Longest Running Animated Show “Arthur” Coming To An End!
We will no longer be saying HEY ARTHUR, as the beloved animated children’s show is coming to an end in 2022, after its 25th season, which makes it the longest-running animated show in history.
“Arthur is the longest-running kids animated series in history and is known for teaching kindness, empathy, and inclusion through many groundbreaking moments to generations of viewers,” executive producer Carol Greenwald said in a statement to SYFY WIRE. “In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut. Arthur will continue to be available on PBS Kids for years to come. Producer GBH and PBS Kids are continuing to work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways.”
Arthur was known for always changing and evolving with modern-day social norms and showing characters from different backgrounds, classes, races, and sexual orientations.
Arthur is the only Preschool show that was ever bold enough to not only reference South Park, but Beavis and Butthead… twice. And hey Dexter’s Lab too!
There won’t be another like it. pic.twitter.com/cmdClbH402
— TRAFON(s Backup Account) (@RiseFallNickBck) July 28, 2021
and I say HEY! what a wonderful kind of a day! thanks for the memories Arthur. https://t.co/iSGV2cLi05
— Haru82 (@Haru3139) July 27, 2021
The show’s creator, Kathy Waugh, believes canceling the show was a mistake
“Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two years ago,” Waugh said on the Finding D.W. podcast. “I think [PBS] made a mistake. I think Arthur should come back and I know I’m not alone in thinking they made a mistake. I don’t pay attention that much to things like ratings, so I don’t know if it was a ratings issue or if it just felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it just felt evergreen — like it was never gonna end. But it did end … However, PBS decided to do some PSAs on various issues like voting, like hand-washing/pandemic-related issues and I used the Arthur characters. So they’re still around.”
Arthur is ending pic.twitter.com/cEZ8s5rGyy
— Megan Tootalian (@hey_t00ty) July 28, 2021