exelis said:
Am I the only one that finds it sad that they spent tens of thousands of dollars researching this character (who is pretty boring so far, not that they used her in that many episodes this season, despite the fanfare)?
Sad yes, but I think Abby Kadabby is Monsterously annoying, and the worst thing to come out of SS in some time. Her incessant catchphrases seem planned out, and while the puppeteer has talent, I think the character is horrible to begin with.
Jim Henson created the muppets from his heart, and ran with them. I know that it's difficult to even come close to the genius that Jim embodied, but come on. That much research pretty much ensures a dull, lifeless, overly-PC, underimagined character.
The problem? Some of Jim's best characters aren't exactly P.C. Miss Piggy and Janice are both played by men, and the Chef? That musta upset some Swedes. Oscar isn't P.C., and neither is Cookie Monster (especially with all that foofarah about him eating veggies, which was blown out of proportion)
I'm not bashing the Elmo wave, either. Kevin Clash has done great keeping Sesame alive after Jim's passing and Frank naturally progressing to other creative outlets. Elmo may not be everyone's cup of tea (though I think a big part of that is his sudden overexposure and continued singular prominence), but at least Kevin picked up the muppet and made it his own, without surveys, field testing, social agenda or even a penny more than his salary. I confess that he isn't my favorite muppet, either, but I respect the work that Kevin has done and how he has touched children's minds and hearts.
That is with out a doubt the most beautiful thing I have ever heard about Elmo. Sure, a lot of so called die hards hate him, and even I think he gets waaaay too much screen time, but little kids LOVE him to death. He is cute. He is cuddly. I liked Elmo when I was younger, even though he didn't do too much then. I remeber he had some excellent
I -deeeeeee-ahs for Games with Kermit. I went through an "I hate Elmo" phase because of the Tickle me fad (I even didn't like SS for a time in High School, I'm well over it). But I realized the character is so passionately performed by Kevin, and to look at all the other characrters he performs, he has an AMAZING range. Heck... he even performed a puppet version of LeVar Burton once.
But, Abby seems like a contractual obligation. Her episodes were routine, "hey! Someone's new to Sesame Street! Let's see how she interacts with the other characters," much like that one actual human handicapped girl from a few years back. Plus, I do think the Puppet looks very Un Sesame like. I like how they're going new directions in Puppet Designs (I never thought I'd see the day a Richard Belzer Muppet would be made, and it looks perfectly like him!) But the cute, big blue eyes... nahh... looks out of place.
So, I guess she's going to Lulu, Mary Monster, Biff's daughter (or niece) pergatory, and never be seen again... unless they plan to have her in next season more... I sure hope not, though.
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But maybe there should be a Grouch girl who's not eager to learn...and likes to play football with the guys.....or likes hopping on Pogo Sticks....
