Do you remember when Sesame Street began? I do.
Thanks to Jack for bringing this to my attention.
My sister was four years old and she watched it at home while I had to go to school. I came home every day and had to listen to her describe each episode breathlessly, excitedly, with glowing eyes. I was so jealous. Finally, I had a day off school for snow, or teachers' meetings or the flu or something, and I couldn't wait to see what all the excitement was about.
She was right. Sesame Street was a miraculous, intimate and long-lasting little treat. I already knew the alphabet and numbers; it wasn't about the learning. The charm came from the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed most segments as a nine-year-old, and a 12-year-old, and a 20-year-old; as the aunt of three and the mother of two. The kids didn't quite understand why I laughed so loudly, but really, how could I help but laugh, at a Paul McCartney concert, when I could sense many of the parents in the crowd were mouthing the words to "Letter B" by the Beetles?
My friend is expecting twins in about a month. One piece of advice I offer to any expectant mother is to choose music you can live with, since you're going to live with it for an awfully long time. I recommend show tunes, movie soundtracks, and, naturally, Sesame Street. I picked up a copy of Silly Songs for her today. How can you go wrong with "The Honker-Duckie-Dinger Jamboree"?
or "The Everything In The Wrong Place Ball"
or "The Elephant Elevator Operator"?
Happy Birthday Sesame Street! And many, many, many more.
What are your favorite things about Sesame Street?
