Word: cooney
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...Cooney consulted such diverse experts as psychologists and children's book illustrators. Dr. Edward L. Palmer, formerly an associate research professor in Oregon's state education system, worked with children across the country for 18 months, studying attention spans, areas of interest, eye movements. He and his researchers found that the most efficacious approach to learning fused the switches of commercial TV, the quick cuts from animate to live action. Transitions were out. "We learned that what bores kids is too much time spent on any one subject," said Palmer. Also, "Sit and talk straight at them, and children think...
...series, Kukla, Fran and Ollie; Bil Baird, who operates a puppet theater in Greenwich Village and Jim Henson of Sesame Street. Fusing the best of puppets and marionettes, Henson coined the name and the creature, "Muppet." For six years, Henson's Muppets enjoyed a quiet, loyal following (including Joan Cooney) before they hit the big time on the Ed Sullivan Show. On the Street where they now live, the Muppets no longer do guest shots. Operated by Henson and Associate Wizard Frank Oz, they eclipse the "real" actors. Big Bird, in fact, gets more fan mail than...
...conversation with TIME Correspondent Mary Cronin, Mrs. Cooney countered her critics: "McLuhan believes that content is irrelevant. I say, arrant nonsense. Can we doubt that if every time a commercial came on for the last 20 years and it said, 'go to church,' it wouldn't have had a profound effect?" Toward traditionalists, Mrs. Cooney is reassuring: "TV has a very important role to play in education. Still, it's just a big cold box, and just can't replace a loving teacher who cares about a child...
...Cooney, however, has responded to some criticism. She accepted a suggestion from the National Organization for Women, and in the new series, former Housewife Susan has a job as a nurse. Mrs. Cooney also admits that in Sesame Street's first year, "the children were too manipulated; the show was too tightly programmed to allow for surprises. Now, even if it means dropping a piece of animation, we are giving time for freer dialogue with the children." The new director, Bob Myhrum, has given the show a more spontaneous air; actors blow cues, the familiar street is full of passersby...
Almost every critic felt that the animated spots were overly repetitive, even for commercials, and Mrs. Cooney agrees; this year there will be less repetition. In response to complaints from inside and outside the staff that the show's approach was too Waspish for its audience, Mrs. Cooney has approved a more emphatic ethnic style. A black Muppet, Roosevelt Franklin, has become a star. Miguel (Jaime Sanchez), a Spanish-speaking actor, will be an occasional host. The show will also be less male-oriented; a female writer has been added to give it a more feminine slant...