Popular PBS children's show 'Arthur' comes to an end after 25 years
PBS Kids and GBH Kids have announced the season finale and ending of “Arthur,” after 25 years.
The Emmy Award-winning series about the aardvark and his friends will come to an end on Feb. 21 after airing four new episodes in a special marathon.
“It's so nostalgic, and it brings back so many memories for children, or for grown-ups at this point, that have grown up watching ‘Arthur’ and different things that they learned from them. ... It's nostalgic just to see it end,” said Corby Fails, marketing manager for Panhandle PBS.
“Arthur,” the longest-running kids’ animated series on television, has aired more than 250 episodes and a movie in its 25 seasons. Based on the bestselling books by Marc Brown, the show will be live streamed on the PBS Kids 24/7, and on the PBS Kids YouTube channel beginning Feb. 16, leading up to the final episodes.
The special marathon will conclude the show's 25th anniversary with four new episodes where Arthur and his friends solve a mystery, see a silent movie, become a reporter, learn how to help a grieving friend, go on a family vacation, and look into the future.
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In a news release, Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager for PBS Kids stated: “For more than 25 years, Arthur and his friends have kept viewers learning and growing through their true-to-life experiences. ... We can’t wait to debut these episodes and introduce new ‘Arthur’ content that will give fans more ways to engage with their favorite aardvark.”
Although this will conclude the making of new episodes for the long running animated cartoon, Arthur will still be around, as PBS plans to create a podcast, video shorts, and digital games based on the series.
“We’re excited for this 25th anniversary and the final episodes for our viewers. It's been a great piece of education for children across the board, from emotional learning to friendships and kindness. It just teaches so many kids how to behave based on how those characters interact with one another, which is what PBS strives for,” Fails said.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: "Arthur" final season PBS children's show 25 year anniversary
