LESSONS IN ECONOMICS FROM THE MUPPETS. It must’ve been longer since my last viewing of A Muppet Christmas Carol than I’d thought, because when I watched it two nights ago I noticed so many more smart jokes than ever before. The writers even fit in a lesson on economics!
Somewhat paraphrased:
[Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat are trying to sell apples from a cart on the street; Rizzo is munching on an apple loudly]
Rizzo: Get ’em while they last!
Gonzo: They won’t last long the way you’re eating them!
Rizzo: I’m creating scarcity, drives the prices up.
This is a great example of how children’s entertainment can slip in little lessons that kids might not take in consciously (and might not even take in subconsciously) but add value to the product’s integrity. Not only is it educational, but it provides entertainment for adults. If only more people would see this and not be so dismissive of children’s and young adult offerings. Instances like these remind me of what a valuable tool children’s entertainment is. Childhood can be considered the most formative time in one’s life, so what is unimportant about influencing the development of children?
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