Did Sesame Street really change Cookie Monsters name to Veggie Monster?”
In 2006, in response to growing concerns about record levels of childhood obesity in the U.S.A., Sesame Street began airing segments entitled Healthy Habits for Life. In these segments, the Muppet characters of Sesame Street talk about healthy habits, such as eating properly and exercising. The Healthy Habits for Life segments spawned false Internet rumors that Cookie Monster’s name had been changed to Veggie Monster or would be taken off the show entirely. In a 2007 appearance on Martha Stewart’s TV program, Cookie Monster explained his new philosophy that “Cookies are a sometime food.” In a June 19, 2008, appearance on The Colbert Report, Cookie Monster again explained that “Cookies are a sometimes food.” He also attempted to eat Stephen Colbert’s Peabody Award.
One of the most endearing and memorable of Sesame Street’s Muppet characters has experienced a bit of an Cookie Monster epiphany regarding his eating habits in recent years as the lovable, blue-furred Cookie Monster has been mastering the fine art of moderation with regard to his favorite food. Yet he has not given up cookies entirely, nor are there plans for him to do so — whatever the rumors to the contrary, he is and always will be the Cookie Monster. In 2005 Sesame Street began to focus more strongly on delivering positive health messages to children, a process that involved introducing segments on the values of good nutrition, exercise, and proper sleep habits into the program. It also involved expanding Cookie Monster’s diet to encompass other foods beyond just his beloved cookies. His newfound nutritional awareness was expressed in his new anthem, “A Cookie Is a Sometime Food” (which was modeled upon the Porgy and Bess song, “A Woman is a Sometime Thing”). Cookie Monster still e
A few years back a vicious rumor started spreading that the producers of Sesame Street were renaming the Cookie Monster “Veggie Monster” in order to send healthier messages about nutrition to kids. As snopes.com points out, this rumor is FALSE. It is true that back in 2005, Sesame Street made a conscious decision to start including more programming dedicated to better health and nutrition. So while they didn’t rename Cookie Monster “Veggie Monster,” they did have him develop a liking for fruits and veggies. A Cookie is a Sometime Food was added to his repertoire of songs.
