Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online

Night & Day

November 16, 2009

COLUMN: Growing up on 'Sesame Street'

By Phil Dzikiy



Perhaps, “Sesame Street” isn’t quite what it used to be. There are so many children’s programming options now — numerous channels are devoted to kid TV — that one show just can’t have the same kind of impact it once did.

I usually hate to wax nostalgic about how everything, or anything, was better then. It’s even worse coming from a 20-something. But with the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street” now upon us, I can’t help but feel grateful to grow up during a time when “the Street” was the dominant force in children’s television.

It’s impossible to quantify how much of an effect “Sesame Street” had on my formative years, but there are many segments that stick with me to this day.

Some of the old “Sesame Street” songs are still stuck in my head. Like the animated segment, with a pinball going through a machine while singers belted out, “One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-ten-eleven-twelve!” Or the 12 ladybugs at the ladybugs’ picnic. Or “Somebody Come and Play.” Or Bert, “Doin’ the Pigeon.” Or “A New Way to Walk,” as sung by dancing pigs. Destiny’s Child remade that tune not long ago, but even Beyoncé couldn’t beat the Oinker Sisters.

And of course, my personal favorite, “There are chickens in the trees, there are chickens in the trees ... won’t you listen to me, please? There are chickens in the trees.” A fable about believing in something, maybe, but it was also grand nonsense.

Countless articles and studies have been published regarding “Sesame Street’s” educational and cultural influences, both of which are hard to overstate. Speaking from personal experience, the show also did a great job of instilling a love of music in children.

Not to mention the life lessons. Who could forget the moment when Big Bird finally introduced the one and only Mr. Aloysius Snuffleupagus to the adults? He was real all along. If you’re truly convinced of your convictions, stick with them, kids.

I don’t know if I attended a wedding before Maria and Luis tied the knot on “Sesame Street.” Who expects a kid’s show to introduce marriage?

“Sesame Street” is also perfect in the way it has tackled racial equality. Rather than constantly harping on those differences, most of the time, “Sesame Street” simply doesn’t talk about them. People of different races (and creatures of different kinds) get along, and that’s that. It’s part of their wonderful world.

The show even tried to explain death to kids. Not only did it succeed, but it could be argued that few shows — even adult shows — have tackled the subject so well.

Nevertheless, I’m still not over the death of Mr. Hooper. I wasn’t even 2 years old, and though I didn’t completely understand everything about death when Mr. Hooper left us, it stuck with me.

On the downside, a “Sesame Street” segment where kids were eating fruit stuck with me in a bad way. It was all over their faces and everything ... not pretty. But that’s life, isn’t it?

I’m not an authority on just how much “Sesame Street” has changed recently. It’s no surprise that I haven’t been watching in recent years, though I do know that Elmo certainly wasn’t anywhere near the star of the show when I was a young boy. I don’t know if the current setup is a good thing or a bad thing, but I’m guessing the latter.

But this I do know. My brother always says that the problem with kids today is that they’re not getting enough Muppets. I can’t argue with him. But as long as they know how to get to “Sesame Street,” they should be OK.

Text Only
Night & Day
  • 293.survivor.jimmy.lr.080910.jpg Former NFL coach Johnson tests mettle on ‘Survivor’

    Sure, Jimmy Johnson has won football championships at both the collegiate and professional levels.
    But how could a Super Bowl trophy compare to the title of “Survivor” champion?

    September 17, 2010 1 Photo

  • Vampire twilight.2.jpg Take a bite out of 'Twilight'

    Millions of (mostly) young girls will flock to theaters June 30 to see "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." But what's the big deal? Let's find out.

    June 28, 2010 1 Photo

  • john-fogerty.jpg Baseball tune worthy of hall

    As of this summer, the list of people in the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will grow by one.
    It will then total one.
    But that one person is wholly deserving of the dual accolades.

    June 12, 2010 1 Photo

  • Lane, Paul.jpg Local music impresses

    I wasn't the first choice to be a judge in the Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands. But that didn't make the experience any less fun.

    May 22, 2010 1 Photo

  • Lost 'Lost' and found

    "Lost," perhaps more than any other show the one program to make you go "hmmm," is set to conclude its strange, impactful run this weekend.

    May 18, 2010 1 Photo

  • Anything Niagara Regional Theatre Guild sets sail with ‘Anything Goes’

    When members of the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild were considering which show would end the group’s 2009-10 season, they decided to rewind the clock back to an old favorite ... “and now, God knows, ‘Anything Goes.’ ”

    May 5, 2010 1 Photo

  • 100415 justin bieber3.jpg Bieber wows kids, but can his act mature with him?

    Justin Bieber impresses teenagers, but can he keep their interest as they - and he - age?

    April 29, 2010 1 Photo

  • Wings of Silver.jpg NT native brings flygirl's story to life

    A North Tonawanda native and his wife will return to the region to tell the tale of a forgotten part of The Greatest Generation.

    April 11, 2010 1 Photo

  • Paul O'Neill TSO.jpg TSO embarks upon holiday-free music tour

    The Trans-Siberian Orchestra finally will get a chance to showcase its nonholiday fare during a spring tour.

    April 8, 2010 1 Photo

  • A box full of fun

    Thank goodness for Redbox, which might put an end to Blockbuster and its brethren once and for all.

    March 19, 2010

Featured Ads
Front page
AP Video
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
Seasonal Content
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
AP Video
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Seasonal Content
Helium debate
Helium
Section Teases
Royal Wedding Live