PBS Kids Show Host Fired

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

25 Jul 2006 02:15 PM

Talk about having a former job come back to haunt you. Melanie Martinez is probably ruing the day she decided to appear in videos called "Technical Virgin." For all of you readers whose children do not watch the PBS Kids Sprout network program "The Goodnight Show" you may not be familiar with Martinez's work on the program... and now you won't get the chance. The network fired Martinez and she was immediately taken off the air.

The firing stems from her appearance in two "Technical Virgin" videos (made prior to her landing the children's show job) in which she spoofs public service announcements about how young women can keep their virginity.

In response to Martinez's firing network president Sandy Wax issued this statement: "PBS Kids Sprout has determined that the dialogue in this video is inappropriate for her role as a preschool program host and may undermine her character's credibility with our audience."

Martinez, a stage actress and a herself a mother of a toddler was the one who alerted network executives about the "Virgin" videos. Whether or not she was aware of the consequences is unknown. Regardless, it is a role that is in stark contrast to the one she played each night on the popular three hour children's show. "The Good Night Show" is a program designed to get an audience of 2-to-5-year-olds ready for bed. Martinez would use soothing stories, music and cartoons to guide a puppet character into dreamland.

If you are wondering why Martinez's name doesn't sound familiar or you can't seem to place the show, it may be because you do not get the channel in your home. PBS Kids Sprout is only seen in about 20 million of the nation's 110 million television homes and is specifically designed to air children's programming 24 hours a day. "The Good Night Show" has been temporarily replaced by cartoons while a search is conducted for a new host.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Libby Pelham (13212) 25 Jul 2006 04:15 PM

It seems a bit unfair, since she was the one that told them. Obviously she wasn't trying to hide it. When I saw the titlle "Technical Virgin," I figured she was in a porn movie. That would be cause for firing, not sure about just appearing in a video (unless it was somehow X-rated).