Oscar the Grouch ruled offensive

There really is not a thing in the whole universe that doesn't offend conservatives, is there?

Because this is a day ending in 'y', the forces of doom are engaged in an effort to cleanse society of anything they deem "inappropriate" (to use one of their NewSpeak terms). But who would ever think that Oscar the Grouch - the lovable 'Sesame Street' Muppet - would be in anyone's crosshairs as a target for neutralization?

Lately the producers of 'Sesame Street' have put out DVD's of old episodes and skits from the '70s. Although these are marketed to adults who grew up with Big Bird, the Count, and the rest of the 'Sesame Street' kick-ass crew, it's a children's educational show, and there's nothing from the show that's on the DVD's that's unsuitable for the kiddos. Nonetheless, the DVD's kick off with a brief animated bumper that warns that 'Sesame Street' segments included on the DVD's are not suitable for children.

So I guess they included the episode where Maria opened a strip club and Mr. Snuffleupagus was finally revealed to the cast when he got caught masturbating there, right?

Nope, that's not what prompted the warning. Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of 'Sesame Street', said Oscar the Grouch is a main reason for the admonition.

Oscar is a profile in the American spirit. The ol' Osk is perhaps the greatest character ever to appear on children's TV, bar none. Explore the furry critter's grouchy goodness, and he will bring you enlightenment from tonight until the end of time! Millions of Americans my age who grew up watching Oscar's madcap antics turned out pretty well.

The ol' Osk is edgy, funny, and incisive. That makes Oscar a poor fit for today's lockstep, conformist, candy-coated world. Oscar the Grouch is the opposite of America's current postdemocratic society: In modern America, a nicey-nicey facade acts as a deceptive cloak for the country's growing social ills. Conversely, Oscar - who appears mean on the outside - is deep-down the world's greatest altruist.

Parente said, "We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now." To quote Bert: Oh, for fuck's sake, Ernie! I know what Parente's saying, but what it really means is that the exurban-based moral panic types have such a firm grip on everything now that even 'Sesame Street' isn't safe from being forced to change its tune. If anyone still thinks you can get away with more now than in the '70s, this should lay that notion to rest in a big way.

I feel deeply sorry for today's children who are robbed of what my generation enjoyed all because of some moralists' say-so. The lack of strong mental reference points like Oscar will produce unthinking drones who lack creativity. But that's always been the goal of the moral panic crowd. In this decade, the trend towards acceptance of conformity has been showing, and we must reverse it with a good dose of Oscar!

I wouldn't consider anything I recall from 'Sesame Street' in the '70s to be patently offensive or unfit for children. Everyone in my day knew Cookie Monster displayed slovenly, greedy, unhealthy behavior that wasn't to be mimicked. If there ever was anything on 'Sesame Street' that should have been pulled for being offensive, it probably didn't last past the first season.

What's happening to 'Sesame Street' is like a big Allowed Cloud. Join Oscar and me in sweeping the Allowed Clouds away!

(Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-medium-t.html)