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Rosewood
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Elmo. He's cute. He's sweet. He makes kids smile. And the possible thought of him teaching our kids to do something we, (or at least I), would not want a child to be taught is simply inconceivable, right? Well, believe it or not, the other day I witnessed it with my own eyes! Let me explain.
The other day I was watching SS with my kids, like I always do, and they happened to show the re-run of #4042 - (the one where Gordon kindley offers to take Elmo to the ball game). At first it was cute and funney and silly, as Telly and Baby Bear both do outrageous things to prove that they would be the best sitter for Dorothy, (who Gordon had FINALLY been able to get Elmo to agree to leave at home). But then, when Gordon puts a stop to all the nonsense between Baby Bear and Telly trying to prove themselves, he finally puts his foot down, (which, IMO, should have been done even sooner), and makes Elmo, (who, by now, is making them miss the start of the game), decide. Elmo, being himself, decided to leave the ultimate decision to Dorothy. Now we know goldfish don't talk - even my 3 year old knows that. And actually the ultimate decision rested on Elmo. It was Elmo's next statement that was the ultimate kicker for me. "Dorothy says that Dorothy wants - Elmo." Now, granted, I give the script writers the majority of the blame for this , because, when Gordon finally gave in and agreed to let Elmo bring her along, I was speachless! IMO, my kids had just received a 101 class on how to "get your way" in things! When I was "Elmo's age" my parents had already trained me to always respect your elders, what the basics of "good" and "bad" manners were, and that, if someone offered me a gift, (like a trip to a base ball game), that I was to accept it graciously, be happy with what I had, and not ask for more. To do so would be impolite. Now I know Elmo put up the fact that he might just have to miss the game, which could have been a viable solution; but, if so, then Gordon should have let the concequences follow the action, and left him home instead of finally caveing in to Elmo's wishes. That is why I was dissapointed with the script writers in this case. I, for one, do not want my kids thinking that they can always get what they want by doing what Elmo did on this episode
The other day I was watching SS with my kids, like I always do, and they happened to show the re-run of #4042 - (the one where Gordon kindley offers to take Elmo to the ball game). At first it was cute and funney and silly, as Telly and Baby Bear both do outrageous things to prove that they would be the best sitter for Dorothy, (who Gordon had FINALLY been able to get Elmo to agree to leave at home). But then, when Gordon puts a stop to all the nonsense between Baby Bear and Telly trying to prove themselves, he finally puts his foot down, (which, IMO, should have been done even sooner), and makes Elmo, (who, by now, is making them miss the start of the game), decide. Elmo, being himself, decided to leave the ultimate decision to Dorothy. Now we know goldfish don't talk - even my 3 year old knows that. And actually the ultimate decision rested on Elmo. It was Elmo's next statement that was the ultimate kicker for me. "Dorothy says that Dorothy wants - Elmo." Now, granted, I give the script writers the majority of the blame for this , because, when Gordon finally gave in and agreed to let Elmo bring her along, I was speachless! IMO, my kids had just received a 101 class on how to "get your way" in things! When I was "Elmo's age" my parents had already trained me to always respect your elders, what the basics of "good" and "bad" manners were, and that, if someone offered me a gift, (like a trip to a base ball game), that I was to accept it graciously, be happy with what I had, and not ask for more. To do so would be impolite. Now I know Elmo put up the fact that he might just have to miss the game, which could have been a viable solution; but, if so, then Gordon should have let the concequences follow the action, and left him home instead of finally caveing in to Elmo's wishes. That is why I was dissapointed with the script writers in this case. I, for one, do not want my kids thinking that they can always get what they want by doing what Elmo did on this episode
) There's just no moderation to Elmo at all. And then they needlessly put Elmo on DVD's and VHS's because they know parents will want to get Elmo whenever they see that little bugger. 