Hell-Mo?

Ok, so I’m no big fan of Elmo, but having a 3-year-old teaches you things about children’s television you thought you intrinsically knew.

I’ll grant that Elmo came long after my Sesame Street-viewing days had ended and that I never really “liked” him (why would I?), but I see his value now.

Sesame Street is a different show than it was when we were kids. How couldn’t it be, it’s 37 years old and the entire landscape of television and children have both changed immensely.

That said, I did find Joel Stein’s recent article Elmo Is an Evildoer quite funny, even if I don’t agree with all the conclusions.

Oh, and Abby Cadabby detractors, Stein’s got you covered there too.

It’s not as insightful or educational as Malcom Gladwell’s dissection of Sesame Street and Blues Clues in The Tipping Point, but I think it’s notable.

Is Elmo “evil”? I don’t think so (though the 3rd-person thing is annoying).

Would it kill Sesame Street to have Stevie Wonder back on? I think not.

[Via BWE]

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