Sesame Street sold out!

[In a hurry]

Even though all of the experts say that infants/toddlers should not watch TV, the big old $$$$ won! I am so disappointed in them! They say theirs are "different!"

And, no, I am not saying that parents that allow their babies to watch are bad parents etc. If it weren't for Barney, there were evenings my family wouldn't have dinner!

 

[CathrynRose]

What'd they do?

 

[In a hurry]

They are coming out with their own line of videos to compete in the "Little Einstein" market.

 

[becka]

I love Sesame Street for my kids (yes even my 14 month old daughter) and I don't think they have done anything wrong here. There is a market for this type of material and those of us who do not feel that TV is evil for the under 2 crowd will be glad to have another good option to show our kids. I don't just plop my daughter down in front of the TV for hours but I am there and I watch with her and we play along during the shows. Buying a video is no different than watching on TV except now we can watch on our schedule rather than PBS or Noggin's schedule.

I think the vast majority of what is on TV is not good for pre-schoolers and young toddlers but there is quality programming available that IMHO does not harm but actually may help and it does a great job entertaining as well and what parent doesn't love help in entertaining a 1 year old? My kids love shows like Seasame Street, Play with me Sesame, Dora the Explorer, Diego, Clifford, Jack's Big Music Show, etc.. I don't have any qualms with letting either of my kids watch these shows on a regular basis. Even shows that are not always so educational can sometimes be great for kids IMHO like my son loves Krypto the Superdog. Nothing educational about it but it is fun for him and that counts with me.

 

[Teejay32]

Here ya go:


Experts Rip 'Sesame' TV Aimed at Tiniest Tots

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/20/AR2006032001801.html

 

[In a hurry]

I am not saying I believe TV is evil.

I just believe it to be a hypocritical move on their part. As far as they are concerned, all other TV for babies is "bad" (to put it simply), but their's is "good."

eta: Thanks Teejay! I can never get a link to work!

 

[jekajekalynn]

Well I think Sesame Street sold out when they devoted their show to that annoying shrill voiced red muppet..

 

[In a hurry]

Well I think Sesame Street sold out when they devoted their show to that annoying shrill voiced red muppet..

You may have a point there...

 

[Teejay32]

you're welcome IAH.

I think both of my kids could work the VCR at 24 months, so I'll just stick to posting links...

 

[mrsv98]

Here is an idea for all the parents who feel "betrayed"......don't buy the dvds! Geesh, people, get a grip, the money generated from the dvds will allow them to continue to produce Sesame Street in an age of budget cuts and rising produciton costs. Unless someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy the dvd, I don't see an issue here.

 

[Maleficent13]

Well I think Sesame Street sold out when they devoted their show to that annoying shrill voiced red muppet..

Sesame jumped the shark the day the little annoying mound of fur was created. I never understood the need for it, either.

In regards to the OP, I had no idea about any of these goings on, so I'm not sure I have an opinion...I'll have to think about it.

becka: we LOVE Jack's Big Music Show at our house!! I've never heard anyone else mention it.

 

[rayelias]

Even though all of the experts say that infants/toddlers should not watch TV, the big old $$$$ won! I am so disappointed in them! They say theirs are "different!"

You're just figuring this out now?!?

I'm a BIG fan of Sesame Street, and I credit them for a large part of my education and learning abilities.

But, "poor ol' Sesame Street," who needs your contributions to stay afloat on "poor public television" makes TENS if not HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of DOLLARS!!! Jeez, the proceeds from Tickle Me Elmo alone could probably fund ALL of public television. Yet, they "need our charity" to "maintain the quality programming" you see every day.

Give me a break.

Sesame Street is (and has been) big business for a while.

I think it's great, EXCEPT they take government funds and ask for donations. There's nothing wrong with making a profit. But, if you're making a profit and still receiving subsidies from the government, including HUGE tax breaks for a non-essential resource, that's where I have a problem.

 

[jekajekalynn]

I can KINDOF see why they shifted focus to Elmo.

When they shifted the show from Big Birds point of view to Elmo's. It was around the time after Jim Henson died. I think to save face for the little kids who would KNOW something was off with Big Birds/Ernies/ and whatnot voice , they had to change the scope.

Now though , I can hardly tell the difference between Brian and Jims voice so I pray for the day Elmo goes on an extended vacation to Grouch land.

BTW I watched Sesame Street WELL out of the recommended preschool age ...lol

Also, for those of us who miss classic Sesame Street, word on the Street is that within the next two years they are going to release some dvd sets of Classic Sesame Street.

 

[In a hurry]

Here is an idea for all the parents who feel "betrayed"......don't buy the dvds! Geesh, people, get a grip, the money generated from the dvds will allow them to continue to produce Sesame Street in an age of budget cuts and rising produciton costs. Unless someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy the dvd, I don't see an issue here.

Eek Gads! Kind of harsh! It was a conversation starter about a company that has jumped ship from looking out for kids and education as opposed to making money.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Dont buy the DVDs and turn the TV off. I see nothing wrong with the DVDS. My 19mo loves watching the baby Einstein DVDs. I will buy my kids these Sesame Street DVD's also.

 

[In a hurry]

I can KINDOF see why they shifted focus to Elmo.

When they shifted the show from Big Birds point of view to Elmo's. It was around the time after Jim Henson died. I think to save face for the little kids who would KNOW something was off with Big Birds/Ernies/ and whatnot voice , they had to change the scope.

Now though , I can hardly tell the difference between Brian and Jims voice so I pray for the day Elmo goes on an extended vacation to Grouch land.

BTW I watched Sesame Street WELL out of the recommended preschool age ...lol

Also, for those of us who miss classic Sesame Street, word on the Street is that within the next two years they are going to release some dvd sets of Classic Sesame Street.

I was well into grade school when it came out! We'd come home, grab a snack and watch many a cold rainy day!

I can't wait for the classics video!

 

[Bob Slydell]

I thought the new Sesame Street baby videos looked cute.

 

[becka]

becka: we LOVE Jack's Big Music Show at our house!! I've never heard anyone else mention it.

It's a great show isn't it? We stumbled across it one day and it has become one of our favorites. We are all now big fans of Laurie Berkner as well thanks to that show.

Elmo does seem to have too big of a role on SS IMO but my kids LOVE him. Elmo (and Cookie Monster to a lesser degree) are the two characters my DD loves the most and she loves seeing them in books and on toys, etc.. She just points and giggles and starts talking excitedly. Elmo is like a drug to the one year old set...they just can't get enough of him!

 

[Teejay32]

Also, for those of us who miss classic Sesame Street, word on the Street is that within the next two years they are going to release some dvd sets of Classic Sesame Street.

That's a maybe, but I'm definitely getting the Electric Company sometime soon.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I may be in the minority on this "issue", but I think it's great that Sesame Street is putting out these videos. Hmmm...I must be crazy, but I think Elmo is as loveable as can be.

The Baby Einstein videos are wonderful for babies, but they lack the sweetness that the Sesame Street characters have. I'm looking forward to seeing how they do these videos.