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How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

kotaku.com

11–20 of 194 posts

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#12
post #6
post #2

As with literally every article written by kotaku, oh my god I just don't care

I agree with this. Kotaku articles have no place on the front page of HN, especially ones like this that don't understand the larger context of the program, and its inability to thrive in the "junk food media" environment that is being force fed to kids. If I ever have kids, I'm going to continue to not have TV in my home. They can read all the books I read when I was a kid, or watch select TV shows from the past 20+…

There's many great modern shows, just like there's a lot of crap from the past. Try watching some steven universe, for example.

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#14
The tone is of course hyperbolic as it must be these days, but I do agree that Sesame Street used to have a very interesting adult/child dynamic, which may be gone (haven't watched the show in years). I always loved the interactions between Grover and Mr. Johnson... even as I see myself becoming more like Mr. Johnson every day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQPLY9uxiss

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#15
post #6
post #2

As with literally every article written by kotaku, oh my god I just don't care

I agree with this. Kotaku articles have no place on the front page of HN, especially ones like this that don't understand the larger context of the program, and its inability to thrive in the "junk food media" environment that is being force fed to kids. If I ever have kids, I'm going to continue to not have TV in my home. They can read all the books I read when I was a kid, or watch select TV shows from the past 20+…

[deleted]

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#16
post #2

As with literally every article written by kotaku, oh my god I just don't care

The main problem with this article is that it makes the "Why Snoopy ruined Peanuts" article utterly redundant. Its clear that the author is just taking "Why popular character X ruined (show) he was from" as a formula. http://kotaku.com/how-snoopy-killed-peanuts-1724269473 I guess its interesting from a sense of irony or maybe a creative exercise. But it almost feels like textbook "clickbait".

The author wrote that article too.

The author says he's a teacher, I'd be interested to know if he has children himself.

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#17
post #12
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with this. Kotaku articles have no place on the front page of HN, especially ones like this that don't understand the larger context of the program, and its inability to thrive in the "junk food media" environment that is being force fed to kids. If I ever have kids, I'm going to continue to not have TV in my home. They can read all the books I read when I was a kid, or watch select TV shows from the past 20+…

There's many great modern shows, just like there's a lot of crap from the past. Try watching some steven universe, for example.

Netflix has amazing stuff for kids as well: Bill Nye, Magic Schoolbus, to name a few.

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#18
post #6
post #2

As with literally every article written by kotaku, oh my god I just don't care

I agree with this. Kotaku articles have no place on the front page of HN, especially ones like this that don't understand the larger context of the program, and its inability to thrive in the "junk food media" environment that is being force fed to kids. If I ever have kids, I'm going to continue to not have TV in my home. They can read all the books I read when I was a kid, or watch select TV shows from the past 20+…

I have the same gut reaction, but as counterpoint, I know some people that grew up with parents that really restricted viewing- not 'no tv at all', but close enough.

Later, the parents conceded that the media blackout backfired, as their kid couldn't relate to a lot of the things their peers were talking about- even if it is 'pointless bullshit'. They weren't like a social pariah or anything, but to this day, they feel uncomfortable in those conversations where you recall tv/movies growing up.

Not really defending tv, but there's probably a good middle ground that lets the kid still participate in their culture.

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#19
I don't understand why folks think this is out-of-place on HN. It seems on target to me.

It is evidence of an emergent media phenomenon (albeit a slow one) - that a single character on an iconic platform changed its dynamic enough to cause its identity to come into question.

Because Sesame Street leveraged novelty and maturity, the emergence of a cutesy, immature, "it's all about MEEE!" type of character represents a sort of test case, and in this case, the evidence is that the show changed as the result.

Re: How Elmo Ruined Sesame Street

#20

There is no substance on earth more addictive than Elmo is to a two year old. In most television shows and movies what people are looking for is somebody that represents them - call it an "avatar" if you must. When kids watch Sesame Street they relate directly to Elmo. He's younger, smaller, has an insatiable curiosity, and is in a permanent mode of questioning and discovery. He even has similar mannerisms to childre…

That's fine but when all they show on Sesame Street is Elmo skits your two year old at age six is still relating to a two year old.
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