I grew up watching Sesame Street.
My parents tell me stories of when I was young, sitting slack-jawed in front of the television, mesmerized by Bert & Ernie, Grover, Big Bird, Harvey Monster and Slimey the Worm.
Some kids grew up on cartoons. I grew up with Bob and Oscar, Linda and The Count, Susan and Cookie Monster.
On a recent trip to Fry’s, Karin and I stumbled across a Sesame Street DVD collection. Looking at the pictures of familiar Sesame Street scenes on the cover, we thought it would be nice to have this video in our “baby collection” for Tyler to watch.
And so there we were, Tyler and I, lying on the ground watching Sesame Street on a lazy Sunday afternoon when “Just Because” begins to play. I hadn’t seen this episode for a good twenty+ years, but it’s always stuck with me as one of the finest examples of television ever produced. ”Just Because” deals with the death of Mr. Hooper, and how the cast members attempt to explain death to Big Bird who doesn’t quite grasp the concept, insisting that he’ll give Mr. Hooper the picture he drew of him when he gets back.
This was some heady stuff for a kid to absorb.
The emotions on the screen are heartbreakingly real. The cast members do their best to keep their composure as they try to explain why Mr. Hooper will not be coming back to man the store. Bob barely manages to keep from breaking down as he tells Big Bird that everyone will miss Mr. Hooper, and that they were better people for having had him in their lives. David promises that he’ll take over the store and will make Big Bird his birdseed shakes, and that everyone will tell him stories just like Mr. Hooper used to.
Maria can’t hold back tears. Everyone hugs each other.
Not a dry eye is on the set.
Excuse me…I’m tearing up a bit just typing this…
It’s rare for television to capture a truely honest, human moment in a scripted show. But there it was, forever seared into the minds of those who grew up with Luis and Telly, Gordon and Guy Smiley, Two-Headed Monster and Snuffleupagus, Kermit and Mr. Hooper.





Television
Television