Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids set the mark for animated youth running wild in the urban wilderness. They roamed amongst the aging buildings, dark alleys and junkpiles. It was a decrepit possibilities. Hey Arnold! could have played it safe with another depiction of life in the sanitary suburbs. But the show based itself in the heart of the city like Fat Albert. Nine year old Arnold (Phillip Van Dyke) lives with his grandparents (Dan Castellaneta and Tress MacNeille) in their boarding house. The show focuses on Arnold’s life amongst the colorful boarders and classmates. Hey Arnold: Season 2, Part 2 keeps up the action for a group people who don’t mind taking public transportation.
Gerald finds his calling in “The High Life.” He’s skipping school to focus on selling watches in the neighborhood. He’s an amazing salesman, but he hits an unexpected wall while new boxes of watches pile up in his apartment. “Best Friends” put Arnold in the frustrating position of a school project with two girls who won’t talk to each other. “Steely Phil” spoofs Searching for Bobby Fischer with Chinese Checkers instead of Chess. “Quantity Time” plots to force the monobrow Helga to spend time with her workaholic father. “Hall Monitor” turns the nice Phoebe into a menace when she gets control of the school’s hallways. She’s out to bust anyone even Helga. “Harold’s Bar Mitzvah” contains an emotional truth with an absurd resolution. Harold doesn’t want to grow up. His plan is to duck the day he becomes a man.
“Helga’s Boyfriend” is about using others to get revenge. In this case Helga dates Stinky as a way to get Arnold jealous that he’s not her man. But does it work out for either guy? Why would Arnold notice Helga since “Crush on Teacher” shows his affections are for another woman. He has a thing for the substitute teacher. He likes his ladies older with two eyebrows. “Rhonda’s Glasses” turns her into a geek when she needs to improver her eyesight. “Eating Contest” transforms the neighborhood turn into a buffet. Arnold must defend the family honor by chowing down.
“Coach Wittenberg” brings him on board as the bowling coach to the kids. “Four-Eyed Jack” activates a ghost in the boarding house from his abandoned glasses. “Eugene Goes Bad” reminds us what happens when our heroes are frauds. “What’s Opera, Arnold?” lets the cast adapt Carmen. A boat race is the center of “Tour De Pond.” “Teachers’ Strike” sounds exciting until the kids find out that they’ll have to make up the days lost due to the labor dispute. “Runaway Float” is the best of the season when Arnold comes up with a great idea for a parade float except the school can’t afford it. Helga gets her dad to somewhat fund it. Can Arnold handle the compromises desired by the sponsor?
Even in a rough city setting, Hey Arnold! is more sophisticated than today’s shows on Nick and Disney. The plots don’t seem like watered down sitcom scripts. Perhaps it helps that animated kids can’t mug it up when they’re stuck for an emotion. Their 2-D figures have more depth in handling their elementary school issues. Arnold proves he was big enough to live in the urban world once inhabited by Fat Albert.
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers look fine for a animated show made in the mid-90s. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo. The levels are fine for the theme song and Helga’s irritating voice.
There are no bonus features.
Hey Arnold: Season 2, Part 2 keeps up the goodness about surviving in the city when you’re only 9 years old. Arnold might have a football shaped head, but he’s not ready to punt when confronted. The best is when Arnold has to make a parade float.
Shout! Factory presents Hey Arnold: Season 2, Part 2. Starring: Francesca Smith, Jamil Walker Smith, Dan Castellaneta and Phillip Van Dyke. Contents: 10 episodes on 2 DVDs. Released: July 24, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.
