A
long time ago (like, back in September), in a galaxy far, far away
(Washington, D.C., to be precise), the Public Broadcasting System fired one of its most popular entertainers for cracking a few
risque jokes in a sketch comedy video. When PBS dismissed Good Night Show
host Melanie Martinez over her "Technical Virgin" vid, I and many
other parenting bloggers raised holy hell.
But PBS stuck to its guns, replacing Martinez with actress Michele
Lepe. The Melanie Martinez saga went down in the history books as a sad
example of how our society penalizes parents who dare to live their
adult lives like adults.
But don't cry for Melanie. In a recent
email conversation, she informed Strollerderby that she's doing just
fine. Since the Good Night Show brouhaha, she's been relishing her
burst of fame. "I recently worked as a Panelist for VH1: ALL ACCESS,"
she writes. "I am not sure why, but I had a good deal of snark to
release out of my sass." Heh. No, Melanie, we can't imagine why
either...
But if you think she's left behind entertaining kids, think again. "My son and I helped out our Grammy Award winning friend Dan Zanes by appearing in his holiday video for Heifer International. I am an official Wish Granter for the awesome Make-A-Wish Foundation, and I am featured in a Youth Literacy campaign for the toddler set." Not to mention that she's been busy with her own child. "My son started to read books this summer; he was 3 and a half," she recalls. "Everything else that happened this summer pales in comparison."
And the PBS Sprout dust-up? Does Martinez have any regrets? Not a one. She maintains that she told PBS about every acting job she'd ever had, from the "Technical Virgin" video on up to her role as "Sherry Levine" in the comic send-up "Glengarry Glen Girl Scout", which she performed at the Toyota Comedy Festival. (Dammit, why doesn't anyone have a video of that?!)
As for the infamous video itself: "'Technical Virgin', she says, "remains another hilarious little acting credit that I am proud of."
You go, girl.
