Dora the Explorer getting a makeover?
Categories: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, In the news, Media
Dora the Explorer may be one of Nickelodeon's most popular characters, but she's no Hannah Montana. Some of us would say that's a good thing, since she is designed to appeal to much younger audience. But, according to a source, the powers that be over at Nickelodeon want to give the bilingual cutie a makeover in an attempt to draw in the older kids.First up for the Dora transformation is a new, feminine look. Maybe put her in a skirt and fix her hair up a little? Add some bows to the backpack and color the map pink? Next, get the girl some human friends. The source says they are considering adding a group of "Explorer Girls" to the animated cast. If these Explorer Girls follow the typical kid's show formula, you can expect a smart one, a pretty one and maybe a prissy one who doesn't like to get dirty.
If all that goes well, Dora may soon find herself featured on the big screen. Nickelodeon isn't commenting, but the source says they are considering a full-length feature film featuring Dora as an older kid. "Dora is as popular as she's ever been, and now has a second generation of viewers that we would love to serve," the company said.
I sure hope they don't ruin Dora. Sure, my 7-year-old has zero interest in that "baby show" now, but she loved it when she was younger. As do lots of little kids today. Does everything have to be about appealing to the tween audience these days?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
queenoqueens 8-24-2008 @ 3:13PM
I don't even like Dora all that much, but it still seems wrong.
For the love of all things holy, can't they stop fixing things that aren't broken? Let them add on an older cousin or something, and preserve Dora as is. Because we definitely don't need one more thing to make kids age prematurely.
As for making her more girly, that's what the Disney Princesses are for. Let us have at least one tomboy!
I'm done with my cranky old person rant....
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Uly 8-24-2008 @ 6:41PM
That's just what I would have said.
lrafghangirl 8-24-2008 @ 9:00PM
agree totally, took the words outta ma mouth, coundn't have said it betta myself
Samantha 8-24-2008 @ 9:17PM
I don't agree with this at all. I mean Dora is set to appeal to pre-school/kindergarden kids, not kids that are old enough to watch shows like Hannah Montana, Drake and Josh, and others of the like. Dora is popular just the way she is...it should be left that way...look at Blue's Clues...they never updated that show and its been running for over 10 years!
Liz 8-24-2008 @ 9:21PM
I agree, it seems now a day all things have to be made to grow up to soon. Like those BRATZ dolls! Those things disgust me so much and now they have these BRATZ baby dolls who, on the one hand are in diapers but then on the other hand have freakin eye shadow and make up on! I would recommend to my friend who has a two year old daughter that if Dora suddenly turns into this "thing" Nickelodeon thinks is a good idea that she find another channel right away. Why can't we just let kids be little and grow up when nature intends. They don't need any help.
Donna 8-24-2008 @ 9:54PM
I agree with you! I think the show does what it was intended to do for young audiences. My daughter is now 9, and doesn't watch it much anymore, but really enjoyed it when she was younger. I don't think that a show needs to appeal to every age group. If that were the case, then young children, older children and everyone in between would be watching adult shows all the time. Allow them to watch things in their own age category.
I also agree that every girl doesn't have to be a princess. My daughter enjoyed the princesses, but she also enjoyed the athletic type as well. I am definitely not saying that any girl or boy character should be or be portrayed in a homosexual way, because I do not believe that is right. But, every person, male and female, is an individual, and should not be in any molds.
So, I'm with others who say that there was nothing "broken" about Dora, so why fix it?
charlene 8-24-2008 @ 10:24PM
i think you should leave her just the way she is. my granddaughter is 1 year and loves her, so please don't change her in anyway.
Jeanette 8-26-2008 @ 12:32PM
Do they have to make every character more mature and sexy.
Dora is for little kids. Leave it alone.
DOMINIQUE 8-24-2008 @ 11:31PM
I REALLY AGREE WITH YOU GIRL AND THEY ALL READEY HAVE THINGS LIKE THAT SO WHY TRY AND MAKE A FAKE ONE WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT
WRITE BACK GIRLOK BYE.
cjbrown1976 8-25-2008 @ 12:16AM
I have a 3 yo daughter who adores Dora the way she is. Dora does have an older cousin, Diego, but older kids don't watch him, he's for baby's too. I don't think changing Dora will bring in older kids, it'll probably just turn off the little ones. A movie would be cool though.
tatny 8-25-2008 @ 9:46AM
I believe they should update Dora just a lil ... Keeping with the times ... Nothing for nothing but only in America can this happen ...
steph 8-24-2008 @ 9:02PM
why fix something that isn't broken?
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abskure 8-24-2008 @ 9:04PM
That's a lie they're trying to attract older audiences. They just want to attract the younger children to be older. There is an AGENDA to hoorify our children! I'm laughing but it's not funny!!!!
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Joyce 8-24-2008 @ 9:22PM
I hope they do not do that. My little grandaughter loves her and has watched her since she was 2. She learned so much and had a wonderful vocabulary including english and spanish. It was wonderful for her. The older kids already have idols.
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Norma Walker 8-30-2008 @ 10:31AM
I agree with you I have a grandaughter 3 who has loved Dora and learned so much Spanish. The parents and I were looking forward to her baby sister now 4 months would also learn.
nancywiegner 8-24-2008 @ 9:28PM
Like is said leave it alone, what are the little ones suppose to watch when they make her older?
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daughterofisis3 8-24-2008 @ 9:32PM
Let's hear it from the owners at MTV! Yes, for those of you who don't know, Nick is technically owned by MTV. Personally I think its lunacy. the explorer girls idea isn't horrible but I agree that maybe they should let Dora age gracefully instead of giving her some botched face-lift.
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kate 8-24-2008 @ 9:43PM
ok, so i don't like dora that much, personally i hate how she only seems to yell instead of talk. but, my toddler loves her, right down to the dora doll and bed set she has in her room. dora gives me the time i need to use the bathroom and take a shower each day. we really do not need any more "big girl" shows, my daughter doesnt need to pressure to grow up and be like big dora. i want her to be a little girl for a while.
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PERSONAL!!! 8-24-2008 @ 9:43PM
I used to LOVE dora when I was little! and Boots (the monkey) was my favorite. why do you want to give her a makeover? It`ll ruin Dora.DON`T DO IT!!!!
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Leslie 8-24-2008 @ 9:44PM
As a mother of two children under three who both love Dora and diego I will be furious if they change!!! why can't they let kids stay little as long as possible why can't Dora stay the way she is
why does she need a skirt and to fix her hair different does dora need to look like a hooker for 1 1/2 yr olds honestly what is our world coming to? This is so sad
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