Dear Internets: Help me understand!

So I'ma just gonna sit down and DO this. After a near miss of a major rant at a poor unsuspecting victim, I'm going to unleash some questions out onto LJ.

What is UP with Avatar: The Last Airbender? And while we're at it, WHY is so much of my friends list enamored of My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic?

No, I'm not (randomly?) bashing. I'm seriously curious as to what folks like about these. WARNING! SPOILERS PROLLY ABOUND!

( See, Avatar does NOTHING for me )

( and the ponies do even less )