Before Darth Vader, there was Oscar the Grouch. Before Barney, there was Big Bird. Before Teletubbies and Boobahs was Cookie Monster. Before Dora and Diego? Bert and Ernie, of course. And before being green was easy, there was Kermit the Frog. Those early, lovable “Sesame Street” characters were my boys’ friends and heroes. Well, until they found out about Batman and Spiderman anyway.

I was just 18 when “Sesame Street” aired its first episode in the fall of1969. Even then I realized these people were onto something. It was definitely a departure from the old standard, “Captain Kangaroo,” and the laidback format used by Mr. Rogers, whose show debuted the year before.

Those half-manic, singing and dancing Muppets were an instant hit. They were cute, funny, furry, and seemed to be teaching kids some good stuff they might need to know in their little lives.

Big Bird and Oscar were the first Muppets to take up residence on the street, joining humans, Bob, Mr. Hooper, Gordon and Susan. By season three, there were Muppets and humans galore at 123 Sesame Street.

Bob has always been my favorite human – I even had a bit of a crush on him in the early years. And my faves among the Muppets? Gotta be Oscar, the grumpy pessimist with a bit of a soft side; Grover, so well-intentioned and bumbling; and of course Kermit, because he was so Jim Henson-ish.

Fast forward to 1984, when puppeteer Kevin Clash took over the voice and antics of an up-until-then bit character named Elmo, and sent the little red, furry guy to the top of the charts. Things would never be the same.

“Elmo’s World” now dominates the second half-hour of every episode. His voice, his infectious laugh and his big-eyed cuteness have stolen the thunder from old favorites like Big Bird, Oscar, The Count, and Cookie Monster. Elmo is the “it” Muppet.

But, Elmo is not without his critics. Some folks are irritated by the way he always refers to himself in third-person, as in: “Elmo will now answer Elmo’s door.” The show’s experts say this is how a lot of preschoolers talk. But just let me say this: Elmo is supposed to be 31⁄2. By my own observations of real children, the third-person thing is so 2-year-old!

Me, I think “Elmo’s World” does get a bit too much attention. I do like his pet goldfish, Dorothy, and the segment where Elmo always says, “Now Elmo will ask a baby!” But, the two brothers and one sister who make up the “Noodle” family in “Elmo’s World,” kind of creep me out. (Though I did enjoy the short Mr. Noodle’s part as a death row inmate in the movie, “The Green Mile.”)

Takeover by the little red guy aside, part of “Sesame Street’s” appeal has been the long list of guest stars from all walks of life. Its 4,200 episodes have featured over 400 well-known politicians, musicians, actors, dancers, poets, artists, astronauts, talk show hosts, comedians, athletes, chefs, news anchors and two of my favorite children’s show hosts – Pee-wee Herman and Fred Rogers. Why, my beloved John Denver appeared numerous times and even cut a Christmas album with the Sesame Street gang.

There’s no denying the appeal of a well-written and well-cast show devoted to entertaining and educating our children (and us) through music and laughter. “Sesame Street” has taught us to appreciate all the ways we are different and the same, in this big world we all share. So, here’s to 40 glorious years, “Sesame Street.” You’ve come a long way since 1969, the year I graduated from high school. Wait ... 1969? ... 40 years?

Well, then, I guess today’s column has been brought to you by the letters O, L, D and the age 58!



Peck is a local mother and grandmother who works in Enid Public Schools. She can be reached at peckaroonie@yahoo.com.