Sesame Street Then? Sesame Street Now?
Is Old School Sesame Street Appropriate for Kids Today?
The recently released Old School Sesame Street DVDs had with them a disclaimer stating that the episodes were "intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today". What's up with that? Is there something wrong with what generation-x was taught? Are kids today different, or just their parents?
So what is it that was so bad? Cited for this warning label is Cookie Monster, who eats far too many non-nutritious cookies and is sometimes seen with a pipe. Also, Big Bird being the only one to see Snuffy is a reference to hallucinations. In the very first episode, Gordon befriended a little girl who was lonely and takes by the hand leading her to his home to meet his wife and eat milk and cookies - possible pedophile? Also, Oscar the Grouch is to grouchy and mean a character for kids watch.
"These early 'Sesame Street' episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today"
Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1
1969-1974
Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974)
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Do you remember how to get to Sesame Street? Relive those memorable moments from your childhood with Sesame Street: Old School. The best of seasons one to five are all here for the first time ever on DVD. Included are the best episodes from these early years the original pilot as it aired and tons of extras. Do you remember the Ladybug Picnic? How about Wanda the Witch? Did you learn to count with Bill Cosby or James Earl Jones? Sing "Nasty Dan" with Johnny Cash? Sesame Street Old School has something for everyone whether you just have those adorable monsters (and one big bird) or you want to share the show with your children. Make Abracadabra Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich grab your rubber duckie and head on down to where the air is sweet.
Run Time: 420 mins
What do YOU think?
Tell us what you think of Old School Sesame Street and this warning label.
Are Old School Sesame Street Episodes Appropriate for Kids Today?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo, they are not appropriate.
legbamel says:
It's not the pipe and the hallucinating that makes Sesame Street so dangerous. It's the horrible hair and clothes. What sort of example would that set for my children? It's worse than my photo albums!
Posted August 20, 2008
XP says:
Very dangerous program.
To this day I am afraid of eight foot tall yellow birds.
Who will pay for my rehabilitation?
Posted June 10, 2008
Yes, they are still appropriate.
suze says:
RUFN kidding me?!
Posted June 17, 2009
Ileana says:
Oh, please. Are we really having this conversation?
Posted June 10, 2009
Jillian says:
Nowadays, there is a problem with everything. Teletubbies are rumored to be Gay, Bert and Ernie are Homosexuals andnow this crap about the old Sesame Street? Oh please. It was good for my generation and I have grown up fine. I am a prekindergarten teacher and I wish they would air some shows that used to be on back in the day. They taught kids more. Are we really making a comparison betwee giddy Elmo (who is constantly refering to himself in the 3rd person) To an educational Sesame Street that had be counting to 20 at 15 months? People need to grow the hell up!
Posted April 15, 2009
sarah says:
Yes they still are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(
Posted March 11, 2009
Holly, A Concerned Teenager says:
What the heck is wrong with you? When you see Cookie Monster eating cookies, you don't generally think, "Oh wow. How unhealthy!" Especially the younger kids. A lot of kids watch the Fox TV show the Simpsons, and that is much more inappropriate.
The pipe thing is also pretty irrelevant. We see homeless people smoking all the time, especially in big cities. Those aren't even pipes, those are cigarettes!
Another thing. Big Bird isn't hallucinating when he sees Snuffy. He has an imaginary friend! So did most kids back in the day. I feel bad for anyone who didn't have enough imagination.
The only reasonable one is when Gordon takes the girl home- that itself is borderline. There should have been a better way to portray that, while teaching kids talking to strangers isn't safe! That's what we need, not to lock Sesame Street away.
My last lecture is on Oscar. Sure, he's a grouchy character, but you need to teach kids not to get too upset when one of their friends is having a sad grouchy day.
That's really all I have to say, I just want everyone to know that this show is not bad at all!
Posted March 07, 2009
Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, appears with the disputed pipe
WHAT WAS GOOD THEN IS STILL GOOD NOW
Add links that dispute the claim that Old School Sesame is not good for today's kids
Add links that disagree with the disclaimer. Many parents are willing and happy to show their kids these episodes. This is what they have to say.
Not the Same Street by Virginia Heffernan
New York Times0 points
Sesame Street "Old School:" for Adults Only By Mo Morrissey
Associated Content0 points
Circa 1973
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Sesame Street's Stop Motion Animation
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THEY'RE RIGHT, IT'S JUST NOT FOR TODAY'S KIDS
Links to sites that point out why Old School Sesame is not for today's kids.
Post links that point out why these episodes are for nostalgia only, and not good TV for kids today.
Sunny Days... and Some Stupid and Sarcastic Ones Too
Anti-Racist Parent0 points
Sesame Street: The Hidden Lessons
0 points
Monsterpiece Theatre
Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 2
1974 - 1979
Sesame Street: Vol. 2 - Old School (1974-1979)
Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Can you dig it? Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2 picks up right where Volume 1 left off including all the grooviest Sesame Street memories from 1974 to 1979! You ll see cats like Don Music and Roosevelt Franklin Guy Smiley and Fat Blue. Break out your boogie shoes for far out classics like "What s the Name of That Song?" and "Telephone Rock!" Rediscover the Sesame Street of the 1970s -- the place where you learned about letters numbers and loveable furry monsters. Catch you on the flip side!
Run Time: 489 mins
For Your Kids?
Cookie Monster
Should Cookie Monster eat food besides cookies?
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Should Cookie Monster eat food besides cookies?
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Should Cookie Monster eat food besides cookies? Cookie Monster is a cookie monster, which means he eats cookies. If you introduce other food into his diet, he's not the cookie monster anymore. There were rumors that the Cookie Monster's name was be...
Only Big Bird Saw Snuffy - hallucinations?
Comments
What do you think of Sesame Street, new or old?
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
I always loved the clip of the boy trying to put on his pajamas. He must be 40 years old now but the clips still run. I have always wondered if he can get them on yet.
Sesame Street was always appropriate for kids.
5 stars from Fancy Nancy.
Posted September 07, 2008
legbamel wrote...
We've got several Sesame Street videos and most of them have old-school clips to go along with the newer bits. I secretly love to watch them, too.
Posted August 20, 2008
alkneklgsadopjmgas wrote
I watched sesame street when I was young and I think it is far worse now than it ever was then. At least when I watched it you only ASSUMED bert and ernie were gay, and no one was HIV positive.
Posted August 01, 2008
mulberry wrote...
Good debate. The old stuff is fine by me, there is afterall the real world and if parents disagree with something, discussing it at that point can be very educational.
Posted May 28, 2008
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Tony Bennett Should Give It Up
(Family Ties) Skippy or Nick ?
If You Were A Robot, and I Knew and You Didn't, Would You Want Me To Tell You?
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