Fans shocked by unrecognizable grown-up Arthur as viewers say goodbye to beloved kids show after 25 years on the air

ARTHUR fans have bid a sad farewell to the beloved kids TV show after 25 years on the air. Viewers of the popular program were left shocked by an unrecognizable grown-up Arthur as it was broadcast for the final time on Monday. The final episode ‘All Grown Up’ showed an adult Arthur alongside his old […]

ARTHUR fans have bid a sad farewell to the beloved kids TV show after 25 years on the air.

Viewers of the popular program were left shocked by an unrecognizable grown-up Arthur as it was broadcast for the final time on Monday.

PBS

Arthur was broadcast for the final time on Monday[/caption]

PBS

Viewers of the popular program were left shocked by unrecognizable grown-up Arthur[/caption]

PBS

The final episode ‘All Grown Up’ showed an adult Arthur alongside his old school friends[/caption]

The final episode ‘All Grown Up’ showed an adult Arthur alongside his old school friends.

Arthur had become a graphic novelist with his first book the same name as the first ever episode of the show.

Head writer Peter K. Hirsch told The LA Times: “The idea occurred to me that this whole series has been something Arthur has created.

“So the suggestion is this has all been his memoir. We thought, ‘Oh, that’s fun. It’s a little meta.’”

On Twitter, one user wrote: “Excuse me while I go cry seeing my childhood end with this scene!”

Another said: “This truly was the best finale.”

And one added: “All the feelings with this one. Love this show, and the joy it brought.”

Brainy aardvark Arthur and his friends, including Buster, Francine, Binky, Muffy and Brain have been long-standing PBS characters.

It became the longest-running animated series in American history, after making its debut in 1994.

Kathy Waugh, who developed the show from books of the same name by Marc Brown, broke the news on the Finding DW podcast.

She told Jason Szwimer of the news: “Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two days ago.”

Lamenting the decision made by PBS, Kathy added: “I think they made a mistake, and I think Arthur should back and I’m not alone in thinking they made a mistake.”

PBS

Brainy aardvark Arthur and his friends, including Buster, Francine, Binky, Muffy and Brain have been long-standing PBS characters[/caption]