History Series / PlaySchool

[[caption-width-right:250:The toy cast from the BBC version of this show. Clockwise from left - Big Ted, Humpty, Jemima, Little Ted and Hamble.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Playdays'' was the official replacement for the UK version, running from 1988 to 1997. The current Creator/CBeebies show ''Tikkabilla'' has a number of ''Play School'' elements, including the windows.

* SubvertedKidsShow: Not ''Play School'' itself obviously, but many years after her tenure on the show, one of the Australian version's most famous hosts [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xtcB457jqQ recorded a reading of]] ''Literature/GoTheFuckToSleep'' in the exact same style she used to use when reading stories on ''Play School''. The Australian media reacted [[MoralGuardians as much as]] [[FelonyMisdemeanor you'd expect]] [[ContractualPurity it to]].

** WordOfGod states that the idea was meant to be the child's mother and stepmother taking her to the park and they assumed that most people would think the same way.

* TastesLikeDiabetes: To most people over the age of four, Play School itself is one, due to the overly-happy nature of each episode that doesn't deal with negative emotions, the artificial kid-sung songs and presenters who cheat, steal, and only eat junk food.

* PeripheryHatedom: "Play School" is hated by many pre-teens in its homeland, the UK, and New Zealand for the presenters having no emotion other than happy and talking down to the viewers. The show also taught Australian kids to cheat, steal, only eat junk food, and catch stinging insects (with no punishment or scolding).

There was also a Norwegian version called ''Lekestue'' that ran from 1973 until the early 1980s, and a Canadian equivalent, ''Polka Dot Door'', which ran from 1971 to 1993 and spawned two spin-offs, ''Giselle's Big Backyard'' and ''Polka Dot Shorts''.

[[caption-width-right:250:The toy cast from the BBC version of ths show. Clockwise from left - Big Ted, Humpty, Jemima, Little Ted and Hamble.]]

There was also a Norwegian version called ''Lekestue'' that ran from 1973 until the early 1980s, and a Canadian equivalent, ''Polka Dot Door'', which ran from 1971 to 1993.

There was also a Norwegian version called ''Lekestue'' that ran from 1973 until the early 1980s, and a Canadian version, ''Polka Dot Door'', which ran from 1971 to 1993.

* BerserkButton[=/=]SacredCow: Do '''not''' mock this show in front of an Australian. Certain long-standing hosts like John Hamblin or Benita Collings have universal respect and veneration from people aged 15 to 50 on a par with [[Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood Mr Rogers.]]

** The little girl in that story, Brenna Harding from ''Literature/PubertyBlues''.
** Word of God states that the idea was meant to be the child's mother and stepmother taking her to the park and they assumed that most people would think the same way.

* SubvertedKidsShow: Not ''Play School'' itself obviously, but many years after her tenure on the show, one of the Australian version's most famous hosts [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xtcB457jqQ recorded a reading of]] ''Literature/GoTheFuckToSleep'' in the exact same style she used to use when reading stories on ''Play School''. The Australian media reacted [[MoralGuardians much as]] [[FelonyMisdemeanor you'd expect]] [[ContractualPurity it to]].

In 1966, the format was adapted for Australian TV by [[TheABC the ABC]]. Both shows ran concurrently until 1984, when the British version was axed. The Australian version, however, has gone on to become so ingrained in the culture that you'd be hard-pressed to find any Australian person who ''hasn't'' watched the show at some point. Many of the show's presenters are well-known Australian actors, and the job is quite a challenging one. The show has changed very little over the years, aside from one revamp in 1999 that changed the "Windows" into a rotating prop. Notably, this is one of the few children shows ABC broadcasts on several Pay TV providers worldwide via the Australia Plus TV (Previously Australia Network and ABC International) channel.

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Playdays'' was the official replacement for the UK version, running from 1988 to 1997. The current CBeebies show ''Tikkabilla'' has a number of ''Play School'' elements, including the windows.

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/play_school_bbc.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:The toy cast from the BBC version of ths show. Clockwise from left - Big Ted, Humpty, Jemima, Little Ted and Hamble.]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/playschooltoys_4007.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:340:The toy cast from the Australian version of the show.]]

[[quoteright:340:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/play_school_bbc.jpg]]

[[quoteright:340:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/playschooltoys_4007.jpg]]

* BerserkButton[=/=]SacredCow: Do '''not''' mock this show in front of an Australian. Certain long-standing hosts like John Hamblin or Benita Collings have universal respect and veneration from people aged 15 to 50 on a par with [[MrRogersNeighborhood Mr Rogers.]]

* LongRunners: Almost all versions ran for a considerable length of time, but the Australian version stands out at an astounding 45 years.

* RubeGoldbergDevice: At least one of the calendars was this.

* ThatRemindsMeOfASong

** The little girl in that story, Brenna Harding from ''PubertyBlues''.