Early Sesame Street not suitable for children
July 1st 2008 05:28
Exciting news for all of us who were brought up watching Sesame Street, the early episodes have just been released on DVD. However, all you Gen Xers with young children who are about to run out and buy these icons of your childhood be warned. These episodes are not suitable for children, according to a warning sticker on the side of the box. ‘What? I hear you saying ‘I thought it was a children’s programme’.
So what is the problem with these early episodes? Well according to Seame Street producer Carole Parente in an interview for the New York Times:
Cookie Monster for a start, not because he is a monster but because all he does is stuff his face with cookies. If anyone is on the fast track to childhood obesity and diabetes, it has to be cookie monster. Interesting though, childhood obesity was not a problem for us Gen Xers who were brought up thinking cookie monster was hilarious.
As for Cookie Monsters alter ego Alistair Cooke, who appeared with a pipe, that he later ate, that was deemed completely inappropriate! Then there was the homeless depressed grouch that lived in a trash can.
Remember Snuffleupagus only visible to Big Bird? Well since 1985 he has been made visible to everyone! Because according to Carol Parente:
How about Ernie and Bert sleeping in the same bed then? As a child, I just thought they were friends, for all those who think there is gay connotations get your mind out of the gutter. Preschoolers do not even think in that way.
As a Generation X’er, I am starting to wonder how our generation grew up to be moderately well balanced individuals. Are the latest generation of children so soft that they cannot just enjoy a programme at a simplistic level in the way we did?
Sometimes kids are grouchy, sometimes they scoff cookies, and sometimes they have imaginary friends – big deal.
So what is the problem with these early episodes? Well according to Seame Street producer Carole Parente in an interview for the New York Times:
Cookie Monster for a start, not because he is a monster but because all he does is stuff his face with cookies. If anyone is on the fast track to childhood obesity and diabetes, it has to be cookie monster. Interesting though, childhood obesity was not a problem for us Gen Xers who were brought up thinking cookie monster was hilarious.
As for Cookie Monsters alter ego Alistair Cooke, who appeared with a pipe, that he later ate, that was deemed completely inappropriate! Then there was the homeless depressed grouch that lived in a trash can.
Remember Snuffleupagus only visible to Big Bird? Well since 1985 he has been made visible to everyone! Because according to Carol Parente:
“Big Bird’s old protestations that he was not hallucinating came to seem a little creepy, not to mention somewhat strained”.
How about Ernie and Bert sleeping in the same bed then? As a child, I just thought they were friends, for all those who think there is gay connotations get your mind out of the gutter. Preschoolers do not even think in that way.
As a Generation X’er, I am starting to wonder how our generation grew up to be moderately well balanced individuals. Are the latest generation of children so soft that they cannot just enjoy a programme at a simplistic level in the way we did?
Sometimes kids are grouchy, sometimes they scoff cookies, and sometimes they have imaginary friends – big deal.
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Comment by Josie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I loved Noddy when I was growing up and was so disheartened when it was being chastised for Big Ears supposedly being gay..who gives a flying sock whether he was or wasn't? It was a fun, colourful and popular program that didn't need to be tainted.
Good post, Sara.
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
I know its sad I think the world has gone mad with this PCness thing.
Thanks for popping in
Hi Tracey
I agree this PC thing is nuts., I used to love those Noddy books too. Not only are they weird about Big Ears they are also weird about Sambo. My experience of kids is, they take everything at face value and they don't have sexual connotations. I also believe that children don't see colour either. People are people to them it is parents that teach their children to be prejudice. Its a pity that some people want to spoil it for kids,
Comment by Stephanie Allen
Parent Adventure
I'd much prefer him to watch SS than some of the more "modern" children's programming. Especially as it is a nice shot of nostalgia for me to watch with him.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree:
I hope we don't lose any more classic programs because of this naive dangerous way of thinking.
Tracy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
So if we dug to the root problem of today's obesity problem, are we going to find Sesame Street to blame? It's really what they are saying and IT'S RIDICULOUS!
Fools!
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
Ridiculous is right! Nutter and Do gooders Thing is its not our generation, brought up on cookie mnonster that actually has the obesity problem!
Stephanie
I always thought cookie monster was funny when I was a kid, didn't mean I scoofed biscuits. Crazy!
Tracey
I agree peoples naivety is dangerous. A lot of these programmes never did us any harm.