 Cookie is Eating More Fruits and Leafy Greens
The beloved Cookie Monster from the children's television program "Sesame Street" has recently been eating more leafy greens, which is apparently so foreign to longtime watchers that it caused false Internet rumors that Cookie Monster's name had literally been changed to "Veggie Monster", and that Cookie Monster had been taken off the show entirely.
But He's Still a Cookie Monster
The truth was that in 2006, in response to growing concerns about record levels of childhood obesity in the U.S.A., Sesame Street began airing segments entitled Healthy Habits for Life.
As part of the Healthy Habits programming, Sesame Workshop began "broadening Cookie Monster's eating habits". But for those paying attention, the company had begun broadening his intake as early as 1990 with the song "Healthy Food", by Christopher Cerf. The song was remade for 2006 with rapper Wyclef Jean as a guest star. A 1999 Sesame Street Beat Newsletter for parents discussed his balanced lifestyle:
- Lately, Cookie has also taught children the importance of eating a balanced diet. This doesn't mean that Cookie rounds out his diet with plates, trucks, ukuleles, and other objects the munching monster has been known to devour. This means that Cookie now eats a fair share of salads, meats, and vegetables to set a good example for viewers at home. And Cookie doesn't mind a bit. Sure he loves cookies, but he likes the act of eating in general. As long as his mouth is full, his heart is happy.[2]
The Story Has Been Exaggerated
The international media picked up on the story, but instead a high percentage twisted it into sensationalism, with headlines like "'Sesame Street' tosses its cookies" or claiming the character was "sent on a diet". An Internet petition/boycott received hundreds of signatures of support, from misinformed web users.
Cookie says, "Cookies are a sometime food".
In a 2007 appearance on Martha Stewart's TV program, Cookie Monster explained his new philosophy that "Cookies are a sometime food." However, he promised that he was not going to change his name to "Brussels Sprouts Monster."
Sources:
- BBC: Cookie Monster curbs cookie habit
- Sesame Street Beat Newsletter: C Is for Cookie, That's Good Enough for Me, November 2, 1999
- WorldNetDaily: 'Sesame Street' tosses its cookies, April 11, 2005.
- United States Governors Join Sesame Street's Elmo and Rosita to Encourage Healthy Habits in Children, April 24, 2006.
- MediaPost Publications - Hannaford, Sesame Street Join In Fruit Promo - 01/16/2007
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By: kshannon on 2008/01/22 PM 9:51:17.
I am okay with this. I think everyone should eat more veggies and less cookies. It makes sense. Give it three years and the new sesame street generation won't know the difference. |
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