VIDEO: Cookie Monster, Veggie Monster, What’s the Deal?

For years now there has been a rumor circulating that the beloved Cookie Monster from Sesame Street was being transformed into Veggie Monster. With his 40th Birthday here and Google making him their Google Doodle, the rumor has sprung up again. Is it true? Not that I can find.

Over the past couple of years, Cookie Monster has started to eat better and make healthier decisions, but he is still Cookie Monster. PBS has made Cookie Monster begin to eat more fruits and vegetables instead of only cookies during the shows’ 36th season.  Is this going to make a difference to our children? Probably not. My kids love Cookie Monster and think it’s hilarious to see him eat cookies, but that doesn’t make them go and eat like that. Seeing him eat carrots or apples the same way will affect them the same way. They do, of course, mimic him, eating whatever snack like a monster, but they don’t automatically want to eat cookies because Cookie Monster does.

So in my research online, I have found that many people have said Cookie Monster is being transformed, but I can not see anything official. As far as I’m concerned, Cookie Monster needs to stay Cookie Monster. He is a puppet. Seriously, the advocates for healthy eating need to realize that. PBS should not be forced to change Cookie Monster just because they think it affects our children. Most kids know the difference between real and make-believe. My son knows he can’t have a pet jaguar like Diego and he’s three years old.

Above is a video clip of Whoopi Goldberg discussing her thoughts on the transformation of Cookie Monster while co-hosting “The View”. She feels as I do, Cookie Monster is harmless and basically people need to relax and just take him for the entertainment value he has.