Yes, I've changed my mind.
I used to like Martha Speaks when I first found out about it. I tried (in vain) to create Wikipedia pages on the characters, wasn't successful. Then I found out about Butch Hartman and his shows. Both Danny Phantom and The Fairly OddParents are much more famous than Martha Speaks, and at first I got annoyed at Martha Speaks being so "unnotable" and "underrated"; I've gotten into lots of trouble on Wikipedia over Martha Speaks's notability because they let The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom have mentions in some of their list pages, but they won't let Martha Speaks have mentions!
But of course, my mind has changed. I wouldn't recommend this show anymore. I'm now a hater.
Yes, I get it, it's supposed to promote English studies and things like vocabulary and Shakespeare, and stuff like that. And that's good. Shakespeare is good for kids. But Martha Speaks is poor-quality and waters down the vocabulary definitions. SparkNotes already did Shakespeare videos (intended primarily for students but good for kids too) and there's a real Danny Phantom book based on Macbeth and the infamous curse myth. But Martha Speaks is a real shocker when it comes to astronomical definitions. The definition of weight (how much a force like gravity exerts on matter) is lied-to, and the astronomical definitions are the worst. Believe me, I like astronomy and have studied it ever since the age of 5 (I'm being honest). They called Canis Major in an episode "Martha Supremo" (though it was corrected in a later one). Seriously now?
And of course, I agree with other aspects other people mentioned here and on Common Sense Media the flash animation makes it terrible, the plot holes are overused, etc. Helen's dad was my favorite character when I used to like and watch this show. But of course, I don't like him anymore.
Speaking of Butch Hartman's shows, Helen's dad is named after Danny Fenton (look it up), and in the Martha Speaks episode "Dogs in Space" they ripped off Crash Nebula from The Fairly OddParents! Shame on you, PBS Kids and WGBH Boston! Are you trying to water down Butch Hartman's shows? If you deny it, then too bad! I've leaked it out here!
So I am now to conclude why I no longer like this show. I wouldn't recommend it, even to English studies teachers. It's just a watered-down mix of dog literature ("dognuttery"), Butch Hartman, and Shakespeare.
And yes, I know I've mentioned him way too many times in this review, but Butch Hartman (and Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy, American Dad, etc.) made their own version of Martha Speaks. It's called "Zoomates", look it up.
I used to like Martha Speaks when I first found out about it. I tried (in vain) to create Wikipedia pages on the characters, wasn't successful. Then I found out about Butch Hartman and his shows. Both Danny Phantom and The Fairly OddParents are much more famous than Martha Speaks, and at first I got annoyed at Martha Speaks being so "unnotable" and "underrated"; I've gotten into lots of trouble on Wikipedia over Martha Speaks's notability because they let The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom have mentions in some of their list pages, but they won't let Martha Speaks have mentions!
But of course, my mind has changed. I wouldn't recommend this show anymore. I'm now a hater.
Yes, I get it, it's supposed to promote English studies and things like vocabulary and Shakespeare, and stuff like that. And that's good. Shakespeare is good for kids. But Martha Speaks is poor-quality and waters down the vocabulary definitions. SparkNotes already did Shakespeare videos (intended primarily for students but good for kids too) and there's a real Danny Phantom book based on Macbeth and the infamous curse myth. But Martha Speaks is a real shocker when it comes to astronomical definitions. The definition of weight (how much a force like gravity exerts on matter) is lied-to, and the astronomical definitions are the worst. Believe me, I like astronomy and have studied it ever since the age of 5 (I'm being honest). They called Canis Major in an episode "Martha Supremo" (though it was corrected in a later one). Seriously now?
And of course, I agree with other aspects other people mentioned here and on Common Sense Media the flash animation makes it terrible, the plot holes are overused, etc. Helen's dad was my favorite character when I used to like and watch this show. But of course, I don't like him anymore.
Speaking of Butch Hartman's shows, Helen's dad is named after Danny Fenton (look it up), and in the Martha Speaks episode "Dogs in Space" they ripped off Crash Nebula from The Fairly OddParents! Shame on you, PBS Kids and WGBH Boston! Are you trying to water down Butch Hartman's shows? If you deny it, then too bad! I've leaked it out here!
So I am now to conclude why I no longer like this show. I wouldn't recommend it, even to English studies teachers. It's just a watered-down mix of dog literature ("dognuttery"), Butch Hartman, and Shakespeare.
And yes, I know I've mentioned him way too many times in this review, but Butch Hartman (and Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy, American Dad, etc.) made their own version of Martha Speaks. It's called "Zoomates", look it up.