skymama 37 #1 April 8, 2005 I don't think Cookie Monster scarfing an eggplant will have quite the same funny visual for kids. I wonder if we can sue PBS for making us think that eating cookies was ok. I'm sure my obsession with sweets can be traced back to watching Sesame Street. _____________________________________________________ From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Cookie Monster leads way as Sesame Street goes on a diet By CHELSEA J. CARTER Associated Press April 7, 2005, 4:08 PM EDT NEW YORK - Something must be wrong in the land of Muppets. First PBS announced that "Sesame Street" would kick off its 35th season this week with a multiyear story arc about healthy habits. No problem there; childhood obesity rates are soaring. Then I learned of changes that turned my "Sesame Street" world upside-down. My beloved blue, furry monster - who sang "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me" - is now advocating eating healthy. There's even a new song - "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food," where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods. "Sacrilege!" I cried. "That's akin to Oscar the Grouch being nice and clean." (Co-workers gave me strange looks. But I didn't care.) Being a journalist, I did the only thing I knew how to do. I investigated why "Sesame Street" gave Cookie Monster a health makeover. The answer would lead me into a world where television producers worked with health experts and politicians, a place where Cookie Monster does care about his health, and by association, the health of children. The first place I headed was the Internet. On the Sesame Street Web site, little had changed. There was Cookie Monster, in all his blue furriness. He was holding a plate of cookies. He was chomping on a cookie. He still looked the same. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving. So I searched the site for news on Cookie Monster and up popped a press release about the show's "Healthy Habits for Life" emphasis. Buried near the bottom was a one-sentence mention about Cookie Monster eating fewer cookies. But what did that mean? Scarfing one plateful instead of two? I picked up the telephone. "What's going on with Cookie Monster?" I asked the "Sesame Street" press office. "Why are you doing this?" They sent me to Dr. Rosemarie T. Truglio, the show's vice president of research and education. She said the show changes every year, focusing not just on teaching numbers and letters but also emotional and physical health. With the rise in childhood obesity, Truglio said "Sesame Street" is concentrating on the need to teach children about healthy foods and physical activity. This season, each episode opens with a "health tip" about nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest. Truglio said "Sesame Street" also will introduce new characters, such as talking eggplants and carrots, and offer parodies, such as "American Fruit Stand." Even guest stars will address healthy activities, such as Alicia Keys talking and singing about the importance of physical activity. Even politicians have gotten into the act, filming public service announcements with "Sesame Street" residents. In one taping, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist taught Elmo to exercise - jumping up and down. In another, Sen. Hillary Clinton and the small red monster discuss the various textures and tastes of foods. But what about their position on Cookiegate? "Even Cookie Monster is learning to control his cookie cravings," Frist told me by e-mail. "His sage advice opened our eyes to the simple joys of a tasty cookie and now reminds us that moderation is the key to healthy living." Cookie Monster was not available for comment. (I'm hoping he hasn't gone too Hollywood.) "We are not putting him on a diet," said his spokesman, Truglio. "And we would never take the position of no sugar. We're teaching him moderation." The furry one also plans to try different kinds of cookies (read: healthier cookies) rather than his just staple, chocolate chip. But will he still scarf his food? Yes, plus the occasional object, Truglio said. But isn't that unhealthy? Her reply: He's still Cookie Monster. Cookie Monster appears to be happy with the new "sometimes food" song, because at the end he warbles: "Is sometimes now?" "Yes," he's told. So there it is. Cookie Monster still gobbles cookies, he's just a healthier version of his old self. His eyes are still googly, his fur is still scruffy and he's still messy. Even "Sesame Street" recognizes that we all need guilty pleasures. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #2 April 8, 2005 Thanks Mama!! I heard about this a while ago and got all upset that my favorite character was changing. But now that I know he'll still scarf cookies, I guess it's OK. And God knows the poor kids who aren't taught good habits by their parents need to learn it somewhere. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #3 April 8, 2005 This sucks. What's next, the Tofu Monster? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missg8tordivr 0 #4 April 8, 2005 I actually heard this on news radio this morning! I am sorry, but trying to teach a monster about moderation....WTF???*** F LORIDA! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #5 April 8, 2005 freakin weak. tell the little fat asses to go play outside. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #6 April 8, 2005 That's what I mean - if they're fat 'cause they're not taught to eat properly, they're probably not encouraged to go run around, either. While I don't like seeing my precious Cookie Monster changing his ways, I do like that the producers are using their influence to effect a positive change. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #7 April 8, 2005 parents need to do their jobs. simple lack of responsibility is no excuse to ruin a classic... /C is not for celery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #8 April 8, 2005 Quote /C is not for celery damn, brandon, harsh, funny as hell, and i totally agree. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #9 April 8, 2005 Quote/C is not for celery C is for cookie. That's good enough for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #10 April 8, 2005 QuoteQuote /C is not for celery damn, brandon, harsh, funny as hell, and i totally agree. Just keepin it real yo.....you kno. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #11 April 8, 2005 This thread inspired my new sig...Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #12 April 8, 2005 I cant recall where I heard this one, but someone told me that they were going to make Ernie and Bert gay. I told the person that this was the most absurd thing I ever heard but they were adamant that this is what they heard. Now that would be silly.__ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #13 April 8, 2005 Wasn't Bugs Bunny a transvestite? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #14 April 8, 2005 No, I think he wore dresses to dodge the draft. Not a true transvestite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #15 April 8, 2005 Elmer Fudd was a NRA nutjob. Daffy Duck was bi-polar. Ren was borderline paranoid schizophrenic, and Stimpy was "special needs." Beavis and Butthead were just sexually frustrated dumbasses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #16 April 9, 2005 Some of the web comics are picking up on it.... Today's PVPOnlineMike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nanook 1 #17 April 9, 2005 Man, I liked the Cookie Monster. he was the only monster without a lame, cheezy personality. How's he going to act without his vice?_____________________________ "The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #18 April 9, 2005 What about Oscar the Grouch? Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #19 April 9, 2005 QuoteWhat about Oscar the Grouch?\ I think the next move, in light of all the political correctness on PBS now, it to have Oscar move out of his garbage can and into a recycling bin, in order to save our planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #20 April 9, 2005 We sang this in school when I was in second or third grade: I Love Trash, by Oscar the Grouch: Oh, I love trash! Anything dirty or dingy or dusty Anything ragged or rotten or rusty Yes, I love trash I have here a sneaker that's tattered and worn It's all full of holes and the laces are torn A gift from my mother the day I was born I love it because... it's trash! Oh, I love trash! Anything dirty or dingy or dusty Anything ragged or rotten or rusty Yes, I love trash I have here some newspaper thirteen months old I wrapped fish inside it; it's smelly and cold But I wouldn't trade it for a big pot o' gold! I love it because it's trash Oh, I love trash! Anything dirty or dingy or dusty Anything ragged or rotten or rusty Yes, I love trash I've a clock that won't work And an old telephone A broken umbrella, a rusty trombone And I am delighted to call them my own! I love them because they're trash Oh, I love trash! Anything dirty or dingy or dusty Anything ragged or rotten or rusty Yes, I love,... I love,..... I...... love trash! Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #21 April 9, 2005 You're probably right....!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #22 April 9, 2005 QuoteMan, I liked the Cookie Monster. he was the only monster without a lame, cheezy personality. How's he going to act without his vice? C is for cognac, that's good enough for me ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #23 April 9, 2005 OMG. Why can't some things be left alone? My boys grew up watching Sesame Street and they know that cookies aren't food that you eat all the time. It's time for parents to be parents.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #24 April 10, 2005 Ya know, when Jim Henson was still alive, he didn't let bureaucrats and social services tell him how to make movies/television. It's sad that parents want to blame television for it's effects on kids. Parents have the ability to turn off the television and be a direct influence on their children's eating habits. Oh, wait - we're talking about the same parents that come home, flop on the couch and drink beer and eat ice cream while watching sports and reality shows Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #25 April 10, 2005 QuoteOh, wait - we're talking about the same parents that come home, flop on the couch and drink beer and eat ice cream while watching sports and reality shows That's such a stereotype of today's parents. I never watch sports. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
