#10: Hey Arnold: Helga’s Mom

Children’s TV shows, such as SpongeBob SquarePants or Hey Arnold!, often possess layers of humor and subtext that go unnoticed by young viewers but become glaringly evident to adults upon reflection. As we re-watch these classics as adults, we start to recognize the clever humor, cultural references, and adult themes woven into the storylines.

It’s not uncommon to discover political satire, social issues, and even dark humor that were deliberately included to engage older audiences while still catering to the younger demographic. One person had this realization while re-watching Hey Arnold! as an adult. They suddenly realized that Helga’s mom “most definitely” was struggling with addiction, as well as other things that went unnoticed when they watched with a child’s innocence.