It Looks Like Christmas...

[wwfpooh]

They do if they see Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, instead of the secular fest of a fat guy with a white beard and presents and trees.

The problem is that not everybody believes that. That discussion sadly now belongs in the Church thread.

Elmo: "Pre-order right awaaaayyyyy!"
(As Elmo sings a store clerk sticks a price tag and barcode on Elmo's back with a price gun).

Whatnot Shopper #1: "Hey! There's one!"

Whatnot Shopper #2: "It's mine! Outta my way!"

Elmo: "What the--" (notices price tag) "No no no! Elmo not an Elmo! Elmo mean, Elmo's not an Elmo Elmo! Elmo's just Elmo! Help!" (Elmo runs off with now a dozen crazed shoppers in pursuit).

As much as Elmo's over-saturation has "ruined" Sesame Street for so many classic fans, you cannot put the blame on Elmo--or Kevin Clash--when kids are eating the stuff up. As such, Elmo did not deserve that parody, IMO.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I enjoy both the spiritual and secular aspects of Christmas. I acknowledge the spiritual aspects of every holiday, Christian or not. Whether people are of one particular faith or not, the message is for everyone.

The idea that everyone on Earth deserves good will. And you know, everyone says Christmas is a time to be happy and cheerful and all. When so many people are miserable and stressed during this time of year, they think there's something wrong with them. But you know, the very first Christmas was all about over coming adversity and finding hope despite troubles. It's not about having no troubles, it's about overcoming them. In that way it's a very inspiring holiday, for everybody, even in troubled times like this.

 

[wwfpooh]

Well said heralde. The meaning of Christmas--of goodwill towards all persons and peace on Earth--is something to truly keep year-round. It is the commercialist aspects that need to be packed in boxes each year. XD

Great...Now, I have carols ringing in my head! ^_^

 

[CensoredAlso]

Well said heralde. The meaning of Christmas--of goodwill towards all persons and peace on Earth--is something to truly keep year-round. It is the commercialist aspects that need to be packed in boxes each year. XD

Ooooo, that's nice! Seriously, did you come up with that?

I try to tell people, the over secularization of Christmas has its origins in the commercialism. Even people who celebrate the spiritual aspects put too much emphasis on the presents and the decorations and all. Christmas is a birthday, and there should be celebration and partying, certainly. But if you're into the spiritual part, you can't forget the birthday boy.

 

[wwfpooh]

Ooooo, that's nice! Seriously, did you come up with that?

Yeah. Just came to me, really.

But if you're into the spiritual part, you can't forget the birthday boy.

And even if you're not, the true meaning of Christmas--no matter who symbolizes it--should shine through, no matter what!

 

[Convincing John]

As much as Elmo's over-saturation has "ruined" Sesame Street for so many classic fans, you cannot put the blame on Elmo--or Kevin Clash--when kids are eating the stuff up. As such, Elmo did not deserve that parody, IMO.

(Sigh)...where to begin?

First up, it was just a parody. It was meant to be silly, to be a playful approach joking about the ridiculous way stores promote Christmas way too early. If this had been 1981, the tag would've gone on Miss Piggy's back. (Although the sales clerk would've been karate chopped). Other Muppets got the short end of the stick in this parody, too. (Poor Kermit!)

Second, the kids are eating this stuff up because they do see Elmo so much. Any toy store is guaranteed to have something featuring him. As we all know, Elmo is SW's (at first unintentional, yet now heavily promoted) cash cow. (On the opposite side of the coin, Abby Cadabby was designed to have merchandise made after her). To be fair, Rosie O'Donnell shares some of the blame (from 1996). Did Tickle Me Elmos cause chaos that Christmas? Yes. Was he scalped? Yes. Ten years later the whole thing happened again, only worse in some cases. This year, it'll be the same thing. To be fair, the blame could be also shared by whatever "Kamino branch" at SW decided to market yet another wave of these things...

"And now to business. You will be delighted to hear we are on schedule. Two hundred thousand units are ready, with another million well on the way..."

"Ha ha hee hee ha..."

"Magnificent, aren't they?"

Can we blame Kevin Clash or Elmo for the kids eating this stuff up?

As for Elmo, from a design standpoint, yes. Elmo is bright red--a color that stands out bolder against the rest. (And psychologically makes people more alert at that. Children are especially receptive to this). Red gets a stronger reaction from people than any other color. Hence its use in STOP signs, etc.

Next up, Elmo is (often) loud. Yes, he can be sweet and quiet, but the loud laughing is what also catches kids' attention (and is what sells these dolls). By the same principle, the same attention-getting techniques apply to a fire truck, toy or real. It's red and loud too (not to mention grating on parents' nerves). It also catches kids' attention. When one screams by, kids run to the window to see it.

If circumstances permitted, Elmo might have kept his original, whispery, gravelly voice and later could have been hued the same blue as Maurice Monster. If Elmo wound up like that, there would be no Tickle Me Elmos on the shelves today. I'll retract that statement when "Tickle-Me-Maurices" hit the shelves.

Can Kevin Clash be blamed for kids eating this stuff up? Well...there was a SS documentary where a member of SW's personnel told him to "tone down on the laugh". He then responed with a "Look at all the Tickle Me Elmos that sold because of the laugh!" type of statement. If he didn't want Elmo to have so much exposure, he can have a say in at least some of the character's exposure onscreen and in merchandising. Certainly I would've after reading this.

Remember, Kevin Clash is Elmo.

Or he could take a completely different route by inventing a new character. Or even retire if he wanted to. I'm sure he's got enough dough. (After all, "Elmo gets paid by the Elmo").

But more Elmo exposure will happen (it has, actually, there's a 5 foot cardboard "Elmo Live" display at Toys R Us right now with pre-ordering slips). The chaos is going to happen again. Check eBay right when the new animatronic "Elmo Live" is released.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled topic of ridiculously early Christmas promotions and decorations.

I'm going to check out Macy's and Spencers Gifts to see what's going on there this weekend. So far, Macy's doesn't have their Christmas stuff up yet.

As for what Christmas is really all about, Robin put it very well when he told the Fraggles "That's when you gather together with the people you love and you wish each other peace on earth."

Well put, Robin.

Convincing John

 

[CensoredAlso]

"Life would just pass in a blur if it weren't for times like this."

 

[Convincing John]

Precisely! I wondered if it was Jim who thought that line up or Jerry Juhl. Either way, it's a beautiful way to describe whatever winter holiday you celebrate: the importance of togetherness.

Of course, sometimes it's the importance of tolerating everyone in one house at once and maintianing your sanity. This is displayed with both the Muppets and the Griswolds.

Here's another thing about early Christmas stuff. Ever notice there's got to be someone on your block who either a: puts their lights up in September or b: leaves them up all year because they forgot to take 'em down?

Here's another weird Halloween/Christmas crossover. (Peter Griffin impression: "Y'know what really grinds my gears?") Y'know those orange leaf bags with the pumpkin faces on them? They look good with the Halloween stuff, but there are always people who leave them outside throughout November, then just put the Christmas yard stuff up right alongside them! By then, the bags have split and look terrible. Half a ripped Jack O' Lantern face bursting with decaying leaves does not go well displayed next to the light-up Nativity set.

Convincing John

 

[CensoredAlso]

Half a ripped Jack O' Lantern face bursting with decaying leaves does not go well displayed next to the light-up Nativity set.

Hehe, though it does remind me of a Munster's Christmas!

 

[wwfpooh]

Hehe, though it does remind me of a Munster's Christmas!

And the same would apply for the Addams', as well. But in all seriousness, the true meaning of the holidays--no matter what--is to have peace on earth and be with those you care for and who care for you. Regarding Elmo though, one would think Kevin would realize the problems that his dolls have caused. Yes, they sell, but it is not worth dyin' over!