Hadley sings the theme song (has yet to say the words "Sesame Street" although he knows ALL the characters, most of the humans included) to let us know he'd like to watch. So, since Netflix took the newer episodes off, we pull up some that we've saved...ahem...I won't say how. ;-) I kinda love that it's not Elmo and Abby Cadabby-centric. No offense to them, but it's more watchable this way.
When Hadley watches, enthralled, it's neat to see it through his eyes; he's a first-time watcher. For Dave and I, it's complete nostalgia (and you know how we feel about nostalgia). I'll shout out, "Ohh! This was my favorite song!!" or Dave will exclaim, "I remember this one!" It's fun, even if there's the occasional, "Wow, was that appropriate for us to watch as kids?" moments. The new DVD versions of these shows actually have a warning in them, that they're not up to today's standards and shouldn't be used as a learning tool today...but, seriously, I wouldn't have known my alphabet, numbers (in English and Spanish), and been able to skip our equivalent of pre-K if not for an incredible babysitter and "Sesame Street." I'm fine with him watching it.
As adults watching, though, we start to look into things more. This show's been on SO long, and we may not have realized it as kids, but there are full-on storylines that are subtly strung throughout the years. Dave even read a behind-the-scenes book about the goings-on, then to now, at the Children's Television Workshop. It's neat stuff. And, in a weird way, the more we watch it, the more we see a quiet little soap opera of adult levels developing.
Relationship triangles were a thing. Maria and David were an item from the time that he started in 1971. By 1988, David was on his way out (depending on what you read, he was suffering from stomach cancer, or, according to insiders, severe mental illness and possible drug abuse, dying months after he left the show) and Maria was suddenly in love with the kinder, gentler Luis. I think Dave and I kind of laugh at the push-over that Luis seems to be, but in real life I would imagine that Maria and David's high-strung, LOUD personalities would probably create for a volatile relationship.
Don'tchya think? Either way, the inter-racial relationship was HUGE for its day, so it's fun to see a kids' show, of all things, breaking down these huge barriers. (If it had been a relationship between an African American individual and a white person, though, I'm not sure it would've gone over as well.)
Bob and Linda are one of our favorite couples (and characters, separately), but why didn't they get married? And seeing the ever-patient Bob we think of today losing his $%#& when Gordon suggested changing Woof-Woof's name to the pup we all know and love, Barkley? He's still my favorite, but I never thought he raised his voice. Ever! And his reactions to the never-seen-by-adults Snuffleupagus (see? Things WERE different) were downright snarky. Kinda humorous to see, but still.
Oh, and speaking of Snuffy, Dave looked into it and discovered the reason that they finally revealed Snuffy to the adults. Apparently with a rise in child abuse cases, the idea that a child (in this case, Big Bird) telling adults about something important and having the adults blow him off and not believe him sent the wrong message. What a sad thing to think about, but I'm glad that Sesame Street has remained sensitive to the voices of children and is willing to make changes for the better. (Still waiting for a gay character, though. Well. Openly gay. Has that happened yet?)
My favorite part, however, of the entire series has a very personal connection. Dave hasn't found the episode yet, and I'm not really sure I want him to, but it was when Mr. Hooper died. They re-aired the episode throughout the years (it aired originally in 1983, after the actor who played him actually passed), and I was incredibly lucky that it aired about a month or two after my father passed away in 1986.
I was four, laying on my stomach at my babysitter's house, as Big Bird came to grips with the loss of his dear friend. Suddenly, all of the emotions I had witnessed and thoughts that hadn't quite sunk into my little brain made sense. Simultaneously, I was hit with a ton of bricks yet comforted by the knowledge of it all. Finally understanding. All of the puzzle pieces fit, although the puzzle was still very much fractured.
I floated out to the kitchen where our super strict sitter was making lunches, and as she sternly turned around to me, with the confidence of an adult, I asked if my daddy had got into heaven. She was a close, close friend of the family and loved my father, too, so she broke down and grabbed me with the tenderest of hugs. She said yes, and that he loved me very much. I simply nodded, with tears streaming down my face, and rejoined my friends watching the show.
It was an integral moment of my life. I still am not resigned to the idea of heaven, or what happens post-death, but the understanding of the "forever separation" that is death and the fact that it doesn't diminish the experiences and feelings you shared with the person before the loss was, simply, profound.
Thanks, Big Bird. I'll never forget that.
On that sullen note, did "Sesame Street" have an impact on your life? Do you have any favorite moments, simple or funny or profound or educational, you'd like to share? Or were you more of an "Electric Company" kid?
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