Everyone Has a Past
Have you ever done something in your life that “seemed like a good idea at the time” and maybe now you’d be a little embarassed if your co-workers found out about it? I think that even the most “squeaky-clean” (like that person exists) of us has something hiding in the closet.
Last night I put my son to bed and ususally I turn on the TV so he can watch some Sprout TV on PBS. It took me a minute to remember that PBS had fired the “Good Night Show” host Melanie Martinez because of an independent short she did which spoofed some public service announcements on safe sex. The notice was posted on the Sprout website.
So, out of curiousity I watched one of the PSA shorts and it was funny. Okay, not TODDLER funny, but funny. Come on PBS! It’s not like Melanie was going to start talking about sex on the “Good Night Show” and how would a toddler even be exposed to (or understand) the PSA spoofs she did.
The list of children’s television is full of characters with a “past” – Mr. Hooper from Sesame Street (accused of being a Nazi sympathizer); PeeWee Herman (no explanation needed); George Carlin host of Thomas the Tank Engine (arrested for violating obscenity laws); and Alec Baldwin host of Thomas the Tank Engine (accused of spousal abuse and assault). In a world where there are no more metal Tonka trucks, everything is padded, and children are so over-protected it is a wonder anyone grows up to survive past the age of 10.
I’m still waiting for Alec Baldwin to move to France, like he promised: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/leave.htm
Thank you. Well fucking said.
Now that is complete crap. My 4 1/2 year old daughter LOVES that show. I doubt that she ever would have known anything about this spoofed film. But she will care that one of her favorite characters is gone for some stupid grown up reason that doesn’t involve her. We actually do those crafts and watch the show regularly. It’s a fun thing that we bond over.
Shame on PBS.
They went way overboard by letting Melanie go. She was a good host, kids love her. Really, one minute of some minor crap was enough?
It seems like, if you wanted to, you could dig up some internet/reality tv/digital photo crap on just about anyone. It’s not like the spoofed ads are currently playing on tv, as commercials in between the show. And that’s really what it would take for it to be seen by the kids watching the show.