A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978)

 

Welcome to Week 2 of the Countdown to Christmas!

Today is a program I've wanted to share for several years but never got around to it. Unfortunately, I'm now sharing it under sad circumstances.

Bob McGrath, an original human cast member of Sesame Street who stayed with the show for literelly decades, died this weekend at the age of 90. Bob was always my favorite human on the series, and I will miss him very much.

He appears in this program, A Special Sesame Street Christmas, with other human cast members such as Sonia Monzano, Northern Calloway, and others, along with appearances by Big Bird, Oscar, and Barkely the dog. This special was produced by and aired on CBS, and is not to be confused with Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, the special produced by Children's Television Workshop and aired on PBS. Oddly enough, not only did these specials air the same year (1978), they aired within mere days of each other.

Enjoy! You can also see the special at Dailymotion here.

Happy Friday the 13th Birthday Stevie Wonder!

It's both Stevie Wonder's 72nd birthday and Friday the 13th, so this is perfect!

I've posted it before, but it's so awesome it's worth posting again!

Good luck! Have a great weekend!

Sesame Street: Bert and Ernie Meet The Mummy (Sort Of)

 

Welcome back! Today's entry in the Countdown to Halloween is a fun clip from the classic days of Sesame Street. Lovable characters Bert and Ernie, the Abbott and Costello of Sesame Street, meet an ancient mummy who looks suspiciously familiar.

OK, it's a statue come to life, not a mummy, but you get the point.

Enjoy!

Caroll Spinney, 1933--2019

I couldn't let the death of legendary Muppeteer Caroll Spinney go by without mention here. As anyone who knows me personally or follows this blog with any regularity knows, I am as huge a Muppet fan as anyone, and Spinney was one of the all-time greats. Even moreso than Bert and Ernie, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch were Sesame Street. The characters were the perfect yin and yang of Muppet personalities on the show, and their existence defined Sesame Street for three generations.

The great thing about the Muppets is that the characters will live on long after their creators and performers will, but a little bit of them will always be lost in translation without them.

Rest in peace, Caroll. Say hi to Mr. Hooper for us.

Sesame Street's First Episode

Continuing my acknowledgment of the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street this past weekend, here is the very first episode to air on November 10, 1969 in its entirety. Matt Robinson stars as Gordon, introducing new neighbor Sally, and in turn viewers, to the street. In addition to Gordon, we meet Susan, Bob, Mr. Hooper, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch (he's orange!), and Bert and Ernie. The rest is history.

Enjoy!

Happy 50th Anniversary Sesame Street!

Sunday November 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of Sesame Street. Not only is it one of the most impactful TV series on my life, but one of the most impactful in the history of television. No other series has the biggest sense of mission than Sesame Street has. For half a century, the show has provided education and entertainment for millions of children in the US and around the world.

In celebration of this great milestone for this great program, here are some of my favorite moments from the series.

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

Beware The Return of the Son of the Children's Television Workshop of Horror!

I've featured "scary" material from Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and The Muppet Show several times before, and today is another one of those times. Only one of the two clips I have for you this year is actually connected to the Children's Television Workshop, but who's keeping track?

First up from Sesame Street: there are mysterious moans coming from an old deserted house--is it haunted?  Billy Joe Jive, super crime fighting ace, and his partner Smart Susie Sunset are on the case!




Next, from Jim Henson's pre-Sesame Street series Sam and Friends, a parody of Edward R. Murrow's celebrity interview series Person to Person, slyly named Poison to Poison. The interview subject is an Alfred Hitchcock spoof. Enjoy!

Attack of the Muppets!

The Muppets are in the spotlight in pop culture again due to the launch of their new primetime series (which I haven't seen yet, unfortunately). However, there are moments from their history that are appropriate for Halloween viewing. I have a few of these moments below.

First, two spooky ghosts do an interesting take on the Beatles tune "I'm Looking Through You" from the original Muppet Show.




Also from the Muppet Show, a Muppet News Flash reporting the spontaneous morphing of inanimate objects into monsters!



This next clip really proves how creepy and weird the Muppets can get when they want to!



From Sesame Street, we learn that the Count is a union buster against his bats.



Finally, while not an actual Muppets project, the Jim Henson Company produces PBS's Sid the Science Kid, featuring CGI preschoolers learning various science lessons. Here, they sing a song about the decay of various organic items, including autumn leaves and a jack o' lantern.



Thanks!

List O' Links for Friday, July 10, 2015

I haven't done a List O' Links in awhile, so it's high time I did so. Click away!

I love Sesame Street, and I love learning more about the series and seeing things about it I haven't seen before. This takes the cake: Sesame Street characters playing hockey against the Chicago Blackhawks! This soundless home movie reel is dated circa 1970, but I think it may actually be from much later in the decade. Either way, it's fun to watch!

This being the 40th anniversary of one of my all-time favorite movies, Jaws, here is a collection of fantastic Jaws fan art! You can also find a few other pieces at my Tumblr site!

While I type away right now, San Diego Comic Con 2015 is in full swing! It's practically always Comic Con here at the blog, but in honor of SDCC, here is a defense of the existence of the awesome Cartoon Network series Teen Titans GO! The article describes it as a "necessary evil," but I think the show is wonderful. It's my favorite product DC Entertainment is making--with the exception of The Flash TV series.

Summer is most famous for its hot, sunshine-filled days, but there are plenty of people who enjoy the rain. If you're one of them--and I do appreciate a good rainy day here and there--this site is for you: Rainy Mood. For those days you're feeling serene and introspective, this site provides the sounds of a soothing storm. Rain--it's not just for sadness!

Here's a chance to step back in time to October 1978 and see what was on the tube back then according to TV Guide magazine! 

Finally, artist extraordinaire Alex Ross has unveiled a set of work featuring the Beatles as they appeared in the animated movie Yellow Submarine. I loved Ross's work and the Beatles, so to see the two together is a real treat!

Have a great weekend!

List O'Links for Friday, February 15, 2013

Sorry for the lack of fresh articles folks, but boy have I been busy! To make up for it, here are some awesome links to people who have made better efforts than I to entertain their readership.

Valentine's Day may have been yesterday, but with a holiday weekend ahead, you may want to keep the romantic mood going. Here is a fun article about the power of the Peanuts special Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.

Say I love you to your sweetheart the right way--the Indiana Jones way!

Sesame Street is most revered for the wonderful Muppet performers, but it's also had some great animation throughout its 40+ span. Here is the story behind the first animation ever created for the groundbreaking children's series.

Power Records was a budget children's record label that put out great story records featuring beloved superheroes. Here, Batman and Robin face--the Man-Bat!

Finally, with his own forthcoming movie announced by Disney, here are 22 important things you should know about Yoda. Not thinks you may want to know, things you SHOULD know!

Have a great (hopefully long) weekend!

Happy New Year 2013!

By this time, the Thanksgiving turkey is long digested, the busy shopping season is blessedly behind us, Santa has made his yuletide ride, and we've rang out the old and rang in the new. The 2012 Holiday Season is officially closed.

While we pack away the holly and mistletoe and the red and green decorations, the biggest mistake we can make is to pack away the spirit of the holidays. "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men" is a belief we must practice year round, or it has no meaning. If you're like me, and you hate to put Christmas behind you--don't.  Be of good cheer, eat, drink and be merry, and care for your fellow man (especially when it's not returned) today, and tomorrow, and the day after that. When we all successfully do that, every year will truly be a happy new year.

And with that I say, one last time this season--Happy Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

Return of the Children's Television Workshop--of Horror!

Welcome to Week 2 of the Countdown to Halloween! Happy Columbus Day as well, if you're lucky enough to enjoy the holiday.

Today I offer a trip to the scariest place for children 6 and under--the Children Television Workshop of Horror! Actually, it's just spooky but harmless clips from Sesame Street.

First up: although the Count is the most famous spooky Sesame Street character, the show also had more than its share of sketches involving witches. Here are several.

Wanda the Witch, brought to you by the letter W.



In case you didn't catch that, W stands for witch. Just want to reinforce the lesson.



Witches can be quite vain; they're always checking themselves out in mirrors. Especially magic mirrors.



Here, three witches learn a lesson in cooperation.



Witches aren't the only Halloween monsters on Sesame Street. Frankenstein has made a couple of appearances as well, as you can see below.





This post has been brought to you by the letters W and F. Thanks!

Countdown to Halloween 2012 Opening Ceremonies

BOO!

Hello everyone to the 2012 Countdown to Halloween! I've been waiting for this year's Countdown since the end of last year's Countdown. It's an absolute blast to bring you the best spooky, scary, and silly Halloween and horror-related material I can find for an entire month. Of course, I'm far from the only one doing it. Go to the official Countdown site to see all the blogs participating. Thanks, as always, to Countdown curators John Rozum, Shawn Robare, and Jon K for their hard work in gathering all the blog links, maintaining the main site, and creating the badges that appear on each participating blog. Without them, there would be no Countdown. Raise a pumpkin-flavored latte in their honor!

Many blogs will have a particular theme throughout the month--all vampires, all werewolves, etc., while others just post whatever cool stuff they can find--like me. As always, my first post of the month is a variety pack of weird, wild stuff just to get you into the mood. So, without further ado--

--let the Countdown to Halloween begin!

Know Your Way Around...with Batman and Robin!

Welcome to a brand new week, folks! The first day of the week is always a great time to make a new start and maybe learn a few things.  What better way to get an education than with Batman and Robin?

Here, in late 60s animated form, the Dynamic Duo teach us up, over, around, and through, then show us why it's dangerous to cross in the middle of the street--especially if you're the Joker. These two quick segments aired during the very first few seasons of Sesame Street.

Enjoy!

The Children's Television Workshop--of Horror!

No not really, but I did find some cool spooky-related material from two CTW series, Sesame Street and the original Electric Company (of which I just picked up the single disc collection this weekend). It's materal that eery and educational!











In the midst of putting this post together, I coincidentally came across this news item on Twitter.  Yikes! Talk about scary...

Sesame Street Episode 514

Hey kids!  I'm on a big Sesame Street kick now that I've read a book about the making of the series; I may write a review of the book soon if time permits.  In the meantime, here is a full episode of the series from back in the 1970s, when many fans, myself included, claim the show was at its peak. This episode features a guest appearance by Stevie Wonder.  Not a bad way to start an episode! Enjoy!

Sesame Street, "Chanukah with Veronica Monica"

As tonight starts the celebration of Chanukah, here is a brief history lesson for young and old alike, courtesy of TV mainstay Sesame Street.  Host Veronica Monica (voiced by SCTV alum Andrea Martin) teaches the origin of the holiday.  Please excuse the brief appearances of Elmo.  Happy Chanukah!

A Traffic Safety Tip...From Batman

As seen on the first season of Sesame Street.

Sesame Street Turns 40

Yes it does! And in honor of this achievement, I present some old school songs from the series. My era of Sesame Street watching was the late 70s/early 80s, but these songs were a part of the show even before that.

Take a Breath!



If I Could Only Paddle Like a Doggie Oughta Paddle


There's a Bird On Me


Imagination (love this one!)
That's About the Size of It (really love this one!)


Somebody Come and Play


I Love Trash (an orange Oscar? Yep)


Milk (yet another favorite!)


The Alligator King


It's Not Easy Being Green (can't have a Sesame Street retrospective without Kermit)


And finally, quite possibly the most famous Sesame Street song of all, Sing.


This post is brought to you by the letter B and the number 8.

Back to School

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend and a fantastic summer!

September is a pretty hectic month for everyone. Kids and college students are starting a new school year and getting acquainted with their classes, people are working harder at their jobs than they've been the last three months, and well, it's just a busy month. Time for everyone to blow the cobwebs out of their brains and refocus for the rest of the year and get "back to school," at least in theory. Let's take that time--now!

First, let's stock up on school supplies at Staples and get the school year started off right. At least for exasperated parents, it's "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"



Let's recap our alphabet with the help of Professors Howard, Fine, and Howard--The Three Stooges!



Looks like Big Bird could use some help with his ABCs as well!



For a more dignified look at the alphabet, here is a wonderful clip also from Sesame Street called "Madrigal Alphabet."



Let's expand from letters to words with the help of Schoolhouse Rock, and one of their most popular segments, "Conjunction Junction!"

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Let's not forget numbers, especially our multiplication tables, and remember, "Three is a Magic Number."

 

Science is an important subject. Let's take a tour of our solar system with "Interplanet Janet." And here at Me and You, Pluto is STILL a planet!



OK, time for recess. I'll see you all again this weekend for the Saturday Matinee!