SESAME STREET CLASSICS: Episode 1.1
A classic SESAME STREET episode from the vault.
Should You Watch It?
Here’s the decision: this is a gentle, old-fashioned SESAME STREET episode built around learning. Kids practice letters, numbers, shapes, Spanish and ASL while learning about feelings, friendship, good hygiene and staying warm. There’s no foul language, nudity or frightening content, and the slow, cheerful pace is generally easygoing.
The one thing to know before pressing play is that this really is vintage SESAME STREET. The colors are muted, the graphics are dated, the scenes jump abruptly, and some dialogue and terminology haven’t aged especially well. There’s also a brief bit of silly wrestling, plus an old schoolyard rhyme about a child getting “a licking” from his parents.
So: it’s a sweet, educational trip back to old-school Sesame Street, but parents of very young children may want to watch along.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESA vintage collection of short segments featuring James Earl Jones, Mr. Hooper, Grover, Oscar the Grouch and other familiar faces. The episode jumps between topics including Spanish, ASL, letters, numbers, shapes, emotions, dental care, healthy eating and winter safety.
Its slower pace, old-school visuals and live-action moments give it a distinctly different feel from today’s SESAME STREET.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars, and they reflect the episode’s age more than its educational value. There is plenty here for young children to learn, with letters, numbers, shapes, Spanish, ASL, feelings and healthy habits woven throughout.
The biggest drawback is the presentation. The pacing is slow, the segments feel disconnected, and some dialogue is difficult to understand. The dated visuals and occasional outdated terminology may also make this less engaging for today’s children. It has the heart and learning of classic SESAME STREET, but younger viewers may find the vintage format harder to connect with.
The Worldview
The values here are straightforward and positive. The episode encourages learning, listening, friendship, politeness, resilience, community and working together. Most characters model cheerful, helpful behavior, while Oscar the Grouch provides the familiar exception.
There is a little cartoon-style roughhousing when Ernie and The Count wrestle briefly over the phone, and a driver receives an overly enthusiastic pat of thanks. Children also chant an old schoolyard rhyme about a child being punished by his parents. The Count’s Dracula-inspired character is another element parents may want to note.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A moral worldview that emphasizes community, friendship, learning together, listening, respect for others, politeness, and working together
Foul Language
There are no profanities or obscenities. Big Bird mistakenly calls Mr. Hooper “Mr. Pooper,” and Bert calls Ernie a “ding-a-ling.”
Violence
Light comical violence when Ernie and The Count briefly tussle to get to the phone first and a driver is enthusiastically patted in thanks. In one scene, children can be heard chanting a schoolyard rhyme about a child who gets into trouble and receives “a licking” from his parents
Sex
No sex
Nudity
Upper male nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug abuse;
Miscellaneous Immorality
A character calls another character an unkind name, children can be heard singing a playground rhyme about a child who receives “a licking” from his parents, Oscar the Grouch is consistently grouchy and rude.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What can children learn from Oscar the Grouch about choosing a positive attitude? Proverbs 17:22
The Final Word
A vintage SESAME STREET episode with plenty of learning, familiar characters and positive lessons about friendship and working together. The dated presentation may not hold every child’s attention, and parents of younger viewers should be aware of the brief roughhousing, old-fashioned punishment rhyme and Dracula-inspired Count. Still, there is plenty here to enjoy and learn from.
