Some “Sesame Street” fans say Cookie Monster NFTs disrespect the show’s original legacy

Is the metaverse heading to “Sesame Street”?

Some fans of the beloved TV series criticized Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind the show, after it announced it would be offering 5,555 editions of Cookie Monster NFT collectibles.

Critics on social media said the decision to launch an NFT collection is a departure from Sesame Street’s origins as an educational program to help level the playing field for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly black and Latino children. Some pointed out that the cost (each NFT is priced at $60) also makes it inaccessible to many viewers.

“NFTs are very much against the ideals I associate with Sesame Street,” said Becca Petunia, a writer for ToughPigs: Muppet Fans Who Grow Up, a Sesame Street online fan community.

The Cookie Monster NFTs seem financially out of reach for most people and aimed at those with disposable income, Petunia continued.

“The environmental impact is questionable, which contradicts Sesame’s many ecological messages,” she said. “It’s not a product that feels appropriate or important.”

Others online had similar reactions.

“Sesame Street was built to help educate lower-income children. To give the less privileged the opportunity to learn before entering kindergarten. one fan account, called “Muppet History”, tweeted. “This nostalgia-driven cash is completely at odds with that ideology, and it’s sickening.”

“Who asked for this?! Who does this appeal to?” wrote another Twitter user.

Some also questioned the relevance of NFTs. “NFTs still exist?” one Twitter user wrote.

“This is pure disrespect for an educational institution like Sesame Street… but… the NFT market is collapsing,” another user added.

A spokesperson for Sesame Workshop did not address the backlash when reached for comment.

“The launch of Sesame Street digital collectibles helps fund our mission-driven work to help kids everywhere become smarter, stronger and kinder, while giving our longtime adult fans a new way to show off their love of Sesame Street character,” the spokesperson said. “The partnership with VeVe is an opportunity to explore the digital space to connect with collectors in ways that resonate with them.”

VeVe, a digital collectibles app that has partnered with Sesame Street, offers premium licensed collectibles from partner brands including Disney, Marvel, DC Comics and Warner Bros., and Star Wars. The platform allows fans to interact with each other by showcasing their digital collections in virtual showrooms and virtually visiting, commenting and liking the showrooms of other collectors.

Some online defended Sesame Street’s decision.

“NFTs are better for the environment [than] real toys and there is a real collector base for these that people love to hate,” one Twitter user wrote.

“I grew up watching Sesame Street and am a fan of it to this day,” another user wrote. “It was part of my childhood. I haven’t seen a valid argument against NFTs that can’t be disproved yet. Arguments against NFTs are either weak or just stem from ignorance.”

The Cookie Monster NFT release is scheduled for March 19th.

Petunia said she plans to honor the “Sesame Street” she grew up with.

“Yes, this particular image is new,” she said of the NFTs, “but it does nothing to advance our appreciation for the characters in a meaningful way.”