The German Sesamstrasse, a co-production with the American Sesame Street, announced its new episodes for the months to come. Children's TV, so what?
The German version is made by German state television which is in full swing woke mode now. The propagandists had the genius idea to introduce as celebrity guest stars not only the German magicians "Siegfried and Joy" - any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is by purpose - but also the German-Italien influencer Riccardo Simonetti.
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"Full of magic and self-empowerment" is the promise.
The star expressed his excitement about the opportunity to participate in the renowned children's show in a statement: "I love how 'Sesame Street' has always managed to package serious topics in a child-friendly way. Children are not lied to or treated as stupid - quite the opposite, they are guided and introduced to topics in an age-appropriate manner. With fun and lots of warmth."
The German public was rather not amused about the stuff that their breed will be guided and introduced to. Finally the officail Facebook post is blocked for comments:
"However, we have closed this comment column as homophobic and offensive comments against Riccardo Simonetti have increased."
Simonetti himself made it clear once again in his Instagram story how much pressure he is currently under: “Guys, I am not gonna lie. All these inflammatory Sesame Street messages and comments have made the last few days a real mental health challenge. Even though I know it's important and right, but it's not easy!”
If his statement “Because as a gay man in make-up, I naturally only have one concern, and that is to make other people's children homosexual” will fade the pressure, even if he claims it is sarcastic, is to be doubted.
Riccardo Simonetti, who married his partner last year and is currently in Los Angeles, has spent as little time as possible on social media in recent days due to the shitstorm in Germany.
While Face is one thing, on X which is less regulated even in Germany, the shitstorm is better visible: https://x.com/search?q=Riccardo%20Simonetti&src=typed_query
It is worth to mention that the German state TV has a yearly budget of ~9 Billion euros. Every household and every business entity in Germany has to pay a monthly fee. The fee is just under 19 euros per month per household. It depends on the number of employees in a business or the number of rooms in a hotel. The fee must be paid in any case, regardless of whether television is consumed or whether a TV-set/radio is available at all. This is prescribed by law and is enforced by the state, if necessary with prison sentences.