Strollerderby : sesame street

Finish Line - Creepy Cakes, Sesame Street, And Much More

Brett Singer — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:56:00 GMT

It was a short week for some, but on Strollerderby we were wicked busy, as they say in Beantown.

Here's a bit of what went on here the past few days:

Shannon called this one the "Post Most Likely to Send You Running for the Tissues This Week." Check out Paper Girl Delivers Food and Shelter to Haitian Family and see if you agree.
On a much lighter note is Jeanne's handy travel guide for the Big Bird lover in your life: Three Ways To Get to Sesame Street This Summer.
Sunny's post Creepiest Baby Shower Cake Ever is self-explanatory. But it still has to be seen to be believed. (Warning: it will take you a long time to UN-see this thing.)
Madeline wins the "title of the week" award with her post Sonogram Cufflinks for Father's Day ... or a Pro-Life March.
Speaking of breast milk (how's that for a transition?), Cole told us about a guy who actually said, "If I have a lactating daughter, why not take advantage of her?" He has cancer and is using the mommy milk as treatment. But I do question his choice of phrasing. Decide for yourself at WATCH: Man Drinks Daughter's Breast Milk to Cure Cancer.
As for me, I was astounded at the number of people who watched the season premiere of that reality show about the people who have all those kids. Share my amazement at Jon & Kate Plus 8 Premiere Snags 9.8 Million Viewers.
Finally, a plug for Babble Talk Radio, which this week featured myself and Famecrawler's Karl Erikson. You can listen to the whole show right here, and we'll be back live again next Friday.

Three Ways To Get to Sesame Street This Summer

JeanneSager — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:02:00 GMT

The pressure's on to plan the big family vacation? Two words. Sesame Street.

And Babble's telling you how to get, how to get there. We've checked in with Elmo and Abby Cadabby and come up with our list of the best bets for Sesame-style summering with your tot.

1. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA. It's an old family standby, but the Forest of Fun at the popular theme park is all new and all Sesame. Gates opened in April, adding the country of characters to the park's traditional tour of Europe set-up. We let our pre-school tester loose in the park, and "let's ride it again!" was the phrase of the day. Topping her list were a nice and easy (for mom) Ernie and Bert adventure in the "lochs" of Scotland - it left her soaking wet and squealing with fun; and a mini roller-coaster courtesy of Super Grover that gave her a taste of the belly-dropping fun of the big coasters without the fear factor. Located near the entrance to the park, the Forest of Fun is just right - a great intro to the day, and something for them to look forward to getting back to when they're off with the rest of the family checking out the rest of the "gardens."

Why You Should Go: The price of a ticket affords a family admission to the whole park, making Busch Gardens the go-to for families with kids whose ages range. Sesame characters put on impromptu shows that get the whole family moving (no extra charge), and there's something for even the tiniest toddlers to do.

Good to Know: There are water attractions, but clothes are required on most rides, so throw some shorts on over their suits. Dining with the characters does not require advance reservations - price of food is not included in the ticket - but you need to check for specific meal times when you enter the park. A picture station with the characters is set up on site, and they will allow you to take your own pictures (just ask) or you can buy one of theirs. Take a stroller - even if your kid is busting out of it, it's not for them but for the cameras, bottles of water and stuffed animals won at the games along the way.

2. Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA. Owned by the same company that runs Busch Gardens (yes, the beer company), this is all Sesame, all summer long. Our little tester recommends you stop in for an in-theatre showing of Elmo's World, followed by a chance to climb around on stage where they can play Elmo's song on the piano and say "hello" to Dorothy.

Why You Should Go: This is the place for hard-core Sesame fans, but additions of a few extra roller-coasters also allow the older set to have their fun. The park is all Sesame, which means the crowd is all families and so is the staff's focus.

Good to Know: A two-day ticket costs the same as a one-day fee, so break up the day to make it easier on your kids (and hit the nearby outlets to save on kids clothes). Breakfast with the characters requires an advance reservation, but it gives your family a chance to be the first ones into the park - no lines, and the food isn't bad for theme park fare (even our daddy tester had a hankering for the little French toast sticks). The characters wander throughout the park during the day, so chances are you'll get to meet everyone. Again, you can take your own pictures (just ask) or buy the park's. Bring a swimsuit - there's plenty of water.

3. Sesame Street Live, a city near you. For families who are skipping the week-long or even extended weekend's vacation this year, a day trip to see a show can lift your kid's spirits, get you out of the house and save you a bundle. And if that show happens to offer them a chance to see their furry friend? That's just a bonus for mom or dad.

Why You Should Go: The show is always educational, and your tot will be in awe at the size of their favorite friends on-stage. Even kids who aren't ready to be taken to the movie theater yet are OK in a theater when the show is made for kids.

Good to Know: Regardless of where the show is being performed, there will be kiosks with Sesame goodies, so if you've opted for the show to save on the big vacation, you might want to make a deal with your kids BEFORE you go in. Whether it's "no extras today" or "you may pick out one toy," have a game plan because they're unavoidable, and plenty of kids will be brandishing their Sesame binoculars or Elmo balloons. The show does include an intermission for potty breaks, so your kids don't have to miss out Grover galumphing because they've got to go.

Image: Sager Scenes

Morning News: Deals and Dealers

Amy Kuras — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:01:00 GMT

Chrysler dealers say goodbye! Daytime Emmy nominations for kid’s shows make me sigh! Michael Phelps is back in the drink! And Oprah thinks maybe James Frey doesn’t stink!

First story: Chrysler announced yesterday which of its 800 dealers across the country will close. Sounds like not such a huge deal, if you live in an urban area, but in some small towns, the dealership is one of the town’s major businesses and supports everything from the high school band to the local newspaper. A full list of dealerships to close is here.

Next: Daytime Emmy nominations were announced yesterday. Sesame Street was nominated, as was Johnny and the Sprites and Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman – and a few more baffling ones.

Next: Michael Phelps is competing again, after his three month suspension since photos of him with a bong showed up back in February. He’s swimming at Charlotte UltraSwim in North Carolina. It’s also his first competitive event since his triumph in Bejing this summer.

And finally, Oprah has apparently reached out to disgraced author James Frey, after she pretty much publicly spanked him on her show a few years ago. Ther’s been a friendly phone call and she even apologized to him.

5 Wackiest Kid's Records!

SunnyChanel — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Children’s records have always been a questionable genre. Most are unlistenable, some are tolerable and others are just plain silly. Here are 5 of the Wackiest Kid’s Records ever released.

Sesame Street Fever
This is the best album cover, ever! The 1978 release of Sesame Street Fever features disco inspired tunes by the cast of Sesame Street. The highlight is for sure Sesame Street Fever featuring Robin Gibb, The Count, Big Bird, Ernie and the Cookie Monster. Other tunes feature the vocal stylings of Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster and Grover. This is worth hunting down just to use the cover as wall art.

Ali and His Gang Vs. Mr. Tooth Decay
Muhammad Ali has engaged in some epic battles: ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’, the ‘Fight of the Century’, and apparently he threw a mean right hook in defense of oral hygiene. Ali and His Gang Vs. Mr. Tooth Decay features 40-minutes of Ali and his pals such as Frank Sinatra, Richie Havens and Howard Cosell discussing the merits of dental care for kids. In the end, Ali wins. He always wins.

Pink Panther Goes Country
There are a couple things wrong with this concept. One the Pink Panther doesn’t talk, therefore he shouldn’t be singing. Two, what’s he doing out west in cowboy country? Isn’t the whole Pink Panther franchise based in Europe? Regardless of these leaps of fate, in the 70’s there was a picture disc release of the Pink Panther doing country. And to the producer's credit, the actual singing on the record was left to vocalists who are merely there to back up the Pink Panther’s guitar strumming. And really haven't you always wanted to hear the Pink Panther go country?

Chipmunk Punk
Chipmunk Punk? Yeah, you won’t find any Ramones, Clash or Crass songs on this cover album. Their idea of punk is The Knack’s “My Sharona”, Tom Petty’s “Refugee” and the “Call Me” by Blondie. And a Billy Joel song? What the? Isn’t that the polar opposite of punk? Regardless, Simon, Theodore and Alvin's high pitched renditions are amusing for like two minutes then the helium hued tones just start to get on your nerves.

Lancelot Link and the Evolution Revolution
Sorry PETA but monkeys dressed up as hippies is totally hilarious. This record is a spin off from the 70’s TV Show Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp. This Saturday morning live action show featured a crew of chimpanzees dubbed with human voices and their quest to save the world via their organization APE (Agency to Prevent Evil). Each week there was a musical number by The Evolution Revolution – the all chimp house band. Their theme song Evolution Revolution is actually catchy. Those monkeys know how to rock.

MIchelle Obama Visits Sesame Street

SunnyChanel — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Michelle Obama apparently knows the way to Sesame Street. The first lady, while in New York, taped a public service announcement with her new pal Elmo. It was a ‘sunny day’ indeed. Obama said that the appearance was "probably the best thing I've done at the White House."

When making an address at the United Nations, Obama said, "I'm thrilled to be here but I was just at Sesame Street - I'm sorry…and I never thought I'd be on Sesame Street with Elmo and Big Bird, and I was thrilled. I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high."

The public service announcement was part of Sesame Workshop's Healthy Habits For Life initiative. In the PSA, Obama and Elmo discussed “eating right, exercising regularly and being a healthy and positive role model for children.”

Source

Hannah Montana's Gone Fruity

JeanneSager — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:16:00 GMT

I'm all for a brand using its sway with kids for good, but do we really need Hannah Montana bananas?

What about Mickey Mouse apples? High School Musical avocados?

Disney has gotten healthy to face the childhood obesity crisis head on, cutting ties with McDonald's (you'll notice there are no Disneyfied happy meals on your summer road trip this year) and slapping giant mouse ears on good, wholesome fare.

So, is it working? According to a look by the Washington Post, yes. When supermarket chain Winn-Dixie linked its bagged apples to High School Musical, sales spiked by forty-seven percent. The Disney Garden line is now appearing in eighteen of the top twenty mass and grocery retailers in the states, and sales grew seventy percent from 2007 to 2008.

I can admit I've fallen victim. My daughter needed a grab and go snack, and she saw Mickey apple slices on the shelves. She asked because they were Mickey. I bought because they were apples. With the same characters in a different aisle on sugar-packed "fruit" snacks, the real thing worked for me. We've also been known to pick up Princess soup because she begged for princesses, and my first introduction to Hannah Montana came in the supermarket when my daughter started shrieking about the pop star on her yogurt. Again, yogurt, much better than potato chips! Trust me - their branding is working on my impressionable three-year-old.

But I'm not sure how I feel about Disney selling health food to my kid. Is it better than peddling the junk? Sure. But does it have to be either or? I shy away from Sesame Street's organic pasta and breastfast offerings too, because as much as we all love Cookie Monster, he's not making me feel better about a processed box of waffles. And I'm not ready for the forecasted Mickey whole wheat chicken nuggets to replace the homemade version I make and freeze in my own kitchen.

Frankly, I'd prefer my kid make her food choices based on things like "amount of whole grains included" or "no trans-fats." I'd like to think she'd pick up an apple because we live in New York and have raised her on some of the nation's best apples, not because there's a cartoon character stamped on the flesh. Ditto avocados. They're fantastically flavorful and you can't have guacamole (yum) withouth them - so do we really need Zac Efron's mug to get them in my cart and on her plate?

Disney is such a powerful brand, I'm happy to see it inching back from the heart attack on a plate foodstuffs its traditionally backed. For parents who have had to measure just buying a requested item over the tantrum in the middle of the supermarket, it's definitely good news. Trust me, been there, heard the screeching. But I can't help wishing food would just go back to being food, no Hannah Montana, no Elmo, no Mickey. It's why I've fought the organic branding too.

Because in fifteen years, she won't be picking food because it has her favorite superhero printed on the front of the bag. She'll just have to go with her gut, and I'd like to think it's one filled with healthy choices.

Image: Washington Post

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Mexican Sesame Street Addresses Swine Flu

Brett Singer — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Those of us in the United States are concerned about swine flu, even more so now that we've had our first death. But imagine what it must be like in Mexico, where this epidemic seems to have begun.

Plaza Sesamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street, is not shying away from the issue. They have created four PSAs that began airing on Televisa this morning. The message of the PSAs, according to a press release, is the following:

*   Tell a parent if you feel sick so they can take you to the doctor. Don’t go to school or outside where there are people who might catch your sickness.
*   It is important to cover your mouth with a tissue or your arm if you sneeze or cough. Be sure to throw away the tissue and cover the trash can, too!
*   Wash your hands with soap and clean water several times throughout the day for at least 20 seconds.

Sounds good to me. I hope a U.S. version will pop up here. I've definitely stepped up my efforts to sanitize my children, and I admit to being more worried about a stuffy nose than I was a month ago. Still, reminders about basic prevention are always welcome. (As opposed to heavy-handed reminders of a major tragedy.)

Image: Wikipedia

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Finish Line - Pirates Are Back

Brett Singer — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:15:00 GMT

One of the fun parts of blogging (especially for Babble, which has the greatest blogs on this or any other planet) is being surprised by the reactions to a post.

Case in point: Shannon's Pirates Are Not Appropriate for Kids (and Other Ranting), which generated a lot of chatter. Who knew?

I would have thought that Jeanne's brilliantly titled post Breastfeeding Debates: Just a Tempest in a Sippy Cup? would have created more comments. Then again, it's hard to argue with the statement, "Do we really care what another mother does with her boobs?" (I do, but I'm a guy. Wait. Ignore that sentence. Everyone do what you want to do with your boobs. They belong to you. Oooo boy.)

Hannah tells us about a petting zoo that, frankly, sounds a bit scary. (Would You Take Your Kids to a Petting Zoo with Lions, Tigers, and Bears?) Then again, I won't go on Space Mountain at Disney World. So maybe I'm not the best judge.

Jen asked a good question with The Holiday Dilemma: When Parental Gift-Giving Goes Too Far. Easter presents. Who knew? I'm still trying to convince the wife that we can get Easter baskets for the kids even though we're Jewish. So far all I've managed to do is buy (and eat) a lot of Peeps.

Jen also gave us The Five Peanuts TV Specials That Never Should Have Been. Personally, I'm in favor of more and more Peanuts specials, and I even enjoy the mediocre ones. (I even like "Arbor Day.") This proves that sometimes we disagree and that there is no Babble Hive Mind.

Mike questioned the notion of Terrible Twos with Terrible Twos: Myth or Kicking. Your. A@!? Personally, I found two to be easier than three. Of course, neither of my children are teenagers yet. If they're anything like me, I'm thinking Terrible Thirteens, Fourteens, Fifteens...

Madeline gives us her take on Dr. Laura with Stay-At-Home Moms are the Best, Aren't They! Madeline starts with "Oh, for God's sake, Dr. Laura, put a lid on it." But then she says that she really agrees with everything the Doc says. OK, no she doesn't. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention. The comments are numerous and terrific: for example, "Whatever" says that "Maybe my daughter is in daycare, but at least she won't grow up acting like a sanctimonious ass-hat." I want to start a band named "Sanctimonious Ass-hat." Ah, goals.

As for myself, I took a more lighthearted approach to pirates by telling you about the release of Tina Fey's Sesame Street appearance on DVD. (Special thanks to Jezebel for the linkee dink.)

What will next week bring? I don't know but I promise you one thing -- I will do everything in my power not to use the phrase "linkee dink." No idea where that came from.

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Tina Fey Sesame Street Episode On DVD

Brett Singer — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:30:00 GMT

It's a good thing Tina Fey seems so nice. Because otherwise people would have to hate her.

Consider: amazing career. Attractive. Insanely talented. Genuinely funny. And able to do an episode of Sesame Street with panache.

Of the few famous or semi-famous folks that I know, those who have appeared on Sesame Street list that as one of their top credentials. Even Gilbert Gottfried sounded excited about his episode, writing on his blog, "for the first time in my career, I can tell you how to get to Sesame Street!" The rest of the paragraph reads as follows: "You drive downtown during rush hour, go over the bridge, circle a few blocks without signs, park in an over priced garage and walk 11 blocks to the studio. Funny how they don’t mention that in the song." Hey, I wouldn't expect the guy to become warm and cuddly because of one encounter with Big Bird. (For many other great Sesame Street moments, including Robert DeNiro's brilliant impersonation of a cabbage, check out The Babble List: The 50 Best Sesame Street Moments.)

Tina played the leader of the Bookaneers, the pirates who love reading. Notwithstanding the fact that pirates aren't as much fun these days as they used to be, the episode was amusing and Tina (I imagine that she'd let me call her Tina, were we to meet someday) seemed to be very much into her role. It's no Sarah Palin impression, but it's still good. (Actually, Tina Fey doing her Sarah Palin impression on Sesame Street -- that I'd like to see.)

Sesame Street: Elmo and the Bookaneers will be released on DVD on April 21, 2009. List price is $14.93 but Amazon has it for $9.99. Such a deal! I haven't seen the DVD, just the segment with Tina Fey when it aired on regular TV. That's full disclosure, folks.

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Uh Oh - Elmo's Gone Green - Literally

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Uh Oh - Elmo's Gone Green - Literally

JeanneSager — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:48:00 GMT

It was bound to happen some day. Cute, loveable and very red Elmo was going to lose his red fur.

Who knew it would come at the hands of equally cute and kind of ditzy fairy Abby Cadabby? Elmo's gone green - literally - in his new DVD, and Babble got a sneak-peek at the all new Elmo and how to throw together a tele-thon Sesame Street style.

Just in time for Earth Day, Paul Rudd (they're continuing the cute theme) suits up in a giant globe costume to host the Sesame Street Earth-a-thon.With Rosita, Telly and Cookie Monster manning the phones, pledges from kids to help the earth start rolling in (and pleas for cookies start rolling out).

In true Sesame Street style, the pledges shoot the show out to spots around the globe where kids are going green in their own way, from kids who watch their glass bottles be melted down and reformed into glass knick-knacks in South Africa to Turkish tots who have an eye for reusing plastic bags.

Bringing it back to Sesame Street, Elmo and Abby make the rounds of the recycling bins and the furry red monster makes a promise to Rudd, aka. Mr. Earth to go green. Which is all fine and dandy until Abby lends her wand to the cause, leaving Elmo looking like he's switched suits with a fellow muppet with a fondness for Miss Piggy. It may not be easy being green, but Elmo fans know he'd never let a little mixed up magic get in the way.

The Sesame Street character love aside, Being Green is a movie that helps break down the big green questions for little green minds. We talk a lot about helping the Earth, but what IS it? Not a guy in a globe suit, but Rudd shows his inner goofball (can you tell this guy's a dad?) walking the muppets on a tour around himself. Songs about saving water when they brush their teeth and saving energy when they shut off the lights send home messages that little kids can make a big difference.

Out on DVD on April 7, you can put in your pre-orders now on Amazon, but if you click on the picture below, your kids have a coloring sheet to get them ready. Will they color Elmo green?

Images: Genius Products

Sesame Street Changes with the Times Again

Shannon LC Cate — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The Children's Television Workshop, producers of Sesame Street and other public television hits for shorties, has announced that it will develop its longtime favorite Bert and Ernie characters into a more openly gay couple in a committed relationship. Long suspected by homosexuals to be "family," Bert and Ernie have remained in an ambiguous roommate relationship throughout Sesame Streets' nearly 40-year history. But CTW spokeswoman Irene Hutchins was quoted as explaining that

"Sesame Street has always evolved with the times in which real children are living. More and more children today are living in proximity to happy, healthy, gay people who have no interest in hiding. We think portraying Bert and Ernie in more traditional romantic "couple" ways will be affirming for children with gay uncles or family friends in their lives."

The relationship will have no sexual overtones, Hutchins hastened to add, ensuring that Bert and Ernie will still sleep in their separate, single beds. but now instead of "old buddy Bert," Ernie will call his longtime companion, "my boyfriend, Bert." And instead of just getting frustrated with Ernie's trademark antics, Bert will end his tirades with "you drive me crazy, but I could never love anyone else the way I love you!"

When asked if the newly outed couple might become fathers, Hutchins was enthusiastic. "Not in the first season," she said, "but we do think Prairie Dawn could be persuaded to be their gestational surrogate."

What They're Babbling About: Pregnancy, the Good, the Bad and the Newly Born

JeanneSager — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:26:00 GMT

Without pregnancy, there wouldn't be a parenting blog for y'all to read, so today's What They're Babbling About goes full bore on making baby.

Most of us would pay beaucoup bucks to keep the cameras at bay during pregnancy. But when the fantastic photog is the baby's daddy, and he writes weekly love notes like this, I think even a pregnancy-induced zitfest could look beautiful - Pacing the Panic Room

Whatever modesty you had pre-pregnancy is gone by the time it comes to the pushing. We'd bare it in Macy's window if it would just . . . make . . . it all go away. This mom came close - Macy's is less than a block from Penn Station, where one intrepid traveler gave birth. - Parent Dish

Breast is best, but what happens when the breastmilk has a toxo-load? Find out why moms are mulling contamination at the boob. - SuperEco

Ever heard two uglies make a pretty? Tell this girl - his ugly face and her ugly soul will make a pretty darn screwed up kid. - Jezebel

This is what we call recession maternity wear - making it work without going up a size. - LilSugar

So you think life is going to be boring now that you're giving up alcohol (for now, anyway) and spending every Friday night in front of Sesame Street? Guess again - changes are afoot. - MomLogic

Image: davhor

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Ricky Gervais Meets Elmo

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:30:00 GMT

I'm here to put to rest, once and for all, any doubts that Sesame Street is the best children's show of all time. This clip of The Office's Ricky Gervais being his irreverently hilarious self as he talks to Elmo is further proof that children's entertainment need not exclude parents.

In fact, this particular segment of Gervais' Sesame Street appearance is clearly more geared to adults than kids (last time I checked, "necrophilia" was not exactly a word to bring up around the kiddies), but Elmo's ability to roll with very adult humor while maintaining his irrestibly childish sweetness is what makes this video so precious.

Enjoy!--probably without the kids. While this clip only flirts with the inappropriate, you might prefer not to answer the question, "Why are they laughing?"

Photo: Buck Daddy Diaries

Morning News: Is Elmo the Economy's Next Victim?

Madeline Holler — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Sunny days on Sesame Street just got a little dimmer. The non-profit that produces Sesame Street will layoff one-fifth of its workers in an effort to survive the tough times. That amounts to 67 of its 277 staff members.

So far no one has spotted a pink slip in Elmo's fuzzy red hand. What's that thing they were saying about those banks? Right ... he's too big to fail.

The hard-up keep getting worse off. But in a cruel twist of fate, so do the rich! The number of billionaires in the world fell by a third to 793. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is no longer at the top of the world's richest people list; Bill Gates is back on top. The number of millionaires fell by a quarter but there's 6.7 million of them left, so, you know, that's good.

As if American life isn't 24/7 economic meltdown, now you can have even more. In the next year, you'll be seeing TV shows and plotlines borrowing from the sorrows of your neighbor's life. Should be fun! And we'll still have the wealthy smokers on Mad Men.

We'll also have our iPods -- or the newest one for only $79 and it's barely bigger than your thumbnail. Also, it annnounces the songs it's playing since you'd need a microscope were it to actually list them on a screen.

This is for all you students of Human Nature: Ted Haggard, the disgraced evangelical minister who was outed by his meth partner and paid escort, was spotted at a New York City play about evangelical culture in Colorado. Big plot point: Ted Haggard's downfall. Was that fun for him? Therapeutic? A humiliating surprise?

Photo: dealbreaker.com

Cookie Monster Cupcake

Brett Singer — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT

For this post, allow me to lapse in to Cookie Monster speak. Because how many chances do I get to do that?

Me like cookie. Me like cupcake. But also cookie. (Mostly cookie.) So put cookie in cupcake? Mmmm. Happy.

OK, I'm back.

This looks complicated to make but imagine what a hero you would be if you could pull this off at your child's next birthday party. The look on their little faces would make it all worthwhile.

Source: Buzzfeed

The Real Stories Behind the Sesame Street Muppets

KeriF — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:31:00 GMT

Were Bert and Ernie named after characters in It's a Wonderful Life? Was the Swedish Chef based on a real Swedish chef? And what exactly is Gonzo, anyway?

Stacy Conradt at Mental Floss has found the answers. She compiled a list of the secret histories of 20 popular Sesame Street characters (sorry, Big Bird was too boring to make the list). Here are some highlights:

Telly Monster: Why do you think Telly Monster worries so much? Too much TV! Apparently Telly began his life as the Television Monster, complete with whirly hypnotized eyes whenever he saw a television. Producers soon realized the folly (hey, if watching too much TV causes that… maybe I shouldn’t let my kids watch this!) and changed him to Telly the worrywart.

Cookie Monster: nee the "Wheel Stealer," Cookie Monster began his life in a series of commercial drawings by Jim Henson. He was used in a 1967 IBM training video and 1969 Fritos commercial before taking up permanent residence on the Street.

Elmo: According to those familiar with the show, the red fuzzy puppet was just lying around the set for years before finding the perfect voice and personality with puppeteer Kevin Clash. Elmo as we know him was born in 1984.

Statler and Waldorf: These two grumpy judges first appeared in the 1975 Muppet Show pilot and were fixtures ever since. They take their names from the NYC hotels (Hotel Pennsylvania was originally the Statler Hotel) and Waldorf's wife is named… Astoria! Who, by the way, looks a lot like Statler… Maybe that's why Waldorf has had a pacemaker for 30 years?

You can read the whole list here.

Mark Your Calendars: Sesame Street Supports Military Parents Coming Home

Shannon LC Cate — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:30:00 GMT

In its ongoing project to assist military families and help children adjust to the changes wartime military deployments bring, the Children's Television Workshop will be airing a Sesame Street prime-time special called "Coming Home." April has been declared the month of the military child and the show will air April 1 (check your local listings for times).

Sesame Street's production company, the Children's Television Workshop has already aired an earlier special about parents leaving for deployments abroad. In this special, the focus is on returning parents. The show will cover the special concerns of families with a returning military member who has been injured--either visibly or invisibly--and the best ways to adjust to a "new normal."

Sesame Street's military family initiative, Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes, also offers an extensive web resource for military families with young children.

Crafty: President Obama, Cube Style

JeanneSager — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:34:00 GMT

Tuesday was supposed to be the best part of the week, but I can't help thinking Wednesday was even better.

Every time someone came on the radio and said "President Barack Obama," did such and such, my daughter said, "Mommy, Barack Obama's the president, I saw it on TV!"

The way I see it, we made the little kids sit through watching the inauguration with us, so now they can celebrate the new president nursery school style - it's time for crafts! Leave the macaroni in the closet, because we've got a modern craft for a modern president.

The folks at Cubeecraft have done up 44 so you can download him, print him, and let the kids get to work cutting along the lines (good practice for kindergarten!). The folding part is rated two scissors, which means "there is a shape that needs to be cut with an exacto besides a straight line (such as a beard or other detail.)", so you'll need to lend a hand.

But with no glue required, it's a no muss, no fuss craft - and lets them get in on the excitement!

To download President Barack Obama, visit Cubeecraft here. Stock your printer - with Grover, Grimace, Spongebob and Jigglypuff, there are plenty of kids Cubeecrafts to stock up on for future snowy days when you're stuck indoors.

Image: Cubeecraft

Kid to Obamas: Take My Puppy

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When Holiday Toys Attack

Brett Singer — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:15:00 GMT

Remember the Cabbage Patch Riots of 1983? How about the Tickle Me Elmo Fiasco of 1996?

MentalFloss has helpfully provided a round-up of "5 Dangerously Popular Holiday Toys," complete with video.

At various times in our nation's history, there have been toys that capture the public's imagination. The desire for said toy becomes so intense that folks will do anything – ANYTHING – to get it for their children. They become blinded by desire, and sometimes that desire can turn to rage. Or, if not rage, the spending of far too much money on eBay.

I don't think that there is a toy out there this season that has achieved this level of frenzied consumerism, but it's possible that there is and my kids aren't into whatever it is. Anyone looking for something that they haven't been able to find? Let us know in the comments.

Anyway, here are The Toys That Once Made Parents Hearts Pound:

1. Cabbage Patch Kids (1983)
I personally never got into these dolls at all, and never understood their appeal. But I was in the minority. Stories of people spending hundreds of dollars for one of these odd-looking mushy dolls that did nothing except come with adoption papers were rampant. What I never knew was that Coleco, the company that made the dolls, created fake hospitals where the Patch Dolls were "born" in order to entice toy buyers. It worked, but a little too well – check out this video of people literally attacking store managers and other customers just to get one of what the anchorwoman calls "dumpy little dolls." Ah, good times. Bonus: 80's hairstyles.

2. Tickle Me Elmo (1996)
I've never liked Elmo. To me, he took over one third of Sesame Street and relegated show business veteran Grover to a supporting role, something I will never forgive him for. (For more about Elmo's creulty to Grover, check out this site.) Clearly little kids love the little red monster (who himself loves only his crayon and his goldfish), so toys were inevitable. But who could have predicted the craziness that ensued when Tickle Me Elmo showed up? Luckily, I didn't have kids yet or I might have been trampled trying to obtain an Elmo for my kids to tickle. Hm. Something about that sentence seems wrong.

The others are the Furby, which was an early interactive toy that I personally just found irritating; Beanie Babies, which were as much a grown-up collector thing as they were a toy for tots; and the Wii and PS3. This last one I think MentalFloss missed the boat on. Yes, the PS3 was briefly a hard to get item, but a high price, a limited amount of games and the availability of the much cheaper but still fun PS2 combined to throw a wet blanket onto consumer desire. The Wii is still tough to find; I know of two parents who are trying to get one right now. And the Wii Balance Board, or Wii Fit, is sold out everywhere. Of course, parents aren't trampling each other in an attempt to get one, they're just overpaying on eBay. That, my friends, is progress.

For some less stressful and more current gift choices, check out Babble's Ultimate Gift Guide.

Source: MentalFloss

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The 5 Best Christmas DVDs According to One Two-Year-Old

editors — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:47:00 GMT

Yes, we let our toddler watch television — the past two weeks, kind of a lot of TV. We did it for you, the readers! To save you from the horrors of a bad Christmas movie experience, our two-year-old screened all the holiday DVDs that came into the Babble office this month, which means we also screened them (and if you know a trick for getting the song “There’s Always Tomorrow” out of one’s head, please share). Here are our young tester’s five favorites, in order.

1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Part of "Christmas Classics")
We swear our son improved his pronunciation just so he could clearly request this title in its entirety. Rankin/Bass claymation creates a bizarre, compelling world, and the message about “misfits” is a good one, even if that dentist-elf gets mighty irritating after a few viewings. One possible downside: repeat viewings may cause your child to run around pretending to be the Abomidable Snowman and yelling, “I’m gonna bite you!” Also, you know, those songs really do stick in your head like glue.

2. Elmo’s Christmas Countdown
We now have this movie memorized. There is a funny scene between Bert and Ernie and the stars of The Sopranos. And Anne Hathaway is pretty damn cute singing about Snuffy. But Ben Stiller’s sarcastic, yoga-practicing Elf is hella annoying. Not to our son, though. If he had his way, he would watch this twenty-four hours a day until Christmas, and probably beyond. Heaven help us all.

3. Gumby (Part of "The New Classics")
This time of year, there are a ton of compilation DVDs for regular old kid shows that just have “Christmas” slapped on the front of them because there’s, like, five minutes about snow. This is one of those, but it’s kind of great anyway, as there are all kinds of truly weird little holiday-esque episodes about, among other things, a witch pretending to be Santa, and the Mayflower — also a politically incorrect Pilgrims-and-Indians battle. And some jail time. Anyway, just trust us, it’s festive!

4. Snow Days: HIT Round-up Including Fireman Sam and Thomas
This is another one of those non-Christmas Christmas DVDs, but the very British Fireman Sam episode about putting out a fire on a very cold day (watch out for those falling icicles!) seemed to plug directly into our son’s back-brain. He’s been pretending to put out blanket-fires ever since. The Thomas one is a blur of Christmas trees and over-eager helping. They don’t drop the “useful” mantra for the holidays, we can tell you that. How Anglican is that show, by the way?

5. Casper’s Haunted Christmas (Part of "The New Classics")
Our tester loved this one, as it was about ghosts, which he finds fascinating. Unfortunately for him, this DVD got “lost.” The adults in the house didn’t enjoy the wise-ass humor or the insanely complex plot as much as he did. Apparently, ghosts have to deal with scare quotas, strict deadlines; a black hole of nothingness for those who don’t do their job. We’ve got enough performance anxiety in real life, thanks.

Bart and Lisa Simpson Sex Ruled Child Porn

JeanneSager — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:24:00 GMT

Think you're just being funny when you make your kid's Dora doll do the nasty with GI Joe? Better be careful - an Australian man has been convicted of child porn possession for looking at pictures of cartoons Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson having sex.

A judge ruled that despite the Simpsons being both fictional and drawn, they could be considered to depict a person under Australian law. And since the Simpsons are all kids - albeit imaginary ones - well, you know where I'm heading with this. Alan John McEwan lost his appeal, and he's been forced to pay a $3,000 fine plus submit to a two-year good behavior bond.

This one really rattled me. I'm all for packing pedophiles away in prisons, but cartoon porn? Can that really be pedophilia? Let's face it, we all have that friend - you know, the one who never gets any and always talks about it (he might be a father . . .) - who likes to send the e-mails with the dirty jokes about Sesame Street characters. I vaguely remember one accompanied by crudely drawn pictures of Cookie Monster with giant blue balls - for a joke about, well, blue balls (see what I mean about not getting any?). It was far from stimulating - sexually or any other way.

But Cookie Monster, Elmo and the gang are famous for never growing up; does that make the people who drew up that forward to be something more than your garden variety perv? Are they pedophiles? How about going a step farther - let's look at every teenage boy who draws a dick on the characters in the Highlights magazine accidentally left in the high school library. Or the dad who takes his kid's Leapster alphabet toy and presses the letters "S" and "X" in rapid succession.

Or maybe they'll come and hit Babble - after all, both Cole and I posted mashups from the net last week of rap songs transposed over children's TV shows. I posted one of my personal favorites - Dora the Promiscuous Girl - no nakedness in sight, but if the genitals on fictional kids count as porn, what do you make of Dora and Timbaland?

It sounds like big brother's moving in on kid sister's toys.

Image: PopArt UK

Mix Rap With Kid Shows and Whaddya Get?

Nintendo Scrabble Game Drops the F-Bomb

Man Forced to Pay Child Support for Another Man's Child

No, the Vagina Doesn't 'Heal Up and Close' from Disuse

Gangsta’ Muppets: 12 of the Best Kids Show/Rap Mash-Ups

Cole Gamble — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:00:00 GMT

This totally made my day. If you need a fix of Bert and Ernie throwing down some straight up gangsta' rap, here you get it. Oh, to live in an alternate universe when Elmo smokes blunts and is packing a whistle (that's a gun in hard-boiled speak). These are a must watch.

Oh, and this ain’t safe for kids.

Get the rest here. Thanks to Unreality Mag for compiling these.

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Tub Toys As Climate Change Fighting Tool?

JeanneSager — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:58:00 GMT

The rubber duckie's been getting the short end of the stick for too long. The standby of baby baths everywhere has been set aside for foaming wall art and over-the-top submarines that dive deep below the bubbles. But it's still good enough for NASA.

Scientists studying the effects of rising temperatures on the Greenland ice caps have released ninety of the cute chubby little fellas (if you don't get the reference brush up on your Sesame Street, pronto) into the water melting from the the Jakobshavn Isbrae, the largest of the country's two hundred ice caps. Dr. Alberto Behar, lead researcher on the University of Colorado project and a robotics expert for NASA, told the Wall Street Journal the ducks were the only device cheap enough to fit the parameters of his limited funding and yet strudy enough to survive subzero temperatures, the pressure of the mile-thick ice and water current so furious they sometimes exceed the rate of water flowing over Niagra Falls.

Printed with an e-mail address and the offer of a reward (printed in three languages, just in case), the ducks are expected to one day end up thirty miles downstream giving Behar and his team a sense of how the temperatures are affecting the melting caps.

Kind of gives you a new perspective on that moldy yellow blob in the tub, doesn't it?

Image: Wall Street Journal

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They Say: Educational TV? Not So Much

Amy Kuras — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT

Here’s a news flash –“educational” TV for kids might not actually be all that educational!

This should shock, well, no one who has ever moved the dial off PBS. I always kind of snicker at Noggin, which introduces all its programs with a little clip telling us what sort of educational skills they are supposed to enhance. While most sound about right, if you can tell me what’s remotely educational about, say, Wow Wow Wubbzy I’ll give you a bajillion dollars.

Nonprofit group Children Now, in partnership with researchers from the University of Arizona and the University of Illinois, looked at 40 different kids’ shows. Each was evaluated on several criteria associated with the ways children learn from television.

Researchers found most programs labeled as educational or instructional had limited educational value for child viewers. Only one of every eight shows, or 13 percent, qualified as highly educational. Almost one quarter of them were classified as minimally educational, and the rest, 63 percent, were judged to be moderately educational.

Eight shows earned an exemplary rating: Sesame Street, Beakman's World, Between the Lions, 3-2-1 Penguins, Cyberchase, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman, and Teen Kids News. Half of those are PBS shows, which overall ranked much higher for its educational offerings than commercial TV. Commercial shows mostly emphasized social and emotional lessons, while PBS shows included cognitive and intellectual lessons.

This matters because educational children’s programming is supposed to be part of the “payback” commercial broadcasters give the American people in exchange for free use of the airwaves. Most do only the minimum of three hours per week, and the vast majority of the programming is only offered on weekends.

"Commercial broadcasters are clearly falling short in meeting their obligation to the nation's children," said Dale Kunkel, communications professor at University of Arizona and one of the study’s lead researchers.

Want to Be a Muppeteer? Here's Your Chance

JeanneSager — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:06:00 GMT

Puppets have nothing on Muppets. OK, so Muppets are puppets. But where you can stick your hand up any old puppet butt, getting your hands on a Muppet means you've got the Jim Henson seal of approval. And now they're ready to come home with you!

The late Muppets creator reportedly created the word out of a combination of marionette and puppet, but they're marked by wide mouths and great big googly eyes. Brightly colored and often covered in fur, Muppets have popped up in Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street and the various Muppet tv shows and movies (naturally). Now Muppet bodies are waiting for eyes, hair and clothes so they can land in your kids' bed. Toy store extraordinaire FAO Schwarz has opened the Muppet WhatNot Workshop online, with an in-store debut slated for next week.

Choose from an orange, blue or green body (each with its own distinct head shape), 12 different noses in three varying shapes, your favorite set of eyeballs, pick of hair and then dud them up. It's like Build-a-Bear for us eighties kids, with a price tag of around $90.

So who will your Muppet belong to, you or the kids?

Image: MuppetNewsFlash

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