My favourite television show of all-time The Muppet Show has joined a growing list of TV programmes slapped with a 鈥榗ontent warning鈥 by Disney on its streaming service.听听
The Muppets have听long been considered good-natured听family-friendly creatures, but in an age where paranoid corporations are petrified at the possibility of being publicly denigrated by the perpetually outraged, Disney has produced a disclaimer, in part saying听鈥this program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.鈥听
It sounds noble, but it鈥檚 like saying, we鈥檝e bought the Muppet franchise so we can profit off the brand, we don鈥檛 like all of the content, but we鈥檒l still sell it anyway.听听
Muppet creator Jim Henson once said 鈥渨hen I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there."听Henson is rolling in his grave at the thought that his creations could be deemed offensive.听
In a statement by Disney the company said, 鈥渁s part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are in the process of reviewing our library and adding advisories to content that includes negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures.鈥澨
Unsurprising advisors have been hired to sift through its back catalogue. There鈥檚 money to be made in finding fault. It reinforces a mindset where today鈥檚听generation will forever consider all past generations evil and themselves the pinnacle of goodness.听
Before the Muppet Show, Henson was best known as one of the co-creators of Sesame Street.听听听
Along with teaching the basics of letters and numbers, the show was the first of its kind to showcase a realistic multicultural urban neighbourhood.听听
It was another favourite show of mine as a pre-schooler, but no doubt, there鈥檒l be someone getting well paid to find fault in a programme that鈥檚 delighted millions and millions of children.听听
The Muppet brand of craziness and goodwill has evolved over time and provided a remarkable function in global communities to help children better understand the world around them. Sounds a bit wishy-washy, but it鈥檚 true.听听
We鈥檙e living in strange times, in a world where being offended provides news outlets with shallow content.听
As a fan of the Muppets, let me remind you of their force for good.听
In 2002, the producers of Sesame Street introduced听an HIV-positive character听to its听South African co-production. The character was welcomed by health carers working in听areas where AIDS听was an听epidemic.听
In 2017, the New York-based show introduced a new Muppet called听Julia,听who is autistic.听Positive headlines, but no outrage.听听听
As for poor old Kermit the frog. He was the constant victim of domestic violence, always on the receiving end of Miss Piggy鈥檚 Karate chop.听
It won鈥檛 be long before Disney adds a 'violence content warning' to its disclaimer while profiting off the Muppet brand of course.听听听
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeartRadio app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeartRadio is easy to use and all FREE