DefunctTV: The History of Bear in the Big Blue House

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In this pilot episode of DefunctTV, Kevin discusses the history of Playhouse Disney's flagship show, Bear in the Big Blue House and how it changed Disney Channel forever.
Audio Editing Done by Nate Begle. Check out natebegle.com for more of his work!
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[@airplane22ify]

Thanx for this! That show launched my career ... will ALWAYS remember it fondly.

[@Defunctland]

Oh my gosh! Thank you for watching! To anyone that doesn't know (because I somehow didn't mention it in the video) Mr. Bunch was the puppeteer of Treelo, Pop, and other characters in the show!

[@quarbarian2]

Thank you for being a part of an important part of my childhood!

[@AMSalley94]

Defunctland do you think you can do defunctTV episode 2: Barney and friends?

[@AustinThe007Fan]

Defunctland can you do another episode of DefunctTV about Barney and friends? Because I’m anxious to see about the history of the show’s run and cancellation.

[@scrambled5948]

Defunctland I'm a British member of gen z. Until I was 8 I watched a tv channel called cbbc. They still aired some programmes from the 90s, my favourite being the adventures of Tracy Beaker. I'd love it if you did that!

[@GeekandGlory]

What I will always remember of this show: My little sister sitting on the floor and watching it while eating a banana. Bear starts sniffing around going "what's that smell? Is that you? Are you eating a banana because you smell just like bananas." To which my sister, wide eyes and impressed replied enthusiasticly. "I am! I am eating a banana!"

[@XwX1001]

*Somebody call an ambulance! I think my heart just melted!*

[@hangingkind4619]

The most wholesome coincidence ever

[@jonathanbell3637]

Dude, that literally just happened to me in this video! I just showered a few hours ago and put on clean pajamas, and then Bear asked if I’m wearing clean pajamas! What a coincidence!

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@XwX1001 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@hangingkind4619 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@theamazingmoist1586]

“If Bear taught us anything, it was how to properly say...Goodbye.” Why did you do this to me? That shit hurted.

[@CryBlueofZ]

*crying*

[@robotduck]

yes crying right now at that

[@sashagirl38]

It’s like that scene from Inside Out when Bing Bong disappears

[@kristenbennett6916]

also cried real tears

[@MellowJelly]

Yeahhh i cried ugh

[@MrNight78]

Barney seems more like a loud and always-there-for-you friend, but Bear seemed more like a caring and sweet father figure, which is so much better in my opinion.

[@ilovelegos2000]

I was about to say the same thing. I always found bear in the big blue house a lot more better than barney

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@ilovelegos2000 And Barney has no sense of personal space. That's why he doesn't appeal to people with autism.

[@ThePhantomStinker]

If I had to CHARITABLY describe the difference, Barney was the one who said "Don't be afraid!" and Bear was the one who said "It's okay, take your time." Some kids are just waiting for permission to cannonball off the diving board. Others would rather hang out in the shallows for a while.

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@ThePhantomStinker Barney had no common sense either.

[@ArynBendah]

@@ThePhantomStinker I was a bit of both, depending on which side of the ADHD coin I was on that day.

[@Jellyfish146]

As a female child born in the 90s, I was never diagnosed with autism or adhd but there WAS something oddly comforting about that big bear. I remember loving him smelling me at the beginning of the episode, and I was a big fan of Tutter and Treelo. I was fascinated by his eyebrows, and they reminded me of my dentist's.

[@PoppyDada27]

My sister would hide behind the couch so that Bear couldn't sniff her!

[@bigrich6075]

​@@PoppyDada27 that is honestly adorable.

[@ordelian7795]

@@PoppyDada27 How foolish of her. Bears have a keen sense of smell. She got sniffed whether she hid or not.

[@PoppyDada27]

@@ordelian7795 Hahahaha, that's true! :D

[@mrskenobi67764]

That little bit scared me as a kid I couldn’t watch the show lol

[@geekygal444]

"I didn't grow up in a very supportive family, but it gave me a lot of time to figure out what one was." Damn, that is deep, I'd hope to be able to use my past to make something so positive for others...

[@julyannamonero]

I feel the same way 💗

[@stabinghobo57]

I’m doing the same with my new family.

[@KOTEBANAROT]

@@stabinghobo57 did you create a family or were you adopted? Either way good luck man

[@MakeupWithSmidge]

And he honestly created the biggest supportive family children’s television has ever known (in my personal opinion that is)

[@Wildstar5267]

That part describing how bear was calming and a fatherly figure, especially to autistic kids hit me hard.

[@garfeldi7860]

As An Autistic I Agree

[@maxwashere.]

same here ;-; i grew up undiagnosed and with an abusive, chaotic, and toxic home life and bear in the big blue house *always* managed to make me feel better. didn’t think i’d end up crying when i clicked on this video oml

[@CharcoalRabbit]

I agree. I have autism too.

[@FoxNHound]

Along with kids with ADHD. I don’t remember watching this as a kid-but according to my Mom I loved this show along with The Wiggles and Oobi. But watching this-I can already tell why I loved this show as a kid. Something about the soft yet array of colors of the set and characters and Bear’s gentle, calm demeanor and loving voice…along with the music…man, the music is great. Also-the texture of bear’s fur looks very soft and nice to touch along with the other puppets-they just look so well-loved and soft, like stuffed animals. When I have kids, I’ll most certainly have them watch this show.

[@arex1072]

I’m autistic and this was my favorite show as a toddler

[@ryano.5149]

One of the few shows ever produced that I'd describe as "cuddly." It's not overly cute, like some cartoons try to do...but it's like watching your favorite stuffed animals come to life! Just the bits shown in this video just inspire that warm, fuzzy feeling, in an almost literal sense!

[@SauteedJosh]

The fact that Disney finally put it on Disney+ is such a blessing. I’ll always love this show no matter how old I get!

[@faiththeunknownbeing8126]

Did I cry a bit? Yes. Yes I did

[@gabbya7394]

Honestly I’m here at 26 years old going 🎶WELCOME TO THE BLUE HOUSE🎶

[@bit_wire]

Not in Germany sadly :c

[@Chairdolf]

You know you all might like this my little cousin had a kid recently and she saw it was on disney+ played it for her kid next generation big blue house lover couldn't have been more proud.

[@ShadowLamperouge247]

@@Chairdolf That makes me so happy! Old shows like this make me think about how new generations won't get to experience them, since they're not really on cable TV, etc. So glad this is available on Disney+ now! And some episodes on KZbin.

[@Smilephile]

"I didn't grow up in a supportive household but it gave me a lot of time to figure out what one was" jesus that's a feel

[@ShaDHP23]

I can really relate, yeah.

[@GalaxyUnicorn]

I also feel that so much lol

[@ThatGastrodon]

Looking back at it now, as an adult, I’m kind of astonished by just how well crafted Bear is. Between the incredible craftsmanship of the puppet itself, the control by the puppeteer inside, and his wonderful voice, it’s no wonder people fell in love with that character.

[@GeteMachine]

I am actually stunned as well in retrospect by how well it was designed too. Most puppet animals rarely look like what they were designed from but I generally like how Bear looked like he could have an actual animal. Not to mention his personality was very welcoming and refreshing where he actually acted much more,, calm mature but fun-loving. I can see why people liked him over Barney.

[@ClownieFace]

He's just so soothing..

[@planescaped]

The voice actor for Bear will always be Magellan from Eureeka's Castle for me. Bear in the Big Blue House has a lot of Eureeka's Castle vibes to it actually...

[@wiibrockster]

It sounds stupid but imagine if they brought him back

[@ChillavaKirby]

I'd never really thought of this. The idea of a full size bear being controlled as a realistic puppet is quite impressive.

[@LegoWormNoah101]

Bear in the Big Blue House is a prime example of what a kids show should be: realistic but varied color pallette (as opposed to high contrast and unrealistic), a calming atmosphere (as opposed to a hyperactive), slow to moderate paced songs (as opposed to techno and rock), realistic stories and morals (as opposed to gimmicks and forced morals), and finally, characters that have an appropriate IQ (as opposed to seemingly everyone, even adults, making childish mistakes). Simply put, Bear focused on quality and some quantity, not marketing and merchandise

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

Beautiful!

[@MrAru-dg4xs]

this show was so special to me as a child. i’ve always felt neglected (attention-wise) as a child and always felt misunderstood as someone who was (then) undiagnosed autistic. But Bear always made me feel better. I even used to send him emails in the old disney channel website almost every day for one summer.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

It still blows my mind how freaking expressive Bear is. Really well designed and performed.

[@yutzwagon2]

I want to know how his suit works. big bird only had full use of one arm because the actors other arm was controlling the head, but bear has both arms and an articulated head and face, even when he's not on set. I'm stunned. Edit: I looked it up, he doesn't actually have use of the hand, it's almost the same setup as big bird, the puppet has a filament connected to each hand, and passes through a ring hidden in the costume to let the actor adjust the arms with one movement. Selling it is all in the performance

[@neillancia]

I feel like bear only uses one arm at a time, and that Noel can quickly transition from using either of Bear's stubby arms to manning the facial controls within the suit. I also suspect that he can pull a string to provide semi-articulation for the "limp" arm even when he's manning the facial controls. This way, he can appear to sing and dance at the same time. It is masterful work.

[@yutzwagon2]

Neil Lancia yeah I looked it up, i made an edit but I think the post is collapsed. He said in an interview the other arm is stuffed and attatched to the suit in a way that let's him move both suit arms with the one articulate hand

[@neillancia]

yutzwagon Right, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that Bear is based off the fundamentals of a Skeksis costume.

[@sparkymist]

yutzwagon he still did an amazing job in the suit, very well done in all performances.

[@Bee-ks8tl]

Big bear smelling me unlocked so many hidden memories.. I have chills

[@B-Shells]

Birdie same

[@IronJaybo123]

Birdie I used to go up to the tv to let him smell me, lmao

[@ClownieFace]

God damnit same

[@YukiKunikida]

@@IronJaybo123 aww, that's so sweet

[@TheLevitiking]

I thought I was so weird for that but that smell brought me back like nothing else ever has I’m glad there’s others

[@C.Ross_Faded]

I remember I grew up in an abusive home. The memories hurt to look back on, I’m literally crying while writing this. But this bear got me through so much. I know they’ll never read this but god bless the creators, show runners, and everyone involved in this show. You have absolutely no idea the impact you’ve made on the lives of the children you touched. Thank you for being there when my parents weren’t. You guys are unsung heroes.

[@mariechucho3967]

I remember crying when they started to sing at the end. Just because I was not allowed to have friends and my family abused me my whole life. I have autism and this series was my whole world. Today I bought myself the big blow house- play house. I had it as a child and I just wanna play like in my childhood again. It made me so happy.

[@C.Ross_Faded]

@@mariechucho3967 that’s really cool. I hope you’ve been able to surround yourself with people who care about you and support you. It’s amazing how one show can inspire sad kids to keep going. God bless

[@gottalovetheinternet]

@@mariechucho3967that’s horrible, I’m so sorry! Hope you’re doing better now

[@Naruto_yt815]

I remember him I think it came on the playhouse Disney in 2011

[@Naruto_yt815]

As a rerun

[@disaceter1130]

Even at 21, these short clips of Bear put me at ease. I grew up in a pretty abusive household and struggled a lot with comprehension and emotions due to my ADHD, but this show was such a calming, relaxing escape from everything going on around and within me.

[@-cosmicrogue-]

*The creators, writers, and puppeteers cannot be praised enough for this show.* The simple, sincere, kindness and love that the show conveyed to young children was such a worthy endeavor. Young minds are so impressionable and this sort of positive and creative encouragement can mean a great deal to a child, especially one living in an unloving and dangerous home.

[@megamage911]

I remember greatly enjoying it as a kid too ^^

[@cbjgirl23]

I’m still astonished with the puppets and the puppeteers. Somehow they aren’t creepy like some puppets, they’re beautiful

[@ihaylz]

i was managing to hold back tears but this comment did it for me 🥺

[@CoaTravelNut]

and now Bear and the gang are on Disney Plus for a new generation to enjoy!

[@CoaTravelNut]

and now Bear and the gang are on Disney Plus for a new generation to enjoy!

[@AbbyLeaf101]

"Goodbye, goodbye, good friends, good bye" is instant tears when I hear it now

[@WarHero373]

same dude

[@Lymborium]

Made me remember things I didn't know I could.

[@Excaliburtron]

"But hey I say "well that's okay!" cause we'll see you very soon I know! Very soon I knooowwww!" (Also that Saxophone tho)

[@vronicuh]

memories..

[@sarahb3997]

same

[@TomboTime]

this show is innocence incarnate. it's impossible not to watch it and get a warm feeling

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

It seems like bears are good at that (Winnie the Pooh, The Berensteins [Mama, Papa, Sister, Brother, and the newest addition to the family, baby Honey], The Country Bears [at least, where they still perform in Critter Country at Walt Disney World], and of course, the Big Blue House main character himself [as well as female bear cub Ojo & Bear's sporadically recurring female counterpart Ursa]).

[@gargoyles9999]

Don’t watch the bloopers

[@poisongirl1315]

You deserve some kind of an award for how gut-wrenching and painfully nostalgic the ending of this video is. I’m sobbing, thank you for this 🥺

[@Angie2343]

Same with his ending for the Zoboomafoo video. Dunno how he did that without breaking down in tears.

[@BB-kz6sd]

I just realized that at some point, Luna sang "we'll see you very soon, I know," and I never came back. Kinda sad if you think about it.

[@SauteedJosh]

B B as long as we keep them in our hearts, did we truly leave each other? That was cheesy but still 😅

[@Foxpawed]

I remember seeing a post about the final episode, "This Is Your Life, Bear". A misunderstanding where everyone thinks he's leaving for good when he's just going on vacation, that included a video of that episode's goodbye song. Tears were shed, seeing him saying goodbye to Luna for the last time. It's heartbreakingly meta.

[@CuddyTG]

Why you gotta make me cry

[@TheGodzukki]

you're back now, even if its for a short time.

[@PyroPisces]

It is too late at night for a random KZbin comment to make me emotional- STOP IT!

[@ryancarrell3186]

"anti-barney" might be the highest compliment i've ever heard.

[@sarahconklin320]

I have always been anti Barney! I refused to let my kids watch it.

[@alexanderip1003]

@@sarahconklin320 count me in I have been Anti-Barney since birth I prefer Paddington and Rupert Bear

[@MovieFan1912]

For those that are wondering, it shows up at 6:34-6:41.

[@eljordinio7647]

Barney may get a lot of hate but you wouldn't catch anybody hating bear. He's hard not to like

[@edenanimates1465]

@@sarahconklin320 “don’t let your kids watch it” Robbie rotten

[@millieryan3361]

My sister is special needs and was born in 2009, long after Bear was out of production, and it wasn’t even airing on Playhouse Disney. But we have several DVDs and she loves the show so much, especially Tutter and Bear himself. We often use songs from the show to communicate with her, and it calms her during scary doctor visits (when we put it in a portable player). This show is still impactful even years after it ended, and I’m so grateful to those involved for making something that makes my sister’s life so much better

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

That was beautiful!

[@DimitriTechOfficial]

This show was the Bluey for back in the day. Just all around perfect show, great messaging, and realistic, yet filled with so much love. Thank you.

[@TheCartoonNerd2001]

You took the words out of my mouth. So perfectly said.

[@HeartandSeoul23]

Perfectly said.

[@EmilyRitcheson]

Bear's puppet is still one of the most technically impressive things I've ever seen - it's what made him feel like a truly real character.

[@nitromenace1424]

Henson puppets have a certain life to them that makes them the most beloved characters.

[@giantswingallday7001]

His mechanisms are actually similar to how Big Bird is operated. Its genius. And also big kudos to the puppeteers. They have made a huge impact on our childhoods.

[@BunnaySango]

Muppet puppetry is some of the most physically demanding style of puppet work. All to make the characters seem truly alive.

[@Jerepasaurus]

You should watch the show Jim Henson's Dinosaurs, with an entire full suit dinosaur family of the 90s. They're incredibly impressive, even by today's standards.

[@eljordinio7647]

Yeah. To think so much effort was put into bringing him to life

[@johncooper4874]

I am on the Autism spectrum and I do believe that the show had a calming effect on me. I swear I got emotional when I heard the goodbye song.

[@chilad5966]

We're two, buddy. And definetely more than just both of us.

[@MagicallyElena]

Yea, same

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

Agreed. Oh, that goodbye song, _who doesn't get emotional when hearing it?_

[@gstvklmt]

Oh, me too

[@roxiep2010]

Same here! I used to watch it in 5th grade because I was stuck at home with mono for a few months, so even though I felt a little too old for it there wasn't much else for me to do/watch at the time. There was something very charming and soothing about the show, and the goodbye show made me tear up a few times.

[@EmilyRedeker]

I was born in 1998 and grew up watching this show on VHS. My dad was a music major and loved the music of the show too. My sister is autistic and she really loved the show too. It's so comforting and the bear reminds me a lot of my dad. Tall, sweet, and a little fuzzy.

[@basmam809]

As an Aussie, this show was arguably the best show to air on the ABC. Super therapeutic.

[@houndermagnum5918]

True! i also loved in the night garden. To this day the intro is still very calming to me

[@bred269]

Indeed, it was Childhood at its peak

[@CalebratedTV]

Makes you think... Everything has an end. Listen to 'Goodbye, Friends, Goodbye" (the outro) again. One day in your childhood, you heard that song for the last time on television, and you didn't even know it. It's kind of sad but also kind of beautiful, especially when it's something like this, a show that taught so much good and was loved by so many.

[@oriontheraptor8119]

Calebrated Gamer this show scared me as a kid I don’t remember why but now I look back and shows like this are like doors to my child hood and it’s sad we no longer can have tv series like this

[@ATARI800XLfan]

@@oriontheraptor8119 we could still have shows like that if tv stations where willing to take the risk doing something not the norm.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@ATARI800XLfan Sadly I think it's more of a cost issue. Animation is infinitely cheaper, TV shows on PBS demonstrate this perfectly, what was once puppetry is now animation.(with the exception being sesame Street) The decline in puppetry is very similar to the decline and death of Saturday morning cartoons (or basically cartoons at all on network TV) what was once a perfect medium has become defunct, I mean I would say television as a whole has basically become defunct at this point but they had their place in time.

[@eltontaylor162]

What always gets me is that at one point you and all your friends went outside to play for the last time and none of you knew it was the end of an era.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

@@eltontaylor162 Children's entertainment (on TV at least) has been heading down hill for a little over 20 years now and doesn't show any sign of stopping. The quality level of most shows now is at best subpar especially considering where the bar was on even network TV in the 80's and most of the 90's. It seems a bit cliche to say hindsight is 20/20 or you don't know what you got till it's gone but it's so true. Didn't know and couldn't possibly have known as kids the massive downturn in quality that was to come, and how lucky we were to experience what most people would call the last gasp of the renaissance of children's entertainment. Looking back, you can see the fall coming and the aftermath.

[@gamerguy-yf5td]

I used to watch this when I was young. Honestly, even to this day this remains one of the most well designed and genius shows to ever air on TV. I don’t just mean that for children’s shows, but I mean for all shows.

[@thefireyflareon0589]

My dad still does the “you smell like blueberries” thing to me. We also had a stuffed Ojo. This show was around more when my sister was a kid, but I still got to enjoy it. I think we may have even had a vhs for it.

[@cherrryyyflavorrrr8871]

🥺🥺

[@DystopianOverture]

I used to have a Tutter stuffed toy as a kid, wish I knew what happened to it.

[@justinmontana3710]

Honest to God, I started to tear up when I saw Bear open the door and sniff around at the start of the video; I haven't seen this show in any way, shape, or form for almost 20 years, and I just got hit by this wave of nostalgia and the feeling that everything is going to be alright. Very nice to see it again

[@jessem.5867]

Pussy boi

[@shoeshine00]

Jesse Meza ??? ???

[@theaxe7562]

I know the feeling man, when the video ended I shed tears of nostalgia for the simple times of childhood when my only worried was to wake up early to see Saturday morning cartoons and my mama was by my side. God, I miss those days so much.

[@jvresol]

20 years?

[@alexsnightmare]

Bear makes sure everything will be alright

[@RandomDragonEXE]

Bear: Do you have your pajamas on? Because you smell like clean pajamas *Me in pajamas right now*: how did you know my pajamas were clean?

[@krististarosta6736]

I thought the same thing when I have clean pajamas on.

[@NUFIGHTER]

Bear knows all...

[@AnInkStick]

Lol as a little girl I thought the same thing the first time I heard that. Lil five year old would think, “O.O how did he know?”

[@workingtitle7049]

Do you?

[@ImTalkingWithYou]

@@NUFIGHTER his Knowlage is ever expanding

[@myriadmediamusings]

Part of the fun of the show was Bear getting so up close to the camera and sniffing. Cuddly and inviting as Bear was, you couldn’t help but recoil every time his superpower of 4th wall smelling was activated.

[@DeltaFRFX]

As someone with autism, it broke my heart when they stopped airing this show as a young child. Really wish they had kept it around longer, it was one of my favorites.

[@kristofermurphy803]

Interviewer: What can you never keep your eyes open while doing? Bear: watching C-span! I mean, representative of the state of *snores* wow, bear was a savage!

[@syafiqjabar]

FYI that was when Bear appeared on Hollywood Squares. I remember he was asked about shaving in one episode, and he went "why would I know anything about shaving?"

[@theGodfollower99]

I honestly wish I had seen it live! I probably would have laughed so hard!

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

That was quite possibly the very best thing I've ever seen in my whole life.

[@alshnevermore3741]

Bear sniffing the screen always left me laughing. Reminds me of a dog.

[@luvblueybingoheeler3150]

Well bears do sniff.

[@stoutyyyy]

Bears are just giant fat dogs that can eat you

[@blackstar044]

😂😂😂😂

[@BirdCraftSSB]

Alsh Nevermore it freaked me out as a kid

[@gorillaau]

It was a bit odd but made me laugh. I was never part of the programs targeted demographic audience. Great program, while it lasted.

[@krystathirteenth4904]

I grew up in a household that was pretty broken, nothing against my parents they tried their best. But my dad was military and so we didn't have much of a relationship, and my job quickly even at a child was to take care of my mother with severe social anxiety and Paranoia. Needless to say I was a very anxious child and I didn't have friends. I was an only child as well. Bear in the big blue house was my second home. A place I felt safe and with my friends. It was calm, I always knew no one was going to tell at me, or make me feel uncomfortable. And whenever we said goodbye I knew it wasn't for long. I've named countless hamsters after tutter. And I named my dog I own now Luna. This show is my absolute favorite ❤️

[@generichuman2044]

This was my favourite show as a young child. I struggled with my first year at school and this used to really brighten my day when I got home. My mum said I used to cry after the goodbye song because I wanted to keep watching. I don't know what children's shows are like these days but I'm glad I grew up with things like bear in the big blue house. It was educational, fun and very loving

[@kingboobs20]

Bear being on Hollywood Squares with "Macho Man" Randy Savage has to be one of the most surreal things I've ever seen.

[@DemonicRemption]

@Brie Russell Sorry I'm nearsighted, I wanna make sure I read that right:"Bear was on an episode of Hollywood Square with Macho Man Randy Savage? o_O

[@meowtherainbowx4163]

I remember when my dad was watching some talk show for adults (my little kid brain just lumped them all together), and Bear came on to trade banter with the host. I had no idea what they were chatting about, and it was the sort of thing I could’ve easily written off as a false childhood memory composed of multiple real ones if not for this video.

[@ptassa270]

Godzilla also has a star so it's not too big of a stretch.

[@ianfinrir8724]

Oh yeah!

[@talulahsafir]

Is it really bad that I cried when they would sing their goodnight song?

[@Cerise4697]

I could never listen to it because it made me cry. I still can't listen to it without crying.

[@margotnohe973]

Talulah M. I'm on the same exact boat as you. It brings back such good memories...

[@ProfRenderer]

That song slaughtered me as a kid. I grew in love with Bear and friends and I didn't wanna leave them after each episode.

[@pandaninja_19]

Same

[@ACrossingSage24]

no... i cried too... (blush) :)

[@TheChildofAuraReborn]

This was such a warm and friendly show. I feel like there aren't anymore shows that are gentle like this anymore.

[@Luckyrabbit1927]

Bluey's very close to Bear in terms of warmth and humor, but I do wish there were more shows like them.

[@jinkihan9350]

I was 17 and in uni when this came out and I would watch it with my younger sister. But since she has adhd, she would just run off after bear “smells” her, leaving me to watch by myself. I would cry whenever bear and luna would sing the goodbye song. I didn’t understand it then, but kinda understand it now. Bear is just so calming. I didn’t want the episode to end. Now I have 3 kids and I let them watch Bear in the big blue house too. :)

[@EverettBurger]

Bear had such a calming effect on the viewer (children and adults). Once the 'student' feels safe (physically & emotionally) learning is so much easier. There was a feeling of warmth and safety when watching that show.

[@taylornoren642]

As much as I loved both shows I’d rather listen to him than Barney!

[@AnInkStick]

No wonder I never learned well in school, I felt about as safe there as a mouse with a snap trap right out of its hole.

[@guardianofpeace6393]

@@AnInkStick I get where you’re coming from and I FULLY blame the school for that... Schools should promote safety of all kinds for the children, not the opposite!

[@jimmycooper9497]

one there was a child (a few years old) who had special needs and didn't react to things but the first time he sniffed the camera really closely she jumped back (in a good/excited way) so he continued to do it

[@Kitamurasama]

@@AnInkStick same, children can be fucking cruel, and some teachers barely care.

[@c0dy0dy333]

I just turned 24 and I'm crying because I miss Bear and Luna.

[@katie5822]

Cody Scott lol saaaaame

[@danoisaballa]

Exact same.

[@cheekloins4126]

Cried through a majority of this video not gonna lie

[@buzzytrombone4353]

They were something else.

[@mafiousbj]

Stressed out adults need this show more than kids today, i feel you!

[@raevynphiar9581]

Dude I never understood why this show hit me so hard til now. Bear's voice most completely mirrors my dad! He was super calming and chill and helped when I was not doing too well as a kiddo (undiagnosed ADHD). This show ruled as a kid!

[@nederlandsemuziek9151]

Idk but as someone who watched this show as a kid and as well as someone with autism i love how just heartwarming and accepting the show was and watching this brings back some great memories

[@saratomsky7671]

My dad was verbally and physically abusive when I was a kid plus my parents fought a lot and eventually got divorced so my eldest sibling would put a BITBBH VHS to calm me and and my siblings with special needs. It worked every time.

[@forest487]

I’m proud of you just for being here

[@saratomsky7671]

@@forest487 thank you

[@patchschannel4059]

Me too. :'(

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@patchschannel4059 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@forest487 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@MaddieeLunn]

When I was little I thought my dad was bear. He was the tallest person I knew and I always saw him putting his work bag in his trunk, so I thought he was putting the bear costume in there. This brought instant tears to my eyes

[@cherrryyyflavorrrr8871]

🥺🥺🥺

[@SamuraiDoggo14]

CONSPIRACY!

[@luvbeinghiswife1148]

But...he is. He's your Papa Bear 🐻💙

[@MaddieeLunn]

@@luvbeinghiswife1148 that’s so sweet because that what he always calls himself 🥺

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@MaddieeLunn Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@dialtenhof]

Bear will always have a special place in my heart :-) I'm basing my graduation cap decoration off of the Goodbye Song and the finale quote, "One life touches many others, Bear." It's just so precious and comforting, nothing else like it

[@Pantalaymo]

This show was also big in Germany when I was little. Throughout my entire time in Kindergarden, my mom used to drop me off at my grandparents before driving to work. There I would have breakfast and watch The Bear in the Big Blue House and Sesame Street before my grandpa would put me on his bike and push me up the hill to my kindergarden. Thank You so much for bringing back those sweet memories!

[@ImDudeRandom90]

I sincerely hope that somewhere out there, someone is taking really good care of those puppets. If they're never to be used again, then they're hopefully being kept somewhere safe.

[@tysargent9647]

Well, the puppets were originally designed by Paul Andrejco, who now has his own workshop, Puppet Heap. From what I've not heard, it seems like the puppets are in a dark corner of the workshop, their fabric falling apart.

[@TransDrummer1312]

@@tysargent9647 it’s a sadly common fate for old puppets. One can only hope they’ll be restored.

[@SpicyMang0s]

@@tysargent9647 well that’s depressing

[@melikekocak97]

This comment made me teary

[@lilwerner1518]

⁠@@tysargent9647i know you're joking but tbh you're probably not far off, a lot of screen-used puppets like the ones used in dinosaurs (another jim henson show, relatedly) we straight up just don't have anymore because of how fragile they were even during production and then being too expensive to maintain afterward unless they were particularly iconic, e.g. the original 60s and 70s muppets

[@ineffablemars]

This made me so nostalgic and sad.. I miss being a child..

[@rayne4224]

I cried xD

[@willhuey4891]

i watched this as a kid along with rolie polie olie

[@dreammaster1018]

Me feel the same thing 😢l miss being a child

[@willhuey4891]

but truth be told i was actually in middle school i know i was too old so i watched playhouse disney since there was nothing else on before going to school.

[@ceceliaacaba2739]

I remember watching this! so sad what happened!

[@emmashuffle6457]

I know watch this show with my young son and he loves it as much as I do still! Edit: I’m also still amazed how animated Bear was as a puppet. You honestly get so immersed with what he’s doing from a team of people that you completely forget he’s a puppet for a little while. Aww my childhood ❤

[@SlipperySoap]

I have autism myself, and I'm glad to know that people with Autism love the show!

[@LaurenHelene]

MY CHILDHOOD😭😭 they need to put this on disney +

[@HoxenStorm]

Lauren Krohe OML PLEASE

[@morganbuckley2363]

Lauren Krohe yessssssssssssssssss

[@hugoc.m.7727]

i bet they do, if they make a reboot

[@orin_nairne2110]

You can leave a recommendation under the help tab. I really want it on there too!

[@charatertravels]

Lauren Krohe I love this show

[@mikekazz5353]

Oh God I forgot how the theme song went, but the moment he said "Welcome to the blue house" I sung along knowing the lyrics, almost as if by instinct.

[@Cyndersparx]

It's amazing how this stuff can stick with you for years and years without you even realizing it. ^^

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@Cyndersparx Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@oreganothankyou]

I had never watched this show as a kid, but after hearing you explain it, this is definitely a show that my inner child needed. Just hearing that the show focused on how the characters loved each other and how gentle bear was makes me feel a bittersweet sadness. Honestly, I may need to try and find some of the episodes just my inner child can feel some peace.

[@couver73]

Strange how that goodbye song made me feel sad. I felt like crying. My memories of the show itself are faint at best but I remember watching the show a fair bit. I honestly miss it. I hope one day it comes back. Just for nostalgia's sake.

[@finchcarvingadiamond]

One of Disney's purest properties, I would watch it with my Romanian family and scream "Ursu! Ursu!" At the screen when Bear was there. My family gifted me a Bear plush and I still have it. The feels.

[@serenatsukino5252]

I have the orange bear. I wish I still had it but maybe I'll buy it online if I get the chance.

[@whodatninja439]

that's so cute!

[@DistoryDan]

As a close friend of many of the puppeteers on this show, I am glad you have taken the time to share the story. Oh man I have so many great stories about the behind the scenes. hahaha Thanks for the video Kev!

[@ao9688]

Disney Dan please share them some time!

[@MareCat31]

Disney Dan do you have a Twitter or Instagram, I'd love to follow you

[@DistoryDan]

LadyRedHawk yep! Links in all my video descriptions. Super easy to find me too.

[@repletereplete8002]

Wasn't keen on the show as I loved things like Ren and Stimpy, and Pete and Pete but the puppeteering skill was amazing, as you would expect on a Henson production.

[@JoshuaJacobawesome]

I would love to hear some of those stories somewhere!

[@propertyofranger]

I love this show. Even as an adult I still love this show. The gentleness, warmth, the authenticity of the characters made it such a joy to watch. Instant nostalgia.

[@cutiegalore5376]

Grew up watching this show. This along with Blue's Clues eased my traumatic childhood and always gave me hope that things will get better.

[@ZeroSable]

I would always feel sad when Bear visited Luna. It meant that our fun time would be over and I didn't want him to go. The childhood is a curious thing.

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

I see what you mean. Judging from many KZbin videos I’ve seen, many kids are sad when their favorite shows end. I think I didn’t feel the same.

[@roseoftheday582]

I'm sat here in tears as I listen to the goodbye song after so long. I'm 27 years old, but had difficulty making friends growing up as a child. I was very much a bullied child, who only ever wanted to belong, and bear in the big blue house ALWAYS made me feel wanted and needed, even if it was for only 30 minutes a day. I'd sing every song with passion, and I'd say goodbye when luna came to say goodnight. I'm currently going through one of the toughest moments of my life, but hearing that song brought me so much joy, even for a short while. Thank you for this, and thank you to everyone that made that show possible. You gave lonely children a place to feel at home where they could belong.

[@FluffyNinjaUnicorn3Gaming]

Your response made me tear up. I hope you will be in a better place soon.

[@NubianQueen_xo]

From a stranger whom also cares, you are loved and I’m glad you exist. Thank you for being yourself and staying true to yourself 💛🙏🏾🤗

[@BhappyD]

Erenura GG So sorry to hear that you have gone through so much, both past and present. This show was definitely a comforting place for children to “escape” to when they couldn’t find that comfort in real-life, and I’m glad that it was able to help you. Whatever you may be going through right now, just know that you’re not alone, and that you have so much worth. I may be a stranger, but I care about you, and I hope that life starts getting a little easier for you soon. I will be praying for you! God bless! 🙏🏻💕

[@lightyearpig12]

Hey, who left these onions here?

[@matteaknowles7163]

lightyearpig12 😭тнιѕ ιѕ мaĸιng мe тear υp.

[@claraB1016]

I'm going to cry, this show was such a huge part of my childhood. I had a picture book featuring the characters that I remember particularly well. I'm glad to see that its being remembered

[@Indie_witch10]

I’m 25 and I loooovvveee Bear and Luna. My mom and I are really close too and still, if I’m ever down, she will do the whole Bear sniffing thing to make me laugh. I have a 4 year old sister now and I’m hoping to find a way to get her into this beautiful show❤

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

It’ll be on Disney+ on October 19th.

[@elainejsta]

Huge Thank you for mentioning the influence Bear had on kids on the spectrum. I wasn’t diagnosed until 21, but it makes a lot of sense why those memories of Bear still are so vivid to me; he really was the most gentle soul I knew as a child, and that was by pure creation of the kind of character he was. Kids, especially those who are special needs, really need that gentle voice, and without Bear, a lot of kids would not have gotten that voice to tell them “it’s okay” and “you’re loved”. That’s why these characters like Bear and Big Bird and Mr. Rogers are so important and memorable. They teach the world to love a little more when there isn’t a lot of love in the world already. They create love. The characters, the people working on them... don’t ever let anyone tell you kids programming isn’t important in that regard. It’s those gentle voices that make a big difference. As always, great stuff, Kevin. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this one as a fan of Defunctland :) keep the hits coming!

[@ryan_themeparkenthusiast]

My brother was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 and he is non-verbal

[@AlexThe1Menace]

That was very well written and 100% agreed.

[@samanthachase8]

Yeah, I agree. I was diagnosed at 12 with Aspergers, and Mr. Rodgers and Big Blue House were a vouple of my favorite shows when I was little. Their calm, steady demeanors were very soothing. As a contrast, the more chaotic the newer shows got the more I disliked them. For example, my youngest sister used to watch The Doodlebops on Playhouse Disent, and I absolutely hated it. On the other hand I can still go back and watch and enjoy shows like BitBBH.

[@alicesheep6394]

I actually was diagnosed with the same thing at the same age. Mr. Rodgers along with Big Blue House where some of my favorites, but my absolute favorite was Blues Clues, I remember being really sad when Steve left the show even after I had gotten a bit older. I also remember liking the wiggles and Loving Crocodile Hunter as well.

[@Account_Not_Applicable]

i wasn't diagnosed on the spectrum til sophomore year of high school (and probably would've been diagnosed a lot later if it wasn't for our family therapist at the time). i loved this show as a kid, and have always been drawn to characters/people who exude a gentle, warm, and supportive presence. Such unconditional kindness and love is an underappreciated form of strength in media, and especially with male characters. I appreciate the kind of environment that characters like Bear created and I hope media doesn't forget how important it is to have characters that create that kind of environment.

[@michaelkrawczyk6715]

I'm 54 years old and the goodnight song got me too! I watched this on VHS with my daughter who was born in 1999. We both loved it and watched those tapes almost every day during her toddler years, she always told me "...put on Big Bear in the Blue House daddy..."

[@Shari_Jessica23]

Michael Krawczyk I was also born in ‘99 and I remember watching with my Dad when I was little. I can tell you from a daughter’s perspective that it was a really special time and bonding experience

[@kittykat3233]

So wholesome ;-;

[@kenhollis6197]

Aww, that's adorable.

[@Deltarii]

Daww, that’s cute.

[@KayleeCee]

That's so sweet. I was a teenager when this show originally aired, but I fondly remember watching it with my (much younger) brother and sister. They loved it and even I enjoyed, although I would have never admitted that to my friends, lol.

[@merissadoesstuff]

I'm autistic, and this was one of the few shows that wasn't overwhelming for me because of his calm cadence. I watched whenever I was home sick and it would help me rest. It was great for kids with sensory disorders.

[@gamingrubiksliam9065]

Bear is finally coming to Disney Plus!!! After 3 long years of the service, and 4 years of this video, the show will finally be available in it’s entirety for streaming!!! Who’s excited to rewatch the show after 15 years of not being available to watch???

[@NoahClevinger]

I certainly am! It was one of my favorite shows from my childhood.

[@monedameow]

OMG!!!!!!!

[@gamingrubiksliam9065]

@@NoahClevinger I’m glad to hear!

[@gamingrubiksliam9065]

@@monedameow yep! You heard my words right!

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@NoahClevinger Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@mistertoy3658]

I'm on the Autism spectrum, and this show was the greatest thing of my childhood.

[@krististarosta6736]

Mine too!

[@hannahrae927]

same and same lol

[@nitromenace1424]

Bro same

[@hannahrae927]

@@nitromenace1424 Your Lord Zedd profile pic is AMAZING. Just started the original Mighty Morphin last week for the umpteenth time in my life. It is SUCH the best thing ever lol.

[@rae-raetheturtledemon.]

I'm also autistic and I really loved this show.

[@Whateverislying]

this made me sad for some reason. i grew up with this show, wow.

[@surroundgatari]

Me too. I realised that this was one of those shows I watched as a kid that really impacted me in a good way. Thanks to all of the creators that worked on it!

[@Eisenbison]

I just don't get how so many episodes of this show have been lost forever. I didn't think that was possible in this day and age.

[@matthewalbanese6222]

Don't forget Bear appeared with Barney and all of the other Children's TV characters (such as Big Bird, Blue, JoJo's Circus, etc.) in "We Are Family: A Musical Message For All".

[@TransDrummer1312]

For those wondering, this show’s being put on Disney+ on October 19th, 2022! If you want to show this to your own kids, now’s your chance!

[@katefresina832]

I don't want to sound weird, but this show taught me how to talk. I didn't start talking until I was three, but I was obsessed with Bear and Luna, especially Luna. I don't what was about Luna, but I loved her. My first was " Luna". My mom said that one night coming home from church I pointed to the moon and just said "Luna!" Over and over. My parents were so happy that I was finally speaking 😅.

[@patchschannel4059]

What year would this have been around?

[@purrrbot]

Luna was always my favorite too

[@FoxNHound]

@@patchschannel4059 1997-2000’s I think.

[@auntiem0thman]

This makes my heart so happy 💗 this show is why I want to name my future daughter Luna tbh

[@Logitah]

Just imagining how relieved and happy your parents were made me tear up a little.

[@JacobHillSBD]

THE MEMORIES, THEY'RE FLOODING BACK

[@davidchynoweth4007]

same here my childhood

[@ravenpotter3]

Jacob Hill me too

[@vipervolkan3042]

Jacob Hill same

[@3DMarioWorld]

Jacob Hill I know right? :')

[@JJRicks]

Oh absolutely

[@danielwalker26]

My grandmother had an in home daycare and one of the kids LOVED this show. I enjoyed it too not gonna lie.

[@leeannturner494]

I'm autistic & I loved Bear in the big blue house. It made me happy to go visit, from the comfort of the living room, at times that I was feeling let down, sad & lonely.

[@StarrChild.]

I couldn't watch Bear in the Big Blue house when I was young. Didn't have the channel and when I did I grew out of it. However when I had a horrible depressive spout, I just stayed in bed and would watch the show. It was soft and comforting and just made me calm down and relax. I can't say this show was my childhood, but it near enough saved me a lot of trouble and will always have a fond spot in my heart.

[@ColdFuse96]

“Looking forward to the next visit.” “Cause we’ll see you very soon, I know!” That heartbreaking, crestfallen moment when you realize that one day you heard that song.....or rather that song was sung.....for the last time......

[@sailorarwen6101]

I just started watching Bear in the Big Blue House as a 32 year old mother. I let my baby watch an episode every once in a while. She absolutely loves it. She cracks up at the songs, Bear sniffing, and she lights up and gets all bashful when she sees Luna. I, personally, love Tutter. It’s a really sweet and cute show.

[@Fiery-Foxfire]

I can't stop smiling while watching this... I adore this show and how expressive the puppets are.

[@bigrich6075]

I'm 26 years old and Bear always makes me smile like I was when I was 3.

[@nokidemo]

i don't know why i'm crying in the club right now

[@huntercummings3628]

emelie You're not alone. Everyone wants childhood back

[@intothemagic]

18boweraf3 true that is a good point. Why were you watching this in a club?

[@SeriousPotatoBot]

11:30 - 11:36 "why do you look like you are about to cry." Im not crying its just hay fever honest.

[@JACKSTAY]

seriouis potatobot nah admit it, youre cryjng like the rest of us

[@Bedizenin]

It's so refreshing to hear about a cute, wholesome show without any controversy. It seems like a nugget of gold in children's programming. I'm honestly sad I never heard of it until now.

[@michellecoleman5577]

I just found it on Disney+ a few days ago and was knocked down by nostalgia.

[@xingcat]

Honestly, it's a show that so exceeded its mission and its contemporaries that it's a shame it only lasted as long as it did and a miracle that it was made at all. Incredible puppeteering, high production values, and a really sweet nature. What a gem.

[@CanaldoZenny]

I'm still impressed by the puppets, they all move and fell like actually cartoon characters on real life, not some guy in a cheap suit like Barney. Also, being they all are modeled so simple, with small eyes, they felt harmless and genuinally friendlly, i never liked those big colorful eyes.

[@Hairmetallurgist]

@xingcat Well said.

[@TheNickleChick]

On a rather serious note about this children's show about puppets, I think it saved me as a kid. I grew up in low income housing, on food stamps and living paycheck to paycheck if mom even had a job. My mom was in a punk band and people wouldn't let their kids in the apartment play with me because my mom had a Mohawk and piercings and her band practiced at our place so I felt very alone. School wasn't much better since I was the only kid that count afford new things. We didn't have cable but we had 5 bright blue VHS tapes that had bear in the big blue house on it. It inspired me to be kind even when people weren't kind to me. It inspired me to draw which I do for a living now. Like the creator said, it's a happy, supportive family which is something I never ever had. My father died when I was 5 and this is the only kids show he would watch with me. I guess there's a lot of reasons I love this show. I'm just being sappy! I love bear in the big blue house! I still tell Luna goodnight every night and sing the goodbye song to my pets and plants. One day I'll sing it to my kids. Loved the video!

[@geep0990]

Well, if I wasn’t already in tears before....

[@rach_laze]

The goodbye song was our year 6 leavers song for when we went up to high school everyone cried and it was beautiful but it was over 10 years ago and now I feel old thinking about it

[@phuketufc1746]

unknown upload some of your art

[@heatherpoeschek2771]

This was my daughter’s favourite show when she was little! We still have her first Christmas stocking that has Bear and Tutter on it 🥰! I shared this video to her to watch it now that she’s 22 and away at school ❤️. Thank you for that beautiful walk down memory lane 🥲😭🥰!

[@meowtherainbowx4163]

I remember when my dad was watching some talk show for adults (my little kid brain just lumped them all together), and Bear came on to trade banter with the host. I had no idea what they were chatting about, and it was the sort of thing I could’ve easily written off as a false childhood memory composed of multiple real ones if not for this video.

[@aviator4]

One of my earliest memories was watching Bear in the Big Blue House, when suddenly my dad changed the channel to the news. I was mostly upset because I wasn't going to hear the Goodbye Song. That day was September 11, 2001.

[@willherondale6367]

Speeed wagon wow that's heavy

[@gato5741]

Something similar happened to me. I was sick and watching the show but my parents changed the channel, I remember my mom freaking out.

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

Nice to hear from someone who watched the show on 9/11.

[@jonnyb7356]

I remember this from my childhood. Me and my brother were born in 03 and 02 but because we were on the poorer side of things a lot of our tv was handmedown dvds and VHS tapes, this included. Even now the show warms my heart and makes me smile. Everything about it is so happy and pure I love it, thank you

[@farkbett699]

Jonny B same man. I miss those times

[@Kovac22]

My bro was 04 and I was 02, I had a similar situation, but not really poor, just used VHS tapes for a long time. I remember this vaguely but remember many shows around this era.

[@brandyadams8803]

Jonny B so you was born around the time it got rebooted. Im sorry but you don't understand. I grew up WITH that show.

[@loulouswan9791]

Brandy Adams I hate when people say things like that! Theres no difference in growing up with a show when its originally airing, and growing up with a show but on VHS. I used to watch many 90s shows on VHS (being born 2000) and those shows are just as dear to me as they are to ny older siblings who saw them on tv

[@loganmiller7827]

Jonny B I'm 02 and even though I'm 16 I still know some of the songs and I still laugh at some of the things that happen. It's great. I loved it

[@barbaricbri]

I'm so grateful to have had grown up with such creative, wholesome, childhood shows.

[@brianmata1830]

I'm in tears right now 🥹 this show is really special to me I grew up with no father my whole life and my mom having to struggle with me and my sisters it was always a special day when me and her could watch this together and to this day we always talk about the show and my mom doing her best impressions of Luna always warms my heart especially when remembering watching this whenever I was in the hospital before and after heart surgery was a true blessing. I just wanna thank everyone who was apart of making this awesome show you guys are the goat of creating such art they really don't make kid shows like this anymore 🥹thank you for doing a video on this it's my favorite so far.

[@MisterLN]

this uh made me cry a little

[@andrewwinslow9315]

I thought this was a PBS show, because it was that good compared to the rest of Playhouse Disney's programming

[@adamvifrye2690]

i swear i saw it on pbs...... something has to be there.

[@SilverScaleMA]

It did run on PBS for a while, there was a few shows from Disney that was on PBS occasionally.

[@nicknamegoddess]

I loved Rolie Polie Ollie!

[@nicknamegoddess]

@@barfyman-wn3id how dare you wtf

[@wubbzyandsesamestreetfangirl]

@@SilverScaleMA really ?

[@casualjacob776]

Hearing him call Bear the "anti-Barney" was the highlight of my week.

[@burnttoast26]

The memories this episode brought back... And that ending sequence with the goodbye song was a haymaker straight in the soul.