Damn You, Ponies. Damn You All to Hell
I had such plans for my daughter. Her core entertainment would be books: Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry, Robert McCloskey. But I wasn't naive. I knew there'd be television, too. So I'd allow only the finest in animated entertainment. Disney, Pixar, Looney Tunes. No Care Bears in my house. No Strawberry Shortcake, either. And certainly none of those 3-for-$5 generic Wal-Mart knockoffs such as The Wee Mermaid or Finding Remo. My daughter's beautiful brain would be enhanced by the most inventive minds in animation.
And then the ponies showed up. My Little Pony. Mystical galloping equine terrors, chirping tinkly songs, spouting New Age claptrap. Her grandmother was the enabler: DVDs, toys, coloring books, stickers. My daughter became crazed. I tried to reason with her, that 3-year-old bundle of blonde curls, but it was useless.
"Should we read The Lorax?"
"No, ponies!"
"Should we watch Pinocchio?"
"I SAID PONIES, OLD MAN!!!!"
So alas, the ponies have won, mocking me with their rainbow manes and smug smiles. I never saw it coming. Maybe I should have. But I didn't. Well played, ponies. Well played.
My Little Pony Live! comes to Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, for shows at 7 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. $14-$18. (727) 791-7400
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
is there really a pony that looks so scary? Have fun at the show.
Posted by: Erin | July 06, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Care Bear Counnnntdown......5.....4......3......2..
......1!
Ah, silly memories. Thanks Sean.
Posted by: Al | July 08, 2007 at 03:10 AM
Sean, I feel your pain. My daughters have more My Little Ponies than you can shake a stick at, and they have some videos too...beware the videos!
Posted by: bassnote | July 09, 2007 at 09:55 AM
my little pony live!! we cant miss that. i am emailing jen right now. we have to go....wanna come with???
Posted by: t odell | July 09, 2007 at 12:39 PM
We felt the same way about Barney and the Teletubbies several years ago, and yet we still gave in to them. Some battles just aren't worth fighting.
Posted by: Shelly | July 10, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Oooh, we had a few Teletubbies scares early on, but they never stuck. Plenty of Wiggles, tho. The Forever Fiancee actually developed a crush on Anthony. It was weird.
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 10, 2007 at 04:36 PM