File puptcrit/puptcrit.0609, message 7


From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 18:17:14 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Abby Cadabby


On Sep 1, 2006, at 11:40 AM, Brett Roberts wrote:

> Abby Cadabby is apparently causing trouble for Sesame Street.
>
> http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20325891 
> -5003422,00.html

Actually this article itself was not so bad, just reporting some of the  
flack that CTW and SS have been getting. Kind of tweaked some of my pet  
peeves though, so I had to reply. Don't know if it will get published,  
but here's what I sent:

  Bad rap for Muppet? More like a bum rap. It is about time that a  
character was allowed to be a sugar and spice, sweet, feminine, little  
girl. And the magic? Oh, so dangerous! The type of "magic" that happens  
on Sesame Street is about as close to witchcraft as a blooming flower  
is to an atomic bomb. Buy a dictionary and get a life. Witchcraft is  
the use of "supernatural powers", gained from a compact with evil  
spirits or the devil, to attempt to control events or other people,  
usually for ill ends. And you see that on Sesame Street when? I must  
have stepped out of the room and missed that part.
   Seems those who are protesting the qualities of this character would  
like to deny the rights of people, particulary children, to be anything  
other than what they would like them to be. It is also a denial and/or  
the condemnation of the real fact that there are children and adults  
with those very qualities. Such narrow minded and unkind thinking from  
those who profess to be openminded and/or Christian.
   I say fly on Abby Cadabby, and may you use your supernatural powers  
to cast a spell of love, kindness, a touch of femininty, and the magic  
of imagination and wide eyed wonder on children everywhere. As you wave  
your magic wand may you accidentally smite the souls of those closed  
minded folks that condem you and open a hole where the sunshine of true  
love and acceptance may pour in. Thank you Children's Television  
Workshop and Sesame Street for bringing this new character on the show.  
Now, how about a male character that has the qualities of a real boy?  
You know, a little rough and tumble, loves trucks, sports and stuff,  
breaks things (accidentally), gets into trouble sometimes, gets dirty,  
is a little agressive (but not too much), kind but not overly sweet,  
and so on. I think a gap toothed periwinkle blue troll with spots would  
be appropriate. I'll be waiting and watching.

Christopher Hudert
Parent, Puppeteer, and Sesame Street fan since it first came on TV

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