Analysis / PBS Kids

The four-character ensemble formula

As the years go by, a noticeable trend in 2010s-present PBS Kids shows has emerged — each show stars around 2-5 characters; no more, no less. However, the magic number tends to be 4. There are exceptions to this rule, but let's analyze the dynamics of these characters in each show. We'll only be talking about the long-runners and the main shows that premiered in the 2010s decade and the 2020s decade.

• Sesame Street - As the show has a huge Ensemble Cast, it's an exception to this rule via the Grandfather Clause. And it's now owned by HBO, with PBS airing the episodes 9 months later. However, Sesame has reduced its main cast over the years, with the primary stars now being Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Grover and Oscar as of Season 46, although the other characters still get screen time. Even so, there's no denying that Elmo, Abby, Cookie, and Big Bird are the biggest stars, and are featured on all of the show's current marketing.
• Arthur - Another exception. It too, has an Ensemble Cast, with the most consistent characters via marketing being Arthur and DW.
• Cyberchase - Earliest example of the four-squad on this list. The show's main characters always have been Matt, Jackie, Inez, and Digit. Matt, Jackie, and Inez make up a Freudian Trio together, with Digit acting as the Team Pet, Plucky Comic Relief, and Audience Surrogate.
• Curious George - There are just 2 main characters - George and The Man In The Yellow Hat (who we'll call Ted, as per the movie). George and Ted have houses in both the city and the country, so the show goes back and forth between these two locales, and thus, different sets of characters. We can find Betsy and Steve in the city, and Allie in the country. But George and Ted are the most consistent, and thus the most vital aspect of the show. They represent a parent-child bond.
• Dinosaur Train - Not counting their parents, the four main characters are Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, and Don. Buddy is the leader of the group and the one that stands out to most due to being an adopted T-rex in a family of pteranodons. Tiny is the second-in-command. She frequently accompanies Buddy on the Dinosaur Train, and provides cuteness to the show with how innocent yet headstrong she is, so she's also featured on marketing a lot. While Shiny and Don are vital to the plot, they don't accompany their siblings as often on the Dinosaur Train. Don is the comic relief, while Shiny represents kids who are reluctant to explore.
• The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! - The most important characters are The Cat, Sally, and Nick. We could also count Things 1 and 2, and Fish, for a total of six main characters. This could be an exception but the first three play more of an important role in the show. The Things are comic relief and Fish is the snarker. Sally and Nick have a sibling-like bond and drive the show's plots by asking questions. The Cat is their guardian who takes them on exciting adventures to learn new things. Because of his legacy, the Cat is the most featured on marketing.
• Wild Kratts - Depending on one's perspective, the show has either 2 or 5 main characters. Obviously, Chris and Martin are the main and most important characters, but Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy are also vital to the show's plot, despite them being fictional only. Chris and Martin have equal importance and thus equal recognition in marketing — it helps that the Kratt Brothers are real people and have a nostalgic household name. They're the leaders of the team, with Chris being the sensible one and Martin the silly one. Aviva is the Gadgeteer Genius, Koki is the voice of reason, and Jimmy is the comic relief.
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - This can go 2 ways; it has a 4-squad because of the Tiger family, or a 5-squad because of Daniel's classmates. Regardless, Daniel is the series star no matter which way you view it. Daniel is representative of the everyday child and their struggles and triumphs, while his loving parents provide guidance. He becomes a big brother when Margaret gets born later on, allowing for more character development. He's also undoubtedly the leader of his classmates. His friends represent different children and different family structures. Miss Elaina is quirky and has interracial parents, Katerina is girly and has a single mom, O is the brains and lives with his uncle, and Prince Wednesday is the privileged yet kind prince who lives with both his parents and his brother. Jodi is the Sixth Ranger.
• Peg + Cat - Just 2 characters, Peg and Cat. Outside of the two of them, the show has a large cast with many different characters, but Peg and Cat are the most consistent ones to appear in every episode. They're a dynamic duo who are smart and silly, yet flawed, just like real people. Their traits complement each other and build each other up. Plus, the love a girl has for her pet cat makes for heartwarming moments.
• Odd Squad - The show has a rotating cast with every season, but four characters will always be at the center of it. Season 1 has Olive, Otto, Oscar, and Ms. O. Olive is the practical one, Otto is the comic relief, Oscar is the genius, and Ms. O is their boss. Olive and Otto were the main two featured in marketing. In Season 2, Otis, Olympia, and Oona are the stars, with them filling the roles left behind by Olive, Otto, and Oscar respectively. Ms. O is still around, and Otis and Olympia are the marketing duo. In Season 3, Mobile Unit, Opal, Oswald, Omar, and Orla are the main characters, but they don't fulfill the exact same archetypes as the others. As for Ms. O, she has graduated to the Big O. Ms. O is the most consistent character across all seasons, thus she appears the most in promotions.
• Nature Cat - Four main characters: Nature Cat, Squeeks, Daisy, and Hal. Nature Cat is the daring leader, Daisy is the phoneaholic who provides the helpful facts, Squeeks is the voice of reason, and Hal is the comic relief. They also represent different types of children who explore nature. Nature Cat is supposed to represent the majority of the viewers. He’s eager and enthusiastic about outside exploration and activities, but he is also a little clueless and even intimidated by it. Daisy is supposed to represent the viewers who have a hard time “unplugging” from their technological devices, yet are still excited to join the nature adventures. Hal represents kids who may be more impulsive and like to run wild but forget to stop and enjoy the view. Squeeks is at home outside, as many kids still are, and she is a great model for how fun, interesting and cool the outdoor world can be and how to share that with other kids.
• Ready Jet Go! - This is a multifaceted example. The show has eight central characters, who were, at first, the only characters to appear before the supporting cast grew. Despite the importance of certain characters^note Carrot, Face 9000, and to a lesser extent Celery dwindling over the course of the show, Jet, Sean, Sydney, Mindy, and Sunspot are always at the center of it and the marketing. Jet, Sean, Sydney, and Mindy are a classic Four-Temperament Ensemble who also represent different traits of science. Sean the facts, Sydney the fiction, Mindy the curious young children, and Jet embodies all of these traits and more. He also provides an alien perspective of Earth. Sunspot is the Team Pet and Deus ex Machina. Sunspot and Jet are the only characters to appear in every episode, and they both appear in the show's icon on the video section of pbskids.org.
• Splash and Bubbles - Despite what the show's title might lead one to believe, the show has four main characters - Splash, Bubbles, Dunk, and Ripple. Each of them has focus and drive the show's plots. However, it's still clear that Splash and Bubbles themselves are the most important. Splash kickstarted the show's story by ending up in Reeftown and meeting Bubbles. They get the same amount of promotion. Splash is the leader, Bubbles the tomboy, Ripple the girly girl, and Dunk the genius/comic relief combo.
• Pinkalicious & Peterrific - Another multifaceted case. Pinkalicious and Peter are the consistent main characters, but the other main characters can either be their parents (for a four-squad) or their friends (for a Five-Man Band). Although Peter gets focus, his and Pinkalicious' friends don't always appear, and Pinkalicious is by far the most important. Pinkalicious is a leader who gets ideas that Peter (the Tagalong Kid and The Baby of the Bunch) tries to talk her out of. Jasmine and Rafael just go along with whatever Pinkalicious says, while Kendra is the Only Sane Woman.
• Let's Go Luna! - Simply four main characters. The Freudian Trio of Carmen, Andy, and Leo, who each embody different aspects of world culture - music, art, and food respectively. The fourth character is Luna, the main character of the show and the guardian/teacher of the kids, who helps them learn about the world.
• Molly of Denali - Multifaceted; Molly is the consistent main character, but the other main characters are a mix of either her family or her friends, of which the show places equal focus. Despite Molly's family being prominent characters, her friends Tooey and Trini get most of the recognition. Thus, Molly, Tooey, and Trini make up a Power Trio. Molly is the headstrong leader, Tooey is the thoughtful animal lover, and Trini is the excitable tagalong kid.
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) - To talk about this show, we must also talk about the original 2000 cartoon. Despite Clifford being the main character, he was seldom the focus of the episodes as he didn't cause conflict. He helped move the plots along and give good advice to his friends, though. Emily Elizabeth got a lot of focus. Both shows have a rather large cast, but Emily and Clifford are the most consistent ones between them. In the reboot, Clifford can talk, so he gets into conflict and learns things. Emily has three new human friends in the reboot, Samantha, Pablo, and Jack, for a prized four-squad. Clifford's new canine friends Bailey and Tucker help make a Power Trio of dogs.
• Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum - a simple Power Trio consisting of the siblings Xavier and Yadina, and their friend Brad. Despite Xavier being the title character, the show focuses as much on Yadina and Brad as it does on Xavier. Xavier is the leader — the history-loving energetic weird little kid who is rather impulsive. His sister, Yadina, is an ambitious go-getter and social expert who, despite her maturity, can be as reckless as her brother. Brad is the wimpy comic nerd who has self-esteem issues, and can be brave but doesn't realize it.
• Hero Elementary - Classic group of four - Lucita, Benny, Sara, and AJ. They each provide different strengths that save the day and learn about science. Even with their teacher Mr. Sparks and the Team Pet Fur Blur, the focus is mostly on the four kids. There's not quite a *main* character, despite Lucita being the leader. Even so, AJ is the most promoted character.
• Elinor Wonders Why - A Power Trio consisting of Elinor, Ari, and Olive. However, since Ari and Olive don't appear in every episode, Elinor is the consistent main character and gets the most focus. Elinor, Ari, and Olive's curiosity, creativity, intelligence, and hilarity help drive the plots and answer the questions they have related to nature and science.
• Donkey Hodie - Typical four-squad — Donkey Hodie, Purple Panda, Bob Dog, and Duck Duck. Donkey is the optimist leader, Panda is the sensitive big guy, Bob Dog is energetic and athletic, and Duck Duck is the brains. As she's the title character, Donkey appears in every episode and gets the icon on pbskids.org, but every episode has her hang out and solve problems with one or more of her friends.
• Alma's Way — Alma, Junior, and their parents Lulu and Ruben together make a family of four. Alma and her friends Rafia, Lucas, and Andre also make up a group of four friends. Alma is a natural leader and the show puts an equal focus on family and friendship. The purpose of Alma's friends are to showcase diversity in the Bronx. Andre is black, Rafia is Bangladeshi, and Lucas is white.