It feels like a stretch for Sesame Workshop to claim its plans for parent sampling and infant Web sites are driven solely by its educational mission (www.dmnews.com/articles/2000-09-18/10657.html). As I remember, the “conversation with the preschooler” that began 32 years ago was about teaching kids, especially those in inner cities, to read and count.
Jim Henson was adamantly opposed to licensing his Sesame characters for commercial endorsements; that their relationship with kids should not be used to sell stuff. I guess that’s an old-fashioned concept.
Perhaps this new merchandising program will result in more kids viewing and learning from Sesame Street. But I’ll bet that as Sesame Street robs the cradle (to paraphrase your headline), Jim Henson is turning in his grave.
•Eric Riback
