tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post7546632163190634059..comments2024-02-23T05:25:52.036-05:00Comments on steve's blog: Joel Stein: Elmo Is an EvildoerLivemallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-8744704816163830012006-08-20T23:32:00.000-05:002006-08-20T23:32:00.000-05:00Google has had its hand in Blogger for a while. ...Google has had its hand in Blogger for a while. They're apparently ready to make it less transparent. I just hope they don't start charging for Blogger, 'cause that would suck.Livemallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-81699977614611318512006-08-20T17:43:00.000-05:002006-08-20T17:43:00.000-05:00Heather: I think how I absorbed all this pop cult...Heather: I think how I absorbed all this pop culture has a lot to do with a lack of high culture in my early years. We were not patrons of the arts. We did what we could, but really, a whole world of information came with the television age, and there’s only so much that could be taken in. The stuff on TV is what stuck with me. Thankfully, we had PBS, and I still watch it today. It’s the easiest, cheapest way to expand your mind.<br /><br />Concerning Sesame Street in particular, it’s hard not to notice the marketing push the show has taken on of late. Elmo was an unintentional hit, while Abby Cadabby is extremely calculated. This is not a good change.<br /><br />Traditionally, when Muppets have been created to “scratch a marketing itch,” they have failed with consumers and viewers, whereas Muppets with actual character traits that aren’t that appealing on the surface have had lifelong fans. A pointy-headed anal retentive and his goofy, but earnest sidekick? A blue furry blob with an obsessive-compulsive disorder? A nasty green jerk with a bad attitude? All of these are iconic characters, not because they were perfectly suited for marketing, but because they taught kids that being boring, mean, greedy or silly was just as much a part of life as being nice. That why the original Muppets worked.<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder what Jim Henson would think about the latter-day commerciality of the show he helped shoot to the stratosphere. Then again, this is a man (Henson) that built a literal shrine to the almighty dollar. Maybe he wouldn’t be quite as opposed, but then again Sesame Street wasn’t his idea; he just enhanced it.<br /><br />Teletubbies, Barney, and Between the Lions have definitely picked up where Sesame Street left off, as well as Blue’s Clues. I can’t stand Barney, but then again, that’s not my demographic they’re targeting. <br /><br />In any event, none of these shows will ever be as good or as memorable as Sesame Street; there are simply too many distractions now to ever go back to what was. But somebody has to pick up the mantle. There is still a need, and sometimes, looking around, it seems more pertinent than ever.<br /><br />Ken: I think the Elmo bashing proves how universal Sesame Street has become. You wouldn’t have columns devoted to how D.W. from Arthur was ruining America.Livemallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-39648004447300159532006-08-20T07:06:00.000-05:002006-08-20T07:06:00.000-05:00Some people just like to hate on Elmo. He's no Ker...Some people just like to hate on Elmo. He's no Kermit the Frog, or Burt and/or Ernie! Back in the day, I was a fan of the Count and Kermit on SS.<br /><br />I have to admit, I have not watched Sesame Street in years, except to catch REM singing with the "Happy Furry Monsters" on there.<br /><br />KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-79458792577468311462006-08-19T11:03:00.000-05:002006-08-19T11:03:00.000-05:00Marrie: I'm the opposite, as you can tell. I sti...Marrie: I'm the opposite, as you can tell. I still love the Muppets, but could care less about The Wiggles. that's what makes the world go round i guess :-)Livemallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-65806779865443532062006-08-19T11:01:00.000-05:002006-08-19T11:01:00.000-05:00I think Elmo is okay, not as good as the classic M...I think Elmo is okay, not as good as the classic Muppet characters, to be sure, but not horrible. I also think the show devotes way too much time to him. <br /><br />However, I give him an out on the issue when you consider how much noteriety he's brought to what was considered a moribound children's show. He saved <i>Seasame Street</i> from the chopping block by being more or less inescapable.<br /><br />Pre-Superstar Elmo, the original puppeteers were still performing (and approaching retirement age or death) and basically showed up by chance. Bert, Ernie, Grover, and all the rest were slowly disappearing, and the show was being held up by second-rate Muppets like Telly and Baby Bear.<br /><br />With a reason to survive, more or less, the original performers passed their Muppets on to people who could devote more time to performing and we have seen as of late a resurgence in the classic Muppets on screen. Despite the Elmo haters complaints, that in itself is a great development.Livemallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-72098773567294594682006-08-18T19:45:00.000-05:002006-08-18T19:45:00.000-05:00My kids can't stand Sesame Street. I don't rememb...My kids can't stand Sesame Street. I don't remember caring for it, or any muppets or puppets shows at all as a kid either. The only one I could stand was The Count, and I think that is because he seemed Halloweeny, and I loved anything to do with Halloween.<br /><br />The Wiggle's, on the other hand...That's just good entertainment.marriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595181244628469096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-68157820454823569162006-08-18T12:31:00.000-05:002006-08-18T12:31:00.000-05:00that should read...to adults-signed muddy...that should read...to adults-signed muddy...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-5620700697913243502006-08-18T12:30:00.000-05:002006-08-18T12:30:00.000-05:00Obviously this writer either has no kids (people w...Obviously this writer either has no kids (people with kids do not usually refer to kids as "idiots". ) or this writer has forgotten that Sesame Street is for KIDS, not adults. <br /> <br />I grew up watching it from the earliest of earliest shows. (I am 39) I watched it as I started having kids myself (and they loved it) <br /> <br />Elmo plain and simple is cute-and was made to appeal to a certain age group. <br /> <br />This sort of reminds me of the ruckus that Barney's creators had to endure because people(adults) said the show was dumb. I loved how they said that it wasnt for adults, but for kids...and not meant to be entertaining to adults muddyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494243.post-1225527281149447722006-08-17T21:04:00.000-05:002006-08-17T21:04:00.000-05:00I remember when I was little and watching the show...I remember when I was little and watching the show in the early-mid '90s, Elmo was there, but he didn't get nearly as much camera time as he does now. The times they are a changin'.Billyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04833357672653250112noreply@blogger.com