The desperation of finding co-viewing with a four year-old kid
It may not surprise you to find out that I live in a big TV household. Not big in terms of screen size, but more in terms of passion/interest. As a parent who tries to do the right thing, I try not to let the future publisher of Always Be Watching from too much screen time. But she gets quite a bit of access to ABC Kids (a fantastic service… we could use less Mojo Swoptops in this household… and Daniel Tiger is a little dweeb… but it’s otherwise very good). And we watch the occasional movie together.
One of my big frustrations with streaming services is that the kids and family sections are way too broad. It takes me far too much time to find a family movie or TV show that is suitable for a four year-old. The umbrella term ‘kids and family’ just isn’t helpful.
It’s also difficult finding shows that are enjoyable for the whole family. Netflix really delivered with Floor is Lava and Is It Cake, but beyond those, we haven’t had much success. Recommendations are welcome.
Something that may plug the gap for us is a new Gabby’s Dollhouse spin-off at Netflix.
Hosted by Laila Lockhart Kraner (as Gabby) and inspired by the global hit show Gabby's Dollhouse, the Untitled Gabby's Dollhouse Competition Series follows talented young baker-and-maker duos as they compete in whimsical baking and crafting challenges inspired by the magical world of Gabby. Four holiday-themed episodes will arrive later this year, along with new episodes in 2027.
Okay, this may prove to be a bit too kiddy in focus, but I’m desperate for viable options.
The success of Gabby’s Dollhouse is too frequently overlooked. As the announcement for the reality show mentioned, Gabby’s Dollhouse season 14 was the number 4 show on Netflix in the second half of 2025 with roughly 108 million views.
That is staggeringly huge.
Meanwhile my quest continues for something enjoyable I can watch with my kid. Good options shouldn’t be this difficult.
News Desk
Hot Ones is getting a spin-off show, with a series of live episodes streamed live on Netflix. The first special of Hot Ones: Extra Heat will feature Will Ferrell, Fortune Feimster, and Jimmy Tatro. Coincidentally, they also star in Netflix’s upcoming golf comedy series The Hawk. Read: THR
Exec Hannah Minghella has just been promoted to lead Netflix Animation Studios. She was previously head of feature animation and live-action family films. Read: The Wrap
Madonna has detailed how her biopic (autobiography pic?) fell apart at Universal Pictures and the struggle she had then trying to produce something similar at Netflix as a series. Who isn’t moving heaven and earth to make a Madonna film or show at their studio???? Read: THR
HBO is setting an all-women team of directors for season 2 of Task. Read: Deadline
Warner Bros Animation has announced feature films based off TV series properties Thundercats and The Powerpuff Girls. Read: Dark Horizons
The BBC has commissioned Shaun The Sheep spin-off Let’s Go Timmy! from Aardman. Read: C21
GTA VI fans are being scammed by invites to test a beta of the game to quash buys ahead of its official release. Read: The Guardian
Criminal Minds star Paget Brewster (though, I like to think of her as Huff star Paget Brewster) has apologised for criticising a writer from entertainment site ScreenRant. I’m torn – what Paget wrote was shitty… but it was also a writer from ScreenRant… Read: Deadline
Trailer Park
Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats debuts on Netflix August 7.
Alley Cats is an adult comedy animation series from the razor-sharp mind of Ricky Gervais. It follows a gang of foul-mouthed feral cats who cause havoc while musing on the meaning of life and fighting for survival in a brutal human world.
HBO has released a trailer teasing the weeks ahead on House of The Dragon.
Golden Kamuy - The Abashiri Prison Raid debuts on Netflix July 13.
In a fierce three-way fight over a hoard of Ainu gold, Asirpa and Sugimoto head to Abashiri Prison, where Noppera-Bo and the truth about her father wait.
Sparks of Tomorrow debuts July 5 on Netflix.
In an alternate past, an unlikely duo team up to look for a missing catalog that could bring electricity to the smoke-filled streets of Kyoto.
The Five Star Weekend Official Podcast debuts alongside The Five Star Weekend on July 9 at Peacock.
Best-Selling Author Elin Hilderbrand Hosts "The Five Star Weekend Official Podcast" Video and Audio Series Featuring Stars Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny and More, Plus Producers, Directors, and the Crew Behind Summer's Most Anticipated Series
That’s the newsletter for the today.
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