Must See TV:  Avonlea?

    In a day and age when there is proclaimed to be too much violence on television, it is a relief to find a television show that touches one's heart in the way Avonlea has been doing for the past six years. This quality family program refuses to resort to the violence, cheap jokes, and obscene language that flood the television screen today. The success of Avonlea can be attributed to wonderful writing and a talented cast amidst the beautiful Canadian backdrop of Prince Edward Island.

    Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the famous novel Anne of Green Gables, provides the basis for the plot of Avonlea in her novels The Story Girl, The Golden Road, Chronicles of Avonlea, and Further Chronicles of Avonlea. The writers of Avonlea should be commended for their excellent work. Each week, Avonlea is fresh and charming. In one episode, for example, a little boy is curious to find out why ladies wear corsets. Someone explains to him that a corset is magic and will make fat disappear. Anxious to please, he decides to get rid of the pig that has been annoying his guardian to no end. He dresses the pig in the corset in hopes that the pig will magically disappear. Unfortunately, his plan does not go accordingly. The pig begins to run throughout Avonlea with the corset securely fastened with the little boy trailing behind. Each character is work of art. He or she is animated with charisma and spark. Jasper Dale, a creative inventor, is known as the Awkward Man because of his clumsy and reckless nature; however, underneath his exterior lies a painfully shy, yet intelligent man.

    Extraordinary acting is paramount on Avonlea. The characters are believable as each has a flaw. Frequent guest stars add an unusual flavor to the show and receive special recognition for their contribution. Christopher Lloyd appears in the episode entitled "Facts and Fiction." He portrays an out of work actor who replaces the Avonlea school teacher for a brief period of time. Through different methods of teaching, he installs a crave for learning in the students that allows the Avonlea School to win the history bee. For his great performance, Christopher Lloyd received an Emmy award, the most prestigious award for television, as did Avonlea for Best Children's Program. An unusual feature of Avonlea is how it has survived without its star. Remember the series Northern Exposure? When Rob Morrow left, the series declined and disappeared rather suddenly. Avonlea, however, has done just the opposite. Each character on the show is so strong that any one at anytime can carry an episode. Avonlea has indeed strengthened with time.

    Besides the wonderful writing and animated acting, Avonlea is set on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in one of the most enchanting periods of history. The early twentieth century introduces the automobile, airplane, and motion picture camera and can be found in several episodes of the show. The scenery can be chilling at times. In the winter, the farms can be found blanketed in snow with smoke rising cozily from the chimneys. As a character speaks, their frosted breath lingers to whisper the reminder of just how cold it really is on the island. In addition to the cold winters, haunting cliffs, rocky beaches, and golden fields litter the island. Each scene is picturesque.

    Avonlea airs on the Disney Channel on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. The show is family entertainment that can actually be enjoyed by the entire family, not just the children. The marvelous writing, fabulous acting, and ideal setting contribute to the formula that allows Avonlea to touch the heart and make one feel great to be alive.