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Sesame Street Move Should Mean End of Government TV
Commentary ^ | 8/13/2015 | Jonathan Tobin

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at commentarymagazine.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cpb; npr; pbs; sesamestreet
Time to put the boot in.


1 posted on 08/14/2015 4:51:38 PM PDT by RightGeek
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To: RightGeek
I want a new opening, Game of Thrones style. Have the various residences on Sesame Street popping out of the ground with a slower, more sinister sounding version of the theme song playing.
2 posted on 08/14/2015 5:14:15 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (The 1st amendment is the voice and the 2nd is the teeth of freedom. Obama wants to knock out both.)
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To: RightGeek

I can’t wait to see the Cookie Monster host Real Time.


3 posted on 08/14/2015 5:17:35 PM PDT by A CA Guy ( God Bless America, God Bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: A CA Guy

I just waiting for Downtown Abbey be on HBO that be epic


4 posted on 08/14/2015 5:18:56 PM PDT by SevenofNine (We are Freepers, all your media bases belong to us ,resistance is futile)
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To: RightGeek

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.


5 posted on 08/14/2015 5:21:07 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: SevenofNine

You know they want $17 to watch that channel unless there is a special?


6 posted on 08/14/2015 5:21:23 PM PDT by A CA Guy ( God Bless America, God Bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: RightGeek

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.


7 posted on 08/14/2015 5:40:53 PM PDT by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
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To: RightGeek

Elmo “Ed Bassmaster” Pranks the Pharmacist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxwkyKV8PU4


8 posted on 08/14/2015 5:44:42 PM PDT by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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To: RightGeek

and radio

and everything else the government funds.


9 posted on 08/14/2015 5:55:18 PM PDT by GeronL (Cruz is for real, 100%)
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To: KarlInOhio

I expect there will be someone making one of those somewhere on the internet.


10 posted on 08/14/2015 5:55:58 PM PDT by GeronL (Cruz is for real, 100%)
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To: RightGeek

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.


11 posted on 08/14/2015 6:09:15 PM PDT by Mozilla
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To: SaveFerris

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.


12 posted on 08/14/2015 6:15:32 PM PDT by Mozilla
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To: SevenofNine

Actually, it’s “Downton” Abbey and it’s next season will be it’s last.


13 posted on 08/14/2015 6:33:54 PM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation (Liberals are like the Taliban and ISIS....destroying cultural icons they don't like.)
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To: RightGeek

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.


14 posted on 08/14/2015 7:52:05 PM PDT by rey
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To: RightGeek

“Parenting 101”

Ages 1-2 years old: teach to stand & talk.

Ages 2-18 years old: teach to sit down & shut up.


15 posted on 08/14/2015 8:26:34 PM PDT by wolfman
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