SHORT TAKES : ‘New Kid’ Favored Over Old Dad

LANGHORNE, Pa. — Given the chance to have a famous father, children prefer a member of the pop musical group New Kids on the Block over other celebrities, even the President of the United States.

That was one finding of the latest Sesame Place Kids Poll, which was designed to measure children’s attitudes in connection with Father’s Day. About 400 boys and girls, ages 8 to 12, were surveyed at Sesame Place, a themed play park in Langhorne, just outside Philadelphia.

Given a choice of possible celebrity fathers, 37% of the youngsters chose a member of the New Kids on the Block rock group; 18% picked entertainer Bill Cosby; and 11% said Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham. George Bush was selected by 10% of the respondents.