There’s a big orange grizzly bear out there and he loves to teach you things. Such was the premise for Bear in the Big Blue House, a Jim Henson Production about a friendly furry home owning bear who was eager to gain a kid’s trust and teach them a variety of helpful life lessons.

With lessons in such diverse subjects as helping, the seasons, gravity, and yes, even potty training, the show was geared towards very young children (most 10-year olds have a pretty good grip on the whole potty training thing.) But this bear friend wasn’t alone in the woods; he had plenty of helpful critters ready to assist. There was a lemur named Treelo, perky otter twins Pip and Pop, a little bear named Oja, and a stubborn mouse named Tutter – each ready to do their part and help toddlers get their learning groove on. And at the conclusion of each episode, Bear would have a little reflective time with Luna, the wise moon, and reiterate what the lessons of the day had been.

And when there needed to be a break from all these lessons, all Bear had to do was sing “Where oh where is shadow” and Shadow would appear to help perform some lighthearted amusing tales with her other shadowy friends.

While it might seem that a 7-foot tall talking bear would be somewhat of a menacing presence, Bear in the Big Blue House instantly won over the little ones, talking gently and soothing to them, and never once accidentally letting out a big growl (Even Gentle Ben wasn’t that gentle.) The Disney Channel eventually acquired the rights to the show and ran for 10 years total before the big guy finally retired in 2007. Disney had planned on a 10th anniversary show but, as of yet, it hasn’t materialized. Perhaps bear is just hibernating for the time being.