When you watch Cookie Monster on Sesame Street merrily devouring cookie after cookie, it looks utterly irresistible. That mess of crumbs, that grab of sweet dough, it all feels like pure childhood joy ...

Noted liar, the Cookie Monster, in a blue car - James Gilbert/Getty Images The googly-eyed, furry, bright blue Cookie Monster appears friendly. All he wants is cookies, which makes us want them, too.