Recently, the Australian TV show “Bluey” has taken the world by storm. Unlike other children’s shows, which tend to have audiences mainly made up of their targeted age group, “Bluey” has seemed to appeal to viewers of all ages. The show focuses on a family of blue heelers, which includes Bandit (the dad), Chilli (the mom), Bingo (the younger sibling), and Bluey (the older sibling and main character). Each episode aims to depict a different facet of everyday family life with the blue heelers and some of their friends, including Chloe the dalmatian, Coco the poodle, and Indy the Afghan hound. 

Part of the reason behind “Bluey” receiving the international audience it has today, along with the fact that its episodes are short and easily digestible, is because of its optimistic outlook. Oftentimes, media can be depressing and negative. In a time where the news is frequently filled with all the things going wrong in the world, it’s no wonder that a show emphasizing a positive outlook on life has gained so much traction. The show encourages everyone, regardless of age, to go out, play, and have fun. After all, one is never too old to enjoy playing. In addition to this, after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic for the past three years, I think many of us have been experiencing feelings of burnout and searching for hope, which “Bluey” can offer. 

Furthermore, “Bluey” has various characters that act as representation for disabled and neurodivergent children. Dougie the cavapoo is deaf and can be seen using Australian sign language, otherwise known as “Auslan,” and lip reading to communicate with his mother and other children on the playground. He first made an appearance in episode twenty of season three, which is called “Turtleboy.” In terms of neurodivergent characters, Jack the jack russell terrier is portrayed as having ADHD in the show. He first appeared in episode sixteen of season twenty, which is called “Army.” Based on these characters and others such as Scott and Socks, another reason “Bluey” has gained the popularity it has may be because of how most everyone can relate to a character in the story. It provides much-needed representation for not only disabled children but also disabled adults who may not have felt seen in their childhood.  

Finally, the show has been praised by parents around the world for teaching children how to cope with tough situations, such as loss, through a child-friendly lens. The episodes regarding these topics encourage children to both acknowledge their emotions and utilize healthy ways of coping with them, such as talking with family and friends. 

In the short time that “Bluey” has been aired in the U.S., premiering on Disney Junior in 2019 and on Disney+ in 2020, it has definitely made its presence known with a host of merchandise from the show arising, including clothing, play sets, and stuffed animals. Overall, the Aussie blue heeler family and their friends have captured the hearts of many, no matter where they are in their life.