GOP Grouchy Over HIV Muppet

[matleo]

Originally posted by Drtooth
I'm just a liberal. I've become what I've hated!!!

I feel your pain, buddy. And I want you to know...we're gonna get through it together!!

FOZI3BEAR-- quick get the rubber chicken! Stat!!! We need to slap Dr.Tooth upside the head!!

 

[Drtooth]

That's okay. Spiralling over!

 

[MuppetQuilter]

Capt Crouton-- Sesame Street was not dumbed down for younger viewers because it is not a strong show. The people behind Sesame Street-- a team comprised of television professionals, child psychologists, sociologists, educators and other experts-- regularly rework the show, or parts of the show to make it the best show they can.

The Sesame Street core audience, that is the majority of the people watching, have been getting younger for years. What works well for a six year old may not work for a three year old. Sesame Street responds to the needs of its audience by tweaking the show and keeping it age appropriate. While, as an adult Muppet fan, I have been slow to accept some of the changes, as a parent I whole heartedly support them.

The ever increasing number of children's shows has increased competition for Sesame Street. The declining social constraints on television for young kids means younger children are watching. People used to believe two year olds were too young for TV and would not enjoy it nor understand it. We can still debate whether a two year old-- or a one year old-- should watch television but most of us have come to realise a child that young does enjoy it and is able to comprehend some of it.

So, as I see it, Sesame is responding to consumer demand. It it the show's ability to change and stay current that keeps it as the model of children's programming.

It is an odd time in this country when Jerry Falwell supports a 'liberal' idea and some of the Republicans in congress do not. Especially when it is something happening on the other side of the world.

Too bad we can't have these lawmakers work on getting American drug companies to offer more HIV and AIDS medications to African nations at reduced prices.... Now that would truly be helpful.

 

[matleo]

MQ is right,
Elmo's World was actually created in response to other interactive shows like "Blue's Clues 'and....and...I don't know there was another interactive show at the time that was real big and now I can't remember. but yeah it was revamped to compete with a lot of the educationak stuff that Nickelodeon and such have been doing. It's all part of the game. I agree that I as an adult don't care much for the new SS but as a pare...as some one who may one day have children I understand. Yes, an argumanet can be made that playing to parents and kids and trying not to be like the other shows is what sets SS apart but in more recent years other shows have come along and broken ground that SS hasn't. SS is following the trend. I still think of SS as being ground breaking. Anyon who has seen any of their 9-11 episodes can see that but adapting to the news style is what is going to keep kids watching it and help it survive. Now you guys know I'm as big a Muppet fan as anyone else here, and miss my old street, but it's a street where "kids come first" and we gotta accept that.

Oh if there is anything in thisthread that makes me doubt my support of the HIV-Muppet it's that for once I AGREE WITH JERRY FALWELL!!! What's that about???

--Matt

 

[Drtooth]

Originally posted by matleo
The Republicans have been looking for an excuse to cut funding in Public Television for years without looking like the bad guys. Remember Newt Gingrich?? Believe me. An HIV-Muppet is a front.

I know someone quoted this exact same thing a while ago, but I agree. Sure PBS has it's share of Klunkers, like Jay Jay the Airplane (the trid ripoff of Tomas the Tankengine), and Teletubbies (I still don't get that), but it's the only network to attempt culture. These are the SAME people who stress family values and stuff. They do nothing to stop Mr. Jerry Springer from his "Here comes the...(ehhem..)" shows spreading oh so many bad messages into our youth (I, as an artist, say that things like this are okay if done artistically).

Basically they just want to pull funding, and scam middle class and lower out of tax dollars to keep GOP supporters rolling in caviar and champagne at various campagnes, also at the tax payers expense!

So if I were in charge, I'd pull funding from G. W. Bush!!! (Sorry! I voted for Gore!)

 

[matleo]

Originally posted by Drtooth


Sorry! I voted for Gore!

I'm sorry you voted for Gore too. but it's okay buddy we'll get through this thing together. Kev, the rubber chicken, again!!!!

Just kidding, I voted Gore too!! lesser of 2 evils and all.

--Matt

Johnny Fiamma: Whadda ya mean, ya voted for Dukakis????

 

[Smig]

Personally, I think both Republicans AND Democrats are screwballs, and that elections these days are more like choosing the lesser of two evils...

Republicans claim that we shouldn't have to pay taxes on "social services" like PBS. Does that mean that taxes would be lowered once they gutted those programs? NO! It just means all that extra money would just go right into their pockets!!

But basically, I believe there's no real difference between the Republicans and Demorats anymore. We might as well do away with the elephant and donkey icons and just give them both a more proper symbol..

BIG, GREEDY, PIGS!!!

Chris

 

[frogboy4]

Smig

I agree with you entirely! Kudos to Smig!