PR NewsWire/Nickelodeon
Your kid has a birthday playdate this Sunday, but do you know about it? On Aug. 15, Nickelodeon will celebrate Dora the Explorer's 10th anniversary with an hour-long TV movie, Dora's Big Birthday Adventure, at 8 pm. The show features guest stars Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo and Hector Elizondo, and will be followed up at 9 pm by a 12-minute Dora the Explorer documentary (Don't expect an E! True Hollywood Story).
Whether the toy siren-like sounds of Dora's voice appeal to you or make you run for las colinas, you must admit her ten years on TV mark quite an accomplishment. Dora the Explorer has been a resounding success for Nickelodeon, and it never had to age up (like the Rugrats' All Grown Up) or change formats (like Blue’s Room). Every episode of Dora is pretty much like the very first.
Dora is also one of the most visible Latinas in young pop culture. Her bilinguality never stereotyped her or put her in a special class of shows; it's only made her more universal. Given this, I find the anniversary guest list culturally narrow. Even Sponge Bob’s anniversary featured more than just other members of the sponge family. I don't think kids see Dora the Explorer as a Hispanic TV show so much as a fun show starring a Hispanic girl.
Whatever your take, you can start the celebration a day early. Aug. 14 is "Dora the Explorer Day" in over 30 American cities, and is tied to a kindergarten readiness program called Beyond the Backpack.
One caution: If you decide to bring presents to the party, just leave them in a secure location. I hear Swiper is on the invite list.
Will you be doing something special for Dora the Explorer's anniversary? Chime in now!
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