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July 30, 2006
Help a Technical Virgin!
Did you see the classic sex ed parody videos from the now-defunct "Technical Virgin" site a few years ago? If not, they're still out there -- on the internet, nothing funny ever dies -- so go have yourself a look! It's the weekend, so the fact that they're borderline unsafe for work shouldn't be a problem. (Here's the other one.) Then come back and click below the fold, because there's something you need to do.
Melanie Martinez of Technical Virgin fame indeed went on to a bright future as the host of the "Good Night Show", a PBS Kids program for children 2 to 5 years old. Last week, she was fired for the seven-years-ago indiscretion of having made the video you just saw. PBS' ombudsman said the following in his petition about PBS officials' decision to fire Melanie:
There is probably little doubt that they would have been hammered by a much larger group than wrote in defense of Ms. Martinez had they taken no action, since the videos, which do have a shock effect, are now pretty easy to find on the Web.
I like what one grandparent wrote:
Once again, it appears PBS has preemptively silenced someone based on fear that America’s Right Wing will not like you. I have an important message for you: AMERICA’S RIGHT WING WILL NOT LIKE YOU AS LONG AS YOU EXIST. You can fire hosts like Bill Moyers and Melanie Martinez until the cows come home, and America’s Right Wing will not like you. They fear the truth, and to the extent that your programs reveal the truth, you become the enemy. I suppose if you fill the entire broadcast day with “Antiques Roadshow” and “The New This Old House Hour”, they may find you no longer the enemy. But they still won’t want to see any CPB money flowing your way.
So what can you do about this? At the very least, sign the petition. Probably the best place to go for updates, and advice on further action is BringBackMel.blogspot.com
One more thing, on a slightly more personal note. There's very little in the world that makes me as angry as seeing men disparage a woman for having a colorful sexual past. This case involves even less than that -- it's merely that she acted in a few 30-second parody videos dealing with sexual topics. I look forward to the day when people who disdain women with exciting sexual histories are generally shunned, the same way that explicit sexists and racists are shunned today.
Thanks to Ann from Feministing for making me aware of the situation.
July 30, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
The last time we watched “The Goodnight Show” my 3 yr old granddaughter wanted to know where Melanie was. I told her Melanie must be on vacation. To say the least my granddaughter adored Melanie and all that she personally did to make the show the success that it “was”. I just recently learned that Melanie was terminated. My granddaughter and I now watch the Cartoon Network and Nick together, but we would prefer to watch “The Goodnight show with Melanie”.
I think you over reacted in firing Melanie. I watched the Technical Virgin videos and at first was shocked that Melanie would say these things. Then I realized that it wasn’t Melanie Martinez saying these things, it was a 27 yr old actress playing the part of teenager in an obvious comedy spoof seven years ago.
In retrospect the Technical Virgin Videos were not “The smart choice for Melanie’s future”. However, the parts Melanie Martinez played in the past should not and do not detract from nor reflect on the excellent job she did for you and the many viewers as host of the “Goodnight Show”. Please reconsider and bring back Melanie. It is the right thing to do.
Sincerely,
Anthony Wysocki & Ashley
Posted by: Anthony Wysocki | Aug 6, 2006 4:50:22 PM
I don\'t agree with the decision that PBS made to fire Melanie Martinez, but really... suggesting that people harass the network president at her home is just despicable. I hope that the moderator removes this personal information. How would you feel if someone posted your personal information online and suggested that people start harassing you and your family at home. You talk about \"doing the right thing.\" What a double standard. Sad.
Posted by: Sarah Wiley | Aug 6, 2006 6:03:40 PM
I'm a radio talk host in NJ. The media today is guided by three forces. One in economic, and the other two are governmental, or government affected.
Seasoned reporters, higher priced people, are OUT. Young people, particularly young women, are in. Experience doesn't count, money does.
Relaxation of the number of stations one owner can have, is a cause for huge concern. The Dixie Chicks found this out. A thousand stations, owned by one group, banned them for speaking out. That's scary.
The religious right is the other guiding force. We all know about PBS and its new leadership.
Religious fanatacism of any name is, and always has been, a very dangerous thing. The kin of those who burned witches in Salem, are alive and well.
Posted by: Jack Ellery | Aug 7, 2006 8:36:46 AM
My daughter, wife and I watch the "Good Night Show" almost every night and we enjoyed what Ms. Martinez brought to the program and my wife and I were amazed at her ability to emit such a positive attitude to the children she influenced. With that said I am a very conservative Christian as is my wife and we are both upset that PBS decided to terminate Ms. Martinez, we do not feel that the "Technical Virgin" video series justified her termination and we will do all we can do to have her reinstated. I do not feel that this video series will influence my daughter in any way even if it were a true video instead of just a spoof. I would not even classify the videos a mistake in Ms. Martinez's life. I just hope PBS will realize what talent they had in Ms. Martinez.
Posted by: Jonathan Call | Aug 10, 2006 10:12:08 AM
blackjacks blackjacks
Posted by: blackjacks | Aug 11, 2006 10:13:22 AM
wieght loss wieght loss
Posted by: wieght loss | Aug 18, 2006 2:21:01 PM
