The study concluded that the videos, when watched alone, were potentially harmful to the development of a child's vocabulary. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children under 2.)
Disney's CEO, Robert A. Iger, then issued his own press release, demanding a retraction from the University of Washington, calling the University's press release "grossly unfair, extremely damaging, and, to be blunt, just plain wrong in every conceivable sense."
The President of the University of Washington, Mark A. Emmert, politely refused to retract the press release, responding (in still another press release), that the researchers did not feel that the press release was inconsistent with their findings.
Today, Kids II Inc., a company that licenses the name "Baby Einstein," (the brand Disney was so worried about protecting from the "grossly unfair" academics at the University of Washington), recalled some "Baby Einstein" blocks because the paint contained "excessive levels of lead."
We truly, and without one hint of sarcasm, can't wait to hear what Robert A. Iger has to say about this.
Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]
PREVIOUSLY: Walt Disney Demands Retraction From University of Washington Over Baby Einstein Video Press Release
University Of Washington Stands Up To Disney, Will Not Retract "Baby Einstein" Press Release
Disney, Toys 'R Us To Begin Random Testing Of Toys
What's missing from this sweet, sweet ironic stew, is that the pediatrician who did the Baby Einstein research is the same guy who did the "Blocks make your baby smarter!" study which came out last week.
And that study was financed by a block mfr, who is also a major Disney licensee. If only it were the same block licensee, I'd go out and buy lottery tickets with the batch numbers of those lead-tainted blocks.
]]>Actually there ARE no stupid children. They may be mentally or intellectually challenged. Or special. But never stupid.
]]>Please, keep such sensationalist notions out of Consumerist.
]]>Still, as a parent, I hate freaking out and having to check the serial number every time there's another recall in a seemingly endless stream of them.
@SVreader: Speaking of Van Gough, she thinks the sunflowers on the dining table are the most amazing fucking things in the world. God bless her.
@MissJ: Yeah, "it does help" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, when pretty much everything else in the world helps too, usually for cheaper, like the aforementioned sunflowers.
]]>On the other hand, they do have a Baby Van Gough line, and Van Gough is sometimes suspected of having lead poisoning, so maybe it makes sense after all!
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