The Rugrats, except all the parents are divorced, Phil and Lil are metalheads, Chuckie has a panic disorder, Tommy was abandoned when he was a newborn inside a nunnery, and Angelica is a serial killer.
Pingu, except it takes place in a nuclear wasteland where Pingu (half-boy, half-penguin) must help his commune survive the winter and marauding packs of polar bears.
Come Outside, except Pippin failed to save Auntie Mabel from that chip pan fire and has developed a thirty-a-day habit.
The Tweenies, except it’s set in a children’s home where Bella is the bully, Fizz has to testify at her father’s trial, Jake is a feral child and Milo is in therapy three times a week.
Teletubbies, except it takes place in a nuclear wasteland where the Tubbies (half-human, half-TV screen) compete to see who will be taken away by the mysterious Noo Noo for a life over the hills and far away. A shocking secret is revealed about where Tubby Custard comes from.
Sailor Moon, except when people die, they stay dead. Rei and Ami share a kiss during sweeps week and then Rei is aggressively paired up with Tuxedo Mask.
Arthur, but it’s all taking place inside DW’s head as Mr. Ratburn tries to uncover what really happened during that fateful day at Lakewood Elementary.
Totally Spies!, except they’re actual spies and Clover is a double agent. Jerry dies in episode 2.
Pokemon, except we really get into the ethical quandary of keeping animals in small windowless cages and only letting them out to fight each other.
Blue Peter, but they never apologised for changing the cat’s name
This was inspired by, among others, the dark and gritty retellings of the Archie comics, the Sabrina comics, and now, horrifyingly, the Powerpuff Girls.
Links:
Links are for kids, go listen to a podcast or something.