Seasame Street and Charlie Brown

Yesterday on the View, Whoopi was surprised by Seasame Street's warning for the early years (late 60's/early 70's) DVD. They're not suitable for today's preschools, just for adults.

I commented to Mark that I thought that was a little over the top. He felt they probably said some things that we'd consider inappropriate.

So, last night, Charlie Brown's Christmas was on. I wanted us all to watch it together -- a family night type deal-ie-o.

Charlie picks out the weakest, smallest tree on the lot. All the other kids immediately begin like this:

"You're STUPID Charlie Brown."
"That's the dumbest thing any one's ever done, Charlie Brown."
"You're a dummy."

On and on it went. My mouth dropped open and I started to laugh in shock. Alex said, "I would totally not be friends with those kids. They're so mean. That poor kid liked the tree. WHAT is WRONG with those kids?"

Linus (weird hair kid according to one of the girls in the cartoon) turned things around with a monologue about the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie took the tree and went home. Dumped the tree in the yard and felt horrible.

The other kids came around (or so we thought) decorating the tree, etc. After a rendition on "O Holy Night," one of the girls said, "Charlie Brown may be a BLOCKHEAD, but the tree isn't so bad."

No wonder there's bullying in the classroom -- this has been on every year I can remember! When the kids come around to see things his way, they still insult him!

At which point, Mark suggested the warning label on the Seasame Street DVD might be entirely appropriate.