Sesame Street Turns 40!

I can't believe that it's been 40 years since Sesame Street first appeared on the airwaves. Elmo's been 3 1/2 for 25 of them, it's probably time for him to learn to not be so damn annoying.

Seriously, in forty year's time, Big Bird's head grew in size, Oscar The Grouch dyed his fur from Orange to Green, Grover went from Green to Blue, Cookie Monster improved his diet, and Snuffy was proven to exist. But then again, these all occurred when Jim Henson was still with us. The people that wrangle the show now seem to just keep around the young, energetic, annoying characters. And Telly.

I figured you all noticed Cookie Monster up on that list. His eating habits are nothing new. The song I linked to, "Healthy Food"



Is an old-school rap about...healthy food. Which was made in 1987. It sure explains why he looks like a member of Run DMC. Which is, of course, awesome. Also, did you know that most of the cookies we've seen him eat are actually rice cakes decorated to look like cookies? He's been deceiving us since the start! But I forgive him, I can't stay mad at that face.



Forty years is a long time, and the standards of education and the irrational fears of crazy soccer moms change over time, so Sesame Street changed with it. But with most members of the Old Guard either retired and/or dead, there doesn't seem to be much true wit anymore. Sure, it's still got some great punch and wit (Their parody of Mad Men is about Don Draper finding an ad agency that won't make him Mad. I find that brilliant.), but seriously, compare how Big Bird learns the alphabet:



With Elmo's method:



I pity children today. Elmo's video had ADD written all over it.

And now, because it's late and I'm tired, here's a smathering of videos of my (and most likely, your) favorite songs from Sesame Street:

C is for Cookie


I Love Trash


Honk Around The Clock


Monster in The Mirror (featuring loads of celebs, including an early appearance of the Simpsons!)


"O"klahoma


A New Way to Walk (Definitely a case of The Weird Al Effect™ in effect. The singers are The Oinker Sisters, a play on "The Pointer Sisters")


Put Down The Duckie


The Pinball Count


Ladybug's Picnic


Alligator King


Yip Yip...Phone


And, of course, The Song of The Count



I'd like to thank Muppet Wiki for, well, just being there! A big help for Muppaphiles such as myself. Here's an In 10 Words entry for Sesame Street, and one for The Count.