Me Too! Big Hugs!

We - ie the Wafflettes & I - have just discovered a new CBeebies programme: 'Me Too!'. It's obviously from the same stable as 'Balamory' - disconcerting merging of 'real' and computer generated backgrounds, Scottish actors picked for their politically-correct credentials, and a pretty flamboyant use of colour and pattern throughout. (I checked for Howard Hodgkin in the credits).

Children's television constitutes the majority of my viewing these days - with occasional forays into BBC 4. I'm increasingly convinced that a) children's television is far superior to the current 'adult' scheduling and b) it offers an interesting critique of the adult programmes and society in general.

For example: 'The Shiny Show' where a cat, a dog and a monkey compete for worthless 'shiny' objects by answering simple questions about a piece of video footage. "Give yourself a shiny too!" is the refrain.

For example: 'Balamory' (and now 'Me Too!') where everyone is unfailingly cheerful and slow on the uptake - PC Plum being particularly dim-witted yet cherubically innnocent. The actual mechanics of life must be going on - the passing ferries, the kindergarten inspections by educational authorities, Miss Hoolie's salary being paid into the bank - yet everyone seems blissfully unaware of these facts.

For example: 'Teletubbies' where life has been simplified to a succession of hugs and chuckles and where wiggling your tummy receives divine benediction in the form of ordinary life being replayed on your navel-screen. And the sun - like something seen by Blake in one of his visionary moments on the heath - is a giggling infant preternaturally bright in the ozone sky.

This is Britain today, folks, and no mistake ...