Singer's appearance axed as a result of negative viewer feedback to video posted online.By Gil Kaufman
Katy Perry
Photo: Jemal Countess/ Getty Images
Katy Perry's too sexy for "Sesame Street."
Just days after footage of Perry singing a "Sesame"-clean version of her hit "Hot 'n Cold" leaked on the Internet, Sesame Workshop, the organization behind "Sesame Street," released a statement saying that the segment would not air on the program later this year as originally planned due to complaints from some viewers who felt it was inappropriate.
" 'Sesame Street' has a long history of working with celebrities across all genres, including athletes, actors, musicians and artists," reads the statement. " 'Sesame Street' has always been written on two levels, for the child and adult. We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or care-giver. We also value our viewers' opinions and particularly those of parents. In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video which was released on YouTube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of 'Sesame Street,' which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on YouTube."
A spokeswoman for Perry said, "Katy enjoyed working with 'Sesame Street,' Kevin Clash and playing dress up with Elmo. You can view all the fun at www.katyperry.com."
Though Perry is known for dressing in provocative outfits, in the "Sesame" skit — in which she is clearly making a playful comment on her upcoming wedding to actor/comedian Russell Brand — she is seen wearing a wedding dress and veil and showing a touch of cleavage that is covered by a skin-colored mesh similar to ones worn by professional ice-skaters.
As Elmo runs around her dress, which is certainly more revealing than the average "Sesame Street" guest's outfit, they sing reworked lyrics to the song that include the lines, "How am I supposed to play with you?/ You're up and you're down/ You're running around/ You're fast and you're slow/ You're stop and you're go." Despite saying the video would still be available on YouTube, at press time, attempts to view it online resulted in an error message saying, "This video has been removed by the user."
The ban came a day after TMZ reported that there were a raft of complaints about the video, including such comments as, "You can practically see her t--s. That's some wonderful children's programming," and "They're gonna have to rename it cleavage avenue."
But as of Thursday morning (September 23), the majority of comments on the official "Sesame Street" YouTube page were in favor of the Perry clip. "Nothing at all wrong with the Katy Perry video," wrote e456eb6. "Pulling it was wrong. If you don't bring it back, and broadcast it, the terrorists win." Another person wrote, "Nothing wrong with the Katy Perry video. Don't bow to the media pressure," while lp1981 lamented, "I can't believe you took down the Katy Perry video!!! That is a cute video." One mother added, "Why did you take down the Katy Perry video??? My kid loves it."
A scroll back to some comments from Wednesday, however, reveals a hint of why the Workshop may have made the decision to ax the segment. "Very clever putting that Katy Perry vid up, you think that was a good idea? It's sposed to be a kiddies program and you feel that she is a good rolemodel for little kiddies, her vids sell sex." Another mom wrote, "Elmo should not have to see that much cleavage, my daughter should not either. The song is cute, but the message that the barely there dress-up clothes takes so much away from it."
Viewer Jeffskibum was even more direct in his complaint. "Katy Perry is promoting a negative view for girls when they watch this video. It says that girls just like to dress up as princesses and in low-cut tops and hate running around like boys. this is the problem with society."
What do you think of Katy Perry's appearance on "Sesame Street"? Tell us in the comments.
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