YMCA Physi Kids, rear from left: Ashton Valter, Chace Valter, Nathan Jackson, and front from left, Mason Kael, George Stephenson, Hailey Kenna, Eamon Bidwell and Max Shelley throwing away their bananas. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
"I like Peppa Pig better."
So declared four-year-old Max Shelley of Dunlop on a day when the nation was grappling with the slightly confusing news about whether or not the Bananas in Pyjamas were done and dusted at the ABC.
A media report suggested ABC TV would not be commissioning another series of the animated version of the iconic bananas due to a lack of funding, so Australia's children would be left with endless repeats on ABC2.
Hailey Kenna and Eamon Bidwell eating their bananas. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
However, the ABC issued a statement confirming it would continue to broadcast Bananas in Pyjamas - the latest series has 156 new episodes and the current block only premiered last month. As to what happened after then, had yet to be determined.
"Another series of Bana-nas in Pyjamas will go through the usual commissioning process to determine future production of the program. This process does not relate to current government funding," the statement read.
Some Canberra parents said they would be saddened if the ABC did not commission another series of the animated series, but more for the national broadcaster's sentimental link to B1 and B2, rather than the quality of the current cartoon.
Many preferred the old-school live action Bananas in Pyjamas in their larger-than-life costumes than the current animated series, a co-production between the ABC and Southern Star Entertainment, made in Sydney and Singapore.
"It's not the same. It doesn't have the same impact," Cook dad Francis Kenna said.
But mum Kimberley said their daughter Hailey, 3, still enjoyed the animated cartoon and probably wouldn't be impressed with endless repeats.
"She does already know if she's already seen the episodes," Mrs Kenna said.
As the kids turned and tumbled during an exercise class at the YMCA in Macquarie, the parents were digesting the prospect that at least new episodes of Bananas in Pyjamas might not be part of the national television diet.
Danielle Jackson of Kaleen said her children Nathan, 3, and Christopher, 5, could tell the time by Bana-nas in Pyjamas.
"They know it's on at quarter to six because it's just before dinner. 'We need to watch Bananas before we have dinner, Mum'. 'Dinner's on the table'. 'Well, can you tape it then?'."
Isobel Stephenson of Scullin said she hoped, whatever happened, Bananas in Py-jamas would stay on the public broadcaster. Her children George, 2, Angus 4 and Eloise, 11 months were all fans of the show.
"There are a few other Australian shows but Ba-nanas in Pyjamas is one of the most well-known, longest-running Australian children's programs so it would be really sad to see it end in its current form," Mrs Stephenson said.
"Because who knows what will happen if it's taken over by a commercial broadcaster? I don't think it would be the same."
However, Holly Bidwell of Florey, mum to Eamon, 3, said she would be more worried if the ABC interfered with shows other than Bananas in Pyjamas, which was "too generic and too much like a lot of other shows".
"If it was Giggle and Hoot I'd be very upset. Or Peppa Pig or Thomas the Tank Engine," she said.
"Eamon would probably watch [Bananas] if it was on but I like to limit the TV he's allowed to watch so we tend to put on the shows he really loves.
"What was good about the old [Bananas] was it was a bit wacky because it was the big costumes and it was more colourful and, I guess, engaging. It's a bit boring now."
Macgregor mum Rachael Gallway said her three-year-old twins Ashton and Chace Valter were keen fans and in the event that Bananas were no more, she'd be "stocking up in DVDs".
And Morgan Gibson-Hamilton said her son Jacob, 3, had only just started to learn the banana lingo, now part of the Australian lexicon.
"He said the other day, 'Mum, are you thinking what I'm thinking?' And I just went, 'awwwh'."
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