Jakers!

Over the last few years I have fallen under the spell of “Jakers!” I know, it’s a kiddie show. But it’s on PBS, it’s got Mel Brooks, it’s set in Ireland and who doesn’t love a show with a little bull who wears brown shorts and a raffish sportcoat?


















Ferny's my favorite - not the brightest light on the tree, but super friendly, loyal and loves to sing. Who can honestly say they had a dry eye after his incredibly moving solo version of "Oh, Thor" (a Ferny original!) while burying his goldfish Thor?

Plus, the show actually has had several laugh-out-loud moments, and I look forward to watching it with my godsons/nephews/other people’s children.

What bugs me though is that here’s a group of different animals that hang out and can talk. There’s a pig, a bull, a duck and various parents/townfolk. They talk, do crossword puzzles and own businesses. But then there’s other animals that are just...animals. They’re on a farm, so there’s livestock. Sheep, chickens, a donkey named Finnegan. What a weird parralel universe. “Great. I get to haul a cart of hay around all fucking day without talking while these animals form rock bands (The Raloo Rockers!) at their school. Thanks, assholes.”

Great show. But weird. Animal slavery? For children? Ah well.