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By Amanda Carpenter

Not watching

ABC's modern take on the 1980s hit TV series "V" has been embraced by those who see the plot line as a critique on the Obama administration, but White House press secretary Robert Gibbs isn't all that interested.

On the show, the so-called visitors promise earthlings universal health care and bully reporters into giving them favorable news coverage, but Mr. Gibbs said he hadn't caught it when asked about the show during Friday's news conference. Rather, he said his viewing habits are mostly confined to the news, "SpongeBob" and football.

But, Mr. Gibbs said, if President Obama were being compared to the aliens, it "would probably, like, be one of the least worst things he's been called today."

'V' protester

One of the signs carried by a demonstrator at the rally opposing Democratic health care expansion plans trumpeted the connection between current events and the "V" series. It had a large "V" on it with a warning written over the letter: "The lizards don't really want to help us."

'Trashy' TV

PBS ombudsman Michael Getler said the writers of "Sesame Street" went too far when they scripted one of their muppets to tell their Dumpster-diving character Oscar the Grouch that "Pox News" is a "trashy" network.

The not-so-subtle dig on Fox News was written into an episode that aired Oct. 29, when Oscar posed as the host of the Grouch News Network, or GNN, that covers "all grouch, all disgustin', all yucky" news. A caller tells Oscar in the sketch that he needs to be grouchier or else she will start watching "Pox News, now there's a trashy news show!"

Writers at Andrew Breitbart's Big Hollywood Web site and conservative radio talkers complained about the "Sesame Street" slam, sparking interest from other outlets such as Politico and the New York Times. PBS also received a slew of complaints from viewers, some of which PBS published on its Web site.

"Why is it necessary for such a wonderful learning experience for very young children to be corrupted by the political leanings of the production staff?" a letter from Linda and Pasquale D'Aguanna from Palm Coast, Fla., asked. "I love PBS' children's programming, British mysteries, McLaughlin report, etc., but keep the political brainwashing away from my children."

Mr. Getler was sympathetic to the Florida couple's concerns. "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," he said. "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."

Dinner deals

Wal-Mart Inc. is catering to food shoppers with pocketbook worries this Thanksgiving. The mass retailer began selling 12-pound turkeys less than $5 on Saturday as a part of its $20 Thanksgiving menu guarantee. Wal-Mart says it can feed eight under the deal, which includes a turkey, three cans of veggies, two cans of cranberry sauce, three boxes of Stove Top stuffing, a 5-pound bag of red potatoes, a 12-count package of Sara Lee dinner rolls and a 22-ounce pumpkin roll cake.

"We're proving that we're committed to helping moms afford the holidays in these tough economic times," said Jack Sinclair, executive vice president of groceries at Wal-Mart. "That's why we're offering incredible pricing on the turkey and all the fixings."

A similar meal from Whole Foods Market for eight costs $159.99. Unlike the Wal-Mart special, Whole Foods offers several prepared items. Their Thanksgiving traditional meal to-go includes: a 13-pound "oven ready" turkey, 2.5 pounds of sage stuffing, 3.5 pounds of mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry orange relish, choice of two other sides, a 12-count package of rolls and a pumpkin or apple pie.

Amanda Carpenter can be reached at acarpenter@washingtontimes.com.