Your Thoughts: Sesame Street Season 38

[Ilikemuppets]

That, I think, was Frank's Bert, but I'm not sure.

Recent or old, unscripted moments are often a joy to see. No matter which Grover you see, its all cute and adorable.

Yup, that was Frank, And it was him in all the Grover clips, too.

 

[Drtooth]

As posted here, I gotta agree with Frank Oz on what he said:

Q: How do you feel about the direction "Sesame Street" has gone in, from the early days when you and Jim Henson worked on it?
A: It's just become a kids show, instead of a hip show. I've told them that, so many times - there's nothing I can do. I've given a master class in that stuff, but they don't get it. They're very nice people, and there are some really gifted people there. But the show was begun by people who were actually performers and actors.
The business now, it's mainly about people who are more executive, and people who come from television, and there's a difference, I think. I don't often watch the show, but I did a little bit, to see how it's going, and it's become a little kiddie show, and it's very sad. It was never like that with Jim and I, and everyone else back then. We always f - - - ed around, and did it for ourselves, and that's changed. I probably should be politic and diplomatic - but I'm not. \]

That seems to be the problem, and I agree... but then, you can't have a show stay the way it has for 40 years. not to mention the meddling psycologists and educators that helped SS in the beginning, but control it now. And the fact that parents take SS for granted as a "let's dump little Johnny in front of the TV. He's almost a week old now! He can manage."

But then of course, SS started out as a show for kids 5-8, now it's like 2-4 at most. It is sad, but I still think it is the highest quality TV show out there. If you don't believe me, look at everything else. it's horrible.

But then which "character" do I see in this spot? A broccoli. Is Sesame Workshop that obsessed with nutrition now that main characters take a backseat to anonymous talking vegetables? What's the kid supposed to do, take a chomp out of him at the end of the sketch?

As I've said before, anything to pretend to curb the obesity problem without adressing any important issues as to why it happened.

I still think its a good segment. Even though no kid on Earth likes Broccolli.

 

[CensoredAlso]

That seems to be the problem, and I agree... but then, you can't have a show stay the way it has for 40 years. not to mention the meddling psycologists and educators that helped SS in the beginning, but control it now. And the fact that parents take SS for granted as a "let's dump little Johnny in front of the TV. He's almost a week old now! He can manage."

But then of course, SS started out as a show for kids 5-8, now it's like 2-4 at most. It is sad, but I still think it is the highest quality TV show out there. If you don't believe me, look at everything else. it's horrible.

I do agree with Dr. Tooth, parents just put their kids in front of the TV and just trust it "must be good." I don't want to get into it too much here, but I think SS was working for kids before, and I'd rather have it stay the way it was another 40 years, heh. From what I see now, the show is not the popular power house it once was, despite all the changes that are supposed to make it better.

I personally agree with the experts who say 1 to 2 year olds do not benefit from TV watching. And unfortunately, I don't agree that SS is still the highest quality show. I really wish I could.

 

[Drtooth]

=
I personally agree with the experts who say 1 to 2 year olds do not benefit from TV watching. And unfortunately, I don't agree that SS is still the highest quality show. I really wish I could.

Because the low quality ones corrupted it. I've been saying that for years.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I agree, I mean, Barney is the kind of show that will appeal to the masses, but doesn't necessarily equal quality. You see those kinds of shows forever populating primetime, and unfortunately they creep into children's entertainment as well, heh.

That's why I say it's not enough if the intended audience is watching. It should also be good in itself, especially if it's for education. But that is a drawback of trying to teach with Television; you are subject to the ratings.

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

Does anyone think the Elephant should have been Big Bird in the "Dancing with Triangles" skit? Sometimes I feel like the Elephant will replace him in the future. *knocks on wood that he doesn't*

Pardon me for getting out of order. My local station and my work schedule is messed up. Lol. Anyway, I saw the 'triangle lover' ep for the first time today. I can't think of too much to say that hasn't already been said. I haven't really thought much about Horatio replacing Big Bird. I guess it's not impossible, because the character is kind of clumsy and dopey like Big Bird was in the first season. But it is pretty unlikely that he'll evolve into the way Big Bird is now. I'm sure Big Bird isn't really going anywhere. I think they're just cutting down on his airtime so they can experiment with new characters and new sketches. There also probably still trying to decide if Carroll will be able to continue with the character or if Matt will take over anytime soon. I think I mentioned this already in another thread, so I won't go into too much detail on that. I was pretty interested that Telly was in nearly every scene in this episode. Usually they do that with Elmo. We can all cross our fingers that maybe we'll have a Big Bird heavy episode coming up.

 

[Drtooth]

Pardon me for getting out of order. My local station and my work schedule is messed up. Lol. Anyway, I saw the 'triangle lover' ep for the first time today. I can't think of too much to say that hasn't already been said. I haven't really thought much about Horatio replacing Big Bird. I guess it's not impossible, because the character is kind of clumsy and dopey like Big Bird was in the first season. But it is pretty unlikely that he'll evolve into the way Big Bird is now. I'm sure Big Bird isn't really going anywhere. I think they're just cutting down on his airtime so they can experiment with new characters and new sketches. There also probably still trying to decide if Carroll will be able to continue with the character or if Matt will take over anytime soon. I think I mentioned this already in another thread, so I won't go into too much detail on that. I was pretty interested that Telly was in nearly every scene in this episode. Usually they do that with Elmo. We can all cross our fingers that maybe we'll have a Big Bird heavy episode coming up.

Agreed. The Elephant was only created to make Elephant in Tutu jokes. he's not even much of a character. Even Elmo's a character (though he doesn't show it much by being on so many times). The Elephant is a joke that just won't stop. boy I wish Marty would play him again, and do that erudite British acccent, instead of that Whiney Joey mazzarino voice. I like Joey, but that Elephant was only funny for so long.

I agree, I mean, Barney is the kind of show that will appeal to the masses, but doesn't necessarily equal quality. You see those kinds of shows forever populating primetime, and unfortunately they creep into children's entertainment as well, heh.

That's why I say it's not enough if the intended audience is watching. It should also be good in itself, especially if it's for education. But that is a drawback of trying to teach with Television; you are subject to the ratings.

not just Barney (though he hijacked kid's shows in the 90's) but Nick Jr. they had to formulate the show to be more like those horrendous shows because they were facing stiff competition from them. Hearing characters yell slowly at the top of their lungs.... ugh... even Barney shoving terrible lyrics into public domain songs is more tolerable. But I digress. Same thing I've been saying for years.

 

[Convincing John]

That seems to be the problem, and I agree... but then, you can't have a show stay the way it has for 40 years.

Some TV shows have stayed the same for quite a long time and worked...not quite hitting the 40 year mark, but close. Mister Rogers had the same format and PBS will (hopefully) continue to do so. I guess, (and I was thinking about this) "The Price is Right" falls into the same category. No, it isn't a kids show, but I remember watching it as a kid. As a result, I learned quite a few things about math when I entered school. Again, it's not for kids, really, but I learned from it.

not to mention the meddling psycologists and educators that helped SS in the beginning, but control it now. And the fact that parents take SS for granted as a "let's dump little Johnny in front of the TV. He's almost a week old now! He can manage."

Agreed. Sesame Street is a treasure and shouldn't be taken for granted.

But then of course, SS started out as a show for kids 5-8, now it's like 2-4 at most. It is sad, but I still think it is the highest quality TV show out there. If you don't believe me, look at everything else. it's horrible.

Oh, I believe you. I've seen (bits) of what they show on Nick Jr. and other kiddie fare and...man. (shakes head). I'm very very glad that the Spanish spoken by Maria, Luis, Rosita, Gabi, etc. is flowing and smooth, the way a language should be spoken. Dora however...

Although I will give credit to the show Little Bill. It's not bad. Of course Cosby's behind it, and that makes a difference.

As I've said before, anything to pretend to curb the obesity problem without adressing any important issues as to why it happened.

I still think its a good segment. Even though no kid on Earth likes Broccolli.

See, that's something else. As I said, Captain Vegetable got the message across so much better. I grew up watching SS in the late 70's, and I learned about nutrition from SS...along with so many other things. The "magazine" format of SS worked so well because so many things were introduced (and some repeated) to me and millions of others in just an hour. Thanks to the (shudder) other programs SS has to compete with for the kiddies attention, we get characters who have to shout louder than Dora the Explorer or have a more obnoxious voice than any cartoon character that's the flavor of the month. (Part of the reason, perhaps, that Elmo and the Elephant are so popular).

And you know what? I saw someone eating carrots all throughout my childhood. Every time I saw him, he had a carrot. He (unintentionally) encouraged me to eat my carrots which are (fanfare) HEALTHY! His name? Bugs Bunny.

I hope I'm not going too far off the subject here, but Frank is right. Kids are a lot smarter than what you give them credit for. We don't need to SHOUT and constantly wave flashy colors to get their attention or to educate them. Sometimes it's good for kids to slow down and think about the world around them, too.

Something I miss from today's SS is just that. Not all of Sesame's material and music had to do with a strict, educational target (This is the letter B). Some of it just taught about life in general. Joe Raposo really spoke to me as a kid through those segments.

Some of Raposo's tunes were beautifully philosophical, the way "Peanuts" was (and is) philosophical. Telling kids, "hey, sometimes things are like this and it's OK to feel the way you do about it" or "Keep on trying and have confidence. It's OK." Or..."It's a big, wide world out there, meant to be enjoyed and explored. This is life. That's the world."

Listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwWnoD7X0J8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxBRFGdzfU

And like Jim, Joe did it all being gentle and without raising his voice. The Elephant, however...

Kids are missing out on that music, those messages, those thoughts...and it's sad.

Convincing John

 

[The Count]

Agreed... But please guys... Take this conversation to another thread. Lest I have to remind you, this is meant more to discuss the highlights, and perhaps your other thoughts about the current season's episodes. Discussion of Sesame Street as a whole should be done in a separate thread where all members have ample opportunity to discourse civilly.

Thanks, and hope you can understand why I ask this of my MC bretherend.

 

[Convincing John]

"Sorr-ee"

Will do, Count. Didn't mean to get off track.

Convincing John