It defies the imagination to conceive of what PBS thought was incongruous about Ms. Martinez appearing in these videos and doing her job for The Good Night Show.
It hardly matters when Ms. Martinez did this video. What relevance does this have to her performing her job, other than the irrational fear of a minority of people who think that what she did was in any way inappropriate?
PBS' action reveals a shocking level of cowardice and capitulation to the most regressive and unreasonable elements of our society.
Do the right thing, PBS, re-hire Martinez and take a stand for the value of dissent in our society.
My daughter loved Melanie on this show. She is a very talented young lady and those silly spoofs were made before the night time show. How can you, PBS, think that Martnex and Carlin can't be compared to each other. This is completely sexist.
The risk of offending a few overly protective small minded indivduals is far outweighed by the entertainment derived by those who choose to think for themselves.
My 3 year old son adores Melanie. PBS's reactions are all out of proportion to Melanie's past actions. Rest assured PBS, your decision to fire Melanie will affect my families' future monetary contributions. Please come to your senses, stop acting like fools, and rehire Melanie!
I just told my daughter that Melanie won't be on Sprout anymore. Her comment was, "I will miss Melanie, now we can't send her a picture, why is she gone?" How exactly do you explain to a 4 year old that Melanie was fired from her job for something she did 7 years ago? Children love Melanie! I wonder what would be found in "closets" of those who made this decision? Does this mean that people who do something less than perfect aren't fit to be role models? Are you going to remove Thomas from your line-up? George Carlin and Alec Baldwin are definiitely less than role model material!
I wholeheartedly support this petition to rehire Melanie. The woman is an actress w/ an undeniable gift for relating to little kids. I'm sure all those people at PBS must live in glass houses with no skeletons in their closets! It's appalling.
They are punishing free speech, satire and freedom. Their claim of "inappropriate" is itself inappropriate. This is fascistic, hypocritical and shows stupidity.
because the target audience of The Goodnight Show will probably never see the "offensive" videos anyway. Melanie was perfect for the job as a preschool show host.
as a long time donor to the PBS network, it digusts me that a 30-second spoof Melanie 7 years ago can UNDO all the good she does on a day-to-day basis. My daughter loved this show. Seeing as George Carlin (so foul-mouth he'd make a trucker blush!) and Alec Baldwin (let's not even get started on him) get to narrate for Thomas the Train, I think my family and I will no longer make any donations to PBS. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
You fire Melanie for a silly spoof but you play Thomas the Train episodes narrated by George Carlin? You are familiar with George's standup routines aren't you? Remember the list of dirty words you can't say on TV? Yeah, that was George. Grow up PBS. Give Melanie her job back. If I were her I'd sue you for sexual discrimination.
You fire Melanie for a silly spoof but you play Thomas the Train episodes narrated by George Carlin? You are familiar with George's standup routines aren't you? Remember the list of dirty words you can't say on TV? Yeah, that was George. Grow up PBS. Give Melanie her job back. If I were her I'd sue you for sexual discrimination.
I support this petition because as a long time donor to the PBS network, it digusts me that a 30-second spoof Melanie 7 years ago can UNDO all the good she does on a day-to-day basis. My daughter loved this show. She refuses to sit down and watch it now. Seeing as George Carlin (so foul-mouth he'd make a trucker blush!) and Alec Baldwin (currently in a custody battle with his ex-wife over his alleged inability to even be a fit parent - not to mention an adulterer!) get to narrate for Thomas the Train, I think my family and I will no longer make any donations to PBS. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
I am a state-licensed daycare provider and The Goodnight Show is our one bright spot in our day. By the time this show airs, all other kids programming networks have gone to older children/teen programming that is VERY inappropriate for the ages of 'my' kids. The Goodnight Show as hosted by Melanie Martinez provides just the right note at the end of a busy day. She helps the children to transition from the busy activities of the day to the quiet activities of dinner and nighttime. By the time the parents arrive to collect their children, the kids have settled down and are starting to relax. I appreciate very much the work Melanie has done on the Goodnight Show and would love to see her reclaim her position as host.
If Sprout is truly worried about past work of their 'human' hosts, they need look no further than the Thomas The Tank Engine series. First it was narrated by Ringo Starr, during the time he was in recovery for addition to alcohol and drugs. It is now being narrated by George Carlin, who is not only a recovering addict, but also has a stand-up comedy routine that is absolutely NOT suitable to children under the age of 21! If Sprout is going to sanction Ms. Martinez for her early satirical work, they also need to find new narrators for Thomas, which seems to be the place recovering addicts go to recuperate.
For crying out loud, PBS needs to find a backbone and bring back Melanie. I am so tired of fearful execs censoring things that might raise the red state's ire. PBS is supposed to be for all, not just the right wing. This is just more 21st century McCarthyism!
Stop being hysterical and start doing the right thing -rehire Melanie Martinez. The children love her and will thank you for being sensible later in life when they are taking care of you.....
I support this petition because as a long time donor to the PBS network, it digusts me that a 30-second spoof Melanie 7 years ago can UNDO all the good she does on a day-to-day basis. My daughter loved this show. She refuses to sit down and watch it now. Seeing as George Carlin (so foul-mouth he'd make a trucker blush!) and Alec Baldwin (currently in a custody battle with his ex-wife over his alleged inability to even be a fit parent - not to mention an adulterer!) get to narrate for Thomas the Train, I think my family and I will no longer make any donations to PBS. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
How DARE PBA be such a bunch of weak-willed chicken sh-ts! I think all who support our local stations should threaten to stop our support until she is re-instated, with a GIGANTIC apology!
The only way this could impact the kids who watch the Good Night Show is if they are made aware of the Technical Virgin spoofs. So you must be catering to the stuck up christian right parents who do not own the world, despite what they may think. Put her back on.
The "executives" at PBS are not thinking about their viewers.They will lose alot of children and their parents. Someone else may just come up with a children's nighttime show on another cable station...keep that in mind. So bring back Melanie!
This is rediculous...I mean there's alot of worse things going on in the world and they fire her for doing a comical skit 6 years prior.
PBS needs to grow up..
Oh, for Heaven's Sake. I've seen the video, and while it is slightly risque, there is nothing morally questionable about a girl's satirizing, even skewering a societal taboo. Had this been porn, you may have had basis, but it is, above all else, simple comedy. Grow up... and, quickly, before someone finds them? Hide *your* toys, etc.
I am a parent and I am disgusted with your decision to fire Melanie. What she did 10 years ago should not impact what she does today. It is not like she did porn movies or strip in a bar for Gods sake!
It's clear that we indeed live in a country led by Bush. Very sad... One hopes that over the years a society evolves, but things like this show that we have been moving backwards. I'm surprised PBS didn't throw her in the water to see if she floats. Shame on you PBS. Shame.
my kids love this show and her. So she did a skit a few years ago. Big deal we all do stupid stuff sometime. And Tanya G 2246 was right George Carlin is foul mouthed and I'm sure has mentioned anal sex more than a few time s but he still goes on Thomas. Kids don't care. If my kids even saw the skit they would have no idea what she was talking about.
The right wing mentality is taking over PBS too. Just wait until they begin editing the Lehrer News Report.
I'll keep this in mind the next time they come with hat in hand looking for "viewer support"
I've been a donor for 40 years and this looks like a good time to give it up.
****STOP AND READ THIS****
Email info@sproutletsgrow.com and CC Thomas.J.Falk@kcc.com (the CEO of their biggest sponcer) This can draw some added attention to our cause.(or just piss off Sprout).****
This is more puritanical, knee-jerk reaction to appease the right wing. Moreover, my child is just starting to watch sprout. Maybe I'll just turn the TV off for a while. Maybe we should all do the same.
Please bring her back. Our bedtime routine is all out of sorts. Our 13 month old never cared about the programs but she couldn't take her eyes off the screen when Melanie came on! We need our Yoga, Crafts, Spanish lessons but most of all Melanie. The great thing about kids is that they don't judge. I am sure if Jenna Jameson or Ron Jeremy were on the screen and were as fun, bright, loving and special as Melanie, they would love them too...and that would be okay!! George Carlin is the foulest comedian that comes to mind, and he is on Thomas all the time. We all did crazy things in our youth. She is a mommy now, and she does an A+ Job for all our preschoolers. PLEASE bring her back!!!
****STOP AND READ THIS****
Here is the email address of Sprout's biggest sponsor's CEO. Thomas.J.Falk@kcc.com
CC him when you email info@sproutletsgrow.com (sprout's email) and we can draw a little added attention.(or at least piss Sprout off)*****
