Steven Pryor; contributing writer

When the Hub was formed in 2010, it was a crowning achievement as a family network that had not been seen since the early days of Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network. Now, the Hub is one of the fastest-growing cable TV channels in the country.

It airs classic TV shows like “Happy Days,” “Family Ties,” “The Transformers,” “GI Joe: A Real American Hero,” and the Adam West version of “Batman;” as well as new shows like “Transformers Prime,” “GI Joe Renegades,” and “Pound Puppies.”

While many classic TV shows have found new life on the Hub in both reruns and new series, one in particular has crossed the zeitgeist and found audiences of all kinds. That series is “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.”

The show is a revival of the TV show and toy line  from the 1980s, which has been brought back time and again, but never to this level of  popularity. This version was created by Lauren Faust, an animator who worked on films such as “Hercules” and “Quest For Camelot,” as well as other cartoons like “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Dexter’s Laboratory.”

When Faust was given the chance to do her own show, she set out to make a series for everyone–not just for little girls, but for their parents, for boys, and men.

At first, I dismissed the idea of a female-oriented franchise like My Little Pony having that type of appeal. As it turns out, there are all manner of older boys and men who enjoy the series, known as “Bronies.”

I saw some clips on YouTube and got curious. One night, I decided to watch some of the full show. It began with the two-part “Friendship is Magic” pilot. I thought that I would just be done with it, like my interest in editing Wikipedia.

Then, I ended up  watching another episode. Then another, then another, then another; until I realized that I  watched the better part of the first season and enjoyed it. In obvious fact, I had become a  “brony.”

The Ponies of this show feature many personality types and definable traits:

• Twilight Sparkle, a user of “magical science” who is not accustomed to the bizarre situations of the series, but takes them in stride.
• Pinkie Pie, an eccentric pony who loves parties.
• Rainbow Dash, a tomboyish athlete.
• Applejack, a rural pony who takes very little guff from others.
• Fluttershy, a timid but caring pony who loves nature.
• Rarity, a pony who enjoys all things beautiful.

With these character types, there is a pony for just about everyone to relate to.

While there are life lessons abound in this show, Faust is very well aware of the older audience of the series. Many jokes reference classic films and older cartoons, and promotions for the show have parodied films such as “Bridesmaids” and used covers of adult-oriented songs like “California Girls” by Katy Perry. A recent episode has even had ponies that are dead ringers for the central cast of “The Big Lebowski.”

So, whether you’re male or female, young or old; I strongly recommend “My Little  Pony: Friendship is Magic” for viewing.

The Commuter is a weekly student-run newspaper for LBCC, financed by student fees and advertising. Opinions expressed in the Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC administration, faculty, and associated students of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, and cartoons reflect the opinions of the authors. Learn more about the Commuter's staff of contributing writers here.