool''. She would also voice [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 Sherry Birkin]].
54*** Speaking of VideoGame/ResidentEvil2, the tow truck driver in one episode is voiced by Creator/GaryKrawford, who would later voice [[DirtyCop Chief Irons]].
55** Arnold's second voice is Danny Tamberelli- at the time, he was on ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'', and would later move onto ''Series/AllThat'', and still later voiced/mocapped Jimmy in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'', the latter leading to jokes that the years were unkind to Arnold.
56** Series director Yvette Kaplan would later become a regular collaborator with Creator/MikeJudge, directing episodes of ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead'' (including co-directing [[WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead the movie]]) and ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill''. She didn't leave children's animation altogether, of course, as she later co-created ''WesternAnimation/ZackAndQuack'' for Creator/NickJr.
57* SelfFanservice: Ms. Frizzle is rather plain looking and dresses conservatively, but that hasn't stopped now adult fans of the show who may have had crushes on her when they were kids to make very sexual fan art of her.
58* {{Squick}}:
59** Some of the Fantastic Voyage moments:
60*** When the kids go inside Janet's nose in "Makes a Stink"...and inside Ralphie's nose in "Inside Ralphie"...[[RuleOfThree and inside Ms. Frizzle's nose in "Works Out"]]. Of these three, "Makes a Stink" is the worst, since Ralphie and Ms. Frizzle's noses are dry (aside from a splash of mucus made when the Bus drives further into Ms. Frizzle's nasal passage), but Janet's is just as snotty as her personality.
61*** When they go inside Ralphie's cut in "Inside Ralphie", with both scab and blood in close-up view.
62*** Or when the class was inside Arnold's large intestine in "For Lunch", getting up close and personal with piles of feces.
63** The episode about fungi and molds.
64** Or when the class [[AccidentalInnuendo got laid]] by a chicken.
65** Or when the class got ejaculated on by a salmon. [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer Yes,]] ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdNrs9RLn_Q that actually happened]]''.
66* StrawmanHasAPoint: Wanda has this when telling the class she needs to take Bella her bullfrog back home to keep her safe. While Wanda is portrayed sympathetically for her pet having gone missing, the class reiterates that Bella seems happier in a natural habitat where she can lay eggs rather than staying with Wanda. Wanda retorts that there are natural predators everywhere, so Bella wouldn't be safe. She's not wrong; Bella is completely domesticated, and that tends to put a crimp on survival instincts. Wanda only concedes when she sees that Bella can defend herself, or at least flee from predators.
67* StressRelievingGameplay: For those who thought Janet was annoying, the "Explores the Solar System" game lets you throw her into Neptune's atmosphere. It's also ThatOneLevel as well - so it'll probably happen by accident.
68* SurpriseDifficulty: Some of the minigames (such as the platformers in ''Explores the Solar System'', the ''Protoceratops'' game in ''Explores the World of Dinosaurs'' and the Mahjong game in ''Explores the World of Animals'') can prove challenging even for older players.
69* SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel: It's an uplifting series with a CoolTeacher.
70* ThatOneLevel: The platforming minigames in the ''Explores the Solar System'' computer game all can be fairly difficult, but the [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Saturn]] level with Tim is generally agreed by people who have played the game to be the most frustrating one. The level takes place on tiny slick platforms in Saturn's rings that you will almost constantly be sliding off of into a level-wide {{Bottomless Pit|s}} (causing you to start over) until you get a jetpack that's just one screen away. While the jetpack can keep you from falling into the bottomless pit, it also uses up air. Running out of air will also start you over, without the jetpack, meaning you have to navigate Saturn's icy platforms to get it all over again.
71** To say nothing about Neptune - the level is three screens where you have to get a jetpack or jump to balloons (precariously) to reach the token.
72** From Explores Inside The Earth, many people refer to the Drill for Oil; Dig for Coal game as the most frustrating Minigame where a lot of players have a difficult time successfully defeating Liz in collecting the hidden resources on their side, thanks in part due to Liz being able to seemingly [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard find the resources with near perfect accuracy]].
73** The Marathon mini-game from Explores in the Age of Dinosaurs, in which you help a Troodon flee a hungry T-Rex, can also become this. Not only do you have to jump over obstacles in your path, but you also have to avoid pterosaurs that swoop down at you. Plus, the speed for the oncoming obstacles gradually increases over the course of the mini-game, making it completely impossible to beat the tenth level.
74* TransAudienceInterpretation:
75** A popular theory among the series' LGBTFanbase is that Arnold is a closeted trans girl and that Ms. Frizzle is Arnold post-transition, having traveled back in time with the Magic School Bus to help her younger self. This interpretation cites the two's similar hair, Ms. Frizzle's flamboyant demeanor and unflappability, and her self-described "private and powerful passion for pickles." Spironolactone, an androgen blocker commonly taken by trans women in the US, is also a potassium-sparing diuretic that frequently causes dehydration and hyponatremia, resulting in increased thirst and cravings for salt. Pickles solve both of these problems and are a meme in trans communities as a result.
76** Likewise Liz goes by female pronouns, but only biologically male Jackson Chameleons have horns like Liz.
77* ValuesResonance: This show may have the single best depiction of diversity in any children's series, in that it only ''depicts'' it, but rarely if ever addresses it: apart from the multi-ethnic class, we have two canonically disabled characters with Carlos's paraplegic brother Mikey and Phoebe's blind father, but never treats them as {{Flawless Token}}s (indeed, the DayInTheLimelight episodes for each kid often has them overcoming one of their character flaws, and every student has realistically-depicted ones), treating everyone's differences as 100% normal.

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