FameCrawler : educational

Update & Photos: Dora The Explorer NOT Getting Trampy Makeover!

Sassy Smith — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:08:00 GMT

Parents - moms in particular - were upset that a favorite animated character, Dora The Explorer, was getting a "tween" makeover and would be unveiled in the coming months. However, not to fret - Dora's TV character will remain as she is.

Photos after the jump

Dora theTramp, Dora the Streetwalker - those were just some of the names parents came up with when they heard the news that Dora was changing. However, there's been misconceptions about the changes.

Mattel, who partners with Nickelodeon, had announced a "tween" Dora - but the cartoon Dora the Explorer is NOT changing. They are, however, launching a new interactive doll, aimed at 5-to-8-year-olds.

Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products explained, "People care so deeply about this brand and this character. The Dora that we all know and love is not going away."

Vice President of Mattel marketing, Gina Sirard said, "I think there was just a misconception in terms of where we are going with this. Pretty much the moms who are petitioning aging Dora up certainly don't understand... I think they're going to be pleasantly happy once this is available in October, and once they understand this certainly isn't what they are conjuring up."

The confusion began when the silhouette (shown above) was released, showing a more grown-up Dora, who parents said resembled a "Britney Spears" or "Lindsay Lohan" type rather than a little girl. Some compared her to a "Bratz."

The new Dora doll is aged at about 10, wearing a tunic and leggings, longer hair and jewelry but no makeup.

Brodsky added, "The idea is Dora for more girls. The whole point was this was created because moms said help us."

The Dora doll comes with a USB port and is compatible with online story lines - adventures implementing environment, social action and more. She is a bilingual adventurer, helping kids explore and use their imaginations - and that shouldn't change when kids get older.

"What would Dora be if she grew up? You'd have what you'd have before you: a very sweet, wholesome adventurous... She's a perfect role model in that regard." The doll will have an October release date.

So, will you allow your kids to play with the new Dora doll?

[Source]

Sassy Smith — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:06:00 GMT

My two youngest children used to love watching Dora the Explorer - she's cute, fun and smart - and she's geared towards 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. However, Dora's getting a makeover, because, you know, cartoon characters have to grow up. Says who? Why does Dora have to get a "sexy" new look?

*Edit Edit Edit* There's new information on the Dora "makeover"!!!!! Click HERE!

From celebitchy:

"Someone at Mattel had the questionable idea to turn Dora The Explorer into a Bratz doll type tween with a giant head, lots of hair, and way too sexy look. Enthusiastic, bilingual, three-step problem-solving Dora is probably not thought to be marketable enough to the slightly older kids who are watching Britney videos and emulating Hannah Montana. They’re making Dora “grow up” into a new demographic that has more power to beg for stuff from their parents.

Mattel has only released is a “silouette” of the new Dora complete with a press release touting Dora’s growing fashion sense, but parents see the writing on the wall. Dora is about to care a lot less about catching stars, counting, and visiting her mom on archeological digs. While she’s preoccupied doing her hair Swiper is going to snatch all of Boot’s toys and she’ll just sigh and look wistfully off into the distance. Adults resent the fact that one of the only regular little girl role models for preschoolers is becoming a cookie-cutter tween complete with hair extensions, a cute little skirt and a sassy walk. I wonder if Dora will also get a pony for a sidekick and start going to the mall without a map."

And from Examiner.com, comes this photo:

Guess which one is Dora and which one is a Bratz?

Look at Bugs Bunny - in his 60 plus years, he's remained pretty much the same. Sure, he's not classified as an educational character as Dora is, he's more of a silly guy, getting into trouble, but the point is, he didn't get a more grown-up, sexy look. Yes, he's a rabbit and Dora is a girl, but you get my point. Why change a good thing when it's working?

Why does Dora have to "grow up?" Why can't Dora stay young and provide many, many years of educational entertainment for future generations? Oh, gosh, this isn't about money is it?

Yup, just what Dora needs is a makeover. I suppose her "backpack" will be replaced with a coach bag and her "map" will become an iPhone with GPS.

[Source|Source]

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Jennifer Garner Takes the Cake

trix — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Jennifer Garner attended the Baby Einstein's anniversary party. Where's Violet?

Jennifer recently confirmed her pregnancy and told us to chill out all in the same sentence. Get 'em Jen, Get 'em. That Jennifer Garner really takes the cake, or at least poses by it:

The Baby Einstein's party was a star studded event at the Walt Disney Music Hall in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Melissa Joan Hart

Matt Damon Welcomes Second Baby!

Photos

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Lee Nolin

Whit Honea — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:12:00 GMT

Lee Nolin and her two-year-old son Hudson were on hand to wish Baby Einstein a happy 10th birthday. Or is it anniversary? The P.C. stuff is blurry regarding inanimate objects.

The event was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. No babies or Einsteins were hurt in the making of this post.

Photo

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Melissa Joan Hart

Whit Honea — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:27:00 GMT

Baby Einstein is now ten-years-old. He probably hates being called "Baby."

The educational video and music series had a little shindig at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Melissa Joan Hart was on hand with her son Braydon, who is an actual baby.

Photo

Let Me Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street

Whit Honea — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:03:00 GMT

Can you believe that "Sesame Street" is getting ready to start its 39th season? Crazy, right?

Well, it's true and this year promises to be the best yet because they're going to focus more on math!

I suppose that's a good thing, but that's not really why you're reading about "Sesame Street" on FameCrawler. No, we are in it for the celebrities.

In the upcoming season we'll see some of our favorite celebrity parents (and soon-to-be), as well as some other people that I'm too lazy to Google for parental status.

Here is a quick list of some of the stars you'll find singing, rhyming and arithmeticin' this season (starts August 11th): Will Arnett, Feist, Jessica Alba, David Beckham, Heidi Klum, Brian Williams, Neil Patrick Harris, Sandra Oh, Jack Black, Jenny McCarthy, Feijoo Sisters and Jason Taylor. Impressive, isn't it?

Also of note are some of the planned sketches that build upon popular culture: "30 Rocks," "Pre-School Musical" and "Are You Smarter Than an Egg Layer," all of which sound pretty darn funny and/or eductional.

Awesome.

This post was brought to you by the letter A and the number 5.

FameCrawler : educational

Update & Photos: Dora The Explorer NOT Getting Trampy Makeover!

Dora The Explorer Gets A Sexy Makeover (Photo)

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Jennifer Garner Takes the Cake

Gwen Stefani Giving Birth Today!?!

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Melissa Joan Hart

Matt Damon Welcomes Second Baby!

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Lee Nolin

Baby Einstein's Birthday Party: Melissa Joan Hart

Let Me Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street