Ponderosa and My Pa

I first met Little Joe while perched on my parents' yellow and brown carpeting, my face squarely in front of our huge console TV. It was somewhat of a family event, and the trademark "ding dittle ding ding dittle dittle ding dittle ding ding ..." theme song still brings back strong memories of my childhood – and a special time with my own "Pa."

My dad loved all things Cowboy, and Bonanza's Pa, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe (portrayed by Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon) at times seemed like part of our extended family – although without all the untimely deaths of the female members of the clan, thankfully.

My connection to the imaginary patriarch and his brood deepened when I moved within miles of the mythical ranch, which, according to the burning map, sprawled across some pretty prime real estate on the edge of the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. I visited the tourist version of the ranch near Incline Village, Nev., where I partook in the coldest pancake breakfast I've ever experienced and got to see a replica of the house, complete with the Cartwrights' jackets and hats hanging on the hooks near the entrance.

I plan to pay homage to my dad's memory by trekking over to the Autry National Center's Imagination Gallery, where the hand-drawn Ponderosa Ranch map is now on display (although I hope it doesn't catch fire while I'm there). The map belonged to series creator David Dortort, who died in 2010, and was donated by the Dortort family. I also plan to check out the museums display of scripts, correspondence, photos and other memorabilia from the classic series, which ran from 1959 to 1973. (This might be a good time for me to add that we often watched the show in syndication...)

Happy Father's Day, Dad – here's hoping you can see the Ponderosa from wherever you are.

And in case you're a young 'un or need a refresher, here's the theme song, which will probably stay in your head for the rest of the day:

Casting Call!

OK, I'm going to come right out and say it: Watching Supernanny (Fridays on ABC) is one of my guilty pleasures. Sure, Supernanny Jo Frost has her critics, but her no-nonsense, take-back-control-of-your-household approach often rings a good reminder bell for me.

That's why I'm intrigued by the new spinoff that won't come with an umbrella or mini-Cooper but a different look and feel: Super-Manny. Finally! We aren't just delegating the role of childcare and repairing disruptive households to the females of our species. Led by developmental psychologist Mike Ruggles, the show first premiered last year and stands ready to bring Ruggles' approach and unique ideas to struggling parents. All they need now are more willing participants.

If you think your family might be interested in being on the show, you can check out the open casting call from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Downtown Disney District. If you can't make that event, you can get in touch with Millan Sur of Ricochette Television at msur@ricochettetelevision.com or call 323-904-4680, ext. 1100.

Set Your TiVo: This Little Piggy

Olivia by Ian Falconer was one of the first contemporary children's books I fell in love with when Kate was little. We would spend hours scouring the kids' section at the bookstore but always gravitated back to our favorite little pig with the big personality.

Olivia is smart without being sassy, knows how to work a red leotard, uses her imagination to the fullest, and is fairly tolerant of her brothers (although the second one didn't come along till Falconer's later books).

Much to the delight of us all, Olivia will step into full-color animation starting at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) Monday, Jan. 26, on Nickelodeon. The show's geared for preschoolers, who will love the relaxed pacing and subtle lessons. I yearned for a bit more of Olivia's independent spirit that Falconer so beautifully constructed in print, but her essence is definitely there in the two episodes I previewed, "Olivia Measures Up" and "Olivia Plays Hotel."

Overall, a thumb's up for what will quickly become every little piggy's favorite!

Hola, Sesame Street Fans

This will make you feel old: Sesame Street turns 39 this season.

But tune in, and guaranteed, you'll feel young again.

Rosita, Sesame Street's blue bilingual monster, took some time out of her busy Sesame Street day to chat with me about what's new in the neighborhood. (Carmen Osbahr, the person behind the puppet, also got on the phone to talk about her history with Sesame Street. The Mexico City native chatted about how, as a mom to 8-year-old Alex, she values the presence of the show and the part she gets to play in it.) 

LAP: So, what's new on Sesame Street?

Rosita: Everyone is talking about mathematics! 

[This season, while focusing on math and literacy, includes several celebrities, who are not only lending their faces but are showing up to teach kids about octagons and other great new concepts and words.]

Rosita: We had this really cool guy that came to Sesame Street. I think his name was David Beckham? My mom said he is cute. Do you think he is cute?

LAP: Oh, yes.

Rosita: Well, he taught me the word "persistence." And Jack Black, he taught us "disguise." He was really funny.

[This season also introduces new regulars to mix it up with the muppets.]

Rosita: We have a new neighbor – she opened a laundromat. Leela (see photo) is from India. She has a British accent.

LAP: Is she a monster or a person?

Rosita: (Giggles...) No, she is a human being! She is silly. We're having fun with her.

[The show will feature a few new segments this year, including one starring the monster Murray in "Murray Has a Little Lamb." His lamb Ovejita ("little lamb" in Spanish) speaks only Spanish, so Rosita enjoys spending time with her.]

Rosita: Ovejita told me she leaves some clues for Murray about different types of schools they're going to visit. He has to guess where they're going. They went to one for karate.

[I surveyed a few kids to see what they'd like to know about Rosita, too.]

LAP: Why are you blue?

Rosita: My mommy says I look like my daddy. ... My mom is bluey and my dad is bluey yellowy. I'm a combination of both. My hair is from my grandmother.

LAP: You play the guitar and sing on Sesame Street. Is it hard to play with furry fingers?

Rosita: I just use persistence, that David Beckham word (my mom still think he's cute).

The 39th season of Sesame Street begins on Aug. 11 on PBS. Sesame Workshop will also be launching its newly redesigned Web site on Aug. 11.