'Arthur,' Elmo and why adults still feel emotionally attached to their favorite childhood shows

When "Arthur" came to an end last week after 25 years, it wasn't just kids who felt the loss – many adults who had grown up with the show were emotional, too. 

Creators of the PBS animated show based on Marc Brown's book series about a talking aardvark and his animal friends didn't know their work would have such a hold on viewers. But those who grew up watching the show, particularly millennials and older Gen Z-ers, fell in love with "Arthur" as a kid, and it hasn't left the cultural zeitgeist since its 1996 debut. 

“My daughters go to school now with teachers who grew up on ‘Arthur,’ and when they find out I did the voice of Francine, the reaction is insane,” voice actress Jodie Resther told reporters at a recent Television Critics Association panel. Now 44, she has played Arthur's classmate since she was 19.

“Arthur” isn’t the only children’s show to go viral among grown-up former viewers. In the era of reboots, plenty of beloved kids' shows have been brought back for new generations, such as "The Proud Family," "Duck Tales," "Fraggle Rock" and an upcoming live-action version of "The Fairly OddParents." 

But other shows meant for children often trend online not because adults are necessarily re-watching, but because they're reminiscing and still find humor in them, perhaps in ways they wouldn’t have as children. Think Elmo shading sworn enemy Rocco, "SpongeBob SquarePants" memes, GIFs and audio clips continuing to be strewn across social media, and Peppa Pig "feuding" with some of music's top artists. 

Elmo is 'unhinged' and social media can relate: Here are the viral moments getting attention in 2022

Finding new humor in old characters 

Little sister D.W. was known to young viewers as the annoying thorn in Arthur's side – always complaining that something wasn't fair, or antagonizing her older brother or his friends.

But grown-ups might argue she's the show's comedic icon, sparking memes based on quotes including "That sign can't stop me because I can't read" and "Why don't you go back to your own house and stop bothering us?" An image of D.W., staring longingly through a fence turned into a popular reaction image for feeling left out (and felt particularly poignant during quarantine). 

"You can kind of re-appreciate the characters or think of them in a different way as an adult than as a child," says Meghan Gillen, associate professor of psychology at Penn State Abington. "As a child, you may have not appreciated (D.W.'s) bluntness …but as an adult, you might find her more funny because she's so direct and says things that maybe adults wants to say but it's not socially acceptable for them to say it."

‘Arthur’ is (sob) over after 25 years.The people behind the cartoon aardvark say goodbye.

From 'Blue's Clues' to student loans: The emotional side of nostalgia

The internet had a good cry the day Steve from "Blue's Clues" made a resurgence online.

"We started out with clues and now it’s what? Student loans and jobs and families,” actor Steve Burns said in a September 2021 video for Nick Jr. ahead of the show's 25th anniversary. 

“And some of it has been hard, you know? I know you know. And I wanted to tell you I really couldn’t have done it all without your help. And in fact, all the help that you helped me with when we were younger is still helping me today, right now. After all these years, I never forgot you. Ever. And I’m super glad we’re still friends.”

Tom Hanks' 2019 Mister Rogers biopic also renewed conversations about children's TV icons who allowed kids to feel their feelings. Reminiscing about these shows can spark feelings beyond just finding joy in the humor. The world has been through a lot since those characters were first introduced, and it can be comforting to see a safe, familiar face. 

"It can trigger feelings of nostalgia," Gillen says. "It can feel very poignant, like, 'this is what it was like when I was younger,' and it can feel special and innocent, but also (spark thoughts of) 'I've come so far' (since then)." 

More on nostalgia:Cassette tapes, reunion shows and lots of denim: There's a reason retro trends are back

And when a beloved childhood show comes to an end, it can feel like the end of an era for a grown-up former fan. Even if you haven't watched "Arthur" since elementary school, learning that he grew up to be a graphic novelist or that D.W. grew up to be a traffic cop can bring about real, mixed emotions. 

"It brings a sense of completion … and curiosity," Gillen says. "Maybe a little bit of sadness for people that it really brings things to a close, because it just means that there can't be any more Arthur – they're grown up now. It can raise a lot of emotions, both both positive and negative."

"These shows just have such a significant place in many people's memories," she adds. 

Penny Proud is back! 'The Proud Family' cast talks 'authentic' legacy of Disney+ revival

And for some, they can now share those memories and important lessons with their own young children. 

"We use the resources, just like many other parents use 'Arthur' as a resource, to talk about things and learn about social issues and difficult things to talk about," Resther said of the show's legacy in her own family. "It's been a wonderful, wonderful tool for us as well. To be part of that and using that with my kids is amazing."