I think I've said this a thousand times with so many friends, but it's really my favorite example. Rugrats (anything before 1995 at least) was perfect. It wasn't just how the babies lived everyday life -- going to the bank, for instance -- in such grand fashion that was its charm. You start to find as you grow up how three-dimensional the adults were, dealing with the quotidian problems of grown-up-hood while they were so clearly at the mercy of their kids. Stu's a moderately successful inventor and Didi's a teacher, and they have their own quirks and desires and bizarre fascinations. Stu was apparently really into disco.

We're definitely barking up the same tree (branch? Haha, puns) here, because mine has got to be Doug. The excitement I got when that show came on is nothing short of how I feel now when I stumble upon old episodes of 30 Rock. It was the first time I'd ever looked forward to new episodes of something and appreciate a story arc. (To be clear, we're talking about the original, none of that high school nonsense when Patty cut her hair and Doug started wearing full length pants).

Doug was, essentially, a whiny middle schooler - and I guess as a 10 year old, that just seemed like the dream. A dream I'm more than sure I fulfilled.

You know what's funny? The voice of Doug is the same guy who does Fry in Futurama lol

Aaaah that is amazing. And makes so much sense now. Nothing will ever sound the same to me.