Last night, VP of Sesame Workshop Sherrie Westin joined Bill on “The O’Reilly Factor” to defend a recent show where “Sesame Street” trashed Fox News:
So, PBS, if it is true, as VP of Sesame Workshop Sherrie Westin indicated in the above segment, that the GNN (Grouchy News Network) clip exposed by Big Hollywood three weeks ago was in praise of Fox, then how do you explain this?!?!:
I don’t know what was in the head of the producers, but my guess is that this was one of those parodies that was too good to resist. But it should have been resisted. Broadcasters can tell parents whatever they think of Fox or any other network, but you shouldn’t do it through the kids. -PBS Ombudsmen Michael Getler
I guess that means you were against Pox News before you were for it, or something?
Westin’s explanation is enough to make one’s BS detector go haywire. First, spinning the “trashy news show” comment to be not just a compliment, but “highest praise” is so outrageous I had to watch it a few times just to make sure she was being serious. Tack on the fact that the PBS Ombudsmen already acknowledged this line was a “shot at Fox News,” and one would recommend Ms. Westin check her shoe to see if she did in fact step in it.
Next, Westin states that the “Pox News” line was a throwaway to entertain adults, which does not comport with the last clause of the Getler quote cited about. And even if we granted her that the “Pox News” comment was directed solely at adults and would 100% fly over children’s heads (which we won’t), wouldn’t it have crossed the producers’ minds that the line might offend/disappoint/trouble/piss off parents that watch both “Sesame Street” and Fox News? Not like any such parents exist… We think it did cross their minds, and we think they decided to send their hostile, anti-Fox message anyway.
Stage Right posted the “Pox News” clip on Nov. 3rd, the PBS ombudsman weighed in on November 5th, but three weeks later on November 24th, all of a sudden the explanation has completely changed? Perhaps the reason is Sesame Workshop and PBS Ombudsmen Getler did not coordinate responses on this one, but we certainly hope they do, because at this point they have a lotta ‘splainin’ to do.
On a lighter note, Spill O’Reilly was a delight.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.