In the 90s the air waves were practically lousy with kids, from the girls of Full House to the Huxtable gang on The Cosby Show. There might be less pint sized stars on this fall’s TV line-up, but there is more than enough star power to fill the season’s adorably precocious quota.
Here are a few of the kid stars on today’s TV shows who are more than capable of stealing the spotlight from their adult co-stars.
He recites poetry, fences, and plays the pan flute. But his way with the ladies and general air of maturity is only one of the things that makes him so watchable. His role as Jay’s stepson has caused some tension with Claire and Mitchell, from Michell’s jealousy over Jay’s pride in Manny, to his slightly tipsy musings on Manny’s place in the will. And then there’s Manny’s many varied professions and acts of love. Who could forget his daring act of devotion in season one when he saved his crush’s balloon dog? Brave and sensitive, a rarity in junior high.
She’s pre-verbal, and may or may not permanently be a Grey’s Anatomy kid. But she’s still adorable, and she seems to be one of the driving points of this season. Will Derek and Meredith get to keep her? And if they do, will she fall victim to the horrible fates of past Grey’s kids? Bailey’s son was crushed by a bookcase, the Sloan-Torres-Robbins baby was in a near fatal car crash, and Izzie’s daughter had cancer. As sweet as it was to see Meredith as a mother, maybe this kid would be safer back in Africa.
Luke, as he explained on this week’s season premiere, is not stupid. He does however have a knack for some pretty hilarious misunderstandings (ex. believing his elderly neighbor’s oxygen tank was necessary because his home lacked breathable air). It might be his unique way of looking at things that makes him a believable, and entertaining character. Not many kids would be excited with a cast for their birthday, but most probably would enjoy their families undivided attention. He also brings out Phil’s crazier side which never disappoints.
Allen Gregory, the animated elementary school protege voiced by Jonah Hill makes the list on faith. The series premiere doesn’t air until Sunday, but from what I’ve seen Mr. Gregory is ready to entertain. The previews reveal Allen, with no interest in fruit roll ups and milk breaks out sushi and wine for lunch, and falls hard for the principal. Whipping out a blackberry to schedule lunch with a fellow first grader isn’t exactly proper school yard etiquette, but if he can learn to appreciate a noon pinot grigio, I’m sure he can figure out who to interact with his peers, but it’s going to be a long, amusing road.
Little Hope, like Zola, isn’t much of a conversationalist, but she can still pull her own weight. The back story of the character alone (the product of a one night stand with a convicted murderer) is enough to lend baby Hope some street cred. But it’s the silent baby stares at some of the more insane stunts her family pulls that make the jokes really zing. At this point first words can only hurt her acting skills.
What do you think of this season’s TV kids? Do they have what it takes to carry an episode?
This article was written by Molly Horan an MFA student at The New School. You can find her on twitter @molly_horan.
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