'Sesame Street': It's About My Children, Not the Puppet

Just as I suspected, it has happened. They are trying to “Falwell” me and my colleagues here at Big Hollywood for raising concerns about “Sesame Street’s” description of Fox News as “Trashy.” We are “stupid,” “idiotic” and we are whining and pathetic (impressive debate tactics there, Mr. Socrates). And, according to PBS’ own Ombudsman, Michael Gelter, we are…. right:

I don’t know what was in the head of the producers, but my guess is that this was one of those parodies that was too good to resist. But it should have been resisted. Broadcasters can tell parents whatever they think of Fox or any other network, but you shouldn’t do it through the kids

I was planning on letting the issue die after being romanced by Media Matters, but I noticed something fascinating. I’ve written here about a lot of subjects. Mostly about theatre and the arts, and I also defended that “racist-fascist” Rush Limbaugh, but, never has a post of mine gotten the kind of hate-filled comments this one did. Also, for the first time I started receiving hate e-mails… the long, rambling, Holden Caufield kind of e-mails (you can forgive me for feeling a little “Grouchy”). What gives? Why was this post different?

I think many people either don’t believe there is anything wrong with some playful jokes at the expense of Fox News on a children’s network, or they don’t WANT to believe that the writers of “Sesame Street” are deliberately injecting attitudes that plant seeds in children for future growth. To me, it doesn’t matter. Gelter’s words say it best: “You shouldn’t do it through their kids.”

I am very tired of being lectured by the left (and fellow denizens of the right) about “manning up” and growing a thick skin and taking it in stride. Listen, I’m a conservative in the theatre business… You don’t think I have a thick skin? But when it comes to my kids, I am ferocious in protecting them and in protecting my influence over them.

If my kid came home from a neighbor’s house and told me that “Jimmy’s Daddy said Fox News was trashy news,” you better believe that I would have a word to say to Jimmy’s Daddy. It’s inappropriate and tasteless to inject your personal beliefs onto someone else’s kids. Why is this position controversial? And, to add insult to injury, PBS used my money to do it. Am I really going out on a limb in crying foul?

But, the vitriol and sheer volume of criticism of this post has intrigued me and I have begun to look further into “Sesame Street,” the Children’s Television Network, and the educational advisers who shape the message and curricula injected into these shows. There’s more to discuss. Much more.

And, for those of you mocking this whole concept as to whether a children’s TV show can have that kind of influence over a child, ask yourself: Did Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno have as much influence on your use of compound words as your first grade teacher did? Did you learn the preamble to the Constitution from school, or from “Schoolhouse Rock“? Do you remember “Free to Be, You and Me“?

If children’s TV could influence you with those shows, don’t you think it can influence your kids today? Since you’re paying for it, shouldn’t you know a little more about what you’re buying?