Even Google is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic children’s show “Sesame Street”, what with Cookie Monster’s googley (hee hee) eyes in place of the usual O’s. According to The New York Times, Tuesday’s episode marked its 4,187th show, and it’s still going strong.
However, the cultural institution, now seen in 125 countries worldwide, has changed and modernized quite a bit over the years. The opening is no longer a realistic rendition of an urban skyline, but an animated, candy-colored chalk drawing of a preschool Arcadia, with flowers and butterflies and stars. And the famous brownstones and garbage bins have let go of the messy graffiti and grit, now there are green spaces, tofu and yoga.
In addition to counting, the alphabet, and racial equality, colorful creatures also teach healthy eating habits to viewers. Michelle Obama appeared on Tuesday’s episode, preaching her love of veggies. “Veggies taste so good when they come fresh from the garden, don’t they?” she asked a group of children. “If you eat all these healthy foods, you are going to grow up to be big and strong,” she said. “Just like me.”
It is an urban myth that Cookie Monster was turned into Veggie Monster, but he has been laying off the cookies as of late. In season 36 he began eating fruits and veggies as part of the show’s “healthy habits for life” campaign. Some people had criticized the destruction of the fuzzy icon, but I think it’s a great idea, with childhood obesity stats climbing each year.
Comments
Jerome
November 5th, 2009 - 11:27:40 AM
From the article: "Some people had criticized the destruction of the fuzzy icon, but I think it’s a great idea, with childhood obesity stats climbing each year" I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. I never saw the problem with cookie monster eating a lot of cookies. Hell, he eats styrofoam letters and anything else in sight, too, and my kids aren't trying to eat that. The problem I had was with the WAY he ate things - shoveling them into his mouth, while growling and making all sorts of noises. That is what my kids try to imitate.
Aaron
November 5th, 2009 - 12:36:44 PM
Jerome I laughed out loud at that. You are truly a parent.
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November 5th, 2009 - 2:41:36 PM
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OldSchoolRocker
November 5th, 2009 - 6:11:14 PM
The idea of the new "Cookie Monster"is idealistc,yet 0 doesnt exisit.In this problem there is no longer a cookie industry,a cute grandma,or a whole lot of jobs that my union friends need. Perhaps we need 1 or more cookies and indulgence in each show shown in a postive fashion.The proper use of "Recreational food" VS the incorrect usage of recreational food.
jlg
November 6th, 2009 - 8:24:12 AM
I think the idea of turning "Cookie" monster into veggie monster is bogus!! That totally disrupts my childhood memories of cookie monster for heavens sakes thats his name so he wants cookies!! I think Sesame Street is a great educational show I learned a lot from it as a child matter of fact Ernie is still one of my dearest friends ;-) w/ that said we cannot allow the tv to be the only educational effort for our children it starts w/ parents educating our children @ home therefore we do not have to allow our children to always be engaged w/ the tv and video games. I'm sorry if your child is obese then thats the parents fault its up to you to tell your child "hey enough is enough" don't allow them to overdue it. Now I think its great that Cookie Monster wants to eat veggies but please don't take away all his cookies he will be sad!!!
Rania
November 10th, 2009 - 3:23:29 AM
i think it's ridiculous that parents think cookie monster switching to veggies is somehow going to make childhood obesity go away. i use to love cookie monster as a kid but i never went and binged on cookies as a kid.
ry
December 24th, 2009 - 10:19:02 AM
WTF im twelve years old and i grew up til i was five with cookie monster... i never ate cookies instead i was obsessed with the guy in the trash can every time it came what ever idiot came up with following + kids are to young to actually listen to the tv characters instead they stare at the tv like statues TRUST ME!
adrianna
January 9th, 2010 - 5:31:45 PM
HEY COOKIE MONSTER SHOULD NOT BE VEGGIE MONSTER I MEAN SERIOUSLY KIDS DONT ACT LIKE HIM LIKE TSEAL COOKIES THEY JUST LIKE HIM BECAUSE HES HILARIOUS!COOKKIE MONSTER STAYS COOKIE MONSTER