"Sesame Street" and Its Slap at Fox News

That, and other news, in today's Roundup and Recap.

PBS has gotten a number of complaints after "Sesame Street" made a satircal and derogatory reference to Fox News, and public television's ombudsman, Michael Getler, sees their point.

He writes on the PBS website, "Now, on one level, Pox News as an alternative and competitor to the Grouch News Network would seem to be a clever and appropriate title. But you would have to be anesthetized as a producer not to assume that many parents will hear this, or assume this, to be a clever shot at Fox News. It's a parody, a play on words, and has a timely feel to it at this time, especially, because of the battle now going on publicly between Fox and the White House. So it's probably not surprising that last week's showing got more people's attention.

"I don't know what was in the head of the producers, but my guess is that this was one of those parodies that was too good to resist. But it should have been resisted. Broadcasters can tell parents whatever they think of Fox or any other network, but you shouldn't do it through the kids."

Politico and Breitbart deliver the video in question, which didn't get much response when it first aired in October, 2008, but sure created a stir in a recent repeat.

National Assn. of Broadcasters president Gordon Smith is asking for a waiver to accept an invitation from Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. John Conyers and others to meet with them on Nov. 17 to talk about the pending Performance Rights Act legislation. The lawmakers have invited reps from the music and broadcast industry to the table, although radio stations are pushing back hard against the bills. Smith, defeated in his bid for reelection to a Senate seat in Oregon last year, says he needs the waiver in light of laws prohibiting him from lobbying Congress for a period of two years after leaving.

William Shatner gave his special musical treatment to Sarah Palin's nemesis, Levi Johnston, this time in a "Tonight Show" segment based on Johnston's tweets.

ABC's "V" creates some stir for taking shots at President Obama, but Jeffrey Jena says on Big Hollywood that the show runner is not a right winger.

Maggie Gallagher, the head of the National Organization for Marriage, says she "doesn't have all the facts" about Carrie Prejean to make a comment about reports that the former Miss California settled a suit with pageant officials because of the discovery of a sex tape. Prejean had been supported by NOM officials after her comments opposing same-sex marriage, and NOM event used clips of her in one of its ads. Gallagher, by the way, attended last night's rally in Dupont Circle protesting the Maine vote.