Favourite Sesame Street Characters
It’s Family Day, which got me thinking about being a kid, which reminded me of my favourite TV programs growing up. It seems like everyone from my generation watched Sesame Street. Of course, there are a number of reasons for this. It was an educational show that we could relate to. It introduced us to a second language (French in Canada, Spanish in the U.S.). It featured Muppets interacting with humans, some of whom were visible minorities. But maybe the real reason we all watched the show was because we didn’t have videos or the many channel choices that kids have today. 
Regardless of our reasons for tuning in, we all had our favourite characters. Memories of those adorable Muppets came flooding back to me when I watched this radio interview with Cookie Monster (click HERE).
Guy Smiley
Who did you like? When I was really young, I liked Ernie, probably because of his infectious laugh. I also liked the shape of game show host Guy Smiley’s head. As I grew older, I began to appreciate the sarcasm of Oscar the Grouch, even if he did stink.
The Count
Were you afraid of any of the Muppets? My little brother used to be scared of the Count (sorry, Chris!). We had a Sesame Street album that we played on a Fisher-Price record player and I always had to skip over the song with the Count when Christopher was on the scene. A few years later, though, he asked for a Count birthday cake. Therapists will probably tell you it has something to do with him conquering his fears, but I think it’s because he liked purple icing and black liquorice (the main ingredients my parents used to decorate the dessert).
Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is COOKIEMONSTER. It’s valid until Feb. 20th. Don’t forget to have your say about Sesame Street by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below, then check back later to see what others had to say. I look forward to reminiscing with you.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I waited and watched for weeks untill the 2 aliens would bome out qand find something on earth that made a noise, and they would imitate it with the necks going up aqnd down, and lookk in the “book, book, book” to find out what it was.YupYupYupYup.
And Prof. Bunson Hunnydew and his hapless assistant Beaker was the funniest guys ever mad of foam and felt.
I still do a great Prof and Beaker bit once in a while to see what age bracket of a crowd I’m hanging around with, and go from there.
Everone has a fav. I only wish it was as much fun now.
My kids won’t watch it, and wonder what I’m laffing about. Sad…
Carly’s Note: I forgot about the aliens! They were hilarious. As for Beaker, I’m reminded of him every day. Have you seen Jeff Brown’s haircut?
February 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Hi Carly We all liked slimy oscars pet worm. Have tried for years to find him as a stuffed toy, but no such luck. Have you ever seen a stuffed slimy. Sandra
Carly’s Note: I’ll keep you posted if I see one.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
When we used to watch Sesame Street, seeing Bert and Ernie hanging out together kinda meant that everything was right in the world, but looking back at the two of them, I’m kinda questioning their sexuality. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! LOL
I always liked seeing Big Bird and his unseen pal, Snuffleupagus (or however you spell it). I think I always felt a little sad because no one saw Snuffy except for Big Bird. It kinda makes you think that other people on the show would start thinking that Big Bird was going crazy.
Carly’s Note: I think in the newer episodes other people can see Snuffy because it was upsetting to children that no one believed Big Bird.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Love, love, LOVE Sesame Street! I watched it all the time when I was little - and watched it with my kids…until they were lured away with talking books, DVDs, teletubbies and the like.
What is so great is that adults ‘get’ the humour on another level…so clever! Then parents can watch the puppets with their kids and laugh just as much!
Animal was one of my fave characters, along with Cookie Monster. My sister and I had arguments about that though - she was a Big Bird fan herself. He kinda creeped my out though.
Carly’s Note: Animal was awesome! He was based on Keith Moon if I’m not mistaken. I liked the whole band - Dr. Tooth and that chick with the blond, stringy hair. I’m with you about Big Bird - I always thought he was kind of dumb.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
they don’t get much cooler than the cookiemonster. BTW I’ve heard stories about Burt & Ernie, Brokeback Street I think it was called…nuff said I think
Carly’s Note: They slept in separate beds, though! Kind of like Felix and Oscar. Wait a minute…
February 19th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Sesame Street came after my childhood but I did tune in with my kids. My only memory of Sesame Street characters occured when I had heart surgery at 19 and while recovering, my neighbour (who always jokes about) gave me an Oscar The Grouch with a note saying “DON’T BE A GROUCH!” (along with wishes for a speedy recovery). I still have Oscar.
Carly’s Note: Oscar’s a classic! I think his favourite word was “scram!”.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:46 am
hey i was a big fan of the muppet show. Beeker was my favorite.
Carly’s Note: On the actual Muppet Show (as opposed to Sesame Street), I think Statler and Waldorf were my faves. Even as a young ‘un, I could appreciate their sarcasm.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Grover/Super grover was and still is my personal fav….however I gotta tell you that kids TV isn’t “All That” these days. I’m stuck watching Treehouse with my 4 year old. I feel bad she’ll never know Hanna Barbera cartoons, school house rocks and the Electric Company. She’ll never get the Flintsones or Looney Tunes.
Have you seen Sesame Street lately? They call it “Play with Me Sesame” - It’s really dumb and yes - cookie monster ditched his signature sone “C” is for Cookie and replaced it with some nutritious bit.
Children’s programming lost it’s edge - its very lame.
Carly’s Note: The Flintstones and Looney Tunes are still on, but at strange times, probably after your daughter has gone to bed. As for the original Sesame Street episodes, I think you can buy the DVDs. It might be worth the investment because Broccoli Monster just doesn’t have the same ring.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Oscar the Grouch, to be sure, was always my favourite.
In recent years (yes, in recent years), I loved Elmo.
Carly’s Note: Elmo is cute, especially when he laughs.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
iRock: Play With Me Sesame, on the Noggin channel, is actually a separate show — sort of a spinoff of Sesame Street. The original show is still on PBS on weekday mornings, and despite what you may have heard, Cookie Monster still loves cookies… Most days of the week he presents the Letter of the Day by eating a cookie decorated with that letter.
Carly’s Note: Phew! Good to know our beloved Cookie Monster still enjoys his vice.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Hi Carly
I alway’s loved animal he’s what I alway’s wanted to be a drummer,and chaseing all the women around loved his laugh.I can remember my baby sister glued to the T.V. when Sesame Street was on and some of the stuff
she learned from that show.Like when she was 3 years old and we’d just waxed the kitchen floor and she run in and wiped out and just yelled at us that we should put up a danger sign.All we could do was laugh.
Bob
Carly’s Note: There’s probably a book out there somewhere entitled “Everything I Needed to Know About Life I Learned From Sesame Street”.