PBS- Grow UP! She is an actress after all...whats next ? firing people for having opinions or being single parents ??
We are talking about a show for kids with a vocabulary of less than about 100 words right ???
BRING HER BACK!
i support this because parody or not it still deals with teen abstinence and sence it was done years ago its in the past, no one should get fired for things done in the past unless it was a really bad thing
It is discrimination for PBS to hire Carlin KNOWING of his blue routines and to fire Miss Martinez for something far less than blue. I would find a good lawyer quick if I were her. Plus, it's OUR job as parents to approve or disprove who we allow our kids to watch on TV, NOT PBS'. Also, if not for them firing her, I would never have know of these videos, would you? Doubt it. And I really don't know of many 4 y/o kids who are going to search for Melanie on the web and find these videos. I DID do a search for her and didn't find them - had to use a link someone else had found on a blog spot, so in firing her they brought about the very attention they claim they hoped to avoid. Hypocrites all the way around. Yes, definitely would some legal attention Melanie, I hope you pursue that and best of luck to you, we are behind you.
I support this petition!!! My daughter loves Melanie. Melanie is perfect for the role she plays on Sprout. What she did 7 years ago is history, leave it there.
Melanie has such great crafts, games and other things to keep my son stimulated and keep him from being a 2 year old couch potato! We miss her, star and Hush and want her back no matter what.
My 2 year old son won't watch The Good Night Show anymore since Melanie isn't on it because he doesn't believe that it actually is the show without seeing her. So, needless to say, Sprout lost a new and future viewer. As a parent, I protect my son from everything, but I am not offended by her video. My son will never see it, and isn't that what matters? You can barely recognize her anyway! This was a completely sexist move on PBS Sprout's part, it is absolutely repugnant. We will watch the next kid's program that Melanie hosts. She is truly gifted and a kid magnet. Anyone would be lucky to have her. I love how Sprout says they are only concerned for the kids and the parents, but if everyone is rebelling against this decision... and they aren't changing it... that speaks volumes. Sprout is no longer part of our household.
Comcast owns the majority stake in PS Sprout. Why not write to:
Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
There are numerous Hollywood stars who have appeared in children's shows who have also done entertainment that children should not be allowed to watch. Robin Williams' stand-up is extremely raunchy but that didn't stop him from being in the kid oriented "Mork and Mindy" show. I could understand the firing if the young actress was in a pornographic movie, but your reaction is unfortunate because the videos in question are clearly satire and not in least bit obscene when viewed as adult entertainment. You can see skits such as the videos in question on "Saturday Night Live" every week on regular network television. My children formed a bond with Melanie and for PBS to remove her for such a triviality is sad overreaction. Please reconsider your decision.
This 30 second clip of Melanie would never be seen by the age group of kids that watch the goodnight show. In today's society when rap stars like 50 Cent and Jay Z, who are self proclaimed drug dealers, are now idolized by the youth of America, this short clip from over seven years ago can't be overlooked by PBS. I wonder how many of the PBS executives have ever gotten a DWI or used an illegal drug in the past. Both of which aren't the example to set for young children!!
There are numerous Hollywood stars who have appeared in children's shows who have also done entertainment that children should not be allowed to watch. Robin Williams' stand-up is extremely raunchy but that didn't stop him from being in the kid oriented "Mork and Mindy" show. I could understand the firing if the young actress was in a pornographic movie, but your reaction is unfortunate because the videos in question are clearly satire and not in least bit obscene when viewed as adult entertainment. You can see skits such as the videos in question on "Saturday Night Live" every week on regular network television. My children formed a bond with Melanie and for PBS to remove her for such a triviality is sad overreaction. Please reconsider your decision.
because these videos were done seven years ago and in no way endorse Sprout or its programming in a way that compromises the safety or purity of the children who will be watching it, children who should have no exposure to these shorts to begin with
Shouldnt someone be be judged by the good they do.Not something they did years ago.She didnt hurt someone she didnt do something sick.She made 2 little videos.If you see what some stars have done you should change your mind.
Shame on PBS! This firing was a ridiculous decision! Their statement cited concerns that this remote clip would undermine Ms. Martinez's credibility with her audience- what is the likelihood of 2-5 year olds encountering this clip? Zero! It is PBS who has lost their credibility. We miss Melanie greatly. She was the sparkle that made The Goodnight Show the wonderful program that it was. No more Sprout at our house: if there is no Melanie, there is no Sprout.
my two daughters ages 4 and 2 had gotten used to the idea that when Melanie said it was time for bed, it was bedtime. A short video in line with what many other famous actresses have done on Saturday Night Live has forced me to have to explain why thier "friend" can't be on TV right now. PBS has taken an adult comedy and made it an issue for small children. If they hadn't fired Melanie, I doubt we would even know, or care about the earlier work. PBS hired her, she told PBS about the videos. Please don't let this young actress be penalized for honesty and having a sense of humor before PBS. I personally have lost a great deal of respect for the governing body at PBS.
I support this petition because she was unfairly fired. I hope she sues. She has done nothing wrong and the support she is receiving should speak for itself. The network execs who made this decision should now research all their shows and staff to be sure they are only employing th morally pure. My 3 year old misses you Melanie! Good Bananas!
Those two short films are so harmless. This is ridiculous. Has PBS been so cowed by religious fundamentalism that they would fire someone pre-emptively just to avoid another tussle over a nonissue like this? Pathetic...
I'm amazed that George Carlin is acceptable, but firing someone over a past incident in her life, which Iwould guess came out of desperate circumstances, is a no-no.I don't know who is breathing down PBS's neck, but someone there needs to get some chutpah in a hurry!
I don't like Sprout but Melanie did not deserve to be fired. The video shorts were done years ago, long before Sprout was dreamed up. Additionally, the shorts were not offensive in any way and are similar in style and content to what has been airing on Saturday Night Live for over 30 years. Melanie should be rehired NOW.
My 5 year old son, is very upset about Melanie not being on this program anymore. Just the other night he told me that he misses her and that the people who took her off should be fired.
I understand that PBS has fired Melanie Martinez because she participated in some silly videos 7 years ago, which she told you about. SHAME on you. Rehire her and make it right. Our children are not threatened by silly videos, they are threatened by dangerous small minds.
Thank you. Mother of 3, grandmother of 2.
I am discontinuing my support for PBS. I have 8 year old and 2 two year olds. Management at PBS has been an irritant for quite a while and this just adds to the pile.
Unless PBS has evidence Ms. Martinez wrote the script for those two "PSAs," then PBS is holding the wrong person accountable. She is not offering her own viewpoint, only the writer's. Actors do this every day. This wasn't porn, there was no nudity. She couldn't get arrested for what she did on film. Therefore, PBS has no "morals" grounds for termination. This is the same type of humor broadcast on network TV. That doesn't even begin to address the fact she filmed it SEVEN years ago. Would PBS officials hold their own children to ridicule for something they did 1/4 of their lifetime ago? This is outrageously stupid thinking.
From what I see, this was a joke. There was some mature content as far as some text, and a verbal statement, it is not as if she actually displayed anything inappropriate and it seems that children/parents are currently enjoying her hosting.
It was something that happened 7 yrs ago... I really don't think 1-5 yr olds are gonna be on the computer searching for it.... Please...This is Ridiculous
This is clearly a double standard in the children's entertainment world. Does George Carlin get questioned for his other artistic venues or opinions? How about Robin Williams on Sesame Street? This is not right! Bring back Melanie!
Melanie's departure has left an enormous hole in the Good Night Show. Her genuine energy and enthusiasm were an important asset. My daughter and I miss her greatly. Bring her back!
I support this petition because I believe that PBS has been one of the last media defenders of free speech in recent times. Punishing someone for a seven year old parody video makes me seriously doubt there are any mainstream media outlets left in America.
It is a shame PBS' narrow-mindedness is preventing children from enjoying positive programming. Not only is the basis of her termination ridiculous, it forces Ms. Martinez into the public eye in a pseudo-negative light. I hope the responses they receive will seriously make them reconsider this ludicrous decision. Shame on PBS for championing progressive ideas and intellectualism in programming and making decisions of the complete opposite nature.
Melanie is a perfect host for the Good Night Show, and my kids love her. I'm not really sure what the motivation for this firing was, though I do have several ideas. I do know that I find it extremely hard to believe that PBS had the well-being of the kids at heart.
I am angry and disappointed in PBS.
