I have a few old Sesame Street VHS tapes at school and occasionally the children watch one while I set out the cots. One was on a couple of weeks ago and the Madrigal Alphabet came on. My squirreliest boy was absolutely entranced – it was adorable. I started thinking that there had to be some DVD versions of older (a.k.a. ‘good’-because-there’s-no-Elmo-on-them) episodes for when my tapes eventually become ruined.
Yes, there are. They’re called “Sesame Street – Old School.”
I bought Volume One, which has the complete first episode and then highlights from the first three seasons. This is back when television was calmer and slower and didn’t try to animate every second of every episode with different high-pitched semi-shouting characters. Ahhhh. Slowin’ down is good…..
I’ll admit that the first episode is alternately wonderful and creepy. It has a three-minute 70’s ballad about the wonders of cows and milk. The Muppets are called ‘Anything People’ and Gordon introduces them without faces, which is jibblirific.
Did you know that Oscar was originally yellow with no arms?
I watched a goodly portion of the 3 DVDs before bed one night and shrieked at each new memory. “The dollhouse!! Cats are going to go in there! Mr. Hooper!!! That’s Bob and Susan!! LOOK at those clothes!!”
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
It’s a $27 ticket from Amazon.
deanne says
Oh… what good memories! I just wish the episodes were complete, instead of just highlights.
I checked on the web, and they must have those copyrights locked up tight, because there’s nothing but clips out there.
Brad says
I just spent 45 minutes watching Sesame Street videos on YouTube. My favorite is the Pinball Counting Song. I especially like this version because it jams a bunch of them together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgocE-JfWFI&
Gretchen says
Ah, the good old school days. We have been watching the old Electric Company episodes around here -- which includes classics like Morgan Freeman as the groovy EZ Reader. I realized that a lot of my childhood was influenced by that show because it is embedded in my brain to this day. A review of the “new” electric company said that the old show would not catch the attention of kids, but I beg to differ.
I too like the pinball song, and the ladybug picnic is a favorite too.
Peggy says
That show was awesome! It’s hard for me to remember the ’70’s but some of my favorite characters were Willie & Frankie, The Festrunk Brothers & Samuri Futaba.
Peggy says
I totally botched my intention on the above comment. I’ll try again. This is a true story.
In the early 80’s I think it was, I had a friend visiting me who had a little kid. Sesame Street Live was in Balto. On the radio I heard that the musical guest for the show was going to be Willie Nelson. My friend liked country music & especially Willie Nelson so I thought this would be something perfect for us to do. My friend was soooo excited! Something for the kid, but even better, she got to see Willie Nelson live!! Woo hoo! I was so pleased with my ‘event’! Until they introduced that famous country singer, “Woolie” Nelson. Oops.
Kristi says
“C is for cookie. That’s good enough for me.”
Lloyd says
“C is for Cholesterol, that’s what cookies give to me…” I don’t know about the new Sesame Street.
Kristi says
Ah, the good old days of cookies and milk. Now it’s celery and water.
Kristi says
No, not water… soymilk.