There’s a new face on Sesame Street… and she is pretty in pink. Abby Cadabby is the newest kid on the block, and she’s giving Bird Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, and Oscar a run for their money. Look at those names again. Bird Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, and Oscar… add in Telly Monster, Grover, Harry Monster and Baby Bear. What do they all have in common? They are all BOYS!
Since the popular children’s show made its debut in 1969, nearly all of Sesame Street’s biggest stars have been male. Until now. Abby Cadabby is all girl. Well, female anyway. The pink puppet is actually a 3-year-old fairy, who is desperate to fit in. The show’s creators have high hopes that she will and in the process appeal to both kids and their parents.
It’s hard to believe that Abby is Sesame Street’s first new character in 13 years. I grew up with the show, but have only in the past year become a regular viewer again, thanks in large part to my 2-year-old daughter who loves watching Elmo and the rest of his furry friends. Personally, I am ecstatic about the introduction and was surprised to hear that Sesame Steet’s creators have publicly admitted that they spent years struggling to develop a leading female character that would appeal to kids and grown-ups.
Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street, recently told reporters: “If Cookie Monster had been created as a female, they would look at her as having a eating disorder. So it’s really hard to write for women without falling into labels and stereotypes.” What a sad (but true) commentary about the world we live in. And studies prove it. Research has shown that in the last decade, Sesame Street’s audience has become smaller and younger, losing ground to a wave of kids shows and strong female characters, like Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer.
“Pre-school has become a crowded place,” said Parente.
But early signs indicate that Abby Cadabby might be able to use her girl power (she can team up with other female Muppets such as Zoe, Rosita and Prairie Dawn) to cast a spell on kids like my daughter. Recent development testing showed that young audiences liked Abby as much as superstar Elmo. And we parents of Elmo lovers know, he’s a tough act to follow.