I dont' believe I've posted this here, but before updating the Chronology once more, before JGM takes the reins within a month or so, I wanted to post this, becasue it makes a lot of sense.

The poll is on whether you'd have preferred seeing Michelle in the corner for 1-2 seconds like Dennis after she's been naughty. Dennis, after all, is a very well-beloved comic strip kid (who has mellowed int he last few decades) - but part of that may be because he *is* punished.

Michelle was very obedient and well-behaved for 2-3YO in seasons 2 & 3. (See my story onl fanfiction.net "Who's In Charge Here?" for why.) D.J. had control,a nd she obeyed becasue D.J. said; not uncommon in single parent situations for the oldest sibling to take charge. Then, after troubles in season 4, by the end of that she was rather good again.

Come season 5 and 6, and was the same age as a pint-sized mischief maker who hails from the funnies and was so popular they made a movie about him. I am talking, of course, about Dennis the Menace. Same age, similar styles - never malicious, just innocent fun that gets out of control, some attitude, etc. - and ever similar activities.

Sneaking out at night? Dennis did it often early, not as much now in hiw small town. Running away? Dennis wrot ethe book. Running wild in a museum? *Very* Dennis, though his game was "Follow the Leader" in one panel. (Don't recall where they were, but someone's screaming to get Dennis because he's the leader.) Sugar rush type wildness in general - Dennis to a T. Princess who can do anything? Change it to cowboy and you've got Dennis, though exchanging a bit of Dennis' physical play for a slightly different attitude.

It shows how Danny trying to have complete control worked for a time till he became inconsistent. Since her behavior does improve quite a bit in seasons 7 & 8, D.J. had to step in, of course, But, it shows why I think this sudden phase did occur.

However, this raises a question. Fans dont' like that Michelle got away with everything. The Chronology addresses this to a great extent, showing in a "Tanner Family History" thing that D.J. would have not only punished Michelle each time, but also gotten very tough on her. Most fans feel she would only have to discuss the ultimate with Michelle, but this poll is not just about that.

What it's about is, would seeing a few seconds of Michelle in the corner uttering a line like Dennis each time (after gobbling the samples, for instance) make you feel better about Michelle and the show in general. Would you like the show more if they'd cut into time for other scenes to show that?

Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case.

Yes, I forgot to mention that the movie came out in '93, so he was clearly very popular right around the time that these seasons took place.

And the animated version happened to be concurrent with the first (and possibly second) season.

I'd forgotten about that one, but I think I saw it a few times babysitting, or just letting my brain go in college. (There was a group of college students who watched Sesame Street after classes each day. If you haven't been to college you might not understand, but that kind of study break is really needed at times.)

I forgot to put a poll on the other one, and it might be a bit late now (though i think I could add one), but I don't think it's necessary. I think spring cleaning would be a good punishment for Michelle for the dinosaur and then all the limit testing she'd do after that, plus her behavior does get *so* much better in seasons 7 and 8. Something had to trigger that in character.

Most people figure that that's all the further D.J. would have had to go even at her toughest when she'd have to react the most. I think that's easier than starting antoher poll .