Hey Arnold!

Hey Arnold! is an animated TV show that aired on Nickelodeon from 1996 to 2004. It follows Arnold, a kind fourth-grader with a football-shaped head who lives with his grandparents in a boarding house. The show is set in a big city neighborhood and deals with real-life issues that kids face. It was known for its realistic characters and emotional stories.

Arnold's Neighborhood

Arnold lives in the Sunset Arms boarding house with his grandparents Phil and Gertie. His best friend Gerald is cool and streetwise. Helga Pataki pretends to hate Arnold but secretly has a huge crush on him. The neighborhood is full of diverse and interesting characters.

Real Stories for Real Kids

Hey Arnold! tackled serious topics like poverty, bullying, and family problems. Episodes could be funny one moment and touching the next. The show respected kids by not talking down to them. A TV movie called Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie was released in 2017 to wrap up the series.

Fun Facts

• Arnold's last name was a mystery for years until the Jungle Movie revealed it as Shortman.
• Creator Craig Bartlett is married to the sister of Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
• Helga's love poems to Arnold are actually well-written poetry.

Did You Know?

Hey Arnold! was one of the first kids shows to feature a truly diverse city neighborhood. The show included characters of many different backgrounds and dealt with issues like homelessness and single-parent families. Creator Craig Bartlett based the city on Portland, Oregon, and Brooklyn, New York!