DanMargarita.com

The Associated Press recently reported that the PBS show Sesame Street, which just entered its 36th season, will open each episode with a health tip about nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest. Perhaps for any original fans of the show that might still be watching, they could talk about hair loss, anti-depressants and erectile dysfunction.

The most notable change will be that of Cookie Monster who will tell children the benefits of eating "healthy foods." Perhaps he came to the conclusion that years of scarfing down chocolate chip cookies might have something to do with his blue complexion.

The show has a wonderful history of teaching children numbers and letters but apparently feels that they may have inadvertently also taught kids a lesson in gluttony and nothing about self-control.

One can only wonder if all of the Sesame Street characters will offer tips on health and hygiene based on their own lifestyles. Oscar the Grouch might want to inform kids that it's very unhygienic to live in a garbage can, and of course Bert and Ernie really ought to pass on some tips about the importance of practicing "safe sex."

The show will even include a new song "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food" (not to be confused with the Bob Dylan song of the same name) where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods. While a lesson in moderation is always valued, that's not the approach you would find in most 12-step programs. I strongly doubt that there's ever been an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that stressed the difference between "anytime" booze and "sometimes" booze.

The show will also feature guest appearances by members of congress, including Sen. Bill Frist, a licensed physician and Sen. Hillary Clinton. In one show Frist teaches Elmo to jump up and down and that Muppett life begins at conception. Clinton will discuss the taste and textures of food and the need to stay healthy because of her botched attempt to get national health care.

The news of the health push can be found on the Sesame Street website press page (just above the release titled "Grover Goes Global") which states that "More than a dozen U.S. Senators taped public service messages with Sesame Street characters Elmo and Rosita."

Considering the constant gridlock in congress, I guess that getting members of both parties to agree that you shouldn?t eat too many chocolate chip cookies is a step in the right direction.

Even seemingly healthy food can cause a problem sometimes, though. Will Cookie Monster make children aware that eating poppy seeds on a roll can cause one to fail a drug test? It's true; poppy seeds show up as opium which recently caused some embarrassment when Bert failed a drug test.

Congress has shown great concern for the health of public figures with its recent foray into the steroid scandal in Major League baseball. Perhaps congress should look into the fact that Big Bird looks "juiced."