It's time to say goodbye to Caillou as the long-running children's show has been canceled at PBS Kids after a run of more than 20 years. Originally premiering in Canada in 1997, Caillou has been airing on the network since Sept. 4, 2000. On Tuesday, PBS Kids made the announcement that the cartoon was leaving with a farewell post on Twitter.
...It just means we get to say hello to something new!
— PBS KIDS (@PBSKIDS) January 5, 2021
Here are tips for what to do when your child's favorite media goes away: https://t.co/FM8bLI2gbSpic.twitter.com/n0PokaNIbb
"We're saying farewell to [Caillou], but remember, when we say goodbye to something... It just means we get to say hello to something new!" the tweet reads. The post also includes a link to some tips for parents on "what to do when your child's favorite media goes away."
Caillou consisted of five seasons that premiered between 1997 and 2010, though it remained a prominent fixture in the PBS Kids lineup in the years since. The animated series follows the titular young boy who lives with his mother, father, and younger sister. He makes use of his imagination to go on adventures with his friends and family, giving him the nickname, "The Prince of Imagination."
There's certainly a fan base that's out there for Caillou. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a mainstay on PBS Kids for over two decades. Still, it's hard not to notice the mass celebration that's taking place on social media as many parents celebrate the end of Caillou, clearly more than happy to say goodbye to the animated child.
"Finally that little nightmare has been Grounded permanently!!" one response reads, including an image of Peter Griffin applauding.
Finally that little nightmare has been Grounded
— ᭙????ꪶꪶ ☠︎︎ (@HeelBalor) January 6, 2021
permanently!! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/8OI3U2pGsd
"As a parent I hated that show. Bad parenting. Bad child. Bad everything. Good riddance," another harsh tweet states, this one using a celebratory GIF of Jim Carrey in The Mask.
As a parent I hated that show. Bad parenting. Bad child. Bad everything.
— WearADamnMask -14 days to Flush All Da TrumpTurds (@2021HasArrived) January 6, 2021
Good riddance. pic.twitter.com/Koi92sCIon
"Great show, if you want to model terrible behavior to children," writes another parent. "Wouldn't let my kids watch it, & the times it came on, they would tell me - hey mom, the whiny kid is on. As preschoolers, they could see how bad his behavior was & couldn't understand why his parents allowed it."
Great show, if you want to model terrible behavior to children. Wouldn’t let my kids watch it, & the times it came on, they would tell me - hey mom, the whiny kid is on. As preschoolers, they could see how bad his behavior was & couldn’t understand why his parents allowed it.
— liser (@liser93910848) January 6, 2021
There are also tons of tweets referring to the YouTube parody series Caillou Gets Grounded with each video typically ending with Caillou, well, getting grounded.
caillou gets grounded for good pic.twitter.com/yMbH2Uss2V
— Ploxy (@Ploxyyyy) January 5, 2021
For what it's worth, there are also fans defending the series with more positive posts. That includes a tweet that reads, "I'll never understand the Caillou haters. It's a lovely show, with relevant stories, and I'm grateful for the legacy it leaves."
I'll never understand the Caillou haters. It's a lovely show, with relevant stories, and I'm grateful for the legacy it leaves.
— Melissa knows progressive values are the future. (@CreativeJuice21) January 5, 2021
"That seals the deal, I am no longer a PBS KIDS fan," a former fan of the network also writes. "I've been a PBS KIDS fan since 1971 and been a premium content subscriber since 1995. I will no longer watch or renew my plan. Im taking my viewership to Nick Jr. where it looks like they know how to run a kids television network."
I'll never understand the Caillou haters. It's a lovely show, with relevant stories, and I'm grateful for the legacy it leaves.
— Melissa knows progressive values are the future. (@CreativeJuice21) January 5, 2021
In any case, Caillou is leaving PBS Kids, for better or for worse. Meanwhile, the network will still be home to other popular children's programs like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Arthur, and Curious George. This news comes to us from PBS Kids on Twitter.
Although in later years it got a little better, the beginning years were terrible. He was terrible and was terrible to his sister. Sorry, I don't need therapy for this one. Lol
— Hmm... (@Pickle8182) January 6, 2021
caillou is nobody’s favorite media
— cricket (@cricocon) January 6, 2021
I don’t know whether to be grateful or heartbroken
— Comedic Psychologist (@Comedic_Psych) January 6, 2021
Good Riddance! 2021 Is Looking Better Already!
— FloydFox (@Power_Animator) January 6, 2021
That feeling when you're GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GRO pic.twitter.com/Oys2uhuyAs
— Mistie (@MistieMemorie) January 5, 2021
whose favorite show was caillou...
— larry david’s BTGG (@hegelsbagels_) January 6, 2021
i been a fan of caillou for years, it can be sad, but i do have dvds of caillou, im also a pbs kids fan, i like other shows too, like Arthur, Postcards from Busters, etc. i know caillou is gone, but all good things have to end, but theres always ways to watch this show.
— Bestboy087Tweets (@bestboy087) January 6, 2021
Except in this case, parents are rejoicing in this wonderful news. Kids can move on easily from Caillou, there's other educational shows out there for people to watch.
— Nick Gazerro (Clone!) 7 MORE DAYS UNTIL HOCKEY! (@nikgazcs) January 6, 2021
Aw, this is really sweet. I always wondered what to do in the future if my kid's favorite show gets canceled/ends. Maybe I'll come back and bookmark this...
— Tilly ???? BLM (@BittyTheKitty1) January 5, 2021
Rejoice! Can we ditch Cyberchase and Wordgirl next? And where is Mr Roger's Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow?!
— Sataguini (@hiwind) January 5, 2021