Max & Ruby is mid IMO
And with that, I'll make this an actual rant, not just another Ruby hate post.
First off, I personally feel like both characters are extremely flawed:
- I understand Ruby is trying to be responsible towards her little brother, and it actually does show in some episodes, but there are certain episodes I don't like her in where she has a bossy/unhelpful personality that's mainly the reason why she's hated on so much (e.g. Ruby's Piano Practice, Ruby's Clubhouse, Max's Halloween, Bunny Cakes, Bunny Party, Max's Birthday, Ruby's Beauty Shop, Ruby's Pajama Party, and Baby Max)
- On the other hand, I'd also say Max is just as poorly-written as Ruby, and I get that he's only 3 years old too, but there are also certain episodes where I either loathe him or find him extremely annoying too (e.g. Hide and Seek, Max's Breakfast, Louise's Secret, Quiet Max, Bunny Money, Max's Christmas, Max's Chocolate Chicken, Max's Music, and Max's Thanksgiving)
Anyway, with that out of the way, I feel like the show is too slow-paced for me, even compared to other slow-paced shows like Blue's Clues, Arthur, Oswald, and Kipper. The writing is also repetitive IMO, and I feel like it might've used that infamous "three strikes" formula before HiT Entertainment even did.
Another thing, that grin Max makes, I know some people find it funny, but it just creeps me out.
Another thing, I also don't like how the show can be sexist sometimes, especially in "Ruby's Pajama Party", where Max is not allowed into Ruby's party because "it's for girls only".
The morals can also be pretty bad sometimes, like in "Max's Breakfast", where Max kept refusing to eat his egg, and eventually Ruby ate it for him while she boasted about how good it was. I feel like it sends a bad example to little kids about picky eating. Not to mention, that episode is probably where I hate Max the most.
And, I agree, the last two seasons of the show are even worse, and it feels more generic than the first five, like it jumped the shark.
And now for the little bits of praise, I like how Max and Ruby care for each other, even if they are heavily flawed, and the character designs are pretty cute.
But anyway, while I see why this show became as popular as it did and it has a fanbase, I still don't like it. It also makes me sad that other Nick Jr. shows like The Fresh Beat Band, and even other Nickelodeon shows like Robot & Monster and Back at the Barnyard, don't get the amount of love this show gets. I find all 3 extremely underrated IMO.
Well, that's all I have to say for this.