An HIV-Positive Muppet:

Disgruntled Intern · #1 07-13-2002, 04:54 PM

Found this, and thought it was pretty interesting. Enjoy.

The character, who will be a five-year-old female, will be unveiled this September on the South African version of the show, called Takalani Sesame. The Muppet is still being designed and doesn't yet have a name or a color. She will interact with the show's other Muppets, including Elmo, in an attempt to overcome the myths that surround HIV and AIDS in a country where more than 10 percent of the population is infected.....

Read the rest of the story Here...

Gluk Schmuck · #2 07-13-2002, 05:27 PM

If they're trying to dispell myths and such about HIV/AIDS then why don't they give an existing character HIV to highlight the fact that not everyone with HIV/AIDS knows they have it and the fact that HIV+ people are normal people and such. Introducing a new character to deal with the subject would make them seem like they were just put there to talk about HIV/AIDS and then, with mention of them discussing death, presumably die.

Disgruntled Intern · #3 07-13-2002, 05:30 PM

I'm assuming because that would sort of alter the child's view of an already existing character. Not that I don't agree with you, but I'm guessing the new character can and will be totally disposable, and will not drastically effect the show. I mean, I would love to see bert or ernie get HIV, as F*cked up as it sounds. or the cookie monster....or better yet, the count/vampier guy! that would make the most sense, anyway.

Jacob · #4 07-13-2002, 06:31 PM

:

or better yet, the count/vampier guy!

*In best Count the Vampire voice* One, Two, Three AIDs victims...Muahahahaha.

I admit...that was quite dis-tasteful and i will delete it now.

It says that the Puppet/Muppet (Whats the difference!?) will be discussing sexuality, do you think the puppet will come to different countries. Like the US and UK? I think it should.

Gluk Schmuck · #5 07-13-2002, 07:20 PM

:

Originally posted by Jacob
[1] (Whats the difference!?)

[2] [D]o you think the puppet will come to different countries. Like the US and UK? I think it should.

1. It's not quite a mop and it's not quite a puppet but hell, it's a... I don't know.

2. According to the article there are no plans to introduce it to the US. I think if this character becomes a permanant addition it should definately be part of the American and British shows as I know there are plenty of people naïve to the affects of HIV/AIDS, how HIV is transmitted, etc.

By the way, I think that joke was excellent. It's certainly one of your best.

Edo · #6 07-14-2002, 04:42 AM

This proves that the only good sesame is in my food!

Fazerina · #7 07-14-2002, 06:15 AM

:

Originally posted by Edo
This proves that the only good sesame is in my food!

How is that? I personally kinda like the idea. It is a whole other thing, if it'll work, though.

My friend just told me about this yesterday. I'm not actually sure how it came up, though... We were sitting in a bar boat drinking cider and I think I was talking about Teletubbies

and the convo somehow turned to the Muppets.

Gluk Schmuck · #8 07-14-2002, 08:00 AM

:

Originally posted by Fazerina
We were sitting in a bar boat drinking cider and I think I was talking about Teletubbies and the convo somehow turned to the Muppets.

That's strange because the other day we were talking about yours and Anna's thighs and the convo somehow turned to the Teletubbys having orgies.

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #9 07-14-2002, 08:42 AM

:

Originally posted by Gluk Schmuck

That's strange because the other day we were talking about yours and Anna's thighs and the convo somehow turned to the Teletubbys having orgies.

Yeah, thanks... tell the whole board.

:P Anyone who wants information on me and Jenni can just tune in to Radio Tom.

***Wil*** · #10 07-14-2002, 09:30 AM

Strange, the rumours that the Sesame Street makers were going to kill off one of the main muppets to explain about death to kiddie-winks were very unpopular, yet this is on-the-whole taken as a good idea, here at least.

Not that I'm saying it's a bad idea. If South Africa wants to teach children about something, it seems as good a medium as any to teach it through.

Oh yeah, and you word muppet comes from an integration of the words marionette and puppet.

Dequibenzo · #11 07-14-2002, 06:14 PM

The problem is, we've seen this sort of thing before, and it's never as big a deal as we would like to think. Remember the one cat muppet, Esperanto, who spoke something like 75 different languages? It was a cool idea that they put into I think the UK sesame street, but you don't hear about it anymore.
Hey, wait, does this mean that every different country films different episodes of Sesame street? I thought they just dubbed them. Of course, I guess that would make little sense when it came to all the alphabet stuff. Huh. So, every nation that runs Sesame street has it's own set of puppets, it's own street (probably different from place to place), and it's own puppeteers and animators? Dear lord, there must be more different episodes with the same characters than any other show in history.
Yeah, it would've been a lot more influencial if they had given an existing character the disease. If it happened in the US, I think it could have a chance. Probably a human character or a non-animal or monster puppet, like Prarie Dawn.
Whatever the case, as long as it helps kids understand an important issue better, I'm sure good ol' Jim's smiling down on us about it.

Edo · #12 07-15-2002, 03:21 AM

Alas, I was but joking. Still, the idea seems unsound on many levels. Peace out.

Fazerina · #13 07-15-2002, 08:07 AM

:

Originally posted by Gluk Schmuck
That's strange because the other day we were talking about yours and Anna's thighs and the convo somehow turned to the Teletubbys having orgies.

Actually I was sharing that exact convo with Assi. Didn't mention your thighs, Anna...

Just the teletubby part... And I gave her the url for that After Hours piccy later that night... She loved it!

Gluk Schmuck · #14 07-15-2002, 03:55 PM

:

Originally posted by One, Two, Middlesboogie
Yeah, thanks... tell the whole board. :P Anyone who wants information on me and Jenni can just tune in to Radio Tom.

And next week, tune into the explanation of how the convo veered onto the subject of [deleted by Tom to add suspense, not that I was ever planing on telling you lot!]...

sligster · #15 07-15-2002, 10:00 PM

I don't care about any muppet!

Muppets scare me.

Disgruntled Intern · #16 07-15-2002, 10:10 PM

If you don't care, then don't reply.

Jacob · #17 07-17-2002, 01:25 AM

I need to know this (Well, not 'need' but it would be handy) If a homosexual has un-protected sex does that mean he and/or his partner will get AIDs? Or does one have to have AIDs for the other to get it? Is AIDs in homosexual men a result in un-protected sex?

Edo · #18 07-17-2002, 02:02 AM

No, don't worry, one of them has to have it. I think someone got it by blowing a monkey or something, and then passed it on. More research may be enlightening, but is not recommended. But the answer is no. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use protection, but that's not my business. Btw, the new sig is inventive and quite true. One of my friend's dad is gay and possibly the most enlightened person I know. And grunty, I think he cared enough to strongly not care.

Gluk Schmuck · #19 07-17-2002, 08:13 AM

:

Originally posted by Jacob
I need to know this (Well, not 'need' but it would be handy) If a homosexual has un-protected sex does that mean he and/or his partner will get AIDs? Or does one have to have AIDs for the other to get it? Is AIDs in homosexual men a result in un-protected sex?

Who gave you sex-ed? Your family?

If one person has AIDS the other will almost certainly get it unless you use a condom (correctly).

Boyddie · #20 07-17-2002, 11:17 AM

heh, a muppet getting HIV!!!!

Jacob · #21 07-17-2002, 05:05 PM

:

Who gave you sex-ed? Your family?

No, nobody did in my family. They never thought i was old enough. They still dont. *Tuts to self*

I have had sex ed but not on the whole gay sex thing. I used to think that if gays did the whole anal thing then that would cause one of them to get AIDs due to the bacteria and stuff like that. Also, can one get AIDs or any other STD from Oral?

Gluk Schmuck · #22 07-17-2002, 05:31 PM

:

Originally posted by Jacob
Also, can one get AIDs or any other STD from Oral?

You can't get AIDS from oral unless you swallow a LOT of semen, apparently. You can get STIs like crabs or herpees but not things like AIDS or hepatitus.

Just so you know, it's Accuired Immune Defficiancy Syndrome - AIDS, not AIDs.

Edit: (sp on everything - happy now?)

Melvin:squeeking paramite · #23 07-17-2002, 05:44 PM

Chris is asking a lot of questions. He must be getting ready for a party.

Disgruntled Intern · #24 07-17-2002, 06:20 PM

Hee!

Dyl, you so Ka-Ray-Zay!

Jacob · #25 07-17-2002, 08:48 PM

:

Chris is asking a lot of questions. He must be getting ready for a party.

lol...Ohhh how well you know me!! lol

Boyddie · #26 07-18-2002, 02:07 PM

heh, i like partyies

alot

Boyddie · #27 07-18-2002, 02:10 PM

:

Originally posted by sligster
I don't care about any muppet! Muppets scare me.

they scare me aswell! Keep them away!

ARRRG!!! a muppet
*hides*

Jacob · #28 07-18-2002, 04:13 PM

:

they scare me aswell! Keep them away!
ARRRG!!! a muppet
*hides*

Yes, i know what you mean. Those stings coming from their limbs, the googly eyes, men under the tables with the hands up the muppets rear end. Kinda reminds of a party i went to a while back.

Jacob · #29 07-22-2002, 12:49 AM

How other ways can you get AIDS?

If you have a cut on ur arm, and somebody elses blood gets into that, would you get it?

Sl'askia · #30 07-22-2002, 01:00 AM

I think so Chris. Also other ways are: sharing dirty needles (among drug users and such) and blood transfusions (but those cases are very rare now a days).