45 years ago today, kids were sitting down for the very first time to watch what would become the most important series in millions of kids’ lives. Sesame Street first aired on November 10th, 1969, and it’s still going strong today. As we all know.
So let’s go back in time, 45 years or so, and recall the very first episode of Sesame Street. The show was brought to us by the letter W and the numbers 2 and 3, and it featured Gordon escorting the young Sally through the street, introducing her to Big Bird, Oscar, Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Bob, Susan, and Mr. Hooper. It’s amazing to think of how much from that first episode is still around today (including the number 2). In honor of the big 4-5, we’re listing out 45 things to love about that first episode.
1. The weird claymation intro, which has next-to-nothing to do with the show you’re about to watch. Is the yellow unicorn anyone’s favorite Sesame Street character?
2. “You’ve never seen a street like Sesame Street. Everything happens here. You’re gonna love it.” And with those words, Sally (and, vicariously, us) is introduced to the majesty that is Sesame.
3. 123 Sesame Street. The brownstone may be the most iconic front door in children’s television history.
4. Gordon. He’s not the same actor as today’s Gordon, but Matt Robinson sets up a lot of what the character will continue to be through several incarnations. He’s firm but loveable and eternally patient. Who wouldn’t want him as your tour guide?
5. Susan makes her debut here, and she’s such a peach. Seriously, the embodiment of a peach.
6. Proto-Big Bird. It’s hard to call him “Big Bird” since he’s so dumb, with that tiny head. It’s like he’s a totally different guy. But no less amazing to see him for the first time.
7. The basement of 123 Sesame Street. A lot goes on in that brownstone! There are Muppets infesting the basement! But please don’t call an exterminator.
8. Ernie makes his first splash in his giant bathtub, which is just overflowing with soap bubbles.
9. Bert is there too, rigid as ever. Especially that unibrow, which seems to be in a permanent state of scowl.
10. Rosie the bathtub, named for which due to the ring of filth.
11. Solomon Grundy, but not the Batman villain. Sadly.
12. Ernie, still naked. Someone get that Muppet some pants!
13. Everybody Wash! Now everybody wash your… everything!
14. The weird dots. They blink and make noise and it’s probably educational somehow? Maybe?
15. Song of Three, Jim Henson’s collections of short clips that he filmed and animated himself. Plus, it was a good reminder for him to keep in mind how many is 3.
16. Jim Henson’s cameo as the juggler. Awesome, Jim made a very special appearance in Sesame Street’s first episode. How could you not love that?
17. Brian Henson’s cameo. Brian’s in there too, being severely disappointed in three peas. But is it too many or not enough??
18. Gordon and Susan’s apartment. But mostly for the milk and cookies.
19. Hey Cow, I See You Now. We learn all about how milk is made, which might be unsettling for the yuppie vegan kids of today.
20. Those weird dots are back. Why are they back? Are they asking us to play a game of Connect Four?
21. Orange Oscar, which will forever be at the top of any list of “Fun Facts About Sesame Street”.
22. Oscar being an a-hole. Today, he’s a grouch. Back then, he just relentlessly hated every living thing.
23. Sam the Snake, giving at least a little context for the claymation intro at the top of the show.
24. Kids playing follow-the-leader in a junkyard. This is why the Old School DVDs had that disclaimer. Tetanus.
25. Really? The dots? Again??? Enough with the dots already.
26. The Anything Muppets make their debut, and make the kids at home wish they could interchange their facial features.
27. “Consider Yourself”, the song from Oliver, which was cut from the DVD version. But it’s still weird that the first season of the show used to cover well-known songs pretty regularly. What did they think they were, The Muppet Show?
28. I hated the dots, but now I’m starting to love them. What’s happening to me?
29. Mr. Hooper, giving away his goods for free for the very first time here in episode 1.
30. Mr. Hooper’s Store. I would give just about anything to get a birdseed milkshake there.
31. Song of Two, Jim Henson’s next number-themed animation. But how many is two???
32. The “two turtles” guy, who manages to say his only line in the creepiest way. It makes me fearful for the safety of those turtles he’s keeping underneath the floorboards for… some reason.
33. Two chocolate cream pies. It’s such a shame to see a waste of chocolate cream pies. RIP pies.
34. Jazz #2. The classic number animation series started here, with those weird… what are they, spies? Perverts? Peter Falk in Great Muppet Caper?
35. Ernie’s love of the number 2, which brings him to tears. I wish I cared about anything as much as Ernie cares about 2.
36. Ernie’s love of the letter E. See above.
37. Bob. Who doesn’t love Bob? And he’s still on the show, that Bob! Good ol’ Bob.
38. Bobu teaching origami, because he was big in Japan.
39. DOTS ARE LIFE.
40. Kermit’s famous W lecture, which he called famous back then before anyone had actually seen it. But it’s famous now, so I guess it still counts.
41. Cookie Monster. Need I say more?
42. Carol Burnett, Sesame Street’s official first celebrity… sort of. James Earl Jones appeared in the test pilot, but Burnett was the first to make it onto the actual show. Congrats, Carol!
43. “One of These Things”, which taught us the valuable lesson that a W is not a 2, unless you’re filling out your W-2 form.
44. Sally’s recap of the day. Remember all that awesome stuff we saw? And now you’re close, personal friends with Bert and Ernie! Best day ever!
45. The hippies holding up the Sesame Street sign. What a 1969 kind of way to go out.
And then, as the story goes, there were over 4,000 more episodes in the next 45 years. Here’s to 45 more! See you in 2059!
Click here to turn 45 on the ToughPigs forum!
by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
