Flying in the Face of Controversy

In spite of the warnings that “early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child” I ordered the Old School vol. 1 and 2 DVDs to supplement Leila's Xmas booty. Yes, I'll enjoy tripping through memory lane with her (and I really can't wait until she's ready for the classic Electric Company DVD's - Hey You Guys! - then the Muppets, and Fraggle Rock...) so the gift is somewhat self-serving, but... ...is it wrong of me to want to engage in a little Sesame Street appreciation without the likes of Mr. Noodle?
Or his brother Mr. Noodle?
Or their sister Miss Noodle.....?

In case you missed the brouhaha, there was a NYT Mag. article a couple weeks back that raised concerns about the behaviors characters displayed in the early years. Cookie Monster affecting a pipe as Alastair Cookie then binging on said pipe along with furniture, cookies and everything in arms reach...Ernie and Bert's questionable living arrangements in a dingy basement apartment...Oscar's depression (personally, I wouldn't mind if someone slipped Dora a bit of his downer juice)...

As a parent, I do understand concerns about modeling behavior, but I also know that it's my precise job - not the Children's Television Workshop's - as a parent to tell my child that a cookie or two in moderation is fine. An entire jar finished off with a pipe and some easy chair legs is not. And quite frankly, I don't think my 2.5 year old is going to pick up on the nuances that are raising the red flags as an adult would. I can say, yeah, Ernie and Bert could be gay, or then again, they could be platonic friends trying to save on rent...My kid's not going to pick up on anything odd about their living arrangements at this age - and if and when she's ready to question it, I will appreciate having the platform for discussion. Sure, Oscar might have benefited from a Prozac, but he's a grouch - it's even part of his name in addition to his nature - we all encounter grouches and pessimists in our lives and the sooner my kid learns that different people have different outlooks on life the better she'll be able to find her way in our world. Will we be diagnosing Mr. Rogers - may he rest in peace - with OCD next and slapping warnings on his back episodes in fear of our children wanting to change their shoes and sweaters every time the enter/exit the house?

I'm not sure I credit Sesame Street for contributing hugely to my education, but it sure didn't hurt. Anecdotally, I actually watched full episodes regularly, and I am an avid reader to this day. My brother may have looked up from whatever he was building or pounding on during a commercial (well maybe PBS was commercial free in those days, point is, the program didn't keep his attention) and he was known to get by osmosing books through high school and college. He's a smart, hard-working lawyer today, but the reading bug never quite bit him as it did me. Did Sesame Street contribute, who knows...Anyway...off my high-horse now. And no, I don't plan to deprive Leila of Elmo, we're actually taking her to "Sesame Street Live: Elmo Grows Up" next week. Good times for mom and dad!