Is it really necessary to pin a poppy on a fluffy children’s puppet?
That was the question people were asking the BBC on Twitter after an appearance from the Cookie Monster on The One Show.
The zany blue Sesame Street puppet was a guest on the BBC One chat show and some viewers couldn’t help but notice the kids’ character was wearing a remembrance poppy.
It’s a pretty common sight for any presenter, newsreader or guest on screen with the national broadcaster to be adorned with the symbolic red flower in the run up to Armistice Day on November 11.
While most people see the wearing of a poppy as a tangible and time-honoured show of respect for the fallen who lost their lives in conflict since the First World War, others thought the BBC had gone too far this time.
Some accused the BBC of ‘poppy fascism’ by sticking one to the much-loved American puppet.
…they…put…a…poppy…on….the…..cookie…monster?
— A Blade (@justacword) November 7, 2016
Cookie Monster on The One Show: when poppy fascism takes the biscuit.
— Tim (@TimForde) November 7, 2016
Hard to get your head around the mentality that thinks there's a need to pin a poppy on Cookie Monster. pic.twitter.com/b67hemyrG6
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) November 7, 2016
Wonder what the maddest situation or object you could put a poppy on and it still be OK these days. Cookie Monster is pretty up there.
— Beav (@__Beav) November 7, 2016
they stuck a poppy on cookie monster in case brits thought it was a real person, disrespecting the army. what a country. what a people.
— Tintin (@TintinnyTins) November 7, 2016
They've put a poppy on the Cookie Monster! Why?! pic.twitter.com/0czGWNB8xO
— Dave Stubbings (@DStubbings14) November 7, 2016
The Cookie Monster. Wearing a poppy. To avoid offending people. #beyondsatire https://t.co/xbb6lSlrzg
— David Joseph (@daj1310) November 7, 2016
if cookie monster has to wear a poppy at least give him a suave waistcoat or topical chocolate-stained apron to wear it upon. that's his fur
— Cara Compass (@CaraCompass) November 7, 2016
Wait a second, they stuck a poppy on the Cookie Monster on the One Show?? The fucking Cookie Monster?!? #oneshow #poppy pic.twitter.com/OnpHtS3z3Y
— Pitt The Blogger (@PittTheBlogger) November 7, 2016
ME REMEMBER FALLEN! pic.twitter.com/5bipVfUe99
— Poppy® Watch (@giantpoppywatch) November 7, 2016
The Cookie Monster HAS to be wearing a poppy, otherwise certain members of the British public will be absolutely livid.
— David (@daveisonfire) November 7, 2016
Somebody, a grown adult, had to attach a poppy to the Cookie Monster when they went to work this evening.
What a world we've created. https://t.co/xYAhU2z0AH
— Daniel Austin (@Danny_Austin14) November 7, 2016
Some people thought the outraged and indigation around a muppet wearing a poppy (no, we’re not referring to Chris Tarrant) was a bit OTT.
Just when you think the poppy debate can't get any worse, Cookie Monster wears one on #TheOneShow and people complain about that ?
— David Bedwell (@DavidBedwell) November 7, 2016
The Cookie Monster wears a poppy and people are miffed? *and now, a solo… on the world's smallest violin*
— It's me, Michael. (@_MisterBlack_) November 7, 2016
This article originally appeared on JOE.co.uk.
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