A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

[Spongey445]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

Of course, my claim isn't universally true. There are some great examples of parts in seasons 3 and 4 that were great. In "The First Day of Summer" for example, it was great to see the creative team explore the dynamic of Robbie Rotten being alone in LazyTown. The episode is very character-centric because of that.

But it isn't necessarily about all of the big plots either, it's more granular things as well. Sportacus can no longer jump down from his airship, he has to jump down and have his little backpack thing morph into a hang glider. Stephanie can no longer help her friends by being level-headed and ethical, she has to put on a mask and become a pseudo-Sportacus. It's not good enough that Sportacus gets tricked by a trap door anymore, now the trap door has to lead to a giant machine that is going to crush him to death. I feel like there was an overemphasis on making things more dramatic, or increasing the "coolness" factor of things, and other aspects of the show suffered because of it.

Hmm, didn't quite think of that before. Some of these things I'm okay with, while some are just distracting or pointless. I think it is safe to say these Seasons were hit or miss. As I said my biggest issue would be the re-hashing and not quite enough interesting experiments like First Day of Summer. At least nothing was too bad though.

[Sportscandy]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

Of course, my claim isn't universally true. There are some great examples of parts in seasons 3 and 4 that were great. In "The First Day of Summer" for example, it was great to see the creative team explore the dynamic of Robbie Rotten being alone in LazyTown. The episode is very character-centric because of that.

But it isn't necessarily about all of the big plots either, it's more granular things as well. Sportacus can no longer jump down from his airship, he has to jump down and have his little backpack thing morph into a hang glider. Stephanie can no longer help her friends by being level-headed and ethical, she has to put on a mask and become a pseudo-Sportacus. It's not good enough that Sportacus gets tricked by a trap door anymore, now the trap door has to lead to a giant machine that is going to crush him to death. I feel like there was an overemphasis on making things more dramatic, or increasing the "coolness" factor of things, and other aspects of the show suffered because of it.

Good observations... It's true that they tried to make everything a bit bigger/cooler/more dramatic. It's an escalation that was not really necessary.

[VenomPacifier]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

But it isn't necessarily about all of the big plots either, it's more granular things as well. Sportacus can no longer jump down from his airship, he has to jump down and have his little backpack thing morph into a hang glider. Stephanie can no longer help her friends by being level-headed and ethical, she has to put on a mask and become a pseudo-Sportacus. It's not good enough that Sportacus gets tricked by a trap door anymore, now the trap door has to lead to a giant machine that is going to crush him to death. I feel like there was an overemphasis on making things more dramatic, or increasing the "coolness" factor of things, and other aspects of the show suffered because of it.

I agree with this completely. The Chloe seasons are too different in that aspect.

[Fox]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I can think of situations where she was sad, frusturated, scared and even introverted.

Exactly!
Those emotions made her feel human, and not some kind of robot clone, always running in fifth gear on the happy machine...

[Stingy]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

Most of the episodes in S3 and 4 are still about silly characters in a silly town interacting with each other though.

Sure there are some over-the-top time-travel and moon plots, but there are also plots about them starting up mini-museums or going to medieval festivals, or having a "secret-friend day" or inviting the town over for Ziggy's birthday party.

Sure the big over-the-top ones stand out, but it is still mostly about silly characters in a silly town.

Of course, my claim isn't universally true. There are some great examples of parts in seasons 3 and 4 that were great. In "The First Day of Summer" for example, it was great to see the creative team explore the dynamic of Robbie Rotten being alone in LazyTown. The episode is very character-centric because of that.

But it isn't necessarily about all of the big plots either, it's more granular things as well. Sportacus can no longer jump down from his airship, he has to jump down and have his little backpack thing morph into a hang glider. Stephanie can no longer help her friends by being level-headed and ethical, she has to put on a mask and become a pseudo-Sportacus. It's not good enough that Sportacus gets tricked by a trap door anymore, now the trap door has to lead to a giant machine that is going to crush him to death. I feel like there was an overemphasis on making things more dramatic, or increasing the "coolness" factor of things, and other aspects of the show suffered because of it.

[Aimee]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I honestly find many of the season 3 and 4 episodes way more enjoyable than the earlier ones.
Especially season 4. I can't even decide which of those are my favorites, because they are all so incredibly great.
I really enjoy Chloe as well and I absolutely can't understand the big negativity towards her. But worst of all; y'all think season 3/4 songs aren't as good?
Jesus. I seriously think compared to season 3/4 songs, season 1/2 songs are really lame. Like I couldn't listen to a season 1/2 song
for 2 days without getting sick of it, while season 3/4 songs get me hooked for months without losing their grace. That's a BIG point where they improved in my opinion.

Little things bothering me are the instruction parts in s3 songs, Trixie's puppeteer/voice change and the weird mask Stephanie puts on from time to time. But like, that's really it.

(I grew up with seasons 1 and 2 as well)

[UnLearnEd]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I disagree with Juli that her character was always happy. I can think of situations where she was sad, frusturated, scared and even introverted. Believe it is accurate to say she was consistently an optimist.

[Sportscandy]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I think it is known: https://soundcloud.com/user-130211083/47a

I could see why playing Stephanie a few years later doesn't feel quite as... natural? as it first was. She was a young girl in an exciting new environment playing a young girl in an exciting new environment. Obviously she could not stay that way forever. She still did a good job in season 2, but it feels like keeping her as Stephanie for more seasons would have been too much.

The Stephanie played by Chloe obviously feels different from the season 1 character, but it's not out of character either (imo). What I liked from the character initially is still there, she's basically just a sweet girl that likes to dance, sing and play.

[Fox]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I won't lie Fox. I was kinda expecting one giant rant from you on how Julianna was better then Chloe since you are a big Julianna fan But this was a nice change of pace.

This is gonna make you sad then..
I already had typed out "the rant", calling Chloe out for things she isn't to blame for, and things I only say because of the fact that she isn't Julianna.
But hey, Chloe got hired for a job, and as an actor it's very important to put a tiny bit of your own identity in the roles you're playing.

I generally dislike anything post S2 very much, but it's not only because of one factor; Chloe for example.
It's loads of different factors, all making their play in things, ruining the show together.

I remember reading a post on here, from way back in 2007.
It was about LazyTown getting a contract for 4 seasons, and a user typed this:
"I'm very happy about that, because that means we get to see a 21 year old Julianna in the role of Stephanie".
I'm gonna be honest here and say that that was a bit of a wishful thinking..
When taking into consideration that JRM, already in S2, had some complaints about portraying this character, LTE did the correct thing.
We can always debate how fitting the new portayer was, compared to earlier seasons, but I like to think that both the viewers and soziety changed as well.
Maybe Chloe was the perfect substitute for Stephanie, because of her obvious appeal to the American audience.

All I know for sure, is that I will always, and I mean always, prefer the original Stephanie.
She made the show that I like to say I'm a fan of, and she certainly sparkled a fandom for many of the members on here.

Fun fact:
Click this link and see where it takes you. Now look at the picture for the character in question.
Notice anything?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloe_Lang

I think that your overthinking the instructions part tbh.

Of course I'm overthinking it, and I'm also heavily over dramatizing things.
But exaggeration promotes understanding..

I reckon the writers probably just figured, it was a show with lots of singing and dancing, so why not get the audience involved a bit more. Since Stephanie's the dancing character, and generally looked up to by the kids watching, she's the perfect candidate to give the instructions.

And this is where the chain falls off the bike.
I get that the show was made for children, and I totally respect that.
That's why I'm happily sitting through 25 minutes of predictable plots, with "not-so-subtle" messages all over.
But when this clear "children-appeal" starts invading my songs, that's where it snaps.

I get that the show is kids, and it's not made to appeal to adults - but it always has.
Something about the show just changed heavily in the later seasons, which made it, at least to me, unbearable to watch.


Oh, and welcome to btw!
You seem like a genuine kewl member to have on board, and I can't wait reading more of your posts! :)

[Stingy]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I think it is known: https://soundcloud.com/user-130211083/47a

I guess I knew is subconsciously :p

[Pixel's Computer]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

I actually really like Lazytown Season 3 and 4. I get that lot's of people are critical of them, but I thought they did a good job of capturing the charm of the originals.

This is easily contrasted by any season 1 episode, when LazyTown was more of a simple show. It wasn't about going to the moon or a pyramid or back in time; it was about some silly characters in a silly town interacting with eachother. You can even see this degeneration begin in season 2..

Most of the episodes in S3 and 4 are still about silly characters in a silly town interacting with each other though.

Sure there are some over-the-top time-travel and moon plots, but there are also plots about them starting up mini-museums or going to medieval festivals, or having a "secret-friend day" or inviting the town over for Ziggy's birthday party.

Sure the big over-the-top ones stand out, but it is still mostly about silly characters in a silly town.

Video and comment related:
Now, the precious "New Girl in Town" is giving out instructions to viewers, stating how independent of a woman she is.

I think that your overthinking the instructions part tbh.

I reckon the writers probably just figured, it was a show with lots of singing and dancing, so why not get the audience involved a bit more. Since Stephanie's the dancing character, and generally looked up to by the kids watching, she's the perfect candidate to give the instructions. Sure the reception to it wasn't too great, but no harm in trying new things.

[UnLearnEd]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

This is purely conjecture...

I think it is known: https://soundcloud.com/user-130211083/47a

[Stingy]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

There isn't much debate that season 1 Steph portrayed by JRM is really just the best there has been and maybe ever will be. But when JRM carried over her role to Season 2/LTExtra, it's clear that something is different. This is purely conjecture, but I feel like in season 1, she was genuinely happy and exited to be there and to portray Stephanie, and that shows in how she acts as Stephanie. But I think that after that, something was lost. I'm not sure if she felt awkward being Stephanie as a teenager, or maybe the magic was lost on her after being churned through the internet machine, or just became otherwise disinterested, but to me it's clear that her performance in season 1 vs. her performance onward are very different.

So, I actually have probably what will be an unpopular opinion. I think that Chloe's performances are actually better than season 2+ JRM. Chloe still has the sparkle and magic that was lost for JRM, and that certain sparkle is important for the character to have.

Again, I really think that the people who choose to not to watch the latter seasons specifically because of Chloe are both not giving her enough credit, as well as not giving the show itself enough credit. I totally understand the charm of S1 Steph, so I'm right there with all of you in wishing that that could have been kept forever, but LazyTown has a lot more to offer than that. I think that to disregard the rest that it has to offer just because JRM isn't in there is a little cynical.

[megadjmatt25]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

Video and comment related:

The switch that LTE made after season 1 & 2, was the switch that never needed to happen.
It kinda still had that Icelandic sparkle when the first seasons aired, but unfortunately it just had to be Americanized.
Now, the precious "New Girl in Town" is giving out instructions to viewers, stating how independent of a woman she is.

The music also changed.
S1 songs are all huge classics, and S2 doesn't fall short to compare.
You can tell the "singing-segment" became a bit of a habit when they reached S3.
Whereas they, in series one, had songs enough to spare from the stage plays, they now had to burst out a new "LazyTown-seal-of-approval" each and every week.
They simply just couldn't sit and thinker with it for long enough of a time...



Still no love for LazyTown Extra...

I won't lie Fox. I was kinda expecting one giant rant from you on how Julianna was better then Chloe since you are a big Julianna fan But this was a nice change of pace.

[Spongey445]

Re: A general dislike for season 3 and 4?

For the most part, I do feel like the backlash just comes from the actress change. It's different so it sucks isn't a trope for no reason, you know. I suppose it was just a tad lesser, mostly due to too much rehashing sometimes (among other minor things cough mid song breakdowns cough), but i think it was still at least decent and there were some really solid episodes and ongs mixed in. Besides the earlier stuff wasn't perfect either. Besides reviving a series after being dormnat for years is always hard, cut them at least a little bit of slack.