Cookie Monster Can't Eat Cookies!

Laser Rod Optimus Prime · Post by **Laser Rod Optimus Prime** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:41 pm

Found Here

'Sesame Street' advocates healthy eating habits

Thursday, April 7, 2005 Posted: 6:42 PM EDT (2242 GMT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Something must be wrong in the land of Muppets.

First PBS announced that "Sesame Street" would kick off its 35th season this week with a multiyear story arc about healthy habits. No problem there; childhood obesity rates are soaring. Then I learned of changes that turned my "Sesame Street" world upside-down.

My beloved blue, furry monster -- who sang "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me" -- is now advocating eating healthy. There's even a new song -- "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food," where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods.

"Sacrilege!" I cried. "That's akin to Oscar the Grouch being nice and clean." (Co-workers gave me strange looks. But I didn't care.)

Being a journalist, I did the only thing I knew how to do. I investigated why "Sesame Street" gave Cookie Monster a health makeover.

The answer would lead me into a world where television producers worked with health experts and politicians, a place where Cookie Monster does care about his health, and by association, the health of children.

The first place I headed was the Internet. On the Sesame Street Web site, little had changed. There was Cookie Monster, in all his blue furriness. He was holding a plate of cookies. He was chomping on a cookie. He still looked the same. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving.

So I searched the site for news on Cookie Monster and up popped a press release about the show's "Healthy Habits for Life" emphasis. Buried near the bottom was a one-sentence mention about Cookie Monster eating fewer cookies.

But what did that mean? Scarfing one plateful instead of two?
Talking vegetables

I picked up the telephone. "What's going on with Cookie Monster?" I asked the "Sesame Street" press office. "Why are you doing this?"

They sent me to Dr. Rosemarie T. Truglio, the show's vice president of research and education.

She said the show changes every year, focusing not just on teaching numbers and letters but also emotional and physical health. With the rise in childhood obesity, Truglio said "Sesame Street" is concentrating on the need to teach children about healthy foods and physical activity.

This season, each episode opens with a "health tip" about nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest.

Truglio said "Sesame Street" also will introduce new characters, such as talking eggplants and carrots, and offer parodies, such as "American Fruit Stand." Even guest stars will address healthy activities, such as Alicia Keys talking and singing about the importance of physical activity.

Even politicians have gotten into the act, filming public service announcements with "Sesame Street" residents. In one taping, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist taught Elmo to exercise -- jumping up and down. In another, Sen. Hillary Clinton and the small red monster discuss the various textures and tastes of foods.

But what about their position on Cookiegate?

"Even Cookie Monster is learning to control his cookie cravings," Frist told me by e-mail. "His sage advice opened our eyes to the simple joys of a tasty cookie and now reminds us that moderation is the key to healthy living."

Cookie Monster was not available for comment. (I'm hoping he hasn't gone too Hollywood.)

"We are not putting him on a diet," said his spokesman, Truglio. "And we would never take the position of no sugar. We're teaching him moderation."
'Sometimes food'

The furry one also plans to try different kinds of cookies (read: healthier cookies) rather than his just staple, chocolate chip.

But will he still scarf his food? Yes, plus the occasional object, Truglio said.

But isn't that unhealthy? Her reply: He's still Cookie Monster.

Cookie Monster appears to be happy with the new "sometimes food" song, because at the end he warbles: "Is sometimes now?"

"Yes," he's told.

So there it is. Cookie Monster still gobbles cookies, he's just a healthier version of his old self. His eyes are still googly, his fur is still scruffy and he's still messy.

Even "Sesame Street" recognizes that we all need guilty pleasures.

Well, not JUST cookies.

On a related note: What's Next?

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:05 pm

Cookie monster technically never eat them anyway- most missed his mouth completely and the others just got crunched up and fell out

Preds Banned Arse · Post by **Preds Banned Arse** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:53 pm

Heh. It was about time somebody told that monster how to eat properly.

35 seasons. This thing has gotta beaten bloody Scooby Doo by then methinks.

Quite a feat.

Master_Fwiffo · Post by **Master_Fwiffo** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:03 pm

They're raping my childhood!

Galvatron91 · Post by **Galvatron91** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:09 pm

what the [composite word including 'f*ck']...

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:55 am

I was always jealous of him eating cookies... I'm allergic to wheat. Cookies were a "never food" when I was growing up.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:12 pm

Master_Fwiffo wrote:They're raping my childhood!

This thread is about Cookie Monster, not Michael Jackson

Jetfire · Post by **Jetfire** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:52 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:
Master_Fwiffo wrote:They're raping my childhood!

This thread is about Cookie Monster, not Michael Jackson

It's a Star Wars reference.

Lucas in the "Special editions" changed Han from shooting first to shooting 2nd. Lots of fans answered it with "Lucas raped my childhood" because it effectively altered the character of Han who we all grew up with, just like the cookie monster is being changed.

get it right

Preds Banned Arse · Post by **Preds Banned Arse** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:57 pm

Piffle....

Anyways, from my morally confused point of view it seems pretty good what they are doing with Cookie Monster. Hey, if it can affect even ONE fat-kid in the slightest, then it's a win, now aint it?

Stares at a plate of hot, fresh fried ribs..mmm..

Jetfire · Post by **Jetfire** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:09 pm

Preds Banned Arse wrote:Piffle....

Anyways, from my morally confused point of view it seems pretty good what they are doing with Cookie Monster. Hey, if it can affect even ONE fat-kid in the slightest, then it's a win, now aint it?

I should hope not.

Whats Sesame Street" aimed at? Under 7? Under 5?

At that age no child should have access to cookies or sweets without parents permission and if their older they should know they shouldn't be eating too many sweets.

Any kids that ends up eating cookies because a puppet on TV does is already a victim of bad parenting and it will hardly make a difference.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:20 pm

Jetfire wrote:Any kids that ends up eating cookies because a puppet on TV does is already a victim of bad parenting and it will hardly make a difference.

Indeed. That and the fact it's a puppet and thus doesn't eat anything. In fact, if kids were to see this furry cookie version of Superman's Nic o tine, and were at all influenced by it, then all they would do is crush the cookies at their mouths but drop them harmlessly onto the floor.
Because he is and always will be... a puppet.