Continuity mistake: Helga makes Arnold sit in a plate of chocolate pudding as a prank, leaving a huge chocolate pudding stain on the back of his shirt. Then, when Arnold picks up the gift box from Grandpa and returns to the cafeteria, the chocolate pudding is gone from his shirt but reappears later on when Arnold and Helga are at Slausen's Ice Cream. (00:12:37)
Continuity mistake: Phoebe is going into the school in one scene, but as the camera moves she vanishes while on screen.
Parents Day - S5-E6
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Arnold's parents leave for the last time, Grandma's hair is dark at first, then it becomes purplish-gray.
Parents Day - S5-E6
Continuity mistake: During the flashback, when little Arnold says goodbye to his parents, in the next shot of Stella and Miles, the bag's strap is slung over his dad's left shoulder as a crossbody, but mid-shot, the strap switches to his right shoulder with the bag on the opposite side. (00:14:30)
Parents Day - S5-E6
Continuity mistake: When Grandpa enters and exits Arnold's bedroom, the door opens the opposite way in various shots, with the doorknob on either the left or right. Additionally, the light switch beside the door appears and disappears, between shots.
Monkeyman! / Buses, Bikes and Subways - S5-E1
Continuity mistake: Mr. Simmons counts 30 students in the bus, but nowhere near that many got off (nor have nearly that many fourth graders ever been shown).
Ghost Bride/Gearold VS Jameo - S5-E25
Continuity mistake: In the scene where they are running from the second ghost bride, they go into a crypt and close the doors. One of the kids puts a shovel through the handles to keep it shut. In the next shot, it's gone. In the shot after that it's back.
Beaned / Old Iron Man - S5-E11
Continuity mistake: When Arnold reads to Helga, the book title says "GEO-" and "GRAPHY" (two words); the next day, it says "GEOGRAPHY" (one word).
Monkeyman! / Buses, Bikes and Subways - S5-E1
Continuity mistake: Buses, Bikes, and Subways: Helga wears a watch on her right arm throughout the episode. However, when Helga approaches Sheena's uncle Earl and wakes him up, her watch is missing, then reappears when Earl's boat sinks. It disappears again when Helga comes up from the water, then reappears a moment later. (00:18:59)
Helga's Masquerade / Mr. Green Runs - S5-E2
Continuity mistake: Helga's Masquerade: When Helga and Lila are at Slausen's Ice Cream, after Helga asks Lila how she can learn to act so nice to people, she grabs her milkshake with her left hand. A shot later, she is now holding it with her right hand, and a spoon appears in her left hand. (00:03:30)
Helga's Masquerade / Mr. Green Runs - S5-E2
Continuity mistake: Helga's Masquerade: When Helga and Lila are at Slausen's Ice Cream, after Helga asks Lila where she gets her material from, Lila's right arm is below the table, but a shot later, it's above the table, and a spoon appears in her hand. (00:03:18)
Arnold Visits Arnie / Chocolate Boy - S5-E12
Continuity mistake: Arnold Visits Arnie: In the country store, when Arnold says, "But, what about Arnie?" and it cuts to Arnie counting the bubble gum, the "1893" on the window is red but changes to white in the next shot. The "Est." also disappears. (00:05:53)
Beaned / Old Iron Man - S5-E11
Continuity mistake: Beaned: When Arnold is walking Helga to school and she sees some flowers, they are both standing on the sidewalk. Two shots later, they are on the road. Also, when Arnold walks up to Helga, he is in mid-air, and when Helga stands up, she is also in mid-air. (00:05:53)
Simmons' Documentary / Big Bob's Crisis - S5-E20
Continuity mistake: Simmons' Documentary: Rhonda wears a black top and red skirt on the day of the documentary, but in one shot, she is wearing her regular outfit. She is also wearing her regular outfit in one shot when the class is watching the documentary. (00:06:12 - 00:11:16)
Simmons' Documentary / Big Bob's Crisis - S5-E20
Continuity mistake: Simmons' Documentary: When Mr. Simmons explains the documentary and the kids leave the classroom, Arnold is holding a purple book. In the next shot, it changes direction while in his hand. (00:01:50)
Gerald's Game / Fishing Trip - S5-E15
Continuity mistake: Gerald's Game: When Arnold asks Gerald if he was in the alley near Dr. Steiglitz's office, there is nothing in the bottom shelf of Gerald's locker. When Gerald puts his book "The King Rules" in his locker, some books appear in the bottom shelf. (00:03:34)
Gerald's Game / Fishing Trip - S5-E15
Continuity mistake: Gerald's Game: When Arnold asks Gerald if he was in the alley near Dr. Steiglitz's office, Gerald is holding three books, with a purple book on top, and a green book on the bottom. Right before he drops them, the two books have switched place, and the purple book changes to blue. (00:03:24)
Summer Love (a.k.a. Beach Story) - S5-E9
Continuity mistake: In the scene at the end where "Babewatch" is being filmed, when Arnold drowns and the lifeguards save him, he is wearing his plaid shorts. A shot later, he is wearing his blue swim shorts. (00:22:34)
Timberly Loves Arnold / Eugene, Eugene! - S5-E22
Continuity mistake: Timberly Loves Arnold: When Timberly and Arnold start crossing the street together, Iggy is standing far away from Rhonda and Sid. In the next shot, he is closer to them. (00:02:57)
Timberly Loves Arnold / Eugene, Eugene! - S5-E22
Continuity mistake: Timberly Loves Arnold: When Timberly asks Arnold if she can hold his hand while crossing the street, Iggy is looking at Arnold. In the next shot, he is suddenly looking away from him, then goes back to looking at him. (00:02:53)
Answer: The show is based in present day times. Plus most cars aren't old fashtioned, I recall seeing a limo and not to mention a cherry picker, etc.