Tags

Sesame Street Introduces New Broke-Ass, Hungry, Poverty-Stricken Muppet

Posted by on Oct 4, 2011 in Television | 5 comments

Meet Lily...and please spare some change for lunch, if you have it.

Call it a sign of the times. Sesame Street is set to introduce a new poverty-stricken muppet for whom hunger issues will be a primary storyline. And we’re not talking about no J.Lo “appetite for loving is now her hunger pain” type of belly rumblings. No. This girl is just brrrrroke.

The iconic kids show is set to unveil a new impoverished puppet named Lily, whose family faces an ongoing struggle with hunger issues. Lily will be revealed in a one-hour Sesame Street primetime special, Growing Hope Against Hunger, which is being sponsored by Walmart. The special will star country singer Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, as well as the Sesame Street Muppets.

“Food insecurity is a growing and difficult issue for adults to discuss, much less children,” said the Paisleys in a statement. “We are honored that Sesame Street, with its long history of tackling difficult issues with sensitivity, caring and warmth asked us to be a part of this important project.”

The special will include vignettes featuring real life families struggling with hunger and financial security in these uncertain economic times. For the record, 1 in 4 children in America are without access to affordable and nutritious food.

And no, Bert and Ernie are still not getting married. Thanks for asking though (AGAIN).

Is Lily a welcome addition to a diverse cast of characters with hands up their butts or the biggest early morning buzzkill in the history of television?

(via EW)