Almost 30 years since the calming voice of Suzy Cato taught a generation of Kiwi kids about life, the beloved children’s entertainer is returning to a reimagined version of her iconic corner to do it all again, in a YouTube continuation of her show, You and Me.
Sitting among nostalgic easter eggs such as Russell the Rooster and fluro tops, she tells the Herald why she’s back at it, who she owes her performing passion to, and why parents should let kids get bored.
Why is now the right time to reboot You and Me?
It felt right to come home. One of the main reasons is because I had so many young parents saying, “I wish there was something like You and Me for my children, a programme like I had when I grew up”.
There’s some fantastic content being created here in New Zealand, but it’s really nice to be back at home and having a little kōrero with the kids of all ages and singing all those fabulous songs again.
What were you like as a child?
I was the best child out [laughs]. No, I was actually a really shy kid and I loved being able to escape into television and go on all these adventures. Performing has given me that outlet. I can be anybody I want to be. And “Suzy Cato”, I’d like to think that it is one of the many hats I wear, and it is part of who I am.
How do you think children’s TV has changed in New Zealand? Is there still a place for it in this rapid media landscape?
Technology has changed hugely, but kids are quintessentially the same as they were all those years ago. If they didn’t have screens, they would still get bored and they would still start creating.
So, the idea is to let them get bored and have arts and crafts around or a cardboard box. The things you can do with a cardboard box: a helmet, a car, you know, anything. So let them get bored, let them have fun that way. You might have to give them a bit of a helping hand to begin with.
You are screening on YouTube – do you have any concerns over screen time use for kids?
Screen time is not going to disappear. [Screens] are here to stay, so it’s how we utilise it, the kind of content that we put on it and how we make it accessible to families.
And so, we’re going to do our best. I have a huge number of people around me who are doing their best to create the best content for Kiwi kids with Kiwi accents and Kiwi iconography.
You were made NZOM last year. Who do you owe that honour to?
My dad was one of the main people to put me forward, and he got an army of people around him to find all the information he needed to support his application.
He and Mum have always been so incredibly proud and so supportive of what I’ve done, and they love the way that kids and families have been a part of what we do. Thank you, Dad.
You became a mum between the end of the series and now. How has that changed the way you talk to kids?
Having children has really helped me in being a children’s presenter. It’s given me a better understanding, and even with making this programme, being a parent and being that much older has helped me just understand the value and understand how best to connect and to create the best content possible.
You’ve been open about a few health scares and challenges over the past few years (including gluten intolerance and bleeding requiring tests). Are you careful about your lifestyle now with such a busy schedule?
That’s a really good question. I’m turning 58 this year and I find the batteries actually need a lot more charge than they used to. So yeah, a good night’s sleep and things like that – I haven’t had a lot of that lately.
But as a performer, you have a light switch inside, you turn it on and you go, and you are there. During the days of You and Me my grandfather passed away... we were in the middle of recording and I had the news and I just had to keep on going. You surround yourself with people who look after you, nurture you and support you, but also give you a wee shove when you need to keep going.
What do you want kids and kids at heart to get out of You and Me?
You are amazing, you have value and you have worth beyond compare. Give yourself a chance and have fun. Don’t take life too seriously, but give it your very, very best and you can do anything.
I’m a good example of that. I have had so many wonderful opportunities because I gave myself a go.
You and Me launches on YouTube this Saturday. Suzy’s upcoming single Let’s Make Playdough is now available for pre-save on a number of major platforms.