Early seasons of “Sesame Street” are now available on DVD, but don’t even think about buying them for your children.
Volumes I and II of the classic children’s educational program boast a warning label that reads: “These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.”
This great NY Times column tells all about the warning label — and takes older “Sesame Street” viewers like me down memory lane.
According to the column, “Sesame Street” producers say early episodes of the show contain messages that aren’t appropriate for children today. For example, Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, used to appear with a pipe, which he later gobbled. Smoking and eating pipes, executives say, model the wrong behavior.
I certainly agree that children shouldn’t ingest pipes.
This paragraph from the column describes another problem with the early episodes:
On the first episode, Oscar seems irredeemably miserable — hypersensitive, sarcastic, misanthropic. (Bert, too, is described as grouchy; none of the characters, in fact, is especially sunshiney except maybe Ernie, who also seems slow.) “We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now,” said (a “Sesame Street” producer).
And, of course, Cookie Monster’s weakness has always been controversial:
As for Cookie Monster, he can be seen in the old-school episodes in his former inglorious incarnation: a blue, googly-eyed cookievore with a signature gobble (“om nom nom nom”). … Cookie Monster was never a righteous figure. His controversial conversion to a more diverse diet wouldn’t come until 2005, and in the early seasons he comes across a Child’s First Addict.
Personally, Elmo, who joined the cast in the late ’90s, makes me the most nervous. Is it not blatantly obvious that this kid is on some sort of illegal stimulant?
I loved Sesame Street when I was a kid! My kids get one show a day (I have been called the TV nazi by several members of my family) and Susie (the 4 year old) picks Sesame Street EVERYDAY. What is funny is that I enjoy listening to her watch it as well. Elmo is a little too perky most days, but I would be too if I never got any older than a 3 year old monster. I want to be a 29 year old woman for the rest of my life!
I know, it won’t work, esp. since I’m already 33. It was a great show then (and so was the Electric Company and 3, 2, 1 Contact, do you remember those?) and still is great now….aside from the pipe ingestions….:)
Interesting article. I also happen to enjoy watching Sesame Street with Laura.
Of course, you know how I feel about Cookie Monster. He has been known to pass down his unmannerly eating behavior to Laura..however, that of course can be a good teaching moment as well.
I read this article too. Very interesting. . .
Ok I remember cookie monster having a pipe. When Anna starting watching S.S. I wondered where the pipe went. It is better that the pipe is gone. I also think that kids do not get all that stuff – it is just a fun show to entertain them so mom can get a shower!