Who put the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop? Who put the ram in the ramalama ding dong? How many times have you waited to change the channel when Grease was over to sing the finale, and watch Danny and Sandy fly off into the sunset together in Greased Lightening?

Just in case you forget the words or the moves….

Today it was Grease on television, and I have the movie on DVD and VHS (for real) and yet, every time it is on, I will stop to watch. I know you may not want to admit this, but people reading this blog probably did the same thing this afternoon or at some other time.

I tend to do this. It could be Dirty Dancing, American President, anything by John Hughes (but especially Breakfast club), and anything with Meg Ryan (LOL). Last week I quoted something from You’ve got mail at the office, and my co-worker said it was from another movie. I basically said to him, “yeah, I don’t think so”. 

Let’s not forget Pretty Woman. That would be a big mistake – HUGE!

I like classic movies as well, but I have admitted before that I love the Rom-Com genre of movies. I am a child of the 80’s and by definition love anything and everything by John Hughes.

Just to go off topic for a second, I am nostalgic, I can’t help it. When I was recently in Orlando, we went to Universal Studios, the rep was talking about the rides that are no longer there and that a few years ago Back to the Future was replaced by the Simpsons ride. I, being a child of the era sighed loudly, to which she replied that the average age of people entering the park today, were not even born when that (and many other) movie was out.

AND…sticking with Universal Orlando resort, do you know the ONLY original ride left at Universal Studios???

Get ready:

There really are too many movies to list.

What movies make your list of ones you will watch over and over again?

Just thought I would continue on the Sesame Street theme, with some of the videos that are synonymous with the Muppet’s!

Cookie Monster

Ernie

Big Bird

Elmo

I could post videos for hours, it is not Sesame Street, but it is the Muppets, and it is a classic…

Did you know that today, November 10th, 1969 was the first time that Sesame Street was on television? It wasn’t something I was aware of, but now that I know, it is worth talking about.

It is funny, my nieces and my nephew (and so many other kids I know) are addicted to treehouse. Dora and friends, Toopy and Binoo, Max and Ruby, the Backyardagins and In the night Garden just to name a few. 

It is pretty amazing to me that Sesame Street has been on the air for 43 years. Even more amazing is that several members of the existing cast have been there since the start of the show. Bob McGrath (Bob) has been on the show since it started as well as Loretta Long (Susan). Emilio Delgado and Sonia Manzano (Luis and Maria) have been on the show since 1971. Roscoe Orman has played Gordon since 1974. Of course there was Mr. Hooper who was played by Will Lee from 1969 until he passed in 1982. The show chose to have Mr. Hooper (Mr. Looper as big bird called him) die on the show as well to teach children about death.

But those are the human characters – the real stars of the show (and there are hundreds) but the originals are: Big Bird and Oscar (played by Carroll Spinney since 1969), Cookie Monster (69), Bert and Ernie. Grover came in 1970 and many, many others followed. Snuffleupaguss came in 1971 as Big Bird’s imaginary friend and stayed that way until 1985 when he became visible to the adults on the show.

Of course we all know about Elmo and all that he has done for children around the world. Kevin Clash is the amazing man responsible for Elmo. Earlier this year I saw a documentary of his life (Being Elmo – a puppeteer’s journey)as a fundraiser for Zack’s Dream Room and it is truly amazing to see how one little Muppet can help children (and adults) deal with so of life’s hardest challenges.

The show has so many amazing messages that have taught children so many lessons over the years. They have introduced multi-cultural characters, differences and similarities, and historical events.
 
Special guest stars are always a hit when the come to 123 Sesame Street. The list is very long – just to touch on a few – Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Buzz Aldrin, Tony Bennett, Ron Howard, Michael Jackson – and the list goes on and on! Some came on to sing with the Muppets, or be a character or to explain one of the lessons of the day.

It has stood the test of time for the last 43 years and I hope it continues to go on for years to come!