Clifford the Big Red Dog - Potluck Party Pooper (S1E71)
Clifford and Emily Elizabeth try to get Mr. Bleakman (voice of Earl Boen), a notorious party pooper, to attend the Howards' party; Emily Elizabeth writes a poem for her mother's birthday, but Jetta thinks it's not a good gift.
| Runtime (min) | 15 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2001-11-07 |
| Genres | Animation, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
Storyline
In this episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are determined to get Mr. Bleakman to attend the Howards' potluck party. Known for being a notorious party pooper, Mr. Bleakman initially resists their efforts. The duo employs creative strategies, including a heartfelt invitation, to show him the joy of community and celebration.
Meanwhile, Emily Elizabeth is excited to write a poem for her mother's birthday. However, her friend Jetta critiques the poem, suggesting it's not a good gift. This forces Emily Elizabeth to rethink her approach, highlighting the theme of valuing personal expression over external validation.
What Parents Say
This episode highlights the importance of community and how everyone, even a party pooper like Mr. Bleakman, can find joy in social gatherings. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth demonstrate persistence and kindness, showing that sometimes a little encouragement can go a long way. Parents can discuss with their children how to include others and foster a sense of belonging.
Additionally, the subplot about Emily Elizabeth's poem raises questions about creativity and the value of personal gifts. Jetta's criticism can lead to discussions about how friends can support each other's creative expressions, and that not everyone will appreciate the same things. This can help children understand the importance of self-confidence in sharing their work.
What Children Can Learn
Kids will learn that everyone has different feelings about parties, and it’s important to respect those feelings while also trying to include others in fun activities. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth's efforts show that a little kindness can help change someone's mind. The episode teaches children the value of friendship and the joy of inviting others to join in celebrations.
Moreover, the episode emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself when it comes to creativity. Emily Elizabeth learns that while feedback can be valuable, the most meaningful gifts come from the heart. This encourages children to express themselves authentically and to appreciate their unique contributions.
Five Most Asked Questions
Here are some common questions parents may have about the episode 'Potluck Party Pooper' from Clifford the Big Red Dog.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Mr. Bleakman not want to attend the party? | Mr. Bleakman is known as a party pooper, indicating he generally dislikes social gatherings. His reluctance stems from a preference for solitude and a lack of enthusiasm for community events. Throughout the episode, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth try to change his mind by showing him the fun and joy that can come from spending time with friends and neighbors. |
| What poem does Emily Elizabeth write for her mom? | Emily Elizabeth writes a heartfelt poem as a birthday gift for her mother, showcasing her creativity and affection. However, when Jetta critiques the poem, it prompts Emily to reconsider its value. This subplot highlights the emotional significance of personal gifts and encourages children to think about what it means to give something meaningful. |
| How does Clifford help persuade Mr. Bleakman? | Clifford uses his big heart and cheerful nature to connect with Mr. Bleakman. He and Emily Elizabeth make a special effort to invite him in a friendly and warm manner, demonstrating how kindness and persistence can influence others. Their actions illustrate the theme of inclusivity and the importance of trying to bring someone out of their shell. |
| What lesson do Emily Elizabeth and Jetta learn about creativity? | Emily Elizabeth learns that personal expression is valuable, even if not everyone appreciates it the same way. Jetta's criticism initially discourages her, but it leads to a discussion about the importance of sharing one's work with pride. The episode teaches children that everyone's creativity is unique and that they should value their own contributions. |
| How does the episode end? | The episode concludes with Mr. Bleakman ultimately deciding to join the party, thanks to the efforts of Clifford and Emily Elizabeth. The celebration becomes a joyful occasion, reinforcing the idea that community and friendship can bring happiness to even the most reluctant participants. This happy ending emphasizes the positive impact of togetherness and celebration. |
Cast
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Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | My Best Friend - Believe in yourself Emily decides that she must find something "special" for Show and Tell. But after an exhaustive search of Birdwell Island for the perfect thing to share, Emily learns that sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose. |
| 1 | 2 | Cleo doesn't want to share her new toy with anyone. |
| 1 | 3 | Clifford accidentally breaks a present he was supposed to deliver for Emily. |
| 1 | 4 | Clifford tries to stay clean for a magazine's Dog of the Year contest. |
| 1 | 5 | Emily has to take care of a baby bird, leaving her little time to play with Clifford. |
| 1 | 6 | Emily is jealous when Jetta gets to visit an exciting city. |
| 1 | 7 | Everyone, including Clifford, must work as a team to put on the fall carnival. |
| 1 | 8 | Emily's cousin Laura and her dog, Rex, arrive for a visit. |
| 1 | 9 | T-Bone finds himself in a race against Mac. |
| 1 | 10 | When the dogs eat too many treats, they learn that too much of a good thing can be bad. |
| 1 | 11 | In a flashback story, Cleo shakes things up when she arrives on the island. |
| 1 | 12 | When Cleo makes a new friend, she starts ignoring Clifford and T-Bone. |
| 1 | 13 | Emily competes against Jetta for the lead in the school play. |
| 1 | 14 | Clifford itches like crazy but hides his discomfort to avoid a trip to the doctor. |
| 1 | 15 | The new dog in town has only three legs, which makes the gang uncomfortable. |
| 1 | 16 | Clifford's digging talents become an asset when a big storm blows in. |
| 1 | 17 | Clifford learns that stars, like everyone else, sometimes need help. |
| 1 | 18 | Cleo develops stage fright when the dogs are recruited to help with a show. |
| 1 | 19 | All fingers and paws point to Emily as the thief when Jetta's trophy and locket vanish. |
| 1 | 20 | Jetta mocks Emily's plans for her birthday party activities. |
| 1 | 21 | When Mac tears one of Jetta's sweaters, he feels terrible about it and runs away. |
| 1 | 22 | Jetta learns that it's OK to have fears and admit them. |
| 1 | 23 | In flashbacks, Emily meets Clifford, and her love turns him into the biggest dog around. |
| 1 | 24 | Clifford has to dispel preconceived ideas about large dogs. |
| 1 | 25 | |
| 1 | 26 | |
| 1 | 27 | Clifford jumps into a pile of leaves that T-Bone has raked, and when they scatter he has a lesson to learn; Charley finally finds a sport he can't master, “jiggly juggle,” but he decides to work at it anyway. |
| 1 | 28 | |
| 1 | 29 | The dogs go to school for the first time, and T-Bone worries that he won't be able to keep up; the library sponsors an essay contest called “Islander of the Year.” Guess who it is? |
| 1 | 30 | |
| 1 | 31 | T-Bone's not looking forward to the town celebration because he's afraid of loud noises; nobody will play with Clifford because they're too busy planning a surprise party for him. |
| 1 | 32 | |
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| 1 | 35 | Mac starts an “exclusive” club (he wants to exclude T-Bone); Mr. Bleekman wants to exclude dogs from the park, but he finds that he misses them when they're gone. |
| 1 | 36 | |
| 1 | 37 | Cleo is voted Fluffiest Dog of Birdwell Island and can't stop bragging about it; Jetta tells Vaz that he's bad at soccer, which prompts him to stop playing. |
| 1 | 38 | |
| 1 | 39 | |
| 1 | 40 | |
| 1 | 41 | Clifford and Cleo think that T-Bone is moving; the dogs are upset with the arrival of cats, but then they learn that different isn't necessarily bad. |
| 1 | 42 | |
| 1 | 43 | Clifford misses Emily when she goes on a trip, so his friends try to make up for it; Charley wants to lead a chore-free dog's life. |
| 1 | 44 | |
| 1 | 45 | T-Bone falls in love. Meanwhile, Clifford tries to make the perfect Valentine for Emily. |
| 1 | 46 | |
| 1 | 47 | Cleo is jealous of her owner's sister's dog, Susie. Also: it's role-reversal time: Clifford, Cleo and T-Bone take care of a pet. |
| 1 | 48 | |
| 1 | 49 | T-Bone gets a new sweater but learns that “Clothes Don't Make the Dog”; Emily thinks Clifford is neglecting her. |
| 1 | 50 | |
| 1 | 51 | T-Bone eats Cleo's new dog food then lies about it; Charley and Emily have an ice-cream party when Charley's father is away. |
| 1 | 52 | |
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| 1 | 58 | |
| 1 | 59 | While her house is being painted, Cleo stays with Clifford---and takes over; the dogs try to get grumpy Mr. Bleakman to brighten up, and find that their good deeds make them feel good, too. |
| 1 | 60 | |
| 1 | 61 | Clifford and the other dogs pitch in with the “Keep Birdwell Island Beautiful” effort by planting a flower garden. Except for Cleo. She wants to plant a dog-toy garden for herself. Then the dogs find the long-buried trunk of the island's discoverer, Captain Birdwell. But Jetta is given credit for the find. Will she tell the truth? Voice of Clifford: John Ritter. |
| 1 | 62 | |
| 1 | 63 | In a flashback sequence, the Howards arrive on Birdwell Island, and their new neighbors join in welcoming a very big newcomer. Then Jetta breaks a beach date with Emily Elizabeth because she has received a “better offer” from an older girl. |
| 1 | 64 | |
| 1 | 65 | Clifford gets a really big case of the hiccups and his friends have a big job helping him get rid of them; Jetta throws a movie party, but all she shows are home movies of herself. |
| 1 | 66 | |
| 1 | 67 | Clifford cleans out his doghouse but can't throw things away because each item holds a memory. Also, Jetta has a new baby brother, but that means that she no longer gets all the attention. |
| 1 | 68 | |
| 1 | 69 | Jetta's envious of Emily Elizabeth because everybody loves her pet, Clifford. So she makes up a pet of her own. Then Cleo helps Vaz with his paper route. She likes helping him and she likes the treats she gets as a reward. In fact, she mostly likes the treats. |
| 1 | 70 | |
| 1 | 71 | Clifford and Emily Elizabeth try to get Mr. Bleakman (voice of Earl Boen), a notorious party pooper, to attend the Howards' party; Emily Elizabeth writes a poem for her mother's birthday, but Jetta thinks it's not a good gift. |
| 1 | 72 | |
| 1 | 73 | K.C. returns for a visit and Cleo's so excited that she forgets her other friends. Also, rain threatens the back-to-school barbecue and Mac is so disappointed that his friends try to stop the rain. |
| 1 | 74 | |
| 1 | 75 | It's Topsy Turvy Day, so Jetta and Emily “trade” dogs. Then Clifford is told to polish his manners for Mrs. Bleakman's book-club party. Voice of Mrs. Bleakman: Edie McClurg. |
| 1 | 76 | |
| 1 | 77 | Clifford forgets a play date with Cleo, who accuses him of abusing her friendship; Cleo teases T-bone because he's smitten with a visiting dog named Mimi. |
| 1 | 78 | |
| 1 | 79 | Cleo borrows Clifford's favorite blanket and carelessly gets it dirty; the dogs dig for dinosaur bones as part of a friend's college project. |
| 1 | 80 |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Cleo Pretends to hurt herself so she won't have to embarrass herself on the ice rink. But with the help of Clifford and his friends, they help her understand that trying new things with your friends is fun. |
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| 2 | 35 | Emily Elizabeth and Jetta try to get Charley to honor his promises; Cleo runs away to avoid taking a bath. |
| 2 | 36 | |
| 2 | 37 | When Cleo's bored by the rain, Clifford gets her to imagine an exciting story; a power failure threatens Birdwell Island, but Clifford and Mr. Bleakman save the day. |
| 2 | 38 | |
| 2 | 39 | |
| 2 | 40 | |
| 2 | 41 | A visiting dog tries to lead Clifford astray, but he learns to stand up for his beliefs; the kids wonder if marriage will change their teacher. |
| 2 | 42 | |
| 2 | 43 | Ads for a new dog food influence Clifford and his friends; news of an old buddy's upcoming visit makes T-Bone recall his days as a puppy. |
| 2 | 44 | |
| 2 | 45 | Clifford accidentally bathes in dye and then tries to hide the fact; Mary's afraid to perform in front of an audience, but is helped by Emily. |
| 2 | 46 | |
| 2 | 47 | T-Bone puts together a pop band that Mac would like to join; a dog champion comes to Birdwell Island and all the dogs want to impress him. |
| 2 | 48 | |
| 2 | 49 | A very small dog named Frankie envies Clifford being big; T-Bone and Clifford have to adjust to their differences in size. |
| 2 | 50 |
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