Mommy rejects "Abby's Flying Fairy School"

I never considered myself a purist, really, about anything.  I like to try new things -- I think that my friends would say that I am "adventurous" (not in the outdoorsy way, of course.  Don't be ridiculous.).  But when it comes to Sesame Street, I demand the original.

About a month ago, we started recording Sesame Street so that we had some saved up in our DVR for those "can't Mommy just have some coffee" moments.  We also have a fantasy that watching TV will turn Jude into a cuddler extraordinaire.  So far, it hasn't worked for either of these reasons.  We still can't drink hot coffee, and he still won't cuddle with us.  What is has succeeded in doing, however, is helping me realize that the only Sesame Street worth watching is the Sesame Street of my youth.  These new-fangled Sesame Streets that kids are watching these days just aren't worth it!  Sure, they have Gordon and Maria and Luis.  Sure, some of the classic characters are there.  But there are issues.

Lindsay's Gripes About Today's Sesame Street


1.  The theme song is all wrong.  Okay, it's the same theme song, but the last 4 notes of the chorus are wrong.  Children of the 80s, sing it in your head and then listen to the current theme song.  Something's a little off, right!?
2.  There is way too much Elmo.  This isn't Elmo's street!  Why does he get his own world, for crying out loud?  And I can't stand Mr. Noodle.  As if the fish isn't enough, then we have to watch Mr. Noodle and his brother Mr. Noodle.
3.  Claymation does not belong in Sesame Street.  They are Muppets, for crying out loud.  Take your claymation Ernie and Bert and shove 'em.  I want the puppets where sometimes you can see the wires that control their arms but you don't care.
4.  Along the same lines, fancy animation also doesn't belong on the Street.  Abby, your flying fairy school song may be catchy, and I can support the messages that you are putting out there, but again, are you too good for puppets?  Go back to your roots, Sesame Street!
5.  There is not enough Grover.  The only time we get to see Grover, he is "Super" Grover.  Well, Children's Television Workshop, some of us think that Grover is Super enough on his own.

So to avoid these gripes (and so that Liz can escape my moaning about the good old days every Saturday morning when she is trying to drink some hot coffee and cuddle with Jude), we bought the 2 DVD Set "Sesame Street: 40 years of Sunny Days."  DVR days be done...we will only be watching the throw-back Sesame Streets from now on!

I know, Jude will be that kid who asks the other kids in kindergarten if they saw the episode where Mr. Hooper goes surfing and they won't even know who Mr. Hooper is.  But he will be well-versed in such classics as:

• The Crayon Factory (aka How Crayons are Made )
• Ernie and Bert's "Here Fishy Fishy Fishy"
• Cookie Monster's Boogie Hit "Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco"
• I Can Remember
• Pinball Counting

We couldn't believe how many of the different skits we could remember...and we are so excited to share them with Jude.  Maybe when he is over at a friend's house, they can watch that Flying Fairy School garbage.  Here, we kick it old school on the street.