Kids Say the Darndest Things explained

Genre:Comedy
Reality
Director:Morris Abraham
Composer:Bruce Miller
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:92
Producer:Eric Schotz
Company:LMNO Productions (1997–2000)
Linkletter/Atkins/Kritzer Productions Inc. (1998–2000)
CBS Productions (1997–2000)
Anvil 1893 Entertainment, Inc. (2019–21)
She Ready Productions (2019–21)
CBS Studios (2019–21)
Channel:CBS (1997–2000, 2021)
ABC (2019–20)
Related:Art Linkletter's House Party

Kids Say the Darndest Things is an American comedy series. It was originally hosted by Art Linkletter from 1959 to 1967, and then later reprised by Bill Cosby on CBS as hour-long specials on May 16 & November 14, 1997, followed by a weekly series from January 9, 1998, to June 23, 2000. A revival hosted by Tiffany Haddish aired on ABC from October 6, 2019, to January 19, 2020. ABC cancelled the revival after one season.[1] However, the revival moved to CBS, its original network, from May 5 to June 23, 2021, with Haddish returning as host.[2] [3]

Premise

The host would begin a conversation by posing a question about life topics to a child, who usually responds with their own innocent, often comedic perspectives on the various topics.[4] [5]

In the show's first inception, it would sometimes flash back to the 1950s and 1960s show Art Linkletter's House Party, with Cosby joined onstage by Art Linkletter, that show's host, to introduce the vintage clips. It would show kids (of the time), their same comedic reactions to whatever Linkletter would ask or say to them. Cosby also provided some of the humor in the show.[4]

The revival continued the premise, with part of the show performed in front of a live audience, and the rest featuring taped segments.[6]

Production

For the series' first iteration, Kids Say the Darndest Things was produced by CBS Productions with the co-production of LMNO Productions and Linkletter's company, Linkletter Productions.[4] [7]

The revival continued its CBS association via CBS Studios, and was also co-produced by Haddish through her production company, She Ready Productions, and Eric Schotz of Anvil 1893 Entertainment.[8]

Conception

The show is based on a feature with the same name in Art Linkletter's radio show House Party and television series, Art Linkletter's House Party, which together aired mostly five days a week from 1945–1969.[9] [10]

In other media

The subplot of the Family Guy episode "Brian Does Hollywood" features Stewie auditioning for the show in an attempt to hypnotize the entire world using a mind-control device, with Cosby later unwittingly foiling his plans.

In 2005, Robert Johnson and Albert Evans adapted the show into a full-length musical comedy.

International versions

Country Name Host(s) TV station Premiere Finale
KidspeakAndrew DaddoSeven Network19992000
GyerekszájSándor FriderikuszTV220002001
Badmaash Company - Ek Sharat Hone Ko Hains
Kutties Chutties (Tamil)
Juhi ChawlaColors TV
Sun TV (Tamil)
20002000
Zitti tutti! Parlano loroCarlo ContiRai 1January 17, 2000May 26, 2000
Kids Talk BackAndrew LimTelevision Corporation of Singapore19991999
Gurmit's Small TalkGurmit Singh20032003
Kids Say the Funniest ThingsMichael BarrymoreITVDecember 27, 1998 October 8, 2000

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White. Peter. Andreeva. Nellie. 'Schooled', 'Bless This Mess', 'Single Parents', 'Emergence' & 'Kids Say The Darndest Things' Canceled By ABC. Deadline Hollywood. May 21, 2020.
  2. Web site: White. Peter. 'Kids Say the Darndest Things' Moves Back To CBS After ABC Cancellation. Deadline Hollywood. December 17, 2020. December 17, 2020.
  3. Classic Variety Series "Kids Say the Darndest Things," Hosted by Emmy(R) and Grammy(R) Award-Winning Actress and Comedian Tiffany Haddish, to Premiere Wednesday, May 5 on CBS. CBS. The Futon Critic. April 7, 2021.
  4. News: Shales. Tom. 'Darndest Things': A Fresh Old Idea. The Washington Post. January 9, 1998.
  5. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. Tiffany Haddish To Host 'Kids Say The Darndest Things' Reboot On ABC. Deadline Hollywood. May 14, 2019.
  6. Web site: Harris. Beth. Tiffany Haddish gets kids to say darndest things on new show. ABC 33/40 News. August 5, 2019.
  7. Web site: Littleton. Cynthia. October 2, 2019. Former LMNO Chief Rebounds With 'Kids Say the Darndest Things'. Variety.
  8. Web site: Nakamura. Reid. Tiffany Haddish to Host 'Kids Say the Darndest Things' Revival at ABC. TheWrap. May 14, 2019.
  9. Dunning, John. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Oxford University Press, 1998), pp. 333.
  10. Book: Brooks, Tim. Marsh, Earle F.. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2007-10-17. 978-0-345-49773-4. 9. 736–737. Ballantine Books .