Arthur (season 14)

Arthur (season 14)
Country of origin	United States Canada
No. of episodes	10 (20 segments)
Release
Original network	PBS
Original release	October 11, 2010 – April 28, 2011

The fourteenth season of the television series Arthur began broadcast on PBS in the United States on October 11, 2010.^[1] Season 14 began screening at Israel in late August 2010 and on ABC2 of Australia on September 27, 2010. It has also screened in United Kingdom on CBBC since November 1, 2010. The second half started on Earth Day 2011 and ended the day before the Royal Wedding the next day.

Production

In September 2009, Cookie Jar Group confirmed production of this season and 185 episodes by 2010.^[2] Like season 12, this season produced 20 episodes for the broadcast span of two years (or television seasons). Because of this, many countries outside of the U.S. released the episodes earlier than scheduled for PBS.

All Kids Can Character Search

In January 2009, WGBH and CVS Caremark announced a character design contest for children aged 6 – 12.^[3] The contest was designed to educate children about the importance of inclusion and how children of all abilities can play together. Entries required an illustration and description of a character with a disability. Jacqui Deegan, senior director of Arthur comments, "We're looking for an exciting new character, who can show the gang in Elwood City that children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Over the years, ARTHUR has helped children to embrace other kids' unique characteristics as well as their own, and this new character will continue that tradition."^[4] The contest ran from February 1, 2009, to March 31, 2009, and the winner was announced on June 2009. Connor Gordon's character, Lydia Fox, was featured on the season premiere, "The Wheel Deal".

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date
166	1	"The Wheel Deal / The Buster Report"[1]	October 11, 2010
The Wheel Deal: Brain is put in a wheelchair after a leg injury and copes with the encouragement of Lydia, a disabled girl who uses a wheelchair. The Buster Report: George plans a homework report on Buster.
167	2	"The Agent of Change / D.W. Unties the Knot"[5]	October 12, 2010
The Agent of Change: Discouraged by the lack of female leads in movies, Francine, Muffy, and Molly set out to create their own movie. D.W. Unties the Knot: After watching a reality program, D.W. plans her own dream wedding, but seems confused when she is reminded she needs someone to marry.
168	3	"Nicked by a Name / The Play's the Thing"[6]	October 13, 2010
Nicked by a Name: Brain starts to give people nicknames, but becomes frustrated when he is always being asked to give one to someone. He starts giving people names that they do not like, such as "Stinky Binky" and "Average Arthur". The Mighty Mountain soccer team makes fun of them, and Brain renames everyone so that things are back to normal. The Play's the Thing: The children in third grade abandon the playground to look at Muffy's new "MySmartPhoney", causing Binky and the other "Tough Customers" to become angry over there being nobody to pick on. Binky persuades Muffy to help him change the playground so that they can pick on kids. She makes it into "Muffy's World of Wonder", an unimpressive amusement park, but is told to tear it down when Mr. Haney tells her not to charge people admission.
169	4	"Falafelosophy / The Great Lint Rush"[7]	October 25, 2010
Falafelosophy: Sue Ellen goes to Neil Gaiman's book signing, and he encourages her to write her own graphic novel. Sue Ellen likes her story about circles and triangles, but her friends think it's weird. Neil Gaiman encourages her once again to keep writing. The Great Lint Rush: Pal and Amigo try to get Mr. Toad to like lint after Pal accidentally bets a lot of socks for their house. (This episode is a sequel of sorts to "The Great Sock Mystery" from season 7.)
170	5	"Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny / Pet Projects"[8]	October 29, 2010
Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny: Arthur and Buster become frightened of the publications of Fear Comics when the store gets a new owner who fills the store with scary comics, but Fern enjoys the change. Pet Projects: Arthur, Francine, Buster and Muffy are making videos about Pal and Nemo, but to the pets' dismay, they aren't liking the results of the videos.
171	6	"Follow the Bouncing Ball / Buster Baxter and the Letter from the Sea"	April 22, 2011
Follow the Bouncing Ball: After Francine and Alberto get their soccer balls mixed up at the park, Alberto's "El Boomerang" ball travels around Elwood City, and throughout the season, the world. Meanwhile, George is setting up a domino line, and is frustrated when Francine repeatedly accidentally sets it off. Buster Baxter and the Letter from the Sea: Buster finds a letter in a bottle from a stranded 1960s explorer and believes it is from sea people in the lost city of Atlantis.
172	7	"Around the World in 11 Minutes / Muffy and the Big Bad Blog"	April 25, 2011
Around the World in 11 Minutes: Wondering how big the world really is, Pal, Amigo, Kate and Mei-Lin take an (imagined) trip around the world, and make a bet with cat Nemo that they can do it in eleven minutes. Muffy and the Big Bad Blog: Muffy becomes addicted to blogging after chronicling her holiday to Costa Rica on her blog, however, after Francine suggests she should spend less time doing so, the two begin feuding online.
173	8	"Arthur Unravels / All the Rage"	April 26, 2011
Arthur Unravels: Grandma Thora teaches Arthur how to knit, but he's embarrassed about anyone knowing about his knitting and tries to hide it. All the Rage: Muffy tries to come up with fashion trends after watching fashion icon Capri on TV, but her ankle purses, edible scarves and fluffy "armings" don't catch on.
174	9	"D.W., Queen of the Comeback / In My Africa"	April 27, 2011
D.W., Queen of the Comeback: A clown barber cuts D.W.'s hair too short and the Tibble twins begin teasing her about it, calling her "Dennis", so D.W. asks for advice on comebacks. In My Africa: Brain's cousin from Senegal, Cheikh, moves to Elwood City, and after being embarrassed that she doesn't know anything about Africa, D.W. is helped by Brain to remember all the countries in Africa and something about them by making them into a song.
175	10	"Buster Spaces Out / The Long Road Home"	April 28, 2011
Buster Spaces Out: Buster, after seeing footage of the Moon landing, decides to build a model rocket ship, and recruits Arthur, George, Carl, Francine and Muffy to help him, however, chaos ensues until he receives advice from guest voice star Michael Fincke. The Long Road Home: Thinking he performed disappointingly in a running race, George decides to walk from Crown City to Elwood City to raise money for autism research. Arthur's Turkish pen pal Adil finds Alberto's "El Boomerang" soccer ball, which, after travelling around the world and into space, is returned to Alberto on his birthday. Francine apologizes to George.

Australian air dates

Season 14 began screening on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's iView service and ABC2 on September 27, 2010. The episode order does not agree with the list above, but is in accordance with the episode titles listed on IMDb. The episodes that have not been scheduled to air in the U.S. from October 2010 to April 2011 were aired as season 15.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Australian air date
166	1	"Follow the Bouncing Ball / Buster Baxter and the Letter from the Sea"[9]	September 27, 2010[10]
167	2	"Around the World in 11 Minutes / Muffy and the Big Bad Blog"[11]	September 28, 2010[12]
168	3	"I Wanna Hold Your Hand / Whistling in the Wind"[13]	September 29, 2010[14]
I Wanna Hold Your Hand: Binky becomes afraid George will tell their classmates and Binky's fellow Tough Customer gang members that he still holds his Mom's hand. Whistling in the Wind: Timmy Tibble becomes frustrated when he discovers that his brother can whistle, but he can't.
169	4	"Nicked by a Name / The Play's the Thing"[15]	September 30, 2010[16]
170	5	"Buster's Garden of Grief / Through the Looking Glasses"[17]	October 1, 2010[18]
Buster's Garden of Grief: Fritz, who runs the Elwood City community garden, breaks his ankle and asks Buster to look after the garden. When Buster goes on vacation, he asks Arthur, Francine and Muffy to water it, but they fail to. Buster then gives up, until he receives a helping hand. Through the Looking Glasses: Arthur can't find his glasses, so he gets a new pair. After thinking his classmates will laugh at him, he actually receives praise about them, but becomes overconfident with his new look.
171	6	"Arthur Unravels / All the Rage"[19]	October 2, 2010[20]
172	7	"S.W.E.A.T. / To Eat or Not to Eat"[21]	October 3, 2010[22]
S.W.E.A.T.: The third grade students at Lakewood Elementary are stressing about their upcoming S.W.E.A.T. aptitude tests, including Sue Ellen, who panics that she doesn't have any #2 (HB) pencils, and Brain, who worries he will do bad after he accidentally skips a question on the practice test. To Eat or Not to Eat: Buster investigates a new candy bar, Big Boss, when his classmates become hyperactive after eating it, while also imagining himself as a detective in a classic crime film setting.
173	8	"Muffy's Classy Classics Club / Best Enemies"[23]	October 4, 2010[24]
Muffy's Classy Classics Club: Muffy makes her own book club, but doesn't want to read books others suggest after her own suggestions prove unpopular. Best Enemies: D.W. and Jane's client's daughter W.D., despite being the same age, are opposites and don't get along until they pretend to fight to avoid spending a weekend together, however, they both find it was the most fun they had together.
174	9	"The Agent of Change / D.W. Unties the Knot"[25]	October 5, 2010[26]
175	10	"Trouble with Trophies / The Butler Did... What?"[27]	October 6, 2010[28]
Trouble with Trophies: Muffy wants Fern to admit she wants a trophy after George wins a class award for most improved student. The Butler Did... What?: When resident Crosswire butler Bailey disappears, Muffy realizes she doesn't know anything about him when she tries to find him.
176	11	"Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny / Pet Projects"[29]	October 7, 2010[30]
177	12	"The Wheel Deal / The Buster Report"[31]	October 8, 2010[32]
178	13	"In My Africa / D.W., Queen of the Comeback"[33]	October 9, 2010[34]
179	14	"Buster Spaces Out / The Long Road Home"[35]	October 10, 2010[36]
180	15	"Buster's Secret Admirer / The Last King of Lambland"[37]	October 11, 2010[38]
Buster's Secret Admirer: Buster receives chocolates in the mail from a "secret admirer" and tries to uncover who it was sent by, asking everyone from Arthur to Molly. The Last King of Lambland: James is sent a stuffed toy lamb based on a legend by relatives in Scotland, but his classmates don't like it when the Tibble twins treat him like a king because of it.
181	16	"Fifteen"[39]	October 12, 2010[40]
George wins a contest to appear on a radio quiz show, "15 Minutes of Fame" to earn money for his school. Arthur forgets his class report on Michelangelo to help the class get the 15 merit points to get his class a No Homework Day, and after overhearing, Pal and Kate try to help get it to him. However, Nemo steals the report and D.W.'s imaginary friend Nadine says that the report is part of a plot to get rid of imaginary friends, things get complicated.
182	17	"Buster the Lounge Lizard / Cents-Less"[41]	October 13, 2010[42]
Buster the Lounge Lizard: After seeing an advertisement for a "Dark Buggy" on TV and bringing it to school, Buster accidentally gets the wayward electronic toy car lost in the teacher's lounge, so he tries to find a way to get it back with help from Binky. Cents-Less: Mr. Ratburn challenges the class to avoid spending money for a weekend. Muffy learns how to barter to get a World Girl doll.
183	18	"Grandpa Dave's Memory Album / Buster's Carpool Catastrophe"[43]	October 14, 2010[44]
Grandpa Dave's Memory Album: Arthur and D.W. learn Grandpa Dave has Alzheimer's after he forgets he was playing hide-and-seek with them, so Arthur receives help from Francine's grandma Bubby to aid his memory (Joan Rivers in her second voice appearance after "Is That Kosher?"). Buster's Carpool Catastrophe: To attend a cooking class run by famous chef Francois Puffeau, Muffy has to carpool with Buster and Arthur after the Crosswire limousine breaks down. After initial squabbling, however, all three find they enjoy the carpooling.
184	19	"Falafelosophy / The Great Lint Rush"[45]	October 15, 2010[46]
185	20	"What's in a Name? / Prunella the Pack Rat"[47]	October 16, 2010[48]
What's in a Name?: Muffy threatens to reveal Binky's real name, Shelley, after she thinks his winning the class award for most improved student is undeserved. Prunella the Pack Rat: Prunella receives help from friends to clean out her closet after it comes to light she has stored everything, even insignificant items, since she was a baby, but she resists and still tries to save what she can.

References

1. "The Wheel Deal; The Buster Report". Arthur: Episode Guide. MSN TV. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
2. http://www.thecookiejarcompany.com/press/cj_press_20090923.php
3. "Arthur/All Kids Can Character Search". PBS Kids. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
4. "ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search". Retrieved February 17, 2011.
5. "The Agent of Change; D.W. Unties the Knot". Arthur: Episode Guide. MSN TV. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
6. "Nicked by a Name; The Play's the Thing". Arthur: Episode Guide. MSN TV. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
7. "Falafelosophy; the Lint Rush". Arthur: Episode Guide. MSN TV. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
8. "Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny; Pet Projects". Arthur: Episode Guide. MSN TV. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
9. "Follow the Bouncing Ball/Buster Baxter's Letter From the Sea". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
10. "Arthur - Follow The Bouncing Ball/Buster Baxter And the Letter From The Sea". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
11. "Around the World in 11 Minutes/Muffy and the Big Bad Blog". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
12. "Arthur - Around The World In 11 Minutes/Muffy And The Big Bad Blog". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
13. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand/Whistling in the Wind". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
14. "Arthur - I Wanna Hold Your Hand/Whistling In The Wind". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
15. "Nicked by a Name/Play's the Thing". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
16. "Arthur - Nicked By A Name/The Play's The Thing". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
17. "Buster's Garden of Grief/Through the Looking Glasses". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
18. "Arthur - Buster's Garden Of Grief/Through The Looking Glasses". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
19. "Arthur Unravels/All the Rage". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
20. "Arthur - Arthur Unravels/All the Rage". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
21. "S.W.E.A.T./To Eat or not to Eat". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
22. "Arthur - S.W.E.A.T./To Eat or not to Eat". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
23. "Muffy's Classy Classics Club/Best Enemies". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
24. "Arthur - Muffy's Classy Classics Club/Best Enemies". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
25. "The Agent of Change/D.W. Unties the Knot". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
26. "Arthur - The Agent of Change/D.W. Unties the Knot". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
27. "Trouble with Trophies/The Butler Did... What?". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
28. "Arthur - Trouble with Trophies/The Butler Did... What?". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
29. "Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny/Pet Projects". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
30. "Arthur - Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny/Pet Projects". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
31. "The Wheel Deal/The Buster Report". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
32. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
33. "In My Africa/D.W., Queen of the Comeback". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
34. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
35. "Buster Spaces Out/The Long Road Home". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
36. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
37. "Buster's Secret Admirer/The Last King of Lambland". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
38. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
39. "Fifteen: Part 1/Fifteen: Part 2". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
40. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
41. "Buster the Lounge Lizard/Cents-Less". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
42. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
43. "Grandpa Dave's Memory Album/Buster's Carpool Catastrophe". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
44. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
45. "Falafelosophy/The Great Lint Rush". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
46. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
47. "What's in a Name?/Prunella the Pack Rat". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
48. "Arthur". ABC2 on-line program guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 19, 2010.

General references

• "Arthur: Episode Guide". MSN TV. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
• "Season 14". Arthur episodes. PBS parents. Retrieved December 30, 2010.