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Actor and puppeteer Frank Oz called out a character inconsistency after Cookie Monster condemned "shrinkflation," a practice in which companies hawk everyday items at fixed prices but downsize the size, quantity, or quality of the actual product.
On March 4, the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) informed consumers that Democratic President Joe Biden was calling for companies to stop shrinkflation after stressing that, "C is for consumers getting ripped off."
In response, Cookie Monster entered the discussion by expressing his frustration over the corporate swindling of consumers.
"Me hate shrinkflation!" he lamented, adding, "Me cookies are getting smaller."
His post was followed by a frowning emoji.
Oz, who is known for his longtime work with Muppet creator Jim Henson and for voicing Yoda from the Star Wars franchise, argued that his late colleague would never have allowed his Sesame Street characters to discuss real-world issues.
The day following Cookie Monster's protestation on X, Oz replied:
"I'm shocked to see a news article on Cookie Monster talking about 'shrinkflation'."
"Jim would NEVER have allowed this. The SS Muppets need to live in their own pure world. Not our world."
The 79-year-old filmmaker added:
"What has happened to the integrity of the character and the integrity of Sesame Workshop?"
Oz's post sparked a polarizing discussion on wokeness.
For starters, he wasn't the only one who was frustrated about the Muppet getting involved with current events.
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster I agree with Frank. The Street should stay in the peace and love bubble. (I also wish there was a better abbreviation for the Sesame Street Muppets than the SS Muppets.)— (@)
However, others felt Cookie Monster's exasperation was warranted, especially on social media.
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster I'm going to disagree. That's what was astonishing about @sesamestreet when I was a slightly older kid watching with my little brother. It referenced "our world". Yes, there was an innocence, but still.\nAnd social media is just another (adult) world. It was clever.— (@)
Some also argued that hot-button issues were always included in the program as teachable moments for young viewers.
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster I really don't see what's wrong with this. Sesame Street was never as pure as you say it was. Take this for example. If they ran this episode today, it would be slammed at "woke propaganda" as opposed to a very real issue that people of all ages face. https://t.co/fL0a4gtI85— (@)
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster Is this satire? The sesame street muppets have been a beacon of real world problems taught to our children in a manner they can understand. From hiv, racism, death, autism and even 911.\n\nTo be completely honest, I think Jim would be more upset with your tweet.— (@)
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster Watched Sesame Street since 1969. Again in 80-90\u2019s with my son. And now with my 2&5 y/o grandsons. It hasn\u2019t changed. always taught social issues to kids in a kind and inclusive way. Loved it then and love it now! #CorporateGreed is real and it affects our cookies!!— (@)
@TheFrankOzJam @MeCookieMonster I appreciate your sentiment. But shrinkflation, while currently a buzzword in media, is a step towards food insecurity, a real crisis for many kids who watch Sesame Street. The tweet sucks, but if it is a building block to an earnest discussion with kids, does it pass?— (@)
On Tuesday, Biden gave a shout-out to Cookie Monster at a White House press conference.
When denouncing the act of profit-driven companies short-changing American consumers amidst rising inflation costs, Biden said:
“I’ll tell you what, I tell you who did notice, Cookie Monster."
"He pointed out cookies, or his cookies are getting smaller, paying the same price. I was stunned when I found out that’s what actually happened.”
He continued:
"Even as supply chains are back to normal, some companies are still not passing along the savings to their customers."
"Many corporations are raising their prices, pad the profits, charging folks more and more for less and less."
Biden specifically mentioned potato chip companies as an example.
"In fact, some of the small snack companies, you won’t—think you won’t even notice what they’re doing, when they charge you just as much for the same size bag of potato chips, only there’s a helluva lot fewer chips in it.”
According to Business Insider, Frito-Lay shrank some of its Doritos packaging from 9.75 ounces to 9.25 ounces. Both sizes, including some 9.5-ounce bags, are selling at Target for the same price.
A Frito-Lay spokesperson confirmed the company avoided raising prices by sacrificing quantity.
"We took just a little bit out of the bag so we can give you the same price and you can keep enjoying your chips," they told Quartz.