Like a lot of kids, I grew up on a steady diet of Sesame Street. I’m sure my parents heard many a song by Grover and Oscar belting through our house back in the early 80s, and wondered how an episode could be “brought to us by the number 6”. Good times.
My pal Dave Johnson from my hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia sent me this video last night and I had to post it today. I have vague memories of seeing this on Sesame Street way back in the day, and was floored to watch it again today. This thing is packed with a lot of the visual elements of that time which influence me today. Nice spectrum, geometry, flares, kind of a perfect combination. It has no real meaning, it’s just music a beautiful handmade animation.
When watching television today it’s obvious these sorts of pieces are few and far between, most things are either an advertisement or forcing a life lesson of some kind. I’m sure I was glued to the tv when this was aired back in 1981 out of interest and intrigue. I’m sure Sesame Street is still fun these days (I wouldn’t know) but I sincerely hope there are sequences like this that display simple form and elegance. It just is, that’s all.
I have a 6 year old, and I can tell you that Sesame Street definitely ain’t what it used to be. . . it’s pretty unfortunate. The last half hour is just advertising Elmo. It’s still better than some shows out there, but it isn’t like I remembered it.
I vaguely remember this clip too! It’s funny realizing how this kind of thing actually sticks with you.