(The Show with the Mouse), often simply (The Mouse), is a German children's television series, popular nation-wide for its educational content.<ref name="Borgeest">Bernhard Borgeest, "Von Mäusen und Machern" Focus, official website. (March 12, 2001) Retrieved November 21, 2010 </ref> The show first aired on 7 March 1971. Originally called Lach- und Sachgeschichten für Fernsehanfänger ("Laughing and Learning Stories for Television Beginners"), it was controversial because German law prohibited television for children under six years of age."Gespräch mit Armin Maiwald" (PDF) Köln im Film, official website. (December 2003) Retrieved October 30, 2010 The program was initially condemned by teachers and childcare professionals as bad for children's development,Felix Helbig, "Das tut fast weh" Frankfurter Rundshau, official website. (November 11, 2009) Interview with Armin Maiwald. Retrieved October 26, 2010 but is now hailed for its ability to convey information to children,Florian Freistetter, "Sendung mit der Maus erhält Medaille für Naturwissenschaftliche Publizistik" German science blog. Retrieved November 5, 2010 having received over 75 awards. On 7 March 1999 the program's Internet site was launched and received 2,400 e-mails and 4 million hits on the first day. Format Aimed at young children, the program has a magazine format, with several segments, some humorous, others educational presented in a simple, straightforward manner. Many of the show's early viewers are now adults whose children are forming the second generation of viewers. It is not uncommon for children to watch the program with their parents"Walter Moers: Die 13 ½ Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär" Bistum Mainz, official website. (May 1, 1999) Retrieved November 7, 2010 or for children to stop watching around the age of 10 or 12 and then come back at the age of 18. The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag found that although the target age was from about four to eight, the average age of viewers was 39. Each show consists of several segments, the Lachgeschichten purely to amuse, and the Sachgeschichten ("non-fiction stories"), short educational features on a variety of topics, such as what must be done before a plane can take off or how holes get into Swiss cheese or the stripes into toothpaste. These are punctuated by a short cartoon with the mouse, often with one or more of its friends. Mouse-spots The mouse is orange with brown ears, arms and legs. In order to solve problems it can stretch its legs as long as it wants, jump a rope with its detachable