LazyTown: Is Lazytown bad? A special editorial report

FelchyMcPorker
[1]Apr 17, 2007
member since: 04/17/07
level: 1
rank: Weatherman
posts: 2
Why Lazytown Is bad : By Felchy Mcporker

In this day and age of low quality network television and irresponsible media, many people see Lazytown as a shinning beacon in a sea of deplorable and immoral television programming. Some say that the show is an inspirational example of quality educational television, which promotes important values such as good physical health and nutrition. While the premise is a very good one, and the producers obviously have good intentions, many people overlook the possible negative impact of this TV show on our naive and easily influenced youth.

The main character is Stephanie (Julianna Rose Mauriello), who arrives in town and urges her new friends Ziggy, Trixie, Stingy, and Pixel to go outside and be active, instead of staying inside and playing video games and watching television all day. Ironically, lazytown is a television show that kids usually watch while staying indoors and eating a bowl of sugar puffed chocolate atom bombs or some other equally saccarine cereal.

"But the show has great dancing and music, and it encourages kids to participate in physical activity, with underlying messages that the viewers can take with them for use in everyday life" you might say. Many parents will disagree. In fact, some might go as far as saying that Lazytown actually encourages the very same activities they denounce. How you ask? Let's take a look at a snippet from the lazytown website:

"With its mixture of music, movement, humor and interactivity, LAZYTOWN has the ability to draw kids into a slightly exaggerated version of their own world."

Slightly exaggerated version? This is a heck of an understatement. How would you as a parent react when your 6 year old daughter comes to you with the idea that dancing to cheesy eurodance music while wearing a bright pink colored wig and looking like a Japanimation reject is something that appeals to her? Would you as a parent be comfortable with your son or daughter aspiring to be a candy raver? Ravers do drugs, and we all know that as parents, this is not a lifestile we desire for our children.

"In this fresh, cartoon-colored town, they can't help but engage in the imaginative stories, relate to the characters that make them laugh and be WOWed by a sporty superhero with an amazing ability to make even ordinary things exciting."

Unfortunately, we do not live in a fresh, cartoon colored world, but rather a gray, gritty reality world with temptation and perils around every corner. There are no sporty superheroes to wow our children, only responsible parents that must make difficult everyday decisions for the welfare of our loved ones. By allowing our children to be "drawn in" and "be WOW'ed" by this imaginary fantasy world, we are depriving them of one of the most important life lessons there is : Life is hard.

"What kids learn in LazyTown stays with them long after they leave - making their lives better and your job as a parent just a little bit easier."

How exactly does lazytown make parent's lives easier? By allowing them to plop their fat and out of touch with reality offspring in front of the boobtube for 30 minutes everyday so that they will shut the heck up for a little while? Is this what good parenting is considered to be nowadays? Have we as a society deteriorated so much that we need imaginary superheroes and supervillians to teach our kids values and do our job for us?? I am sorry, but I as a parent, do not want to ferment and encourage this irresponsible way of thinking. I do not want my child's early development to be influenced and dictated by a bunch of characters that look like they were taken straight out of one of the floats in the NYC gay pride parade.

I encourage all of you to stop your children from watching this drivel, and pick up the parenting slack by making YOURSELF the "healthy model that influences every aspect of their everyday lives". Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Felchy McPorker
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beastgirlsara
[2]Apr 18, 2007
member since: 10/23/06
level: 6
rank: Small Wonder
posts: 166
You made an entire account just to downtalk Lazytown? Just so you know, kids aren't as stupid as you think they are. Even though they can be taught to believe in such unlikely things as the toothfairy and the Easter Bunny, they can usually also tell when something is just a television show and not reality. Trust me, I work childcare. I listen to them talking about their favorite shows everyday and they all seem to be just as in-tune with reality as anyone else.
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FelchyMcPorker
[3]Apr 18, 2007
member since: 04/17/07
level: 1
rank: Weatherman
posts: 2
Hi beastgirlsara, thanks for the wonderful reply. However I must say I am slightly disconcerted by some of the things you say. First of all, "did you just make an entire account to downtalk lazytown" - are you implying that registering a user name in an online forum is a lot of work and something that is massively time and energy consuming? Because if you are, what would sportacus or stephanie think, when faced with such blatant lazyness?? Does Lazytown not teach us to be more proactive and involved in things, and isn't stephanie's slogan "There is always a way", a staunch battlecry of bravery and activity? Your statement makes it seem like I went through too much effort to present ideas that i beleive in, and this type of lazy attitude would make even Robbie Rotten proud.
Doesn't pixel teach us that communication is key to developing friendships and self growth?? The television remote cannot mute arguments my dear. By communicating my ideas here, we can have an open panel for discussion and I can bring up some good points. You on the other hand, decided to take a small part of my well written and thought out editorial, and convolute it's meaning into something that I totally didn't say. Please show me where in my provocative editorial piece did i say "I think children are stupid". Because i never said that. If you carefully read through my poignant discussion piece, you will see that in fact the people who I said are more in real danger of being influenced negatively by this show are the parents!!!
Of course i realize that children aren't stupid, and yes the easter bunny and santa claus are in fact, not real (thanks for the update by the way), but the fact of the matter is, even the easter bunny and santa claus are terrible traditions driven by a capitalist market, and little kids that want the latest and greatest hasbro or mattel toy. Every single holiday (in America at least) is an excuse for little children to get fat. Hey guys it's halloween, dress up and eat chocolate, get fat! Hey guys it's thanksgiving! eat a turkey, get fat. Hey guys it's christmas, beg your mommy for presents like video games and easy bake ovens, get fat.
We dont need more fictional characters corrupting our children. We certainly don't need fictional "superheroes" and little candy raver girls teaching our children about "staying active" while they sit in front of the television with a box of oreo cookies and a yoohoo, meanwhile everyother commericial during the broadcast is for mcdonald's happy meals or the latest crappy toy that is sure to make your kid become even fatter. No thanks, I dont want my kids being part of lazytown, I can teach them to not be lazy all by myself. Thank you.
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beastgirlsara

[4]Apr 18, 2007

member since: 10/23/06
level: 6
rank: Small Wonder
posts: 166

Firstly, I'm sorry if I offended you by implying that you had to put up an incredible effort to make an account on here. I was tired and a little irritable at the time. I understand that in no way are you so lazy that it would take you an immense Robbie Rotten type effort to have to make this account.

Secondly, I respect your views whole-heartedly. As you pointed out, it's your right to post them on this forum. But since you posted them here, I am perfectly within my rights to disagree with them and voice that.

FelchyMcPorker wrote:

Of course i realize that children aren't stupid, and yes the easter bunny and santa claus are in fact, not real (thanks for the update by the way), but the fact of the matter is, even the easter bunny and santa claus are terrible traditions driven by a capitalist market, and little kids that want the latest and greatest hasbro or mattel toy. Every single holiday (in America at least) is an excuse for little children to get fat. Hey guys it's halloween, dress up and eat chocolate, get fat! Hey guys it's thanksgiving! eat a turkey, get fat. Hey guys it's christmas, beg your mommy for presents like video games and easy bake ovens, get fat.

I'd just like to say that I'm in no way going to get into a debate about the evils of the "capitalist market" and their influence on children during the holidays in this forum. It is in no way an appropriate place for this discussion.

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Lauraholland
[5]Apr 28, 2007
member since: 01/19/07
level: 4
rank: Thighmaster
posts: 26
Are we not taking what is meant to be light hearted children's entertainment and over complicating it. I think Lazytown is an excellent show with a refreshing message which given the obesity problem that is ever growing should definitely be encouraged and not criticised. If you don't like it then you don't have to let your children watch it but I for one will not stop my daughter watching it.

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Codeguru
[6]May 15, 2007
member since: 07/17/05
level: 6
rank: Small Wonder
posts: 434
Lemme guess, kids should listen to bethoven, read a newspaper and push a hoop down a dirt road with a stick? Sorry but your whole argument is based on the irony that a show is about being active while the only media you can view it on forces you to sit down. Hence it is flawed inherently, by the fact that it's a mind excercise not a practical one, even as your and my lazy ass sits down to write this pointless discussion. You are taking things out of context and trying to create a point that doesn't exist. It's a great show with the best damn children's music I've ever heard outside of the late 80's or early 90's. Let it be...
Codeguru
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Togepi_987

[7]May 15, 2007

member since: 04/26/07
level: 8
rank: Super-Friend
posts: 264

FelchyMcPorker wrote:

Hi beastgirlsara, thanks for the wonderful reply. However I must say I am slightly disconcerted by some of the things you say. First of all, "did you just make an entire account to downtalk lazytown" - are you implying that registering a user name in an online forum is a lot of work and something that is massively time and energy consuming? Because if you are, what would sportacus or stephanie think, when faced with such blatant lazyness?? Does Lazytown not teach us to be more proactive and involved in things, and isn't stephanie's slogan "There is always a way", a staunch battlecry of bravery and activity? Your statement makes it seem like I went through too much effort to present ideas that i beleive in, and this type of lazy attitude would make even Robbie Rotten proud.

Doesn't pixel teach us that communication is key to developing friendships and self growth?? The television remote cannot mute arguments my dear. By communicating my ideas here, we can have an open panel for discussion and I can bring up some good points. You on the other hand, decided to take a small part of my well written and thought out editorial, and convolute it's meaning into something that I totally didn't say. Please show me where in my provocative editorial piece did i say "I think children are stupid". Because i never said that. If you carefully read through my poignant discussion piece, you will see that in fact the people who I said are more in real danger of being influenced negatively by this show are the parents!!!

We dont need more fictional characters corrupting our children. We certainly don't need fictional "superheroes" and little candy raver girls teaching our children about "staying active" while they sit in front of the television with a box of oreo cookies and a yoohoo, meanwhile everyother commericial during the broadcast is for mcdonald's happy meals or the latest crappy toy that is sure to make your kid become even fatter. No thanks, I dont want my kids being part of lazytown, I can teach them to not be lazy all by myself. Thank you.

I gave it a 10 out of 10.

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qpwo5

[8]Feb 16, 2008

member since: 07/27/06
level: 13
rank: Regal Beagle
posts: 684

FelchyMcPorker wrote:

Why Lazytown Is bad : By Felchy Mcporker

In this day and age of low quality network television and irresponsible media, many people see Lazytown as a shinning beacon in a sea of deplorable and immoral television programming. Some say that the show is an inspirational example of quality educational television, which promotes important values such as good physical health and nutrition. While the premise is a very good one, and the producers obviously have good intentions, many people overlook the possible negative impact of this TV show on our naive and easily influenced youth.

The main character is Stephanie (Julianna Rose Mauriello), who arrives in town and urges her new friends Ziggy, Trixie, Stingy, and Pixel to go outside and be active, instead of staying inside and playing video games and watching television all day. Ironically, lazytown is a television show that kids usually watch while staying indoors and eating a bowl of sugar puffed chocolate atom bombs or some other equally saccarine cereal.

"But the show has great dancing and music, and it encourages kids to participate in physical activity, with underlying messages that the viewers can take with them for use in everyday life" you might say. Many parents will disagree. In fact, some might go as far as saying that Lazytown actually encourages the very same activities they denounce. How you ask? Let's take a look at a snippet from the lazytown website:

"With its mixture of music, movement, humor and interactivity, LAZYTOWN has the ability to draw kids into a slightly exaggerated version of their own world."

Slightly exaggerated version? This is a heck of an understatement. How would you as a parent react when your 6 year old daughter comes to you with the idea that dancing to cheesy eurodance music while wearing a bright pink colored wig and looking like a Japanimation reject is something that appeals to her? Would you as a parent be comfortable with your son or daughter aspiring to be a candy raver? Ravers do drugs, and we all know that as parents, this is not a lifestile we desire for our children.

"In this fresh, cartoon-colored town, they can't help but engage in the imaginative stories, relate to the characters that make them laugh and be WOWed by a sporty superhero with an amazing ability to make even ordinary things exciting."

Unfortunately, we do not live in a fresh, cartoon colored world, but rather a gray, gritty reality world with temptation and perils around every corner. There are no sporty superheroes to wow our children, only responsible parents that must make difficult everyday decisions for the welfare of our loved ones. By allowing our children to be "drawn in" and "be WOW'ed" by this imaginary fantasy world, we are depriving them of one of the most important life lessons there is : Life is hard.

"What kids learn in LazyTown stays with them long after they leave - making their lives better and your job as a parent just a little bit easier."

How exactly does lazytown make parent's lives easier? By allowing them to plop their fat and out of touch with reality offspring in front of the boobtube for 30 minutes everyday so that they will shut the heck up for a little while? Is this what good parenting is considered to be nowadays? Have we as a society deteriorated so much that we need imaginary superheroes and supervillians to teach our kids values and do our job for us?? I am sorry, but I as a parent, do not want to ferment and encourage this irresponsible way of thinking. I do not want my child's early development to be influenced and dictated by a bunch of characters that look like they were taken straight out of one of the floats in the NYC gay pride parade.

I encourage all of you to stop your children from watching this drivel, and pick up the parenting slack by making YOURSELF the "healthy model that influences every aspect of their everyday lives". Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Felchy McPorker

good reasoning, but life is only hard if you call it that , it's challenging. But that's the only thing i disagree with.

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wittnessofj
[9]Mar 25, 2008
member since: 03/14/08
level: 1
rank: Weatherman
posts: 3
Thats why u tell your kids its just a show nit real and incourage them to do the stuff that is good like eating healthy and moving arond, not bad like being selfish or eating tos of jucnk. thats what i have been taught since i was a kid.
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wittnessofj
[10]Mar 25, 2008
member since: 03/14/08
level: 1
rank: Weatherman
posts: 3
kids need to get out of this world and enjoy themselves just encourage the good things that r in the show and help your kids to know the difference i am serious its not a bad show tyhe kids need a hero and they just need to br taught that its a show
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dani_n
[11]Apr 9, 2008
member since: 04/10/08
level: 4
rank: Thighmaster
posts: 575
good reasoning? That was terrible reasoning! Kids aren't going to become ravers or do drugs just because they see some girl dancing to techno music with pink hair; the article was clearly trying to say that the messages about being active and eating healthy would stick with kids after the show was over and that THAT would make it easier for parents because it would support them in teaching their kids to be healthy; and there is no need to tell children that life is hard, nor are they going to think "This show makes everything look so easy! Life must be so easy! I won't put out any effort and I'll expect to be handed everything on a platter!"
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