After 25 years, PBS Said a Final Goodbye to Everyone’s Childhood Friend, ‘Arthur’
On Monday, February 21, 2022, PBS quietly said goodbye to a childhood friend of 25 years by airing the final episode of Arthur.
Yes, we knew it was coming, but that didn't make the blow any easier for millions of parents and kids who made the popular PBS show part of their lives at one time or another, myself included. Each of my children enjoyed the adventures of aardvark Arthur Read and his friends as they maneuvered through childhood and all that came along with it.
It was back in July that we told you that after 25 years of sweetly entertaining kids everywhere, Arthur had been canceled. The show had actually been canceled quite sometime before the news broke, and seasons 22 to 25 episodes were actually completed back in 2019. At the time the final air date was not confirmed.
The series, aimed at 4 to 8-year-olds, was created by screenwriter Kathy Waugh and was based on the books by Marc Brown. Arthur premiered in October of 1996 and was the longest-running children's animated series in the U.S. It went on to win four Daytime Emmys for outstanding children's animated programs.
So How Does Arthur End?
Without giving away too many details, because you'll want to watch this one yourself, the final episode is titled "All Grown Up". The gang finds a mysterious fortune-telling game in the library, they get a hint of what their futures could look like. Be prepared to have 'a moment" You can watch the final episode below.
The good news is, reruns will continue to be available on PBS Kids.