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Even Cookie Monster needs a little help now and then

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7421924/

Quote:

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.)

Health makeover
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.

Talking eggplants and carrots
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.)

No diet for the furry one
“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.

Now wouldn't it be nice if more people could have this level of understanding and compromise?

I'm still going to miss the old cookie monster, and I loathe the implication that television is why children are obese, but on the other side of the coin I'm pleased that they're taking responsibility to do what they can for the cases where the parents aren't willing or capable of doing their job, and they're doing it without destroying a character from my childhood that I still cherish.

"C" is for cookie, and that's good enough for me! MRAWAMAMWMAMMA Good cookie. . .

In the end, I suppose that it's a good overall message. I'm glad that they're at least trying to remedy an American epidemic.

However, again, I'm not so sure if I think television is the best place to address these issues. Maybe if, at the end of each Sesame Street show, they tell the kids to "go out and play", then maybe they would have a greater impact on improving children's health.

"Sen. Hillary Clinton and the small red monster"

....thinking evil thoughts.....

OMG I understand everything now... Oscar is the reason why I am crabby and messy.... : calls lawyer about suing the Children's television network::

if Oscar moves into a condo in a high rise on park avenue, does this mean he'll turn into a pleasant person and not be so grouchy? :D

:rolls eyes:

How true maleficent! I'll join you on that one. I love Sesame Street but the lack of cookies doesn't seem to be the answer to obesity in children. Using television as a babysitter, well I think we've hit something there. Leave CM as is and get the parents out with the kids. Me included! :eek:

I hate the idea that we've become so irresponsible as a nation that we need all these messages from people that aren't even real for crying out loud, about how to live...I

Meh...

Well its better than the muppet with AIDs they have for South Africa at least.

I see no problem with it.

I think it's good that the CTW is encouraging healthy eating habits. Now, don't get me wrong, I certainly don't believe that television is the cause of all ills in the world, but I find it hard to believe that children don't take away something from watching television and aren't influenced to a certain degree by what they watch. Hell, for that matter, I could point to a lot of adults who fall into the same boat.

That's not to say that Cookie Monster is causing children across America to scarf down bags of cookies. It would be great if parents were involved a bit more, but this is just a television show that's trying to do what they think is the right thing and I have to give them credit for that.

For what it's worth, I never really got the vibe from Oscar that he was pissed off because he lived in a trash can. I imagine it was the people banging on his lid just to say hi. Maybe they could do a very special episode devoted to Oscar's anti-social behavior. :)

I agree... I see no issue here.

Someone suggested above that there was an implication that TV was they reason for child obesity... That may or may not be the case but that isn't what's being said here.

Sesame Street was designed on the premise that children have short attention spans. The creators of the show noticed that kids paid attention to the commecials more than the show they were watching on TV and decided to create an educational show that tapped into that vibe. They would educate children by using the language of advertisers (i.e. short and to the point). So ultimately Sesame Street is just an educational ad.

In thatvein, having Cookie Monster make healty choices is not implying that TV is to blame rather they are just inserting a new message into the educational stream. And quite frankly I can't disagree (and don't see how anyone could) really disagree with the message that making healthy choices when eating is a good thing (even if sometimes you are allowed a cookie).

Cripes, you'd think we were discussing whether Han shot first...

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Originally Posted by guthmund

For what it's worth, I never really got the vibe from Oscar that he was pissed off because he lived in a trash can. I imagine it was the people banging on his lid just to say hi. Maybe they could do a very special episode devoted to Oscar's anti-social behavior.

Ahhh - so Oscar and I really are in the same camp -- it's people that suck - not the living environment. Are we sure it's not the living environment that makes for this attitude.. He could be a hermit living on park avenue a lot easier than in a trash can on Sesame Street....

I really think oscar and his issues (though us crabby types don't really think it's much of an issue) is way more of a story than the Cookie Monster and his cookies, unless of course you'd want to talk about CM's annoying habit of that sugar induces babbling 0f Cooooookie-- Cooooooookie... :)

Oscar rocks, he was my favorite character.

Him and the good old Snuffleupagus, back before he came out of the closet.

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Originally Posted by Ustwo

Well its better than the muppet with AIDs they have for South Africa at least.

Why?

AIDS is sweeping through sub-Saharan Africa, and especially RSA. There is an awful lot of prejudice against the sufferers. I see nothing wrong with trying to reach out to children and help foster better understanding of this terrible disease.

Mr Mephisto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Because not every action, story, or TV show need have great social commentary.

So in my book I'd rather have Cookie monster light for kids over Hey I'm going to die young!

Perhaps the muppets need a crack addict, a hooker, and some gang bangers too.

Charlatan said it well. And Sesame Street deals with issues that are important and create awareness in kids that may not be normally socialized with.

There will always be those who blame t.v or parents or whatever, usually those who don't have kids, but scapegoats are a dime a dozen. Bottom line, from my experience with Sesame Street as a kid, it showed me a social setting where problems and conflicts occur, but can be remedied by communication. It helps parents and furthers the learning process.

Cookie monster wants to show healthy eating habits? Good for him. And for some parents so remiss in their responsibility, maybe a puppet can make a difference.

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Originally Posted by maleficent

Ahhh, too true, too true. I imagine the astronomical rent increase would be well worth it to get away Big Bird and that damn Elmo.

"multiyear story arc'???
ITS SESAME STREET FOR CRISSAKES!

Man, my kid aint gonna watch that. He's gonna watch Wondershowzen, if I have anything to say about it.

There have been plenty of story archs on Sesame Street. The biggest was Snuffleupagus but others have included: Maria and ___ wedding, Mr. Hooper's replacement, etc.

Jeez, what do you think they do at CTW show up everyday, smoke a bunch of dope and then turn on the cameras?

@ Charlatan

The point is, I probably grew up watching Sesame Street like a high percentage of the people here, and not EVER...Never ever ever, did the thought cross my mind that Cookie Monster was eating too many damn cookies...

Sesame Street has a long and proud history of bringing social issues and introducing them to children. Ethnically diverse, taught me how to count to 3 in spanish, and Kermit must have been Appalaccian, with the banjo playing and all.

I would agree with ustwo if they tried to introduce the AIDS muppet in the US... but in Africa where you have the adult population approaching 30%+ infected and dying it seems that a lot of children would be scared and confused and it was the responsible thing to do. Turning a blind eye is not a comfort they can afford over there.

If Cookie Monster ends up anywhere near Tofutti, though, I am calling Super Grover. No excuse for that crap. :)

Sometimes when a co-worker suggests a good way to do something, I'll agree and say "C is for cookie!".

Nobody ever gets it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYHJA

You see, I don't get from this that Cookie eats too many cookies... What I get from this is that CTW is going to use Cookie Monster to teach good eating habits...

Quite frankly if I was working at CTW and wanted to give a lesson on making good eating choices I too would choose a character who is known for eating... Besides, it isn't like they are saying cookies are bad or that Cookie Monster shouldn't eat cookies or even stop eating them in his monsterly way... He's still Cookie Monster. He's just learning a new lesson... just like Big Bird learned a new lesson when Mr. Hooper died (that might be a little before your time... I was part of the first group to be raised on the show).

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickentribs

I would agree with ustwo if they tried to introduce the AIDS muppet in the US... but in Africa where you have the adult population approaching 30%+ infected and dying it seems that a lot of children would be scared and confused and it was the responsible thing to do. Turning a blind eye is not a comfort they can afford over there.

My point exactly.

Mr Mephisto

Bert and Ernie touched me.

/just saying

I'm surprised we haven't seen any "Bert is evil" comments or pictures.

Isn't he the Devil's Son Incarnate?

http://www.bertisevil.tv/

And yes, it's true that Bert appears on posters supporting Bin Laden and Al-Queda. http://www.snopes.com/rumors/bert.htm

It just gets curiouser and curiouser...

Mr Mephisto

Oh Mephisto, you are such a cynic... Sure, Bert was running with a bit of rough trade there for a while... But, nothing, and I mean nuttin' could deny the magic of true love ! Hey, if those crazy kids can make it - maybe, just maybe, there's a little hope for the rest of us?
Rubber Ducky, you're the one...

He used to be such a happy guy... now look at what they've done to him!

http://kipesquire.powerblogs.com/fil...ire-cookie.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

I guess it's a societal thing - if you wan't to put AIDS sufferers in with crack addict, a hooker, and some gang bangers then that's your call, it is a peripheral problem in western society. But if the kids are going to grow up in a society where it is a far more common problem - then I think it's a good thing to have a character representation.