Katy Perry Outfit Inappropriate For Sesame Street?
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The Katy Perry / Elmo / Sesame Street Scandal!
Katy Perry performed a toned down version of her hit song Hot 'n' Cold, in a duet with Sesame Street's Elmo, wearing a yellow number with a plunging cleavage. It was later noted that the outfit also included an ice skater's style mesh top in a flesh-like colour.
Once the clip had been released for preview, the producers received complaints from (some) parents about how much Katy Perry was revealing, not only to Elmo, but also to the eyes of all those drooling preschoolers.
So, what do you think? Were the producers right in editing this clip out of Sesame Street, or have these preschoolers been witness to worse at your local Wal-Mart?
Intro Image Source
Contents at a Glance
Katy Perry's Revealing Sesame Street Clip?
Here is the offending video clip starring Katy Perry along with Elmo. What's your take?
The Producers' Statement
Sesame Street Pulls Katy Perry Video
"Sesame Street has always been written on two levels, for the child and adult. We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or caregiver. We also value our viewers' opinions and particularly those of parents.
In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video, which was released on YouTube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers."
The Katy Perry / Sesame Street Debate
Was it right to cut this segment from Sesame Street?
Yes, Katy Perry's outfit is inappropriate for preschoolers!
Alissa says:
i guess it was kinda weird that she would put on something like that for a baby
show
jkvkdailey says:
I'm surprised someone didn't notice it maybe wasn't appropriate before or during the video. I think the video is adorable, and Katy is adorable. The princess dress was a good idea, but really, the low cut and barely there top of the dress wasn't a good choice.
tandemonimom says:
I'm going to have to fall on the NO side. While I agree that most preschoolers have probably seen similar outfits or even more than that, that's not the point. There ARE still parents out there who protect their children's innocence, and Sesame Street, of all places, should be a safe bet for them. Kate Perry should have had more respect for her audience.
BigGirlBlue says:
I'm kind of of in the middle but slightly leaning. I think it is a totally cute video and Katy says at the beginning that she put on her "dress-up" clothes. But, this costume really isn't like the ice skating ones which use a nude color that covers up the flesh and not a mesh which leaves everything pretty much visible.
I don't think it has to do with giving children sexual thoughts so much as exposing young people to the sexualization of women which is what the almost bare and some times jiggling breasts imply. They are going to get a ton of that in high school. Sesame Street should be a safe haven from that so I can totally see how some parents would be upset.
The SNL Elmo t-shirt skit was hilarious. And it's a totally appropriate environment.
Treasures-By-Brenda says:
Where do you stop? Do you ever draw the line? Is anything inappropriate? Is everything appropriate? Does everything go? Always? No matter where no matter when? I agree that a toddler isn't going to go off thinking about Katy Perry's outfit one way or the other but...all I can say is WHY???
poddys says:
Actually let me sit on the other side of the fence too - I don't think they should have considered adding this in the first place. It would be as bad as having a rap artist on with their pants hanging down to their knees and uttering the F-word all over the place.
grannysage says:
I am somewhat in the middle but leaning toward the inappropriate. I am not prudish and lived in a commune where clothes were optional. But, I have to ask, what was the purpose of her dressing like that? Did it help the song or detract from it? A costume could have been many things, it didn't have to exaggerate a certain body part. The skit was about playing together, not running around looking sexy. So I say, it was right to cut the segment, but Katy Perry got the desired result anyway. More publicity.
WindyWinters says:
Although I see nothing wrong with her dress and love her music, I think Katy Perry, Emo and Sesame Street are the wrong mix. I'm happy they pulled the video. Sorry, I'm a bit old-fashioned!
Susan52 says:
Watching the video, the outfit is much less offensive than it appeared in the picture I saw in the newspaper. However, I still think it's in poor taste. There is still a place for modesty in our society. Katy Perry definitely isn't in the same place.
Pastiche says:
Yah, it's a couture flop for this show but not much different from the so-called "career top" fashions in the stores and worn in offices (and on some news shows) all over these days. Yawn. Who needs to see cleavage all the time? Musta been a hit with the crew.
jenms says:
Inappropriate is a little bit of a stretch, but but I think she might have picked a different top to appear on a show for pre-school kids. Would she wear the same thing to meet her fiance's 90 year Grandmother for the first time? Well considering it's Russell Brand maybe she would. Lady Gaga didn't wear anything too crazy when she met the Queen. I think it's more about respecting the audience in question. Now did a big deal need to be made of it? No, definitely not.
No way, what's the fuss all about?
michael says:
its totaly ok
Ty says:
No. Kids won't even notice. The Sesame Street producers should bring it back to TV.
andy M says:
nothing wrong with the video, Katy Perry did a good job, with Elmo.
poppy says:
katy's outfit wasn't inappropriate because she wasn't flashing as much as she normally does so she didn't want to look babyish or look hot she wanted to look in the middle
AHERMITT says:
Sesame street should have chosen her wardrobe but since they didn't, I have to say it wasn't so bad.
ArdenBaird says:
If pre-schoolers even notice the clothes I'd be surprised.
bsblmike2 says:
i dont mind it hehe
MarkUpshaw says:
I don't see the problem. Growing up in the 60's and 70's, I saw an awful lot more flesh of my teachers.
terrapin719 says:
I honestly did not get the fuss about this. I did not find her outfit revealing or sexual at all. It was some cleavage - ooooo. Have the complaining moms met Barbie lately?
fanfreluche says:
Come on, I have seen 16 years old prom dress with WAY more cleavage than this. All this shock and awe about her outfit serve no one. Really, in the 50's remember the robes used to look like this. Watching this debate makes me feel like going back in time. When people get too prudish, it ends up having teens going the total opposite ways!
abceekids says:
miss piggy has dressed more revealing than that people!
WildFacesGallery says:
Well it's probably not the most appropriate outfit but neither was it too revealing. I've seen more sex in rice commercials. But then again I'm not a mother of a preschooler.
drifter0658 says:
Fail! Especially if there were just a few complaints. I'll echo...PRUDES! Hey, this is America where sex sells...I bet it sells education too! Honestly, there is nothing wrong with the outfit. Nothing got loose and I'd be willing to bet that most of these kids have seen more clevage from their grandmothers who are probably in their mid 40's...
WhitePineLane says:
I want to apologize for using the word "prudes". After re-reading my comment, I thought - just because someone thinks the video should be pulled, doesn't necessarily make them prudish, and that was an inappropriate remark on my part.
poddys says:
Other than the occasional jiggle, I didn't see anything wrong with it at all. It's just the USA being prudish as usual. If a 5 year old sees her cleavage as something sexual, then there is something wrong. If a 15 year old sees it, then I have to ask "why are they watching Sesame Street?". So much about Sesame Street is inappropriate anyhow, I don't see what difference this makes. Pre-school kids see their mothers wearing less than Katy Perry was wearing these days.
WhitePineLane says:
Wrong, wrong, wrong to cut from Sesame Street! As others have said - no preschooler is going to look at her outfit and think lurid thoughts. She's not dressed any differently than any fairy or princess they've seen in Disney movies! It's a sweet and cute remake of her song Hot 'n' Cold - a song they've probably heard many times on the radio, and will relate to! Sure she MIGHT'VE picked a less-revealing outfit - but she's KATY PERRY, and she's playing DRESS-UP! Gosh, prudes - get a grip! Grace Kelly would've worn a strapless number like this, for goodness' sake! Toddlers will not be harmed by watching this video.
purplelady says:
I have been hearing about this but had not seen the video until the wonderful network of Squidoo brought it to me. Now that I have seen it, I believe Mr. Shakespeare had words that fit this reaction by some: Much Ado About Nothing!
There are many TV commercials that are much more inappropriate and more revealing.
guardianstar77 says:
Have to agree that this is ridiculous. My one remaining preschooler would just dance and sing along with them BOTH and not have a thought in his little head about her "revealing" costume. My 7-year-old granddaughter would immediately think "fairy princess". I wonder if those same outraged parents let those little ones sit in front of TV sets where they see (probably several times a week) the Victoria's Secrets commercials. Victoria has VERY FEW secrets!
aishu19 says:
Dear god toddlers wouldnt look at that and get any suggestive ideas..they probably thinks shes dressed like a fairy...if any adult that was inappropriate then its probably because they have inappropriate thoughts on their mind..come on how much do you want to shelter these kids? Its a costume..she does mention its a dress up game....
GypsyOwl says:
I rarely ever engage in any controversy. But, This time seems to be a good time to break my own rules. I say "choose your battles wisely". This one seems rather "FUN" (thanks to Monkey Brain).
We are talking about toddlers right? The darling little uninhibited humans who on a whim will toss all of their clothing to the wind and streak across malls and down church isles? SHAME ON THEM!! How dare Sesame Street encourage such innocence and uninhibited positive self image reinforcement?
Secondly, I am going to guess that the adult audience who is most likely to be watching this (parents of toddlers) are the same age as Katy and are dressing just like she is.
Looking For More Katy Perry?
Katy Perry's Outfit: Appropriate!
In the Blue Corner...
*Don't see anything wrong it it myself... She's wearing far more than some people do out on the streets. Pity they pulled it - I think it's really well done.
*Haha you serious? You can't see anything! Kids would see more walking down the street in summer than in this
*I've watched it. Seriously, what is wrong with the Sesame Street producers for pulling this? there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING sexual or revealling in this film clip.
*Seriously.... What child would be looking at her in that way... Don't know about everyone else but when I was watching Sesame Street I was watching it for Bert and Ernie or the letter of the day!!! Any child that is even able to comprehend what she is wearing could do an internet search and find a lot more revealing outfits of Katy Perry...
*From what I can see of that dress. it seems to be a lot like Tinkerbell's dress or The Little Mermaid's top.
Totally inappropriate. Elmo is completely naked. What were they thinking letting Elmo run around completely nude?
Katy Perry's Outfit: Inappropriate!
In the Red Corner...
*This is great news.The culture of children's TV is changing and I'm not liking it one little bit! Where are the cartoons we used to enjoy watching back in the day. Let children's TV just be for children, rather than celebrities just representing themselves!
*A wise decision. Why she or the producers of the clip thought her outfit was ever appropriate is beyond me, it's tv for young children, not adolescent males. I think that if they want to use her fine, but make sure she dresses appropriately next time. The sad thing is that there had to be complaints in the first place. Commonsense has been abandoned well and truly into today's society.
*Totally appropriate if you don't mind your kids dressing the same way when they play dress ups, or giggling together because they can see 'boobies'. Children's TV needs a swift kick up the backside - or more to the point, parents do because they are the ones allowing their kids to be 'dumbed down' and 'sexed up' by television.
*I'm the first to admit that I'm pretty open to women wearing clothing that reveals a bit of cleavage (as I do!), but that dress is showing just too much for a children's program!
*For goodness sake, this is a children's program! She even runs with her arms across her chest - just in case they jump out!
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Katy Perry's Sesame Street Scandal on Twitter
In Search of Some Sesame Street?
What Do I Think?
View My Response Here!
- Katy Perry's Sesame Street Attire Is TOTALLY UNNECESSARY
- My response is included at the excellent blog: Music and Movie Treasures By Brenda.
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Katy & Elmo Would Love to Hear From You!
Your Comments Are Welcomed!
Thank you for joining me, and contributing to, this very pressing issue. I look forward to reading any additional comments you may have.
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whiteskyline
Sep 6, 2011 @ 5:56 pm | delete
- There is something hilarious about this, whilst at the same time, it is a real issue at hand that effects the future generations of the young. You've picked a good one Waxing-Lyrical. I think I may be a tad blunt for one of this nature.
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AHERMITT Nov 4, 2010 @ 6:43 pm | delete
- Would have been a great way to get Dad to watch Sesame Street with the kids.
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bsblmike2
Oct 23, 2010 @ 1:29 pm | delete
- interesting lens to say the least
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bsblmike2
Oct 23, 2010 @ 1:29 pm | delete
- interesting lens to say the least
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KathyMcGraw
Oct 8, 2010 @ 9:48 am | delete
- Hey Rich...came back with some Angel Dust...and see you have some new Videos...also the top Twitter thing on here right now says response from Katy Perry :) Anyway...consider this blessed :)
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nightbear
Oct 4, 2010 @ 8:50 pm | delete
- Excellent lens, actually thought provoking. How do we protect the kids? and how much protection do they need? Very interesting responses.
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terrapin719
Oct 4, 2010 @ 12:36 pm | delete
- I think Tinkerbell shows more skin than Katy in this appearance ~ I really don't get why the skit was pulled at all. My kids are well past the Sesame Street watching age nowadays, but I certainly wouldn't have complained about this skit at all, I thought it was a fun play on Katy's song. I can't help but wonder if the complaint has more to do with things other than her outfit.
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KathyMcGraw
Sep 26, 2010 @ 12:21 pm | delete
- I love the comment from WhitePineLane who changed her mind about the initial use of the word "prude". I used it too...an initial gut reaction...and not so sure if some of these people that complained aren't prudes but then again some aren't. Thank you WhitePineLane for that wise statement :)
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WhitePineLane
Sep 27, 2010 @ 4:05 pm | delete
- That's me, the wise one. ;-)
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Sep 26, 2010 @ 9:03 am | delete
- Excellent lens...but I don't see your response in the debate, do I?
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drifter0658
Sep 25, 2010 @ 4:55 pm | delete
- To add to what WhitePineLane says...he also has some guy's hand...well...you know...just how perverted is that?
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WhitePineLane
Sep 25, 2010 @ 2:08 pm | delete
- I should also add that my favorite blurb is the one in the red box about it being inappropriate because Elmo's completely naked. Yeah! What about that?!? ;-D
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Sep 27, 2010 @ 3:20 pm | delete
- I loved that one, too.
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terrapin719
Oct 4, 2010 @ 12:37 pm | delete
- ROFL! darn those naked monsters and giant yellow birds running amuck on Sesame Street!
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WhitePineLane
Sep 25, 2010 @ 2:06 pm | delete
- I LOVE the picture in the intro mod. Perfect! This is a good debate, and I feel sorry that I said "Gosh 'prudes'" in my response above. Just because you think the video should be pulled doesn't necessarily man you are prudish, and that was wrong of me. Great lens!
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About Your Author
With each article, Richard invites you to step into his world of music, television and entertainment. He will introduce you to The Top 10 Albums in the UK, share The 20 Scariest Film Scores Ever? and even give you an up close look at some classical actors like Christopher Lee as Dracula.
For a complete list of Richard's articles on Squidoo, please visit Waxing-Lyrical on Squidoo.
by Waxing-Lyrical
So Katy Perry's outfit doesn't pass the Sesame Street censor or the great American public's opinion. What do YOU think?
Originally from the UK where I...
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