Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Miriam the Cultural Commentator.

Our Lenten resolutions having been flushed (almost literally) down the toilet by the flu, Miriam and I spent the morning watching PBS Kids. Let's just say, Sesame Street ain't what it used to be.



Hitherto, Miriam's exposure to Sesame Street has been limited to the 1969 First Season DVD. She loves it. The cover has a strange little blurb warning that "this release is intended for adult audiences and may not be appropriate for today's preschool children." I have no idea what that means. Correction: I HAD no idea what that meant. Now I do.

Today's episode featured a frantic Telly leaping into his best friend, "Baby Bearw's," birthday cake. The camera shots were quick, the colors were blazing, the dialogue was infantile, the words were so muddled together and spoken in such obnoxious tones that I could hardly follow the "plot."

Miriam watched with growing confusion and distaste.

"Mummy?"

"Hm. Yes?"

"Why are they talking so fast?"

Pause.

"Mummy, why are they all yelling?"

Needless to say, we stopped right there is put in good ol' Episode 263 from Season Two. It was quiet. It was educational. She understood. Clearly, she belongs in 1969. Or something. I suppose shows appropriate "for today's preschoolers" need to careen toward no point at all at breakneck pace just to hold said preschoolers' attention. Ah, the breakdown of Western civilization.

5 comments:

Melanie Bettinelli said...

So sorry to hear you've been sick. Interesting the contrast between old and new Sesame. Glad to hear Miriam is so discerning.

Melanie Bettinelli said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Melanie Bettinelli said...

Sorry for the double post. I have no idea why it did that. I only hit enter once.

Erika Ahern said...

That's okay: the mysteries of the InterWeb!

e said...

ew, yeah, new sesame street is hard to stomach. it's the vocal timbre of most of the characters. it has been dumbed down for doornails. and yet still triumphs in its politically correctness!