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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
{{Examples Need Sorting}}
{{quote|''"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning ''fun''! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I ''swear''".''|'''Krusty the Clown''', ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]''}}
{{quote|''"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning ''fun''! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I ''swear''".''|'''Krusty the Clown'''|''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''}}


As the trope's title implies, the [[Edutainment Show]] combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as ''[[Myth Busters]]''. [[Cooking Show|Cooking Shows]], [[Science Show|Science Shows]], [[Nature Show|Nature Shows]], and other [[TV Documentary]] formats (especially [[Docu Drama]] programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", "[[Reading Is Cool Aesop]]" or "be a good friend to others."
As the trope's title implies, the '''Edutainment Show''' combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as ''[[MythBusters]]''. [[Cooking Show]]s, [[Science Show]]s, [[Nature Show]]s, and other [[TV Documentary]] formats (especially [[Docu Drama]] programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", "[["Reading Is Cool" Aesop]]" or "be a good friend to others."


Many [[Edutainment Show|Edutainment Shows]] appear on PBS, the most famous example being ''[[Sesame Street (TV)|Sesame Street]]''. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "[[Nick Jr]]" block, such as ''[[Blues Clues (Animation)|Blues Clues]]'' and ''[[Dora the Explorer (Animation)|Dora the Explorer]]'', as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.
Many '''Edutainment Shows''' appear on PBS, the most famous example being ''[[Sesame Street]]''. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "[[Nick Jr.]]" block, such as ''[[Blue's Clues|Blues Clues]]'' and ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'', as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.


In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have 3 hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying [[Saved By the Bell]], the rules are susceptible to [[Loophole Abuse]] if [[An Aesop]] is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the [[And Knowing Is Half the Battle]] is referring to.
In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have three hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying ''[[Saved by the Bell]]'', the rules are susceptible to [[Loophole Abuse]] if [[An Aesop]] is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the [[And Knowing Is Half the Battle]] is referring to.


For the [[Video Game]] counterpart see [[Edutainment Game]].
For the [[Video Game]] counterpart see [[Edutainment Game]].
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=== Other examples: ===


{{examples}}
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* [[Three Two One Contact]]
== Anime and Manga ==
* [[Three Two One Penguins (Animation)|321 Penguins]]
* As you might expect from the title, ''[[Cells at Work!]]'' teaches viewers/readers which cells the human body has and what the jobs of these cells are.
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* [[Adventures From the Book of Virtues (Animation)|Adventures From the Book of Virtues]]
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* ''[[GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class]]'' has definite elements of this; there are whole episodes spent on explaining various graphic techniques.
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* [[Amazing Animals (TV)|Amazing Animals]]
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* ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]'' teaches history and a little bit about culture between (often with) all the [[Ho Yay]] and gags. (Although the manga's depiction of Korea has sparked controversy in [[South Korea]].)
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* [[Angelina Ballerina]]

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* [[Animal Armageddon (TV)|Animal Armageddon]]
== Comic Books ==
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* Arguably, [[Animaniacs (Animation)|Animaniacs]], which featured many educational songs and skits as well as famous historical figures and cultural icons of past eras, all for the Warners to gleefully abuse.
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* [[Anselme Lanturlu]] (French edutainment ''comic'')
* [[Anne of Green Gables (Literature)|Anne of Green Gables]]: The Animated Series.

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* [[Anselme Lanturlu (Comic Book)|Anselme Lanturlu]] (French edutainment ''comic'')
== Live-Action TV ==
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* [[The Archers]] was originally conceived as a way to make British farms more productive by teaching good practice; it's long since [[Genre Shift|outgrown this]] and become a straight [[Soap Opera]], but still [[Shown Their Work|takes pride in the accuracy of its farming-related storylines]], retaining an "Agricultural Story Editor" for this purpose.
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* [[3-2-1 Contact]]
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* [[Arthur (Animation)|Arthur]] - This program also [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshades]] this trope with an in-universe example. Buster claims that a program that he's making is going to be "edutainment." The characters respond to this with an "ew." The chapter-book adaptation of that episode goes even further, with Brain stating that edutainment is supposed to be a blend of education and entertainment, but often ends up being the worst of both.

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* ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia (Manga)|Axis Powers Hetalia]]'' teaches history and a little bit about culture between (often with) all the [[Ho Yay]] and gags. (Although the manga's depiction of Korea has sparked controversy in [[South Korea]].)
== Puppet Shows ==
* Baby Einstein
* Baby Einstein

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* [[The Backyardigans (Animation)|The Backyardigans]]
== Radio ==
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* [[Barney and Friends (TV)|Barney and Friends]]
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* [[The Archers]] was originally conceived as a way to make British farms more productive by teaching good practice; it's long since [[Genre Shift|outgrown this]] and become a straight [[Soap Opera]], but still [[Shown Their Work|takes pride in the accuracy of its farming-related storylines]], retaining an "Agricultural Story Editor" for this purpose.
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* [[Beakmans World]]

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* [[Bear in The Big Blue House]]
== Western Animation ==
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* [[Between the Lions (TV)|Between the Lions]]
* [[3-2-1 Penguins!]]
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* [[Adventures from the Book of Virtues]]
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* [[Amazing Animals]]
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* [[Angelina Ballerina]]
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* Arguably, [[Animaniacs]], which featured many educational songs and skits as well as famous historical figures and cultural icons of past eras, all for the Warners to gleefully abuse.
⚫
* [[Arthur (animation)|Arthur]] - This program also [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshades]] this trope with an in-universe example. Buster claims that a program that he's making is going to be "edutainment." The characters respond to this with an "ew." The chapter-book adaptation of that episode goes even further, with Brain stating that edutainment is supposed to be a blend of education and entertainment, but often ends up being the worst of both.

== '''UNSORTED''' ==
⚫
* [[Animal Armageddon]]
* [[Anne of Green Gables]]: The Animated Series.{{context|reason=Which 'Anne' animated series? The Canadian one or the Japanese one?}}
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* [[The Backyardigans]]
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* [[Barney and Friends]]
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* [[Beakman's World]]
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* [[Bear in the Big Blue House]]
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* [[Between the Lions]]
* [[The Big Comfy Couch]]
* [[The Big Comfy Couch]]
* [[Bill Nye the Science Guy]]
* [[Bill Nye the Science Guy]]
* [[Black Hole High]]
* [[Black Hole High]]
* [[Blasters Universe]]: Based on an [[Edutainment Game]] series.
* [[Blasters Universe]]: Based on an [[Edutainment Game]] series.
* [[Blues Clues]]
* [[Blue's Clues]]
* [[Bob the Builder]]
* [[Bob the Builder]]
* [[Brain Games]]: HBO's take on the learning program, and it was even marketed on VHS tapes in a period when television programs on home video was an exception, not a rule.
* [[Brain Games]]: HBO's take on the learning program, and it was even marketed on VHS tapes in a period when television programs on home video was an exception, not a rule.
* [[Brainiac Science Abuse]]...sometimes.
* [[Brainiac: Science Abuse]]... sometimes.{{context}}
* [[Brain POP (Website)|Brain POP]]
* [[Brain POP]]
* [[Bubble Guppies (Animation)|Bubble Guppies]]
* [[Bubble Guppies]]
* [[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]
* [[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]
* [[Caillou (Animation)|Caillou]]
* [[Caillou]]
* [[Calling All Safety Scouts]]
* [[Calling All Safety Scouts]]
* [[Captain Planet and The Planeteers]]
* [[Captain Planet and the Planeteers]]
* [[Classic Disney Shorts (Animation)|Classic Disney Shorts]]: Some [[Donald Duck]] shorts of the mid-to-late 1950s had an educational bend, one of the most notable of which was ''Donald in Mathmagicland'', in which Donald, assisted by the True Spirit of Adventure, shows how "there's a lot more to mathematics than just two times two."
* [[Classic Disney Shorts]]: Some [[Donald Duck]] shorts of the mid-to-late 1950s had an educational bend, one of the most notable of which was ''Donald in Mathmagicland'', in which Donald, assisted by the True Spirit of Adventure, shows how "there's a lot more to mathematics than just two times two."
* [[Clifford the Big Red Dog (Literature)|Clifford the Big Red Dog]]
* [[Clifford the Big Red Dog]]
* [[Conquest (TV)|Conquest]]
* [[Conquest (TV series)|Conquest]]
* [[Cosmic Quantum Ray (Animation)|Cosmic Quantum Ray]]
* [[Cosmic Quantum Ray]]
* [[Cyberchase (Animation)|Cyberchase]]
* [[Cyberchase]]
* [[Deadliest Warrior]] gets into the nitty gritty of history: wars, different warriors, how they fought, and their weapons. Controversy or no, they dig up the most brutal aspects of humanity and pit them together in all their bloody glory.
* [[Deadliest Warrior]] gets into the nitty-gritty of history: wars, different warriors, how they fought, and their weapons. Controversy or no, they dig up the most brutal aspects of humanity and pit them together in all their bloody glory.
* [[Destinos]]: An Introduction To Spanish
* [[Destinos]]: An Introduction To Spanish
* [[Didou]]: Step-by-step instructions on drawing various items.
* [[Didou]]: Step-by-step instructions on drawing various items.
* [[Dino Dan]]
* [[Dino Dan]]
* [[Dinosaur Train (Animation)|Dinosaur Train]]
* [[Dinosaur Train]]
* [[Doc McStuffins (Animation)|Doc McStuffins]]
* [[Doc McStuffins]]
* [[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]: As odd as it seems in retrospect, this show started out as edutainment. The show was originally meant to alternate between stories set in the past that would teach kids history, and those set in the future, or on other planets, that would teach science (hence the first two companions being a history teacher and a science teacher). Then the Daleks showed up, became massively popular, and changed the emphasis of the show to scary monsters rather than education.
* [[Doctor Who]]: As odd as it seems in retrospect, this show started out as edutainment. The show was originally meant to alternate between stories set in the past that would teach kids history, and those set in the future, or on other planets, that would teach science (hence the first two companions being a history teacher and a science teacher). Then the Daleks showed up, became massively popular, and changed the emphasis of the show to scary monsters rather than education.
** Some of the stories from the first two seasons of the original series illustrate what ''Doctor Who'' was intended to be — chiefly most of the historical stories (e.g. "Marco Polo," in which our heroes meet Marco Polo in the Pamirs and travel all the way to Peking with him).
** Some of the stories from the first two seasons of the original series illustrate what ''Doctor Who'' was intended to be — chiefly most of the historical stories (e.g. "Marco Polo," in which our heroes meet Marco Polo in the Pamirs and travel all the way to Peking with him).
** Verity Lambert fought to get the Dalek story on TV by playing the edutainment card. According to modern accounts, she told her boss, Sydney Newman, that the story could teach us that we must curb our more belligerent tendencies, with the barren, radioactive wasteland of Skaro as their logical conclusion.
** Verity Lambert fought to get the Dalek story on TV by playing the edutainment card. According to modern accounts, she told her boss, Sydney Newman, that the story could teach us that we must curb our more belligerent tendencies, with the barren, radioactive wasteland of Skaro as their logical conclusion.
* ''[[Dora the Explorer (Animation)|Dora the Explorer]]''
* ''[[Dora the Explorer]]''
** Its spin-off ''[[Go Diego Go (Animation)|Go Diego Go]]''
** Its spin-off ''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]''
* [[Dragon Tales (Animation)|Dragon Tales]]
* [[Dragon Tales]]
* [[The Electric Company]]: Both the 1971 version and the 2009 version, though the 1970s version is more well-liked/remembered. Given that the 70s version managed to license Spider-Man and features [[Morgan Freeman]], and managed to make both of them [[Narm|Narmy]], being remembered is guaranteed.
* [[The Electric Company]]: Both the 1971 version and the 2009 version, though the 1970s version is more well-liked/remembered. Given that the 70s version managed to license Spider-Man and features [[Morgan Freeman]], and managed to make both of them [[Narm]]y, being remembered is guaranteed.
* [[Element Hunters]]: An anime that manages to teach chemistry in a [[Monster of the Week]] format.
* [[Element Hunters]]: An anime that manages to teach chemistry in a [[Monster of the Week]] format.
* [[Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids (Animation)|Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids]]: A 1970s cartoon that does a good job teaching life lessons to kids.
* [[Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids]]: A 1970s cartoon that does a good job teaching life lessons to kids.
* [[Fetch With Ruff Ruffman]]
* [[Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman]]
* ''[[Fireman Sam (Animation)|Fireman Sam]]''.
* ''[[Fireman Sam]]''.
* [[Food Detectives]]: An attempt to do for foodstuffs what [[Myth Busters]] does for high explosives.
* [[Food Detectives]]: An attempt to do for foodstuffs what [[MythBusters]] does for high explosives.
* [[Franklin (Literature)|Franklin]]
* [[Franklin]]
* [[Frannys Feet (Animation)|Frannys Feet]]
* [[Franny's Feet]]
* ''[[The Fresh Beat Band (TV)|The Fresh Beat Band]]''
* ''[[The Fresh Beat Band]]''
* [[The Funny Company (Animation)|The Funny Company]]
* [[The Funny Company]]
⚫
* ''[[GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class]]'' has definite elements of this; there are whole episodes spent on explaining various graphic techniques.
* [[Good Eats]]: Half [[Cooking Show]], half straight-up Edutainment Show. Alton prefers to educate the viewer on food science and cooking theory, rather than simply giving out recipes as most TV chefs do.
* [[Good Eats]]: Half [[Cooking Show]], half straight-up Edutainment Show. Alton prefers to educate the viewer on food science and cooking theory, rather than simply giving out recipes as most TV chefs do.
* [[Gordon The Garden Gnome]]
* [[Gordon The Garden Gnome]]
* The [[Head First]] books manage to do this in a book form. And they're both entertaining and educational. This being a series that deals with subjects like [[Everybody Hates Mathematics|math]] and computer programming.
* The [[Head First]] books manage to do this in a book form. And they're both entertaining and educational. This being a series that deals with subjects like [[Everybody Hates Mathematics|math]] and computer programming.
* [[Histeria (Animation)|Histeria]]
* [[Histeria!]]
* ''[[Horrible Histories (TV)|Horrible Histories]]''
* ''[[Horrible Histories (TV series)|Horrible Histories]]''
* [[How Its Made (TV)|How Its Made]]
* [[How It's Made]]
* [[Humf (Animation)|Humf]]
* [[Humf]]
* [[Infinity Limited]]
* [[Infinity Limited]]
* [[Its a Big Big World (TV)|Its a Big Big World]]
* [[It's a Big Big World]]
* [[Jake and The Neverland Pirates (Animation)|Jake and The Neverland Pirates]]
* [[Jake and the Never Land Pirates]]
* [[Jakers the Adventures of Piggley Winks (Animation)|Jakers the Adventures of Piggley Winks]]
* [[Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks]]
* [[James Mays Man Lab (TV)|James Mays Man Lab]]
* [[James May's Man Lab]]
* [[Jay Jay the Jet Plane (Animation)|Jay Jay the Jet Plane]]
* [[Jay Jay the Jet Plane]]
* [[Jelly Jamm (Animation)|Jelly Jamm]]
* [[Jelly Jamm]]
* [[Jurassic Fight Club (TV)|Jurassic Fight Club]]: Because [[Everythings Better With Dinosaurs]]
* [[Jurassic Fight Club]]: Because [[Everything's Better with Dinosaurs]]
* [[Kratts Creatures (TV)|Kratts Creatures]]
* [[Kratts' Creatures]]
* [[Lamb Chops Play Along (TV)|Lamb Chops Play Along]]
* [[Lamb Chop's Play Along]]
* [[Leap Frog (Animation)|Leap Frog]] Learning DVDs.
* [[LeapFrog (animation)|Leap Frog]] Learning DVDs.
* [[The Lebrons (Web Animation)|The Lebrons]]: A modern day Fat Albert.
* [[The Lebrons (web animation)|The Lebrons]]: A new-millennium ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids''.
* [[The Letter People]]: A puppet show that teaches phonics with surprisingly developed characters.
* [[The Letter People]]: A puppet show that teaches phonics with surprisingly developed characters.
* [[Liberty's Kids (Animation)|Liberty's Kids]]: A surprisingly sophisticated show that teaches about [[The American Revolution]].
* [[Liberty's Kids]]: A surprisingly sophisticated show that teaches about [[The American Revolution]].
* [[Lift Off]]
* [[Lift-Off]]
* [[Little Bear (Literature)|Little Bear]]
* [[Little Bear]]
* [[Little People (TV)|Little People]]
* [[Little People (TV series)|Little People]]
* [[Little Einsteins (Animation)|Little Einsteins]]
* [[Little Einsteins]]
* [[Look and Read]]
* [[Look and Read]]
* [[Lunar Jim]]
* [[Lunar Jim]]
* [[Madeline (Literature)|Madeline]] (on the moral side only, show contains lots of factual mistakes)
* [[Madeline]] (on the moral side only, show contains lots of factual mistakes)
* [[The Magic School Bus (Literature)|The Magic School Bus]]
* [[The Magic School Bus]]
* [[Mama Mirabelles Home Movies (Animation)|Mama Mirabelles Home Movies]]
* [[Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies]]
* [[Martha Speaks (Animation)|Martha Speaks]]
* [[Martha Speaks]]
* [[Maya and Miguel (Animation)|Maya and Miguel]]
* [[Maya and Miguel]]
* [[Mentors (TV)|Mentors]]
* [[Mentors (TV series)|Mentors]]
* [[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Animation)|Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]]
* [[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]]
* [[Mister Rogers Neighborhood (TV)|Mister Rogers Neighborhood]]
* [[Mister Rogers' Neighborhood]]
* Mr. Wizard's World
* Mr. Wizard's World
* [[My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]] is of the pro-social type - although occasionally larger words or terms that the younger audience probably won't understand, such as "tardy" or "hibernation", are defined (in-context). Interesitngly, the first season carried an E/I rating, but the second season has dropped it.
* [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] is of the pro-social type - although occasionally larger words or terms that the younger audience probably won't understand, such as "tardy" or "hibernation", are defined (in-context). Interestingly, the first season carried an E/I rating, but the second season has dropped it.
* [[Myth Busters]] spells out how the myths are tested, so you can learn quite a bit from that show, in the middle of [[Stuff Blowing Up]].
* [[MythBusters]] spells out how the myths are tested, so you can learn quite a bit from that show, in the middle of [[Stuff Blowing Up]].
* [[New Zoo Revue]]: 1970s children's show.
* [[New Zoo Revue]]: 1970s children's show.
* [[Newtons Apple]]
* [[Newtons Apple]]
* [[Ni Hao Kai Lan (Animation)|Ni Hao Kai Lan]]
* [[Ni Hao, Kai-Lan]]
* [[Numb3rs]]
* [[Numb3rs]]
* [[Oz and James]]'s ''Big Wine Adventure'' and ''Drink to Britain'' aim to give the curious adult the basic tools for appreciating wine and other drink while following an [[Odd Couple]] of middle-aged blokes around on thinly-veiled drinking holidays.
* [[Oz and James]]'s ''Big Wine Adventure'' and ''Drink to Britain'' aim to give the curious adult the basic tools for appreciating wine and other drink while following an [[Odd Couple]] of middle-aged blokes around on thinly-veiled drinking holidays.
* [[The Pajanimals]]
* [[The Pajanimals]]
* [[PB and J Otter (Animation)|PB and J Otter]]
* [[PB&J Otter]]
* [[Penn and Teller Bullshit]]
* [[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]
* [[Penn and Teller Tell A Lie]]
* [[Penn and Teller Tell a Lie]]
* [[PJ Katies Farm (TV)|PJ Katies Farm]]
* [[PJ Katie's Farm]]
* [[Pororo the Little Penguin (Animation)|Pororo the Little Penguin]]
* [[Pororo the Little Penguin]]
* [[Postman Pat (Animation)|Postman Pat]]
* [[Postman Pat]]
** [[Guess With Jess (Animation)|Guess With Jess]]
** [[Guess with Jess]]
* [[Power Rangers (Franchise)|Power Rangers]], perhaps less so nowadays, was very edutainment back in the [[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers|Mighty Morphin]] days.
* [[Power Rangers]], perhaps less so nowadays, was very edutainment back in the [[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers|Mighty Morphin]] days.
* [[Pinwheel]]: The ''Sesame Street''-esque program that launched [[Nickelodeon]] into the limelight; the channel itself was known as "Pinwheel" until 1979.
* [[Pinwheel]]: The ''Sesame Street''-esque program that launched [[Nickelodeon]] into the limelight; the channel itself was known as "Pinwheel" until 1979.
* [[The Puzzle Place (TV)|The Puzzle Place]]
* [[The Puzzle Place]]
* [[Pythagoras Switch]] (''Pitagora Suichi''): A show much like ''Sesame Street'', from Japan, known for its [[Eyecatch|Eye Catches]] featuring intricate [[Rube Goldberg Device|Rube Goldberg Devices]].
* [[Pythagoras Switch]] (''Pitagora Suichi''): A show much like ''Sesame Street'', from Japan, known for its [[Eyecatch|Eye Catches]] featuring intricate [[Rube Goldberg Device]]s.
* [[Readalong]]
* [[Readalong]]
* [[Reading Rainbow]]
* [[Reading Rainbow]]
* [[Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat (Animation)|Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat]]
* [[Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat]]
* [[Schoolhouse Rock (Animation)|Schoolhouse Rock]]: Animated shorts, set to music, that would play between [[Saturday Morning Cartoon|Saturday morning cartoons]] on [[ABC]].
* [[Schoolhouse Rock]]: Animated shorts, set to music, that would play between [[Saturday Morning Cartoon|Saturday morning cartoons]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].
* [[Science Court (Animation)|Science Court]]
* [[Science Court]]
* The newly started [[Sci Show]], hosted by [[Vlog Brothers|Hank Green]].
* The newly started [[Sci Show]], hosted by [[Vlog Brothers|Hank Green]].
* ''[[Screenwipe]]'', and its spin-off, ''[[Newswipe (TV)|Newswipe]]''.
* ''[[Screenwipe]]'', and its spin-off, ''[[Newswipe]]''.
* [[Die Sendung Mit Der Maus (TV)|Die Sendung Mit Der Maus]]: The most notable German language example.
* [[Die Sendung mit der Maus]]: The most notable German language example.
* [[Sesame Street (TV)|Sesame Street]]: It's probably the longest Edutainment Show that's still currently running.
* [[Sesame Street]]: It's probably the longest Edutainment Show that's still currently running.
** [[Elmos World]]
** [[Elmo's World]]
* [[Sid the Science Kid (Animation)|Sid the Science Kid]]
* [[Sid the Science Kid]]
* [[Spot the Dog (Animation)|Spot the Dog]]
* [[Spot the Dog]]
* [[Square One TV]]
* [[Square One TV]]
* [[Storm Chasers (TV)|Storm Chasers]]
* [[Storm Chasers]]
* [[Storylords (TV)|Storylords]]
* [[Storylords]]
* [[Super Why (Animation)|Super Why]]
* [[Super Why!]]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1312022/ Time Warp]
* [[Time Warp]]
* [[Todays Special (TV)|Todays Special]]
* [[Today's Special]]
* [[Team Umizoomi (Animation)|Team Umizoomi]]
* [[Team Umizoomi]]
* [[Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (Animation)|Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales]] is an early example of this trope, being created in response to the "TV is a vast wasteland" speech.
* [[Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales]] is an early example of this trope, being created in response to the "TV is a vast wasteland" speech.
* [[Thomas the Tank Engine (Animation)|Thomas the Tank Engine]] became this after Series 7, sadly for some veteran fans.
* [[Thomas the Tank Engine]] became this after Series 7, sadly for some veteran fans.
** [[Shining Time Station]]
** [[Shining Time Station]]
* [[Through the Dragons Eye (TV)|Through the Dragons Eye]]
* [[Through the Dragons Eye]]
* [[Unnatural History]] occasionally bases its episodes on history like Sputnik, the Pony Express, and the history of vikings in America. Unfortunately, the line between fact and fiction gets a bit murky (most likely to encourage kids and teens to do some research themselves).
* [[Unnatural History]] occasionally bases its episodes on history like Sputnik, the Pony Express, and the history of vikings in America. Unfortunately, the line between fact and fiction gets a bit murky (most likely to encourage kids and teens to do some research themselves).
* [[Veggie Tales (Animation)|Veggie Tales]]
* [[Veggie Tales]]
* [[Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego (Animation)|Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego]] (based on the series of [[Edutainment Game|Edutainment Games]])
* [[Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?]] (based on the series of [[Edutainment Game]]s)
* [[Wilbur]]
* [[Wilbur]]
* [[Wild Kratts (Animation)|Wild Kratts]]
* [[Wild Kratts]]
* [[Wimzies House (TV)|Wimzies House]]
* [[Wimzie's House]]
* [[Wishbone]]
* [[Wishbone]]
* [[Word Girl (Animation)|Word Girl]]
* [[Word Girl]]
* [[Young Indiana Jones (TV)|Young Indiana Jones]]: Taught kids about history and people who changed the world through the young eyes of everyone's favorite [[Indiana Jones|whip-wielding hero]].
* [[Young Indiana Jones]]: Taught kids about history and people who changed the world through the young eyes of everyone's favorite [[Indiana Jones|whip-wielding hero]].
* [[Zinnia Jones (Web Video)|Zinnia Jones]]
* [[Zinnia Jones]]
* [[Zoboomafoo (TV)|Zoboomafoo]]
* [[Zoboomafoo]]
* [[Zoom (TV)|Zoom]]
* [[Zoom (TV series)|Zoom]]
* [[Zula Patrol (Animation)|Zula Patrol]]
* [[Zula Patrol]]


----
----
{{quote| '''[[The Stinger|Statler:]]''' Say, Waldorf, do you think this show counts as edutainment?<br />
{{quote|'''[[The Stinger|Statler:]]''' Say, Waldorf, do you think this show counts as edutainment?
'''[[Statler and Waldorf|Waldorf:]]''' Don't see why not. After all, it encourages people to quit watching and read books!<br />
'''[[Statler and Waldorf|Waldorf:]]''' Don't see why not. After all, it encourages people to quit watching and read books!
'''[[The Muppet Show|Together:]]''' Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! }}
'''[[The Muppet Show|Together:]]''' Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! }}


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Edutainment Show]]
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Latest revision as of 18:08, 11 April 2024

As the trope's title implies, the Edutainment Show combines educational content with entertainment. As such, most shows in this genre are aimed at children; of course, some more mature fare may fit this definition, such as MythBusters. Cooking Shows, Science Shows, Nature Shows, and other TV Documentary formats (especially Docu Drama programs) may also count, if they are entertaining enough. Additionally, the definition has become somewhat blurred - these days networks often pass children's programs in particular as "edutainment," when their only actual educational content is pro-social themes, such as "work together as a team", ""Reading Is Cool" Aesop" or "be a good friend to others."

"Well, Itchy & Scratchy are gone, but here's a cartoon that tries to make learning fun! ...Sorry about this kids, but stay tuned; we've got some real good toy commercials coming right up, I swear".
—Krusty the Clown, The Simpsons

Many Edutainment Shows appear on PBS, the most famous example being Sesame Street. Nickelodeon also has had quite a few in their "Nick Jr." block, such as Blues Clues and Dora the Explorer, as do specialized fact-oriented cable networks as The Learning Channel, Noggin, the many Discovery channels, the History Channel, and Animal Planet.

In the United States, since 1990, networks are required to have three hours of educational material a week; the tag "E/I" (for "Educational/Informative") was created to denote such shows (though in the case of stations carrying Saved by the Bell, the rules are susceptible to Loophole Abuse if An Aesop is fit into the show in just the right way, and they can count as E/I). Now you know what the And Knowing Is Half the Battle is referring to.

For the Video Game counterpart see Edutainment Game.

Examples of Edutainment Show include:

Anime and Manga

  • As you might expect from the title, Cells at Work! teaches viewers/readers which cells the human body has and what the jobs of these cells are.
  • GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class has definite elements of this; there are whole episodes spent on explaining various graphic techniques.
  • Axis Powers Hetalia teaches history and a little bit about culture between (often with) all the Ho Yay and gags. (Although the manga's depiction of Korea has sparked controversy in South Korea.)

Comic Books

Live-Action TV

Puppet Shows

  • Baby Einstein

Radio

Western Animation

  • 3-2-1 Penguins!
  • Adventures from the Book of Virtues
  • Amazing Animals
  • Angelina Ballerina
  • Arguably, Animaniacs, which featured many educational songs and skits as well as famous historical figures and cultural icons of past eras, all for the Warners to gleefully abuse.
  • Arthur - This program also Lampshades this trope with an in-universe example. Buster claims that a program that he's making is going to be "edutainment." The characters respond to this with an "ew." The chapter-book adaptation of that episode goes even further, with Brain stating that edutainment is supposed to be a blend of education and entertainment, but often ends up being the worst of both.

UNSORTED

 

Statler: Say, Waldorf, do you think this show counts as edutainment?
Waldorf: Don't see why not. After all, it encourages people to quit watching and read books!
Together: Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!

 
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