Some of the Most Boring Sesame Street Commercials

The Sesame Street classic "achers", which aired in 1969, has been infamous ever since for its controversial portrayal of bad public school teachers and their malignant influence on children. Most people who watch the show are either completely disgusted by the depiction of a class of preschoolers forced to behave badly all the time or, at least, think it's a fun show to laugh at. In the last few decades, "achers" has taken on a more political meaning with the struggles of public schooling in America today.

The premise of the "achers" series is that everyday, street smarts of school kids are challenged by a faceless bureaucracy who is determined to keep things in place. The premise of this particular show was also incredibly funny, so many people actually find themselves laughing at the very thought of watching it. Children who grew up viewing this show as a child may very well be inclined to become more politically aware as they grow older.

In the series, the head teacher, Mr. Van Gogh (Sesame Street's Frank Oz) is portrayed as a lovable but oft-times outrageously incompetent crank. He constantly has an inferiority complex and constantly tries to have his way in school, usually through illegal means. He's also a dedicated teacher and seems almost obsessed with getting the school district to give him more power and autonomy over his students' daily schedules and lives.

But behind the facade of an incompetent school boss is a man obsessed with getting the power and authority he desires. In the series, he's assisted by three female henchwomen, Cookie, Kelly, and Pam. They regularly visit Mr. Van Gogh and his assistant Flo in order to bring him their tips for teaching children. The three women also give Mr. Van Gogh ideas for his classes, most of which are ridiculous. For instance, one math lesson lists "bread sticks" as a substitute for math sugar. Other examples include street signs, a fire hydrant, and a pop tart recipe.

The list of absurd ideas presented by the characters of Sesame Street is only the tip of the iceberg. Among other things, the characters frequently reference voodoo spells, ancient evil beings, and sex. Some examples include a street sign for "babies in the oven," which lists the various ingredients necessary for making "babies." And there's an entire list of disturbing things called "don't eat the don't eat the bugs" listed on a few street signs.

The list doesn't stop there. The "Don't Eat the Bugs" list is followed by a list of even more bizarre street signs. One depicts a naked frog eating a toad that's stuck to its tail. Others include a street sign that says "Keep Out - Bees!" And "Beware of Black Cats!"

In addition to the list of strange suggestions the street signs offer, they often contain some very offensive advertisements as well. One has a street sign that says " Loans. Apply Today." And another states, "Book Yourself The Biggest Loser Today."

As may be expected, not everyone enjoys watching the outrageous pranks and exaggerations on Sesame Street. Many adults and some children have expressed frustration with the lack of educational value and the offensive nature of the shows. Parents have also complained about the lack of respect for their children as well as their ages. In response, producers have often placed strong words on the screen to discourage parents from complaining. In fact, one episode was recently pulled from the air after a viewer complaint led to a boycott of the show.