Introduction[]
Arthur sits on a small desert island with his back to a lone palm tree.
Arthur: Ever wonder what you'd like to have with you if you were trapped on a desert island? I'd have my favorite books, Pal, of course, and a soccer ball.
Those things appear. Arthur throws the ball to Pal who butts it into the ocean where it floats away.
Arthur: (groans)
Buster sits on a desert island littered with candy and fast food. He is listening to a comedian with a microphone.
Arthur (narrator): Buster would probably just want some snacks and maybe someone to tell him jokes.
Comedian: I used to be a safe driver. I really did. But I gave it up. Who wants to drive a safe?
Buster: (laughs)
He drinks through a straw and takes a bite of chocolate.
Buster: Mm.
Muffy has a small house on her desert island with a springboard on the roof.
Arthur (narrator): I'm sure Muffy would just have the bare necessities.
Muffy jumps off the diving board into the water.
Muffy: Yahoo!
When she comes out, Bailey hands her a drink.
Muffy: (sighs)
Mr. Ratburn writes on a blackboard on another desert island.
Arthur (narrator): I know what Mr. Ratburn would take with him. Us!
The kids sit on school desks in the water.
Mr. Ratburn: If Arthur has six coconuts and Buster has eight coconuts, then how many coconuts does Francine have?
Arthur stands on his island in front of a beautiful sunset.
Arthur: But I bet there's one thing we'd all want on a desert island.
He turns on a TV set.
Announcer (on TV): Stay tuned for another exciting episode of the Bionic Bunny Show.
The screen is reflected in Arthur’s glasses.
Arthur: T...V...
A satellite dish is in the palm tree above him.
Title Card: D.W. Chases Toad[]
Binky: (voice) Arthur's TV Free-Week
The kids sit in the school auditorium where Mr. Haney is talking.
Mr. Haney: Today is the first day of TV-Free Week where all the students of Elwood City try to not watch TV for an entire week. Now, TV is first and foremost... well, it's an abbreviation for "television". And television is a box that transmits images and sounds into your living or bedroom... Anyway, that's not important. What I'm talking about is conversation....
Kids: (yawn)
Mr. Haney: ...and why there isn't more of it between children and parents. to Miss Tingley: Why isn't there more of it between children and parents?
Miss Tingley: Because of TV.
Mr. Haney: Ah, yes, because of TV! So that's why, er...
Miss Tingley takes the microphone.
Miss Tingley: Sign up in your classroom. You're dismissed!
Most kids look uncomfortable.
***
A while later, the third-graders stand in line and sign up on a sheet on Mr. Ratburn’s desk.
Arthur: Hey, Francine, your sister did TV-Free Week once. Did she say it was hard?
Francine: No, she said it went by really quickly. And at the end, she got a gold badge that looked like a TV.
Buster: Gold badges? Cool!
***
When Arthur and Buster leave the school, Binky is waiting for them.
Binky: Hey, you guys gonna watch Bionic Bunny tonight?
Buster: You bet.
Arthur: Um, Buster, it's TV-Free Week, remember. You can't watch TV for a whole week.
Buster: I can't? Just because I signed that thing? Oh no, what have I done?!
Arthur: You didn't sign up, Binky?
Binky: No way! This contest is for geeks. I mean, what's more important - TV or a stupid little badge?
He walks off.
Buster: I'm not gonna make it, Arthur. Go on without me.
Arthur: Come on, Buster. It's only a week. How bad can it be?
***
The Reads sit at the dinner table.
Mrs. Read: A week without TV is a great idea. We'll have to come up with some fun family things to do instead.
Mr. Read: Yeah. It'll force us to be a little creative.
Arthur: What do we do tonight?
Mr. Read: Um...
D.W.: Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.
***
That evening, D.W. does card tricks in the living room, while the others sit on the couch looking bored. D.W. holds up a card.
D.W.: Is this your card?
Mr. Read: Um...
Arthur: (sighs)
Mr. Read: No, honey.
D.W. looks peeved, then holds up another card.
D.W.: How about this one?
Mr. Read: Well... Mrs. Read nudges him. Yes, that's the one. Hey, kids, how about a nice cup of hot chocolate?
D.W.: Wait, I have some more tricks. Arthur, think of a number between 1 and 10.
Arthur: 2½.
D.W.: That's not a real number!
Arthur: Is too!
D.W.: Is not! Mom, only the numbers 1 through 10 are numbers, right?
Arthur: Why can't I use halves? It's not my fault if she can't do the math.
Mrs. Read: You're both wrong. I mean, right! I mean, look, let's just do something relaxing that we all enjoy.
She reaches for the TV remote control.
Mr. Read: Er, Jane.
Mrs. Read: Oops!
All: (chuckle)
***
Francine and her dad sit in the Frenskys’ living room listening to an old radio. Mr. Frensky tries to adjust it, but the commentator is impossible to understand.
Mr. Frensky: I keep forgetting what we're listening to.
Francine: It's basketball... or soccer... or maybe hockey.
Francine+Mr. Frensky: (groan)
***
Brain watches the stars through a telescope.
Brain: Cassiopeia. Er, Ursa Major...
He sees a TV in someone else’s window.
Brain: The Eel Of Fortune Show! No, must...have...discipline. (gulps) The Big Dipper.
***
Mr. Ratburn has received a parcel full of video cassettes.
Mr. Ratburn: Ah, all ten episodes of Masterpiece Theater's “The Life and Fortunes of Dewey Decimal”. I can hardly wait...
He looks at his TV set, then puts the cassette back.
Mr. Ratburn: ... another week.
***
Arthur, Francine and D.W. sit at a table in the school cafeteria.
Arthur: Then D.W. sang “Old McDonald had a Farm” for a whole hour.
Francine: I never found out who won. Too much static.
Muffy: I have it the hardest. We have a hundred and seventy channels that I can't watch.
Buster joins them.
Buster: Hi, guys. Great day, huh? Boy, was math class fun!
Arthur and Francine exchange looks.
Arthur+Francine: Hm.
Arthur: Buster, how was your first night without TV?
Buster: Great. I didn't even miss it.
He sees Binky and falls on his knees.
Buster: Ple-e-ease! Tell me what happened on Bionic Bunny. I haven't slept all night. Please. Please. Please.
Binky: Em. Lots of stuff.
Buster: Lots of stuff. Did you hear that, Arthur? Lots of stuff happened and we missed it!
Francine: We’re going to have to keep an eye on him.
Arthur: Too bad he doesn't have a little sister.
***
At the mall, Mrs. Read looks at clothes. She is distracted by the many TV screens in the electronics department.
Announcer (on TV): Next, another passionate episode of 'All My Chickens'.
Mrs. Read walks towards a TV, but D.W. jumps in front of it.
Mrs. Read: Oh...
***
Arthur and D.W. are reading in the living room when their dad comes in wearing a suit of armor and holding a tray with hors d’oeuvres.
Mr. Read: Does anyone know if it's going to rain? I don't want to rust.
He turns on the TV.
D.W.: Dad! What are you doing?!
He turns off the TV.
Mr. Read: Oh dear. I'm sorry.
D.W.: My own father!
Mr. Read puts the TV away in a cupboard.
Arthur: (groans)
He slinks away while D.W. smiles.
***
Arthur and Buster sit in the Sugar Bowl. Buster uses a calculator.
Buster: It's 3:15 on Wednesday. That means we only have 6480 minutes left. Now how many seconds is that?
Arthur: It's still going to be 4½ days.
Buster: Could we have two more milkshakes, please? Are you sure you don't want anything?
Arthur: Don't you think you've had enough?
There are three empty glasses on the table.
Buster: Oh, now you want to take away my milkshakes too, huh?! Well, I won't let you!
He cradles an empty glass. Arthur looks confused.
Buster: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I can't take it anymore. I know I'm gonna turn the TV on. I can't make it!
Arthur: You can make it! Just call me when you feel like watching TV.
***
Arthur leaves the Sugar Bowl and passes a telephone booth. The telephone rings.
Arthur: Huh? He sees Buster at the phone inside the Sugar Bowl. (sighs) He picks up the phone in the booth. Hi, Buster...
***
Arthur, D.W. and Pal pass an electronics shop in town. In the shop window is a TV set that shows a Dalmatian. Pal looks excited at it.
D.W.: No, Pal. TV bad.
They are about to walk on when they are stopped by a reporter and a cameraman.
Reporter: Hello. Elwood City News is doing a report on TV-Free Week and we'd like to know how is life without TV?
Arthur: Er... Er...
D.W.: Great! I get to do magic tricks, sing songs, and my brother has to play with me all the time.
She and Arthur put an arm around each other. Arthur does not look completely convinced.
***
At home, Mr. Read puts the TV back in its usual place. Arthur and D.W. sit on the couch.
D.W.: Are you sure this is okay?
Arthur: Of course it's okay. How many times do you get to watch yourself on TV?
Mrs. Read brings popcorn.
Mr. Read: Everyone all set?
The phone rings.
Arthur: I'll get it. Call me when it's on.
Arthur answers the phone in the kitchen.
Arthur: Hello?
The screen splits. The other half shows Buster with a TV guide on his lap and a worried expression.
Buster: The first episode of Bionic Bunny's on, the one where he gets his bionic powers. I can't help myself. I gotta watch it!
Arthur: Buster, it's not worth it. Besides, you know that one by heart. Just do the whole show in your head.
Buster: You're right, I do know it. Okay, I'll try it. Thanks. What are you doing?
Arthur: Er, gotta go.
He runs back into the living room where Mr. Read is putting away the TV again.
Arthur: Oh, no, I missed it!
Mr. Read: No. We're not going to watch it.
D.W.: It would be hypo-criminal.
***
The next day, Francine, Brain, Muffy and Arthur stare open-mouthed at Buster who retells a Bionic Bunny plot in the cafeteria.
Buster: Then Bionic Bunny says, "Maybe, this'll clean up your act!" And he nails him two power blasts.
He bangs on the table spilling some peas.
Kids: (laugh)
Muffy: Wow! He's better than TV!
Francine: Yeah, let's all watch Buster after school.
Binky comes with a TV guide.
Binky: But can he do ‘Bionic Bunny versus Techno Turtle Part V’?
Buster: Whoa.
Arthur: You mean, the movie?
Binky: Yup. It's on TV this Sunday. Wanna watch it at my house? Unless you're still doing that TV geek week? (laughs)
He leaves.
Brain: Come on, guys, it's Friday. We only have two more days to get through.
Arthur: Oh, don't worry about me.
Buster: Yeah, I'm fine. Besides, I'm sure it'll be on again... next year. (sobs)
He leaves.
***
That evening, Buster stands in the bathroom and puts toothpaste on his brush.
Buster: I will not watch TV... I will not watch TV... He goes on mumbling while brushing. I will not watch TV... I will not watch TV...
His reflection in the mirror turns into Bionic Bunny.
***
Arthur walks through the house with a book.
Mr. Read: Could someone get my gelatin recipe book? It's in the chest in the den.
Arthur opens the chest and sees the TV inside. He quickly grabs the recipe book and closes the door.
***
Buster paces in his room.
Buster: I will not watch TV... I will not watch TV...
His bed turns into a large TV showing Bionic Bunny.
Buster: I will... not... watch... TV?
***
Mr. Read is working in his workshop. Arthur stands in the door.
Arthur: Dad, I'm bored.
Mr. Read: Bored? Why don't you read a book or clean your room or watch... er... me cook. See, I'm making rabbits and turtles out of gelatin.
He shows Arthur a tray full of gelatin figures. Two of them turn into Bionic Bunny and Techno Turtle.
Arthur: (gasps) Um, I think I'll go for a bike ride.
***
Buster sits on his bed.
Buster: I will not watch TV... I will not watch TV... I will not watch... His alarm clock turns into a TV. ...TV. I will... take a little walk.
***
Arthur rides his bike down the street to the Barnes’ house.
Arthur: No one will know. Binky won't tell. Besides, six days is almost a week.
In front of the Barnes’ house he meets Buster.
Arthur: Buster!
Buster: Arthur, what are you doing here?
Arthur: I'm... testing my brakes. I mean... I'm... er... Oh, forget it, we both know why we're here - to see the movie.
Buster: Yeah, and I'm sure glad to see you. I don't feel so bad knowing that you couldn't stand it either. Well, come on. I brought plenty of popcorn.
He walks to the house.
Arthur: Buster, we're so close!
Buster: Yeah, about five steps away.
Arthur: No! I mean finishing an entire week without TV. Let's not ruin it now. Come on. I'll race you to the park.
He rides off. Buster follows.
***
Later that afternoon, Arthur and Buster toss a frisbee to each other on the park playground.
Buster: Pass it over here!
Arthur: Here, catch!
Buster: (grunts)
Arthur: Nice catch. Throw it back, quick!
Buster: Here you go!
***
On Monday, the kids line up in the auditorium to get their badges from Mr. Haney.
Arthur: Oh, those gold badges look wicked!
Francine: I'm sure glad this week is over. Life without Monday night baseball is grim.
Buster: I thought it was kind of easy.
Arthur: Oh, come on, Buster, you almost didn't make it.
Buster: Are you kidding? I could do it for another whole week! I really could.
***
That evening, Buster lies mesmerized in front of the TV wearing a Bionic Bunny hat.
Mrs. Baxter: Buster, dinner time!
Announcer (on TV): “The Bionic Bunny Show!”
Mrs. Baxter: Buster? Buster!