Never let it be said that The Great White Shank isn’t capable of picking up a catchy tune, even under the most ordinary of circumstances. The other night I was watching Bill O’Reilly, and in his “Pinheads and Patriots” segment he had a blurb about how some parents were trying to get an appearance by pop star Katy Perry on Sesame Street removed because of the revealing dress she was wearing during it. I was only half paying attention (I was preparing dinner at the time) but the song being played behind the video really caught my ears.

Now I’d heard of Katy Perry, but had never heard any of her songs. A quick Internet search found not only that Perry’s appearance was indeed being pulled after complaints by parents, but that the song featured in that appearance, “Hot N Cold”, was a big hit for her two years ago. Who knew?

Anyway, I fell in love with the song right from the start – it’s a catchy tune with an awesome driving chorus and nice transitions to and from the pulsing techno-beat of the verses. Way better than freakin’ Lady Gaga.

Here’s the original video for the song with its original lyrics…

…and, just to show you can’t keep a catchy tune down, here’s the Sesame Street video. The song’s lyrics have been altered to convey the message of “opposites” with Elmo. But it still works in a ying/yang sort of way – they’re a liitle more metaphysical, as am I.

I’m too old for Sesame Street, but I sure wish they had chicks that looked like that on Rex Trailer’s “Boomtown” and Captain Kangaroo!

One final note about those parent protests: maybe it’s just me, but I find nothing remotely offensive about it. Is she showing cleavage? You bet, but she’s adorable and fun to watch (especially her facial expressions and body movements as she chases Elmo around), and, let’s face it, kids these days will see all that and more on any day at the lake or the beach, or while at the mall with their parents. Moreover, there’s no violence; I guarantee even kids who watch Sesame Street are already seeing plenty of that.

So listen up, you prudes out there: let’s knock off the sanctimonious censorship thing and take a deep breath. Katy Perry showing cleavage on Sesame Street is not the end of American culture as we know it (that happened a long time ago). You were given ample notice as to when her apperance was to take place. You don’t want your child to watch? Fine, give him or her a book to read that day. But leave everyone else to make their own decision themselves.

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Pool temp: 83 degrees