See Dick. See Jane. See Spot.
Dick and Jane is the collective term for a series of schoolbook readers designed to teach early reading skills. Originally written from 1930 to 1965, the books are particularly associated with the 1950s. The three characters were Dick, Jane, and their dog Spot, and relied heavily on simple repetitive phrasing and clear instructions to the reader: "Look, Dick," "Run, Spot, run," etc.
The books gradually fell out of favor, both due to feeling dated and changes in literacy methodology and more creative approaches (supplanted by the likes of the Dr. Seuss Beginner Books.) They were frequently used as a derisive synonym for simplistic reading and subject to parody over the years, from The Bullwinkle Show to the later "Chicken Jane" segments on Between the Lions.
References[]
- The names of Oscar's pets in Sesame Street Episode 1586 all reference the book characters: Dick and Jane (goats) and Spot (a pig).
- The script for Episode 1780 called for Big Bird to announce he read See, Spot, Run (not an actual Dick and Jane title) all by himself. The aired version substitutes the higher reading level Make Way for Ducklings instead.
- Oscar rediscovers his first grade reader in Episode 2077, beginning "See Dick. See Jane. See Spot. Run, Spot, run." Maria thinks it's the same as the Dick and Jane reader she had, only to find out in this version Dick and Jane are Grouches (played by Oscar and Grundgetta) and Spot is a pig (Oscar's pet Spot again). Spot steadfastly does the opposite of any directions that Dick and Jane give him. The script specifies that the costumes be "1950's school clothes."
- In Episode 3083, the word LOVE finds its way into Oscar's trash can and starts kissing everything. When Oscar hears it kissing his pet pig, he yells "Run, Spot, run!"