Posted on 08/14/2015 4:51:37 PM PDT by RightGeek
Every time Republicans have threatened to end funding for the Public Broadcasting System and its radio cousin at National Public Radio, we all knew what to expect. Liberal supporters of the networks would trot out Big Bird, Elmo, Kermit, and the rest of the adorable “Sesame Street” gang of Muppets. Generations of Americans children have grown up with the PBS show. Rather than being forced to defend the indefensible notion of a taxpayer-funded government broadcasting system in the age of cable and the Internet, the argument instead turned into one about mean conservatives trying to pull the plug on a big yellow bird that everybody loves. Mitt Romney was dogged by liberal demonstrators during his 2012 campaign by people in Big Bird costumes because of his belief that PBS no longer deserved funding. The outcome of such discussions was always a foreordained conclusion. PBS kept the money and rational discourse about the preservation of an obsolete paradigm was shelved. But the next time the GOP tries to defund PBS, and they should the next chance they get, it shouldn’t be possible for Big Bird and his fans to influence the debate. The decision of the Sesame Workshop, the non-profit that operates the show, to move to the HBO premium cable network makes good business sense. It also ought to signal to even the most ideological supporters of the public system that their day is over.
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I can’t wait to see the Cookie Monster host Real Time.
I just waiting for Downtown Abbey be on HBO that be epic
I hate Muppets. Especially the ones they had on SNL back in the day.
They can’t be gone too soon.
Oh, how mean of me.
You know they want $17 to watch that channel unless there is a special?
I always intensely disliked Sesame Street. To me, it always had a demeaning, condescending tone towards the children it was presumably educating.
I grew up with Captain Kangaroo. As I recall, it was fun, and not so blatantly “educational” as Sesame Street.
I was 9 when Sesame Street first aired. Sure, I was a little older than its target audience—but, considering how much I loathed Mr. Rogers (aimed for slightly older children)—I doubt I would have liked it had it first aired when I was within its target age group.
and radio
and everything else the government funds.
I expect there will be someone making one of those somewhere on the internet.
There is still stuff on PBS I see, but most of it is music or nature related. Nothing political or about news. I just see Nature and travel shows occasionally and concerts when passing by. I don’t watch left wing junk. It should be defunded.
Well It is contradictory that Seasme Street left to HBO when ABC has a Muppets show on the schedule this fall. S.S. left because of the lack of funding, but Jim Henson bankrolled a show that will be on ABC.
I guess those muppets are not for everyone. Some people feel they are childish since in the last 45 years plus they have been marketed for children, but originally they were used in a bunch of different things.
I burned out on them years and years ago myself.
Actually, it’s “Downton” Abbey and it’s next season will be it’s last.
If you view the first seasons of Sesame St, there is a disclaimer that it is not for young people to view. Supposedly Bert, Kermit, and the Cookie Monster actually become angry. Also, there are circumstances that are no longer thought appropriate for children. Watch them and see what wusses we have become. Google “Sesame Street warning” or go to this:
http://theweek.com/articles/454359/10-classic-sesame-street-moments-wouldnt-show-todays-kids
Furthermore, I think the Grimm brothers had it right. There are monsters in the world and we need to act appropriately in relation to these monsters. They are not our friends. Sesame St seeks to teach everyone is ok and there is no such thing as evil.
“Parenting 101”
Ages 1-2 years old: teach to stand & talk.
Ages 2-18 years old: teach to sit down & shut up.
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