Two Tomatoes

[Erin'smom]

I just wanted to ask if anyone here is aware of the storm of controversy that surrounds the firing of Melanie Martinez from PBS Kid's Sprout. Thousands of parents of toddlers are upset and signing petetions on the matter. Many of those signing are talking about organizing boycotts of the network and all its sponsors. Frankly I was considering buying some of LBB's dvds since my little one sings and dances to the comercials and I can actually listen to the Band's music and enjoy it--however I now feel I can't enjoy the music or buy it and still support Melanie's cause.
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Save Melanie!

[Liv'smom]

While I can understand why you might feel that her firing was unfair, What does Laurie Berkner's music or DVD sales have to do with PBS or Melanie Martinez? I don't think they are affiliated in any way.

[Erin'smom]

Because Laurie Berkner is a sponsor of PBS Kid's Sprout. Her CD's are advertised on the station regularly. PBS may not care about the opinions of their viewers, but they might listen to their advertisers.

[Dad of Two]

Erin'smom - There are better ways to go about this.

The first thing is it's a bad move to go straight for the boycott. It would be more persuasive if you politely explained the situation at PBS Sprout and then politely ask Laurie Berkner to take her sponsorship to one of the many other channels on cable tv.

You also should know that many musicians have no control over where advertising airs for their CDs or DVDs. So it just might be the case that even if Laurie agrees the firing of Melanie Martinez is unfair, there might not be much she can do to influence where her record company advertises.

But the most important thing is you have failed to report the facts of the story, and so you haven't been very persuasive. So here are the details - because I too do not like what PBS has done.

Last week PBS Spout fired "Mel", host of "The Good Night Show". The actress who plays Mel on the show, Melanie Martinez, had become aware that two comedy skits she performed in seven years ago (before her employment with PBS) had been posted to the internet. The skits were parodies of public service announcements, where Melanie spoke of sexual abstinence. They were nothing more than what you might see on Saturday Night Live. The humor in the videos might offend some, but I think they're really no big deal.

Melanie informed PBS Sprout, who produce the show, of the videos. The promptly fired her and pulled her segments from the air. They have posted an explanation to the Sprout website that I feel is an attack on her character - http://www.sproutletsgrow.com/good_night/index.html

The videos were made long ago and had for the most part been forgotten. It is unlikely any toddler would ever see these videos, and even if they did, they certainly would not understand them.

I hope that PBS Spout's mistake proves to be Noggin's opportunity. I would like to see Noggin's hours expanded into the evening now that there's nothing to see on Sprout. The "N" should be spun off to it's own channel. Melanie would make a terrific talent for a Noggin program.

So instead of throwing the boycott word around, look for a constructive way to move forward. Petition Noggin to hire Mel and put and send a louder message to Sandy Wax.

[Erin'smom]

Great! Hopefully a combination of methods will be more effective than just one.

[Liv'smom]

People can also sign the online petition-http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/melaniemartinez.

[Amy'sDad]

This is a good view and includes a lot more details than other "stories" out there.

http://www.observer.com/20060814/20060814_Rebecca_Dana_media_nytv.asp

[Liv'smom]

The weird thing is that Steve Burns played a murderer on a Law and Order episode while doing Blue's Clues. "Gina" from Sesame Street bedded a prisoner on the Sopranos and is appearing on Fox's "Rescue Me". These actors never suffered repercussions from doing "mature" material. Something with the Melendez case is not right.

[Amy'sDad]

The execs at PBS are cowards. She's no porn star or extremist deviant. She's an actress. She did a comedy bit that involved no more or less content than any other adult oriented skit. The fact is, no child should see her movie - and if they are "allowed" to see it - then shame on the parents... Not Melanie and not even PBS.

We can not expect every person who comes in contact with our children to be "perfect". Melanie is not perfect - but I trust what my Amy sees and hears from her on Sprout.

Can you imagine if some guitar slinging, leather panted, nose ring wearing women tried to sing songs to our children! The outrage! The scandal! The Laurie Berkner band!

You know who is a victim in all of this? Poor little Hush the goldfish!

[Louis]

Melanie was wonderful! My one year old son loved to watch her, now he is creaped-out by the new guy. I hope Melanie goes somewhere she can be appreciated. And I hope that Sprout gets a better host. My son would really be bummed if we boycotted Sprout because he loves the shows.

By the way, Steve Burns's adult music is really good. I am glad he moved on and found his own path. I hope the same for Melanie.

[noodle]

This was all over the Internet a year ago then you never heard what happened? Well it is clear she did not get her job back. Did she take them to court or did they apologize. I see the Petition has closed.
She would have been cute for any show it is funny that one of the other networks did not grab her.
She really had the magic with the kids.
If anyone knows what ever became of this I would be interested to hear.

Thanks