I wanted to talk about this earlier but BoingBoing beat me to the punch. Oh well.
For those that don't know, The Good Night Show appears on PBS Sprout (a channel devoted to toddler programming 24 hours a day 7 days a week (some would classify that as near hell on Earth, but I've made my peace with it)). It is, as the CNN article reports, soothing and mild shows that help a toddler get ready to go to bed. Melanie Martinez is the host of the show, and she's essentially the baby sitter that comes in the house through your TV and talks to your toddler and reads them stories, etc.
Seven years ago, Ms. Martinez made two PSAs that spoofed the pro-abstinence PSAs that used to float around. The one advocates "anal sex" because you're still technically a virgin after it. The other advocates mothers giving their daughters vibrators because they won't want to have sex if they get to use one. They're silly and juvenile and shouldn't be held againt Melanie, but PBS and Comcast are firm in their stance of not letting her on the show.
I think it's a shame that PBS Sprout let her go for this. Lots of toddlers know and love Melanie and she's not the first PBS personality to do something "not appropriate for children". Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on Sesame Street, recently appeared in the Vagina Monologues.
If you too feel like it's a pile of shit, write to PBS Sprout here: info@sproutletsgrow.com. More information about PBS Sprout can be found here: http://www.sproutletsgrow.com/about.html.
I THINK THAT IT WAS RUDE OF YALL TO FIRE MELAINE MY SON ADORES HER SHE WAS THE BEST AND YOU WILL NEVER FIND A BETTER PERSON TO TAKE HER JOB
Dismissing Melanie for her past actions is unethical and not an example I want set for my daughter. Melanie is irreplaceable.
What a shame that this happened 7 years ago and they are just now finding out about it. It is a shame that she was left go for something she did before she was hired for the show. It is very unfair and narrowed minded. How many toddlers are going to know she did this? How many 7 year olds will see her video? This is what they should be looking at. My grandson watches this program all the time and he misses her also. She was very good for the children and is missed very much in our home.I wish they would reconsider and bring her back.
I am with the rest of the parents who support melaine. How is my 3 year old going to know about these so caled movies that is not fair to her or the children who have grown to watching her at night. My daughter still remembers her on tv and asks when is she coming back. She doesnt like the new guy.
PBS Sprout did right to fire Melanie. Not the kind of example I want my pre-school child watching. Personal responsibilty for one's actions is an empty concept today. Instead its the victim and always someone else's fault. Melanie has reaped what she has sown. She's irresponsible and yes replacable. Beside "technically virgin girls" can still get aids through anal sex. Melanie's an idiot!
I really am upset about you firing melanie as my son also likes her and gets mad whenever the new host is on...
He has Autism amd he really liked her.
Please consider bringing her back...
My daughter loved, loved, loved Melanie. She always says 'Where did Melanie go?". And I had to make up a LIE and say that Melanie had to leave so she could go to school. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, PBS? Melanie was and is GREAT. Shame On You for disappointing so many children. Debbie
why did melanie have to leave pbs kids sprout?my children loved melanie.could you bring her back?