Okay, one thing I REALLY don't like in this show... (RANT)

[Methid Man]

Okay, one thing I REALLY don't like in this show is when the characters use a lot of unnecessary chatroom lingo and acronyms in face-to-face conversations. It's enough to get a rant out of me.

Seriously, does it really speed up a conversation to say "OMG" when it takes just as much time to say "Oh my gosh"? What's the use in doing that?  People abbreviate those words online because it's quicker to type three letters than three whole words. Which is understandable. But to say them out loud in person when it takes the same amount of syllables to say the whole words? I'm sorry but that's just stupid.

What's even more stupid is when you abbreviate words that aren't normally abbreviated. I mean, most people who use the internet already know what OMG, LOL, JK, BRB, ASAP, etc. stand for but can you really expect someone to automatically guess what the hell "TSC" means? How the hell am I supposed to know it doesn't stand for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex? Even close friends would scratch their heads if they really heard that. NSPTHII? (Not So Pleasant To Hear, Is It?) See what I mean?

Last but not least, and this REALLY gets on my nerves... The one acronym I absolutely cannot understand nor tolerate hearing aloud in an actual conversation... "LOL" Sure, it's great to use when chatting or texting someone, hell, I use it myself and I like how it helps let the person know that you find something funny because speaking in text has its limitations. The reason it works so well in TEXT-BASED conversations is because the other person CANNOT HEAR YOU LAUGH OR TELL IF YOU FIND SOMETHING AMUSING. That's why LOL was invented. The reason it DOESN'T work in a RL VOICE conversation is because YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY LAUGH OUT LOUD or at the very least SMILE if you don't have the energy to laugh. You don't ever say the letters LOL out loud because IT JUST MAKES YOU LOOK FRICKIN' RETARDED. Just laugh, fool!

When speaking to someone in person, you don't have the disadvantage of having someone misinterpret your message due to being unable to hear your tone of voice or any audible action. So there's absolutely NO POINT in resorting to net speak in an actual conversation. "ASAP" is an exception because it's a commonly used acronym, it's actually faster to say "ay-sap" (or even "ay-ess-ay-pee") than saying "as soon as possible" and it doesn't make you, or the other party, look stupid when said.

So Blythe, for the love of god, take your stupid acronyms and shove 'em.

(BTW, I apologize for my heavy use of caps but I really wanted to drive my point home. Also, I crossed out my second paragraph, see below)

[SunilNevla94]

That's one of the biggest problems with this show. All the teens try to act "hip" by speaking in text lingo because the writers think that's how young people speak nowadays. NO ONE actually says "LOL" or any of that nonsense. They just laugh. Not only does it sound completely ridiculous, if you were to speak in acronyms like that all the time, eventually no one would be able to understand what you're saying anymore. Text talk like this should only be used when texting or posting on the internet. It's still a highly important skill in real life to be able to write and speak with proper English and grammar (in the US anyway) if you want anyone to take you seriously.

I think that's one of the biggest problems that Littlest Pet Shop has struggled with since the show first premiered. It has a serious identity crisis and doesn't know what it's trying to be. When it's not trying to appeal to the MLP fans by having similar character types and plotlines, it tries to find its own identity by trying to act "modern" with all of Blythe's unnecessary text speech because the writers think teens actually talk like that outside of the internet when they really don't because it sounds stupid. Not to mention that if it weren't for the pets, who I really think are really getting overshadowed by Blythe, her lame human friends, and her rivalry with the Biskit twins with each passing episode, this show would just be as bland, generic, and full of overplayed teen drama cliches as a typical sitcom on Disney channel.

I love the pets to death because not only do they speak more real English than Blythe or ANY human character on this show ironically, they each have they're own unique personalities, unlike Blythe who is still the definition of generic teen and has been struggling to break this trope since the start of season one. I'm so tired of watching episodes about Blythe's fashion career, her school drama, interacting with her friends who have about as much personality as cardboard, and other slice-of-life dilemmas. Roger and Mrs. Twombley are the only good human characters on this show in my opinion, but even they couldn't carry the show themselves. I'm starting to wish this show was a little more like MLP in that there are no humans. Just animals interacting and going on limitless adventures day-to-day. Yes, it would make it even more similar to MLP, but why not? Isn't that what makes MLP so great? Why should this show restrict itself by being tied down by the human characters?

[Methid Man]

What's sad is that you may very well be right. The writers seem to be ignorant of what modern kids find "hip" these days. I think the best thing the writers can do at this point is try to sort out what works best in the show (the references, the pets doing wacky animal things, the comedy, etc.) and just stick with those qualities rather than attempt to "reach out" to kids whom they're seemingly out of touch with and failing at it.

I finished watching all the episodes of season 1 now and I'm making my way towards watching season 2. However, I keep hearing, both from this site and other reviews, that season 2 is generally a letdown so I worry that I'm in for a big disappointment. I've already watched Nest Hats Craze and Hedgehog in the Plastic Bubble and those were boring. I really wonder how season 3 will be. If this really keeps up, then season 3 could very well be the last season for this show. Considering all the positives that this show does have, it would be really disappointing. The characters who really bring this show forward, the pets, deserve to have a show that's just as good as MLP.

I think it would be great if the writers actually paid attention to all the fan sites and fan reviews' feedback on every episode so they could know what works and what doesn't...but that's a pipe dream...

[SunilNevla94]

I wouldn't say season 2 has been a complete letdown as there was more than a handful of memorable moments, but I generally think season 2 hasn't been as good as season 1. The pets aren't all together as often as they were in season 1 and when they are together, the things they do aren't quite as interesting. There's a bigger emphasis on Blythe's fashion unfortunately. The songs have been decent, but there doesn't feel like there has been nearly as many as season 1 had. The fans have shown to be pretty split when it comes to episodes. Some people love them while others hate them. You'll just have to decide for yourself.

As for season 3....well it will be interesting to see what they try this time. I'm hoping it will be better.

[Shokew]

Apr 4, 2014 12:10:44 GMT -5 Methid Man said:

What's sad is that you may very well be right. The writers seem to be ignorant of what modern kids find "hip" these days. I think the best thing the writers can do at this point is try to sort out what works best in the show (the references, the pets doing wacky animal things, the comedy, etc.) and just stick with those qualities rather than attempt to "reach out" to kids whom they're seemingly out of touch with and failing at it.

I finished watching all the episodes of season 1 now and I'm making my way towards watching season 2. However, I keep hearing, both from this site and other reviews, that season 2 is generally a letdown so I worry that I'm in for a big disappointment. I've already watched Nest Hats Craze and Hedgehog in the Plastic Bubble and those were boring. I really wonder how season 3 will be. If this really keeps up, then season 3 could very well be the last season for this show. Considering all the positives that this show does have, it would be really disappointing. The characters who really bring this show forward, the pets, deserve to have a show that's just as good as MLP.

I think it would be great if the writers actually paid attention to all the fan sites and fan reviews' feedback on every episode so they could know what works and what doesn't...but that's a pipe dream...

Your vision of the writers' listening to us is not all that much a pipe dream as you think it is... The writers on MLP listen to their fans a lot, hence why that show still seems to be doing well enough for a 5th season to be in its future. So please, don't think for a minute the writers' not listening to us is a pipe dream, when that isn't true, especially when you compare it to other shows out there that are worse off.

Just remember that cursing the writers' out, telling them they deserve to hurt or beaten, or threats of violence of anykind... Aren't going to work or get our point across about problems with this show as a whole.

As for my view on a 3rd Season - it may be best to scrap the whole thing, wait a couple years, and start over with a better writing team. That's how I'd salvage what's become a bad situation around the fanbase, judging by recent mixed to negative reception of recent episodes.

Besides, the lack of merchandise (seriously, there is a huge demand still to bring the old toys back, which is probably why the current toy line isn't selling well and why Hasbro rebooted it just recently.) and severe lack of popularity are more than enough to convince me that ending the show soon may be for the best. I don't see things getting any better at this point, unless a new and better writing team who will listen to people like us is brought in (as much of a pipe dream as that does sound like.).

And as someone who actually likes Blythe, even I know acting stupid is no good for anyone. That's one reason I can't stand those twins - and they're what drag this show down for me... More - so than what you're ranting about... I know kids will be kids, but you do have a point about people and how they shouldn't talk like that in public if they want to get anywhere in the real world. That, we can ultimately agree on, if nothing else.

[Methid Man]

Okay, I think it's time I do a little bit of damage control here...

First, I'd like to point out that I'm not exactly insulting or even threatening the writers, I'm just pointing out their flaws and what they could do better. Second, I am also aware of MLP's writers listening to their fans and I already know that's why MLP is successful; I just wish that were also the case with LPS's writers. Maybe it's not as impossible for fans like us to communicate with them as I make it sound, but I'm not holding my breath.

I also don't dislike Blythe, in fact she's actually one of my favorite human characters (I'm still not sure who to give the #1 spot to: Blythe or her dad Roger). I just find it very annoying that she abbreviates a lot of phrases.

Oh, and I also just watched Eight Arms to Hold You and saw the part where Ms. Twombly mentions that it takes longer to figure out what abbreviations stand for than just saying the actual words. So I take back my second statement I made in my initial post now that I realize the show does actually acknowledge how dumb it sounds.

On the issue of stupid characters, I don't mind stupid characters as long as it's the right characters. Blythe is supposed to be one of the smarter humans in the show, perhaps the smartest so I think it's a bad idea when the show decides to dumb her down just to further a plot.

I also enjoy the Biskit twins being stupid and I can understand why some LPS fans like them. I think they work better when they're a toned-down, kid-friendly, female version of Beavis and Butthead instead of just being Blythe's rivals/bullies. It's fine with me if they don't like Blythe, but instead of just being antagonists why not just have them do stupid and funny things on their own without Blythe having anything to do with it? Does everything they do have to involve giving Blythe a hard time?

As pessimistic as I may sound with all this, I am looking forward to see what season 3 brings to the table. I personally don't think giving the show a long hiatus or premature end would do anything good for the show; I think it would only make it worse in fact. They could always change writers between seasons and the show already gets a six-month long hiatus between seasons anyway.

[Shokew]

If I was coming off too pessimistic myself, I apologize for that - but I cannot walk away from my opinion on the matter, either.

Either way, your complaints are more valid and justified than you know - especially seeing one of my favorite character on this (whom Blythe is, despite the justifiable criticisms about her and those she chooses to surround herself with, unfortunately.) (OR ANY) show act stupid to make a plot work, when it just... doesn't.

You had every right to make this rant regarding such an issue - it's one of the things holding this show back for everyone and something that desperately needs addressing if this show is going to keep going. And that is something that requires a better writing staff in the long run if this show wants more of a fanbase or any sort of equal positive popularity than it has now...

Otherwise, I know what it's fate could be without the help needed that Season 3 needs to entertain anyone still interested in this show, despite or especially due to their disappointment overall that may have been felt in the current season.

I don't expect anyone to agree with, let alone side with any of my viewpoints at all... But that doesn't stop me from saying something to hopefully get my two cents out on a brilliant conversation that needs to not only continue, but be listened to by people other than just ourselves regarding this show and its issues.

[Methid Man]

Apr 5, 2014 0:25:56 GMT -5 Shokew said:

Either way, your complaints are more valid and justified than you know

Hmmm.

You know what, you're probably right. I think I might as well go over a few more things about the show that I feel could use some improvement.

Another thing I also don't like about this show: the humans. Either because they get more screen time than they should or because most of them are too generic and oftentimes stupid. Now, this is where Blythe shines; she's a good example of a human character who's intelligent enough to solve problems and set things right. Everyone else is just fodder for the sake of the show's plot. They either need more humans with their own personalities and their own character depth, or just give them less screen time.

Even some of the guest pets fall into this trap and the show has had some forgettable ones.

The show also has a lot of wasted opportunities to do really interesting things, such as:

-Some real-life teen issues that Blythe and her friends could go through (peer pressure, weight loss, depression, stuff like that)

-Finding out who Blythe's mom is (if she even has a mom at all)

-Exploring Blythe's crush on Josh Sharp.

-Some plots dealing with Blythe's ability to talk to animals (like maybe someone starts to suspect this and Blythe has to keep it from getting out, or she lets someone in on it)

-Some more character development of the pets, and revealing who their owners are.

You might notice that most of these points are about Blythe. I'll say again that I think the show could benefit from giving less screen time to the humans, but whenever they do show the humans, they need to give the viewers more of a reason to pay attention to them.

While I'm on the subject of wasted opportunities, there are lots of ways to show the animals in really unusual and unique situations that sidestep the restrictions of logic, and the show already does this a few times but not enough times IMO. They occasionally show the animals in imaginary scenes and there's the episode with Penny Ling telling a story. I think it'd be great if they did more of that and maybe also add plots where they have dreams. References and parodies galore.

This is a just a personal nitpick but I never was too crazy about Blythe's fashionista aspirations. I mean, it's alright that she has that hobby, but I'm not sure I like seeing it as the overarching storyline of the show.

[Shokew]

Yeah, I like that Blythe is following her dreams and all (one of the top reasons I can defend her character, if at all.), but the show should be more about the pets, since the humans (not all, but the majority, which is also undeniable) don't get enough development or do enough to make them stand out amongst many other generic shows likely worse than this one. This is undeniably true and I can see why they're easy targets for everyone in the visible fanbase to pick on.

I've always felt this show is at its best when the pets' get the most screentime to make up for these problems (when these problems should have been improved upon, or simply rubbed out for the show's best aspect to shine only.). This is why a lot of Season 2 episodes seem to be getting so much hate right now. Real shame, as I like Season 2 more than the first...

[Vint Eastwood]

TBH, I think having the internet lingo is kinda cute.

[SunilNevla94]

I think you guys have brought up interesting defense for the human characters. The main problem really is that they just don't do enough interesting things on-screen and I think that's why I favor the pets more and advocate for more pet screen time.

Personally though, I think the show could've done better if it had gone human-less entirely from the beginning like MLP is. I think that would remove so many setting restrictions that inhibit possible interesting plotlines. However, it would be strange seeing all these different species of animals suddenly interacting in a common environment and in that regard, the pet shop setting is justified. I'm not at all expecting the show to derive away from humans entirely in the future. The show would have to be rebuilt from the ground up. So I think the humans are here to stay and will continue to get half if not more of the screentime on the show until it ends. But perhaps coming up with more realistically interesting things for the humans to do would help.

[Shokew]

Apr 7, 2014 17:32:05 GMT -5 SunilNevla94 said:

I think you guys have brought up interesting defense for the human characters. The main problem really is that they just don't do enough interesting things on-screen and I think that's why I favor the pets more and advocate for more pet screen time.

Personally though, I think the show could've done better if it had gone human-less entirely from the beginning like MLP is. I think that would remove so many setting restrictions that inhibit possible interesting plotlines. However, it would be strange seeing all these different species of animals suddenly interacting in a common environment and in that regard, the pet shop setting is justified. I'm not at all expecting the show to derive away from humans entirely in the future. The show would have to be rebuilt from the ground up. So I think the humans are here to stay and will continue to get half if not more of the screentime on the show until it ends. But perhaps coming up with more realistically interesting things for the humans to do would help.

You make a valid argument on how to really improve this show, especially if have to have humans around in the first place.

As for doubting yourself - this is a cartoon. Some strangeness and inconsistency or realism is justified when it is done well and keeps you entertained. Never forget that.

The writers need to get their act together in Season 3 - because at the end of the day, when I'm asking that we need a Season 3 with all the disappointment all over the internet regarding this show, something is wrong.

Maybe if this show/franchise EVER gets a reboot - I'd like to see your ideas / suggestions in action, provided they're done well, of course.

[Methid Man]

Apr 7, 2014 17:32:05 GMT -5 SunilNevla94 said:

I think you guys have brought up interesting defense for the human characters. The main problem really is that they just don't do enough interesting things on-screen and I think that's why I favor the pets more and advocate for more pet screen time.

Personally though, I think the show could've done better if it had gone human-less entirely from the beginning like MLP is. I think that would remove so many setting restrictions that inhibit possible interesting plotlines. However, it would be strange seeing all these different species of animals suddenly interacting in a common environment and in that regard, the pet shop setting is justified. I'm not at all expecting the show to derive away from humans entirely in the future. The show would have to be rebuilt from the ground up. So I think the humans are here to stay and will continue to get half if not more of the screentime on the show until it ends. But perhaps coming up with more realistically interesting things for the humans to do would help.

The show wouldn't have to do something as drastic as taking the humans out of the picture in order to be good. As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of ways for the pets to do almost anything and have almost any kind of plot without the restrictions of them being in a human world and still be pets at the end of the day. It wouldn't take a lot of effort for the writers either, especially since they've done it a few times before: they could let the pets' imaginations run wild, have one of them tell a story (like Penny-Ling did once), they could let them have dreams or something. The show has already done stuff like this, they just need to step it up.

This along with reducing, and at the same time improving the human scenes and it becomes kinda like Rugrats or Bobby's World where you have the main characters of the show having some wacky adventures in their own world, and then you have the more "grownup" characters having their own stories that rely more on "true-to-life" humor, giving them their own appeal and therefore making it feel like you're watching two shows in one.

[shinyneon]

I also think it should have gone humanless since the beginning. I got into lps to escape humanity, and then they make Blythe. They could do an episode about her being found out, but they decided to overuse the Biskits. I know it would be more like mlp if there were no humans, but teenagers never really act like that and I should know.

[Shokew]

May 24, 2014 0:28:13 GMT -5 shinyneon said:

I also think it should have gone humanless since the beginning. I got into lps to escape humanity, and then they make Blythe. They could do an episode about her being found out, but they decided to overuse the Biskits. I know it would be more like mlp if there were no humans, but teenagers never really act like that and I should know.

Glad to see someone hates those 2 twins more than I do...

Otherwise, I'd hold on to that frustration. This show is only getting one more season, and then it's gone.

If they ever decide to reboot this franchise, the only way I see it getting less hate and more respect is if all focus is on the pet characters. Kind like Muppet Babies.

I'm still more angry with what they're replacing this with - fucking Equestria Girls.

I don't know what's worse, personally - it's just a shame what a problem this is for this show...

It's sad how barely anybody knows how to write teenagers well nowadays - it's a shame how writers forget that teenagers are humans just like the rest of us that aren't complex to understand, or in some idiot execs eye's, a four - letter word.

It feels like no matter how much I defend this show, it's going to go down badly in history for this one glaring flaw that keeps it from being as good as Friendship Is Magic.