AUTHOR: Dave Sypniewski DATE: Friday, September 09, 2005 ----- BODY: For the purposes of this story and also because I'm not sure if it was ever revealed, I refer to Big Bird as a male canary. Besides, the person who's been performing as Big Bird for 37 years is a man. Any other way would be way too creepy. Even for me. As week number one of my commentary on Katrina nears it's end, yet another shocker appeared on the Internet today. From Broadcasting and Cable Magazine Online, comes word that a hurricane is about to blow through Sesame Street. For all I know, this weeklong story may be running already or airing soon on a PBS station near you. Though they didn't quite say it like this, the PBS Execs. thought that the timing couldn't have been better although, the 5 parter was already "in the can" since last Christmas. They explain that this will be a good learning experience for the little ones who have only seen the bad images on television. Gee, I never knew that there were any good things that come about as the result of a disaster! Oh, WAIT! I forget...it's times like these that bring out the best in people. For at least a week or so, people help people. That's how it was in the weeks following 9/11, and then just as fast, things went back to their old ways. All that I know about Sesame Street is that when Big Bird's nest blows away in the wind, he turns into a basket case not knowing if he should cry, be angry, run away. It's because of Big Bird's longtime pals on the block that he's able to pull himself together without Xanax or Prozac. It's a good lesson, but I say the timing is BAD. If the kids that are camping out in center field at the Astrodome have access to a television as a group and a story like this comes on a kid friendly show such as Sesame Street, I guess there's nothing wrong with once again re-living all the events that brought them to the Astrodome in the first place. Hopefully, stations down south will have common sense not to air it! In recent years, The Children's Television Workshop has been both praised and criticized for teaching preschool aged children how to deal with all kinds of adult problems from gays to AIDS to cancer and death in general. When you think about it, it's a morbid show. 30 some years ago when shopkeeper "Mr. Hooper" died, nobody ever told us the truth...all they could say was that he "went away" when Big Bird went looking for him. Hey, in 2005 tragedy is an everyday part of life. Why have a man in a canary suit "sugar coat" it? Parents need to talk to their kids about this. I'd even say to have your kids listen to Mister Rogers on how to cope...God rest his soul. Big Bird obviously rebuilds his nest, but a lot of people won't be as lucky as him! -------- Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!: Big Bird's nest is left a mess!

Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Big Bird's nest is left a mess!

For the purposes of this story and also because I'm not sure if it was ever revealed, I refer to Big Bird as a male canary. Besides, the person who's been performing as Big Bird for 37 years is a man. Any other way would be way too creepy. Even for me. As week number one of my commentary on Katrina nears it's end, yet another shocker appeared on the Internet today. From Broadcasting and Cable Magazine Online, comes word that a hurricane is about to blow through Sesame Street. For all I know, this weeklong story may be running already or airing soon on a PBS station near you. Though they didn't quite say it like this, the PBS Execs. thought that the timing couldn't have been better although, the 5 parter was already "in the can" since last Christmas. They explain that this will be a good learning experience for the little ones who have only seen the bad images on television. Gee, I never knew that there were any good things that come about as the result of a disaster! Oh, WAIT! I forget...it's times like these that bring out the best in people. For at least a week or so, people help people. That's how it was in the weeks following 9/11, and then just as fast, things went back to their old ways. All that I know about Sesame Street is that when Big Bird's nest blows away in the wind, he turns into a basket case not knowing if he should cry, be angry, run away. It's because of Big Bird's longtime pals on the block that he's able to pull himself together without Xanax or Prozac. It's a good lesson, but I say the timing is BAD. If the kids that are camping out in center field at the Astrodome have access to a television as a group and a story like this comes on a kid friendly show such as Sesame Street, I guess there's nothing wrong with once again re-living all the events that brought them to the Astrodome in the first place. Hopefully, stations down south will have common sense not to air it! In recent years, The Children's Television Workshop has been both praised and criticized for teaching preschool aged children how to deal with all kinds of adult problems from gays to AIDS to cancer and death in general. When you think about it, it's a morbid show. 30 some years ago when shopkeeper "Mr. Hooper" died, nobody ever told us the truth...all they could say was that he "went away" when Big Bird went looking for him. Hey, in 2005 tragedy is an everyday part of life. Why have a man in a canary suit "sugar coat" it? Parents need to talk to their kids about this. I'd even say to have your kids listen to Mister Rogers on how to cope...God rest his soul. Big Bird obviously rebuilds his nest, but a lot of people won't be as lucky as him!

posted by Dave Sypniewski at Friday, September 09, 2005

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