The House Appropriations Committee okayed a bill to slash PBS’ funding by 25 percent, and that means today’s lesson on Sesame Street will focus on cost-cutting. Because I believe that children are our future, I’ve compiled a few penny-pinching ideas to save Sesame Street. Pitch in with your own list, too. Do it for the kids.
1) Replace The Count with Count Chocula. C’mon now, it’s not like knowing your single-digit numbers is some kind of special skill set, and most toddlers won’t be able to tell the difference between these two characters anyway. Not only that, but product placement is hot, people, and if you hadn’t heard, kids love chocolate. This one’s a no-brainer.
2) Bring in the Teletubbies! Midway through each of their episodes, these colorful cats yell, ”Again! Again!” and rather ingeniously replay the first half of the program. Tell me Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po aren’t masters of maximizing a budget.
3) Swing the axe on that Grover dude. He’s not as cute as Elmo, he sounds like Gilbert Gottfried, and Sesame Street already has a zany blue creature in Cookie Monster. Plus, after decades in the business, his contract-negotiation skills put him up there with Kelsey Grammer, Ray Romano and the cast of Friends.
4) And while they’re at it, lose Baby Bear. I just don’t like the look of him.
Yeah, we know rumors of impending doom at PBS have circulated before, but this is the first time we’ve heard Rosita utter an unprintable word in Spanish!
Comments (1-16) of 16 Add your comment
I disagree with the grover statement. Since Grover and Yoda were clearly separated at birth and everyone loves Yoda, start having Grover speaking with Yoda’s syntax. Near and far, you seek? Today speak of near will I, children.
Get rid of Grover?! What crack are they smoking?! If anything, Elmo should get the toss.
It seems sad to me that with all the money rifled through Hollywood, Charities and overseas relief, we can’t preserve a vision that one man had so many years ago. I am a product of the seventies and my child watches Sesame Street like I, and millions of others have done and do. What I mean is, American children aren’t being educated in the system so why deny them the likes of Grover, Snuffy, Big Bird and all the boys & girls that have participated the past 40 plus years. Values are also being neglected in the home, schools and in the U.S.A. PBS has been like apple pie to the young masses. Should we deny them that even more? I guess the END is near.
how about they scrap that mona lisa painting? it seems to me that THAT’s the only thing that’s really $$
…also, how about all of the characters move into bert and ernie’s house to save on rent? love the rosita comment. haha.
The Count and Grover are two of my all-time favorite characters! No slashing allowed, maybe they should just slash some of those people’s jobs who voted to slash PBS funding – that is rediculous!
Me thinks it’s time for HBO to pick up Sesame Street for it’s fall line-up and save Elmo and co. from these ridiculous budget cuts. And c’mon, admit it, you always wanted to see Bert REALLY express himself about how he feels about Ernie. HBO will allow you that pleasure, along with such new characters as “Cursin’ Melvin”. Yay!
Get rid of Grover?!?!? What planet are you from? He’s cute and fuzzy! Now, if EW wants to cut you … no complaints.
Seriously, how can the House think this will pass? Way too many supporters of public television, to let this go quietly into the night.
Grover’s the man, and he shouldn’t go, but I agree with getting rid of that little bear. His speech impediment gets on everyone’s nerves! I think they should cut cost by mixing this show with that Dance 360 show. You know, have the cookie monster breakdancing for cookies and stuff. It would be awesome.
How dare you! Grover is awesome. You can’t suggest that he leave! Haven’t you seen him interact with the kids in his ‘Street’ segments? He’s a joy…
I too grew up on SS and are raising my 5th child with Grover and friends as part of our lives. I agree with nixing baby bear, he just doesn’t seem to fit in, but the rest are family and have been a part of my life and my family for a very long time. I pray that losing them doesn’t come to pass. I fully support public television, but one less documentary (or something less child oriented) could supply the necessary funds to keep SS fully functional and running.
YES, OUR COUNTRY GIVES AND WASTES ALOT OF MONEY THAT IT DOESN’T NEED TO, AND NOW THEY COULD HELP KEEP PUBLIC TELEVISION AVAILABLE SO SHOWS SUCH AS SS COULD KEEP AIRING AND HELPING TODDLERS BUT THEY WANT. I GREW UP WATCHING SS AND NOW I HAVE A 4 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 YR OLD SISTER WHO LOVES TO IT AS MUCH AS I DID.
I agree with Maria. They should get rid of Elmo.
GET RID OF GROVER??!?!? ARE THEY FLIPIN CRAZY?!?!?! he’s the best charecter on the show!!!
if grover werent on ss, i wouldnt have watched it. teletubies on the otherhand are just boring.
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