I have fond memories of Mr Rogers, but really find it pretty unwatchable (and so did my kids when they were of age). They loved Thomas for a while and fortunate

I have fond memories of Mr Rogers, but really find it pretty unwatchable (and so did my kids when they were of age). They loved Thomas for a while and fortunately they didn't absorb the ideological disaster embedded in virtually every storyline (Topham Hat is a stand in for God and explicitly judges everyone at the end of most episodes based on being "useful" -- to him -- and obedient). There are no significant female characters (my children are girls so that was particular;y annoying; although Dora is more annoying despite having a female main character) and the merchandising is horrible (multiple redundant and incompatible sets of trains and tracks that are all horribly over-priced) Spongebob is a far better show in all respects (I hated it until I had kids). Aside from being hilarious on several levels, it is remarkably socially conscious without being preachy. Oh and it even has some recurring non-pathetic female characters.