Katy Perry too controversial for Sesame Street?

[IDrinkaRum]

Katy Perry filmed a song sequence with Elmo, now Sesame Street is not allowing it to be shown in its new season (http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/a-line/sesame-street-pulls-controversial-katy-perry-duet/624)

Parents complained by what Ms. Perry is wearing.

I have a few questions for those complaining:

1. Do you think she picked out her own outfit for the shoot?
2. Don't you know there are people whose job it is to pick out outfits for the people starring in shows?

I have no problem with the video. I have no problem with what Katy Perry is wearing in the video.

She is with Elmo, who is a red naked monster. Are we going to be up in arms that Elmo is naked? Big Bird is naked too. And so is Snuffy! OMG! We've got NAKED muppets running around Sesame Street!

Are people making mountains out of molehills?

[the_std]

You know, for once, I agree with this sort of thing. There is a lot of boob in that dress. I don't understand why she couldn't wear something a little more in theme with Sesame Street - the t-shirts and jeans of past not edgy enough for Katy?

The analogy about the naked puppets is pretty moot, as none of them have genitals or any kind of sexual characteristics at all. If they had a rack like Katy Perry, I'm pretty sure the show would put clothes on them too.

[Greenday]

Do the parents who are complaining realize that 1-6 year olds wouldn't even notice what she is wearing?

[Mikkel]

Do the parents who are complaining realize that 1-6 year olds wouldn't even notice what she is wearing?

You don't think the 1 year olds will get hungry? ;)

[RavenStarr]

Well if you notice part of what goes up to her her neck is made of flesh colored material so she is actually covered up.

She's wearing what alot of figure skaters wear. So I guess these same parents better not let thier kids watch figure skating either huh?

[powerboy]

Why must people complain about things like this? Like what was mentioned, kidss are not going to pay attention to things like that.

[LadyBarbossa]

I'd be more worried about the fact that Elmo is teaching my kids (if I had any) to speak in the third person and generally behave like a moron, than what Katy is wearing. Geez.

[IDrinkaRum]

Yeah, I noticed the flesh colored covering so Katy is covered up.

However, did anyone stop to ask why she was dressed like that?

Again, there has got to be a costume department on the set of Sesame Street for its human stars. If that's what the costume department put her in, then why is anyone complaining? People working for a children's show put her in something they themselves deemed appropriate!

[the_std]

Again, there has got to be a costume department on the set of Sesame Street for its human stars. If that's what the costume department put her in, then why is anyone complaining? People working for a children's show put her in something they themselves deemed appropriate!

Actually, there are many possibilities in this situation that this doesn't include. What if Katy Perry's rep said, "We'll only let you have her on the show if she wears this and this costume" or something to that effect? It happens a lot, because a manager has to think about the image that the star portrays, and wants to make sure that star stays within that image in all controllable circumstances. And, if that's not the case, so what if the Sesame Street costuming department put her in that dress? They might have misjudged how it would look broadcasted, or whoever picked it out made a mistake. These things happen, sometimes it's impossible to predict how people will react to things.

I still think the dress is on the unnecessary side for a small children's show. This isn't an ice-skating competition where everyone is dressed like that. This is a kid's program where most of the people are wearing basic "jeans and a t-shirt" type of attire. And I do see the flesh-coloured mesh at the top of the dress and yes, even with that, I do think it's unnecessary. The mesh is clearly slightly transparent, as you can see the shape of her breasts through it. You can even see one folding where she is leaning against Elmo. I'm not sure why anyone would want to show off like that on a small children's program.

I don't feel strongly enough that I'd have protested when the show was released. It's not like she was wearing pasties and a g-string. If the episode had showed and I had children, I wouldn't have kept them from watching it. But I do think that it wasn't the greatest wardrobe choice for the situation.

[IDrinkaRum]

I was just posting those questions to make the questioners out there stop and think.

I have no problem with what she's wearing or the video itself.

Everyone is screaming "What about the children!?"

The children are probably doing what my daughter does: be bop around to the music without really looking at the TV. And if they're looking at the TV, my money is on the fact they're more enchanted with Elmo than Katy Perry.

[Sage Blackthorn]

I was just posting those questions to make the questioners out there stop and think.

I have no problem with what she's wearing or the video itself.

Everyone is screaming "What about the children!?"

The children are probably doing what my daughter does: be bop around to the music without really looking at the TV. And if they're looking at the TV, my money is on the fact they're more enchanted with Elmo than Katy Perry.

Whenever someone says "What about the children?!" I am reminded of something George Carlin said years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgJljf6BK88

Your children are over-rated and over-valued, you've turned them into little cult objects, you have a child fetish and it's not healthy.

[the_std]

I'm not really concerned about the children in this respect. I highly doubt 1-6 years old will be bothered by boobies. Heck, some of them still see them every day. The problem I have is with the apparent taste levels of whoever picked out that outfit in the first place. It definitely does not say Sesame Street to me.

[Sage Blackthorn]

I'm not really concerned about the children in this respect. I highly doubt 1-6 years old will be bothered by boobies. Heck, some of them still see them every day. The problem I have is with the apparent taste levels of whoever picked out that outfit in the first place. It definitely does not say Sesame Street to me.

Sesame Street is a reflection of popular culture. I found out a few years ago that the first few seasons of Sesame Street are now considered "Rated R" because they show scenes of children being lost on the street and the Sesame Street characters taking them to their home to call the police and it's portrayed at being "OK". This was shot before the "Stranger Danger" hysteria swept the nation. It was alright then when people trusted their neighbors, now that society is generally more paranoid....and people have cell phones and dont' NEED to return home to call the police about a lost or abandonned child......it's not considered acceptable.

As a reflection of popular culture, current shows reflect the changing attitudes about what is acceptable and what is not. The Sesame Street of today is a far cry from what I watched as a child growing up! I don't think the outfit says "Sesame Street' either, but I recognize that I'm comparing it with what I grew up watching 25 years ago. Since I'm not a devotee of the show as it is now, I can't really say what is "Sesame Street Acceptable" today.

[Hobbs]

I still think the dress is on the unnecessary side for a small children's show. This isn't an ice-skating competition where everyone is dressed like that. This is a kid's program where most of the people are wearing basic "jeans and a t-shirt" type of attire. And I do see the flesh-coloured mesh at the top of the dress and yes, even with that, I do think it's unnecessary. The mesh is clearly slightly transparent, as you can see the shape of her breasts through it. You can even see one folding where she is leaning against Elmo. I'm not sure why anyone would want to show off like that on a small children's program.


The theme was that Katy Perry wanted to play "dress up" with Elmo. If anything, the dress looks like a Tinkerbelle costume, something that young girls dress up in every Halloween.

And so what you can see the shape of her breasts? Are all women on Sesame Street supposed to be flat-chested or wear full-parkas/sweaters to cover up their bust?

I don't think she's "showing off." It looks like a nice segment pulled because of prudish parents.

[IDrinkaRum]

Elmo really likes Ms. Katy and wants another playdate with her (http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/24/elmo-speaks-out-about-sesame-street-cutting-katy-perry-skit/?icid=main%7Caim%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk1%7C172816)

[blas87]

I personally think all celebrities who go on Sesame Street are sell-outs, the same way like The Rock and Vin Diesel started being in "family" movies.

Katy Perry dresses very scandalously. I think she's beautiful and has an amazing body and I'm not complaining about her fashion sense, I'm just saying I don't think she needs to be on Sesame Street. Her fan base is teens and young adults and pervy old men.

[Hobbs]

I personally think all celebrities who go on Sesame Street are sell-outs, the same way like The Rock and Vin Diesel started being in "family" movies.

How are celebrities sell-outs for going on Sesame Street? If you can tell me how Smokey Robinson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyUxVCR0p9g) is a sell-out, I'd really like to know.

[Sage Blackthorn]

I personally think all celebrities who go on Sesame Street are sell-outs, the same way like The Rock and Vin Diesel started being in "family" movies.

Katy Perry dresses very scandalously. I think she's beautiful and has an amazing body and I'm not complaining about her fashion sense, I'm just saying I don't think she needs to be on Sesame Street. Her fan base is teens and young adults and pervy old men.

Honestly, I think ALL actors are "sell-outs" in a sense. They make a living by selling their image. A smart business-person follows the market trends. If gritty action flicks are grossing less than family movies, then the smart actor switches genres.

But what's more disturbing? A sell-out? or a show that even considers putting a scantily clad singer on a children show? Yeah they pulled it, but only because of the negative outcry. Had no one been paying attention, Katy would've gone on the show as planned.

[Hobbs]

Had no one been paying attention, Katy would've gone on the show as planned.

And she should have. I hardly consider her dress "scantily-clad." Girls at my school wear less doing to classes for pity's sake.

[Arcade Man D]

But what's more disturbing? A sell-out? or a show that even considers putting a scantily clad singer on a children show? Yeah they pulled it, but only because of the negative outcry. Had no one been paying attention, Katy would've gone on the show as planned.

I don't know what pictures you were looking at, but I wouldn't consider that "scantily-clad" at all. She's showing less than the average wedding dress. And nothing more than a figure skater, and a lot less than a professional dancer. Would a parent not allow their child to go to/watch those due to their outfits?

[Sage Blackthorn]

I don't know what pictures you were looking at, but I wouldn't consider that "scantily-clad" at all. She's showing less than the average wedding dress. And nothing more than a figure skater, and a lot less than a professional dancer. Would a parent not allow their child to go to/watch those due to their outfits?

Depends entirely on the parent. It's that whole "squeaky wheel gets the grease" syndrome unfortunetly. "Scantily-clad" is a matter of opinion. And yes, there are parents out there (prudish ones as Hobbs pointed out), that would not allow their child (defining child as 0-18 or 21 years of age in their minds) to watch figure skaters, professional dancers, nor to attend certain weddings based on whether they approved of the brides manner of dress. Most likely it's those people who raised the cry of outrage over what the average parent could care less about.

I don't think Sesame Street is the kind of show that would want to appear "scandalous" in any fashion. I remember when Cookie Monster actually ate a lot of cookies on the show, but parents complained that it was teaching children to eat in an unhealthy manner. The show changed it's programming to accomodate them. In fact parents whining and nit-picking about every little thing seems to be the driving force behind the show's writing. That they would think, after all the years of dealing with this, that they should have filmed Katy in the outfit in the first place, is actually kinda mind boggling in itself. I mean come on....somebody on the staff had to KNOW when they saw Katy Perry in that outfit that SOMEONE was gonna complain about it as being inappropriate for viewing by small children.....even knowing that small are prejudiced against clothing or the human body in the way adults are taught to be.

I think they were HOPING to get away with it, and it backfired, so they pulled the segment to save face with their sponsers. It is PBS after all.

[BigGiant]

Maybe I should put this in "Stuff I Hate" section, but....

What the hell is the "hang up" we seem to have in the states with any sort of nudity or sexuality?

I mean, seriously? EVERY woman has boobs. Heck, even lots of guys have boobs. EVERY man has a penis, EVERY woman has a vagina. What's the big fucking deal?

Folks worry about the effect it is gonna have on children if they are "exposed" to sexual images too early- like it is gonna turn them into sex crazed deviants...It just isn't the case. And it certainly isn't gonna hurt a toddler to see even full frontal nudity...FFS, they barely would notice.

sorry, /rant

[Sage Blackthorn]

Maybe I should put this in "Stuff I Hate" section, but....

What the hell is the "hang up" we seem to have in the states with any sort of nudity or sexuality?

I mean, seriously? EVERY woman has boobs. Heck, even lots of guys have boobs. EVERY man has a penis, EVERY woman has a vagina. What's the big fucking deal?

Folks worry about the effect it is gonna have on children if they are "exposed" to sexual images too early- like it is gonna turn them into sex crazed deviants...It just isn't the case. And it certainly isn't gonna hurt a toddler to see even full frontal nudity...FFS, they barely would notice.

sorry, /rant

Hey, I live here and I've never been able to figure out what the hang-up is.....other than all the complaint seem to come the religious right wing fanatics who seem to think that EVERYONE should live and think they way they say we should.

Some people say it can be traced back to the Victorian Era when "erotic art" was deemed unhealthy for women and the lower classes to see (of course the Aristocracy, the Upper Class rich should view it behind closed doors all they wanted.....yeah, I've gone off on a MEGA-RANT about this many times.) I've read about other cultures that aren't so body conscious, that don't make a big deal out of it...turns out they find Americas fascination with Breasts to be bizarre and incomprehensible and don't see what the big deal is with a woman breast-feeding her child.

Don't know what to tell ya', life here is just friggin' weird sometimes.

[fireheart17]

What the hell is the "hang up" we seem to have in the states with any sort of nudity or sexuality?
Folks worry about the effect it is gonna have on children if they are "exposed" to sexual images too early- like it is gonna turn them into sex crazed deviants...It just isn't the case. And it certainly isn't gonna hurt a toddler to see even full frontal nudity...FFS, they barely would notice.



We have it here in Ausland as well. I can understand boobs and chest being shown, after all a man can walk around shirtless and nobody bats an eye, but if a woman walks around shirtless (or in a bikini) then she's pretty much ogled at or is prosecuted. Funnily enough, during a protest at one point for this, the women got around the indecency issue by covering up their nipples with...more nipples (the coverups were designed to look like nipples)

as for point two, I'd probably say that they're more worried about kidlets being accosted on the street by pedophiles. But you do have a point.

As for the Katy Perry thing, I'd probably say they're making a little bit of amountain out of a molehill. But hey, at least the Seasme Street ratings will go right up :p Reason why I'm saying so is that some of the female presenters have worn V-neck jumpers or something similar and haven't been covered up to the neck. Nobody's said anything about them.

And the only question I have is....would the same parents raise an outcry if Lady Gaga was on the show? (given her penchant for "odd outfits")

[muses_nightmare]

I don't know if any of you have seen it, but they have recently done a take on True Blood. Which while I find it amusing myself, seems like an odd place to get material for a kids show.

video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dAZ1-nF3VI)

[blas87]

True Blood is one of my favorite shows. I'd hate to see any of those people show up on that kiddy show, or outcry about how over the top that show is. It's on fucking HBO, which is a channel you pay extra for, hell, need digtal cable for.

[Hobbs]

True Blood is one of my favorite shows. I'd hate to see any of those people show up on that kiddy show, or outcry about how over the top that show is. It's on fucking HBO, which is a channel you pay extra for, hell, need digtal cable for.

I don't know if any of you have seen it, but they have recently done a take on True Blood. Which while I find it amusing myself, seems like an odd place to get material for a kids show.

video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dAZ1-nF3VI)

I think Sesame Street just likes to be topical and "with the times." Kids, to a point, know what True Blood is even if they don't see it. And by its popularity they know that it's something "cool." So by watching an episode of Sesame Street with "True Mud" they get to say, "Hey, I got to watch something cool like big bro/sis mom/dad!" And the same is true for Miss Perry. She is a famous singer, and more than likely, the kids have heard her on the radio. Maybe they understand the meaning of "Hot n Cold" and maybe they don't. The thing is, they got to see a "cool person" hanging out with characters that they like (in this case Elmo).

As someone who grew up with older siblings, I know what it's like to be a kid and left out of the loop because the older kids are into "cool" stuff that's not "for little kids," and the ensuing exclusion that stemmed from that. Now a little brother or sister can retort, "I'm just as cool cuz [famous (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl6VpmjKZAs) person (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE)] likes Sesame Street just like me!" Even other PBS shows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCsD5PRoX7I)have used the gimmick of celebrity and popular programming to get children engaged.

[fireheart17]

I don't know if any of you have seen it, but they have recently done a take on True Blood. Which while I find it amusing myself, seems like an odd place to get material for a kids show.

video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dAZ1-nF3VI)

They did a take on SVU quite a while ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5121VjLwqZM

Complete with Cragen, Munch, Stabler and Benson Muppets :D