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.
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.
Jerome I laughed out loud at that.
You are truly a parent.
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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.
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!!!
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.
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!
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
Are you going to tell me that changing the name of the cookie monster is a good idea because of the steady climb of childhood obesity is a good idea? You people make me sick. Kids are fat these days because fast food easier and cheaper than a home cooked meal, there are fewer stay at home moms, AND baseball, soccer, football and basketball are now replaced by texting, the internet and playstation. If I were influenced by everything I’ve seen on TV, I would’ve killed a couple hundred people, banged every “housewife” in my neighborhood, and taken down all the villains with the help of my partner, who just happens to be black!
FUK OFF! Cookie monster does not make kids want to go eat cookies! Just because they r taking him away doesnt mean that kids will stop being obese. If they take him away kids will hate it and just turn off the tv! Let COOKI MOster STAY!
I am 12 but im not afraid to speak my mind. Cookie monster is an icon to many children and Michelle Obama thinks that because kids look up to him if she changes him she will change kids… Well shes wrong its not cookie monsters fault that kids are gitting fat im not fat and i love cookie monster. Its the parents faults for letting there kids eat only junk food. Just because cookie monster doesent eat cookies doesent meen kids wont eat cookies, kids will alwayse love cookies and so will cookie monster. But seriously his name is COOKIE MONSTER and they want him to stop eating cookies… Just think about it….. and go to: savecookiemonster.kk5.org
Did you eat more cookies because the cookie monster loved cookies? I should think not, and if you did you have the weakest will ever. Do you really think the cookie monster eating veggies is going to change anything?
What is the truth here? Has Cookie Monster had a name change?
Changing Cookie Monster’s name will not change eating habits. Childhood obesity has more to do with parental good example in eating habits and the ability of lower income families being able to put more balanced meals on their tables. Starting with a new character would be more effective in getting the point across and poor Cookie won’t have an identity issue.
NOOOO… cookie monster should stay that way and not turn into some freakin veggie monster
like WTF