Your Thoughts: Sesame Street Old School DVD

[Phillip Chapman]

You can now relive the first five years of Sesame Street with the new Old School Volume 1 DVD box set. Read our review of this exciting release here...

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/dvd/sesame_old_school_1.shtml

If you order the Old School DVD's from the link below, you'll get free shipping and a portion of the order will go back to Muppet Central, helping us keep the site and new projects coming in the future.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H6SY8C/muppetcentral/

Post here and let us know what you think about Sesame Street Old School.

[chpoof]

Although I don't have the set yet but hope to get it sometime next week, let me be the first to say thank you to you, Phillip, for posting the links and especially to Greg for his excellent review. Even with the edits, this sounds like an awesome set. I hope it sells like hotcakes and that Sesame Workshop will be able to continue putting out more volumes. :)

[JoeyMuppet]

Here's the Stevie Wonder song that was removed from the box set, " 1 2 3 Sesame Street "... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHLIhi8bgiM .

[oldgreypole]

I hope, that on a future "Sesame Street" DVD box set, that the cartoon with Tiger writing the word "school" on the blackboard is included. I've been interested in seeing this one again since 1991, the year that my interest in the "Tiger" comic strip was renewed, after reading early episodes on newspaper microfilm. I first recall seeing this animation back in 1973 or 1974, and last seeing it in 1985.

I notice that an animated adaptation of another one of my favorite comic strips, "Beetle Bailey," has been included in the "Old School Volume 1" DVD set. I collected this cartoon back in 1992 when it appeared in episode 2937.

There was also another King Features Syndicate comic strip adaptation that appeared on "Sesame Street." Does anyone remember the cartoon with the Krazy Kat character? The curriculum goal of this one is the word "love." I recall that this animation had strange music, Ignatz throwing a few bricks at Krazy, and a big word "love," probably made out of stone. I also recall some floating hearts.

[minor muppetz]

A lot of the bonus skits mentioned are ones that I haven't heard about. I was wondering if they would mostly be ones that everybody knows about and have been included on many videos, anniversary specials, and whatnot, but a lot of them I don't really know anything about. It feels like a treat finally seeing the original Oscar singing I Love Trash, plus I've Got Two (I've been wondering if those songs were recorded especially for the first album or if they were on the show in the first season). It's also great that I'll finally be able to see the skit where Big Bird met Little Bird and The Monsters Three Wishes. It is a shame that more Kermit skits weren't included, but most of the ones included are ones that I haven't seen, and we pretty much get a little bit of everything from the first five years on the set. We get an almost equal balance of main characters, at least one skit with most of the non-main characters from the first three years, two Grover the Waiter skits, at least one Baker, Jazz, Alice Braitswaith Goodyshoes, Buddy and Jim, Larry and Phyllis, and Mad Painter sketch each, one Super Grover sketch, one Sesame Street News sketch (and another sketch with Kermit as a reporter), and more. I don't think this set will have any Ralph and Wally or country fiddler skits (like Two Toucans Two-Steps), though.

And the press release seemd to have a few errors. As pointed out in the review, it has 54 bonus skits instead of 45 (that's sweet!), and there were press releases that mentioned that the set hs Pinball Number Count and Sing with Bob, but those don't appear to be included. I don't know why these errors were made in the press release (perhaps when the press release was written the DVD producers thought Pinball Number Count was part of the first five years and corrected the mistake before it was released, and maybe the same thing applies to Sing).

It is a bit great that this set does have some skits with non-Sesame Workshop characters, not just Kermit the Frog, but also Batman, Superman, and Beetle Bailey. I kept wondering what wuld have been cut from Noggin, and it seems like most of what Noggin cut wasn't included in other episodes (though some were), and most of these skits don't seem too interesting. I could be wrong and learn that they are better than they sound. I was hoping that Noggin cut some Kermit and Herbert Birdsfoot skits from the episodes included (so we'd have more of them than what we would have known), as well as some Little Jerry and the Monotoens skits, and some more Lefty skits (did Noggin ever show any Lefty segments?). But it stil sounds satisfying.

By the way, regarding the upcomming The Best of The Electric Company Voluem 2, is this set comming out nearly a year after the first release, or is that gap shorter (or longer)? Maybe this can clue us in to how long we'll have to wait for volume two of Sesame Street: Old School.

[CherryPizza]

I guess it's inevitable that the fans who watch and the legal teams who guard these releases will never completely see eye-to-eye, but Sesame Workshop seemed to be incredibly considerate this time. Admitting that the show has grown-up fans, promising something Elmo-free and releasing as much as they can is sure a great effort on their part.

I'd like to believe that if they show this much effort, we will in turn be considerate enough to understand and forgive for the inevitable edits.

Grrrrrrr, I had to order mine through Amazon and then will have to wait for it to be shipped to Australia... the wait is killing me.

Cherry "Can you tell me how to get, how to get this box set faster" Pizza

[minor muppetz]

I have four questions:

1. Does this set include any skits where Richard Hunt performs voices?
2. It is mentioend that the season five premier had an animated skit where a man holds one leg in the air, which was cut on Noggin. I know that a similar skit, with Jasper and Julius, was in the season four premier. Are these the same skit?
3. What characters appear in Prairie Dawn's pageant in this set?
4. Does this set have a feature where viewers can preview other Sesame Street DVDs, like on the other Sesame Street DVDs?

It seems like I predicted quite a bit of stuff. For the longest time I figured that the first episode would be included. hen I learned that this set focused on the first five seasons I figured that it would have one episode from each season, with my main guess being that they would all be season premiers (I think many of us predicted the same thing). It would be harder to guess which episodes will be included in volume two (unless we just predict the season premiers from 1974-1979). When it was confirmed that the set would have "complete" episodes and bonus sketches, I predicted that they'd be grouped by season, though I also incorrectly predicted that there'd be an equal number of bonus skits per season (and while I didn't mention this prediction on the forum, I predicted that the closing sequences from each season would be included with the bonus skits after I leanred that each episode was accompanied by clips from each season). I made a few wish lists, and I think that the only bonus skit that I put in any wish list that is included is Bert's Bust (assuming that's the one where Ernie makes a clay sculpture of Bert and runs out of clay for the nose). However, there are a few skits that I hoped would be included, despite not putting them on wish lists. Those skits are Big Bird Meets Little Bird and The Monsters Three Wishes. I also kind of predicted, though I never predicted it out loud on these forums, that Martians Telephone and "A Quart of Milk, a Loaf of Bread, and a Stick of Butter" would be included. I did have some wrong predictions. I predicted and hoped that more bonus Kermit skits would be included, and I was wrong (I had also hoped and predicted that there would be at least one Kermit skit for each season represented, excepting season two).

I was just counting the bonus sketches listed. it was said that it actually has 54 bonus skits, but then I found that this includes the closing credits sequences. Shoudl this count? If not, then there are actually 49 bonus skits and five closing credit sequences.

[gbrobeck]

To answer your questions:

1. I'm not sure.
2. Yes that's the one.
3. It's the one where they show how a plant is grown, with Bert as the plant.
4. No.

Greg

[zns]

This is by far the greatest DVD release that Sesame Workshop has given us since they brought out The Electric Company in February. Hopefully we will see more Old School sets come out in the future. All in all, this is the best review I have ever read on the website and I certainly cannot wait for Tuesday.

[minor muppetz]

This is by far the greatest DVD release that Sesame Workshop has given us since they brought out The Electric Company in February. Hopefully we will see more Old School sets come out in the future. All in all, this is the best review I have ever read on the website and I certainly cannot wait for Tuesday.

Oh, so it was febuary that The Best of the Electric Company Vol. 1 came out, and it appears as if volume 2 will come out in just barely less than a year. Hopefully Old School Vol. 2 will come out in barely less than a year (hopefully next July) or less.

[minor muppetz]

I guess it's inevitable that the fans who watch and the legal teams who guard these releases will never completely see eye-to-eye, but Sesame Workshop seemed to be incredibly considerate this time. Admitting that the show has grown-up fans, promising something Elmo-free and releasing as much as they can is sure a great effort on their part.



How do you know that the buying fans and the legal teams won't see eye-to-eye? Maybe somebody working on these sets will eventually post information here, perhaps explaining the process, how bonus skits were chosen, and other stuff. Maybe they could also ask us what we want. Back when The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock first season sets were released, the writer of The Muppet Newsflash website managed to get a lot of info from Disney and Hit! regarding these releases. It's too bad that he didn't get more info on this set that wasn't announced in any press releases. But maybe somebody in charge of the box set will become a member of this forum, just like how people who worked for Palisades Toys were members back when the Muppet Show action figures were being produced.

[minor muppetz]

I have just looked at the list of bonus sketches again, and it seems like the non-muppet skits outnumber the muppet skits, 27-24. I thought it looked like there were more non-muppet skits, but didn't think the score was this close.

I have been wondering if future sets will include other season premiers, but then if this is the case then there is a bit of a problem. I believe that the season 12 premier is part one of the five-part episodes where Big Bird goes to camp. It would be weird to just have part one of a five-part episode on a DVD set without the other parts.

[Taco Monster]

Based on the review, this set seems to be just what I expected: a great set overall with some minor disappointments. I'm certainly not happy about the edits, but at least they're relatively minor, plus everything cut from the Noggin airings is intact, and three of the episodes are complete.

There are a sketches on here that I haven't seen which look promising, and the ones I have seen are definitely classic material worth having on DVD. I look forward to seeing the pitch film as well, and major kudos for including the Friday credit rolls among the bonus features (that idea had occured to me, but I didn't think they'd actually do it).

Also, if I'm interpreting the review correctly, I take it that the PBS "P-Heads" logo is seen at the end of all five episodes? That's rather odd to me. I'm guessing that either they used later prints of episodes 1 and 131 (though I thought that the season 1 episodes would have been shelved by the time that logo debuted), or they weren't able to get the rights to use the NET logo. Still, this sure beats a "Sesame Street was originally produced for the Public Broadcasting Service" screen.

In any case, I won't think twice about buying this!

I have been wondering if future sets will include other season premiers, but then if this is the case then there is a bit of a problem. I believe that the season 12 premier is part one of the five-part episodes where Big Bird goes to camp. It would be weird to just have part one of a five-part episode on a DVD set without the other parts.

I would hope that they'd continue to use this format for future groups of five seasons, but you do bring up a good point. I'd say the most logical solution to this issue (besides issuing all five episodes) would be to include the story scenes from the other four episodes among the bonus features.

EDIT: By the way, I checked Muppet Wiki, and the weeklong "Big Bird at Camp" story took place during the first week of season 14, not 12.

[Boober_Gorg]

1. Does this set include any skits where Richard Hunt performs voices?
Yes, he's the green witch in "Witches Cooperate."

[theprawncracker]

FANTASTIC review! Now I absolutely cannot wait to spend my birthday money on it on Tuesday!! :excited:

Oh, and a bit of a word of warning. For those of you planning on purchasing the set at Best Buy, don't even try. I was just there today and they WILL NOT be getting it in on Tuesday, and possibly not at all. But, from what I understand, Target will have it. So I'll be going there on Tuesday.

[Grover]

I am going to purchase my coppy on Thursday. Are you sure that Best Buy is going to have the set? I talked to one of their employees and they said there going to get their set two days later. Anyways, I can try another retailer Supestore.

Excellent review Gbrobeck, you defenitely desevere a thumbs up ! :( :p :)

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

I hope walmart will carry it! Seems like now adays they ONLY carry so many things! I HATE walmart!!! lol :p

[zns]

I'm going to get mine at Barnes & Noble, seeing as how I have some gift cards for that place.

[CherryPizza]

How do you know that the buying fans and the legal teams won't see eye-to-eye? Maybe somebody working on these sets will eventually post information here...

I meant, fans will always want to see EVERYTHING

Legalities will never be able to allow EVERYTHING, and that it's inevitable that there will always be something missing. I wasn't suggesting that people would be throwing chairs at each other a la Jerry Springer

[gbrobeck]

It needs to be pointed out that I have found an easter egg on disc 1 consisting of a small little photo galleries with some conceptual drawings and a couple behind the scenes photos. I don't want to spoil anybody's fun in finding it though :-)


Greg

[jeffkjoe]

Hey Greg?

How did you get an advance copy?

[minor muppetz]

It's weird that Best Buy won't be releasing it. It seems like Best Buy carries every other DVD release, even ones that I can't find in other stores (when they come out). It's the only place so far where I've found copies of The Best of The Electric Company, The Weird Al Show: The Complete Series, and SCTV Vol. 4 (ironically, all of those are released by Shout!). And Best Buy seems to have a lot of Sesame Street DVDs to buy.

Yes, fans want to see everything. I don't think every last episode and sketch will be available on DVD for at least a thousand years (by then most of the song covers will probably be in the public domain, unless Disney manages to extend copyright ownership again).

Untill the last time I looked at the review, I thought that all three bonus celebrity clips from the first season involved them counting to 10. I was thinking, "why couldn't they have more first season variety besides having celebrities count to 10? Why not, for example, have James Earl Jones recite the alphabet instead of count to 10? Whenever I think of James Earl Jones appearing on the show I usually think of him reciting the alphabet instead of countign anyway." Then I reread the review and noticed that James Earl Jones is the only first season celebrity to count to ten, and the others recite the alphabet. I also wonder why Lou Rawls wasn't mentioned in the press release. All other celebrities who appeared in bonus clips were mentioned.

One thing that I wonder. All of the episodes included originally did not include closing credits, and the closing credits for each season are included alogn with the bonus clips from each season. If a future set includes an episode with credits and a selection of bonus clips from that season, I wodner if the credits from that respective season will still be included.

[MrsPepper]

I'm going to try looking for the set at Costco. That's where I got Fraggle Rock Season 2, so let's hope that this set is there! I can't wait! Great review.

[gbrobeck]

I got it because I am a freelance DVD reviewer (having previously worked for several websites including The Digital Bits)


Greg

[Bein Green]

It is so awesome that the cover for the SS Old Skool box set shows the muppets looking the way they did during that time... wish I coudl say the same for the Muppet DVD(s)!

[minor muppetz]

It is so awesome that the cover for the SS Old Skool box set shows the muppets looking the way they did during that time... wish I coudl say the same for the Muppet DVD(s)!

The Muppets Magic DVD did a good job at having the Muppets look the way they did during the 1960s...;)

[minor muppetz]

Reading the review again, I noticed that it says that they are introduced by a cartoon character who explains that the episodes may not meet todays educational needs. I wonder why this needed to be mentioned. Do all educational shows need to have the same curriculum (I thought Sesame Workshop chose it's own curriculums for each year)? This makes me wonder if all previously-released Sesame Street videos somehow focused on their current educational needs. I mean, did Sesame Workshop teach kids about babysitting when The Best of Ernie and Bert was made? What main educational needs were followed for the other "best of" character videos (especially Kermit and Grover) and the two anniversary videos?

Also, are the animated introductions annoying in any way? I would much rather just see the old episodes begin as soon as I hit the play button, or I'd rather see an introduction by a muppet (maybe Big Bird or Grover, or even the return of a classic character who isn't used much anymore, like Guy Smiley or The Amazing Mumford). Or better yet, maybe there should have been introductions by performers, cast members, or crew members. It would have been great if Caroll Spinney or Jerry Nelson introduced the episodes.

While the review points out that the bonus skits are mostly stuff we've seen hundreds of times, there are a lot of skits listed that I can't identify any skit with those titles (like Swinging Gibbon, Alphabet Soup, and many others). There are also a lot of skits included that as far as I know weren't shown on Noggin, never released on video (in the U.S., at least), or shown in any new episodes in at least the last five to ten years (again, this is concerning the american version). Has the original version of I love Trash been seen since the first season? Ditto with I've Got Two (I have a feeling that theys topped showing orange Oscar skits after the first season). Out of the season bonus skits, the third season classic cuts feature has the most skits that I know and remember well.

Looking at the still for one of the scene selection menus, it seems interesting that the Baker film for three is listed as Henson #3, instead of baker #3 or Let's Sing a Song of Three. I assume that the chapter stops also list the 2 skit as Henson #2. And I was hoping that chapter stops would refer to the skits by their official titles (if there are official titles), but it seems like most of the titles are pretty much made up. Yes, I am aware that older Sesame Street DVD chapter stops used titles that seem made up as well (Dance Along lists one skit as ABC Disco, but A Celebration of Me, Grover! features that same skit, but lists it as Alphabet Fever).

Finally, is the Big Bird and Grover skit that replaced the store scene the same Big Bird and Grover skit shown on TV in E.T. The Extra Terrestrial?

[gbrobeck]

Another couple notes. "Going to the Zoo" on the set is possibly the first Twiddlebugs sketch. The animated introductions might get annoying if you watch all 5 episodes in one setting, but they aren't too bad. They are very brief and humorous. Alphabet Soup is the animation where the little boy is fishing but all he catches are letters so he makes alphabet soup.


Greg

[Marky]

What's this 'Noggin' everyon'es talkin' about?

[BEAR]

What's this 'Noggin' everyon'es talkin' about?


It's a cable television network. They used to play classic Sesame Street episodes until they were taken off a couple years ago.

[Marky]

It's a cable television network. They used to play classic Sesame Street episodes until they were taken off a couple years ago.

Must just be in the States then, eh?

[BEAR]

Must just be in the States then, eh?


Probably.

[zns]

Question about the episode introductions. Who is the animated Bob character? Is he Bob McGrath, Bob the Builder, or some other character that I've never heard of? :confused:

[gbrobeck]

I have discovered that it was a character from some of the animations done for the show by Cliff Roberts. (Think Jasper and Julius.)


Greg

[minor muppetz]

I've noticed that it seems like none of Christopher Cerf's contributions have been included on the set. I don't know when he began working on the show, but I think it was early on. I don't think any of the songs that he provided voices in are included (none of Little Jerry and the Monotones songs, where he performed Chrissy, are included, and neither are any Chris and the Alphabeat appearances, though I don't know if they had any other season five appearances besides Count it Higher). I don't know who wrote every song, so it's possible that some of the sngs he wrote are included (then againb, he specialized in rock music, and I don't think any rock and roll songs are included in this set) I wonder if this is a coincidence or deliberate (well, it's more likely a coincidence if none of the songs he worked on were in the episodes included, but I'm not sure about songs for bonus features). A lot of songs that he wrote and performed in have been released on video and DVD in the past (witht he most recent video production to feature performances that used his voice being 2004's What's the Name of That Song?).

It's also a bit odd that Roosevelt Franklin only appears in a few cameos, and none of his starring roles are even included as bonus features. I know that he makes one brief speaking appearance, though I don't know if Matt Robinson voiced him there or not (on the Golden Age Cartoons forum, somebody said that Jerry Nelson took over the role). Regardless of voice, I don't think it would be a residual issue, since Matt Robinson apears as Gordon. I would be surprised if the DVD producers could get the legal ability to feature Matt Robinson and Loretta Long as Gordon and Susan but not Roosevelt Franklin and his mother. I would be surprised if Sesame Workshop was concerned about whether they are negative stereotypes, since some of the skits starring Roosevelt were shown on Noggin (I know that the season six premier has one of his starring roles, so if volume two focuses on the season 6 through 10 premiers then we'll probably see him more prominently). Of course, this set has the unedited version of the over, under, and around skit from the first episode, which Noggin cut to remove the black kid doing dumb things, possibly because it could be seen as racist, and that would probably be more likely to offend african americans than a major role for Roosevelt Franklin.

It's also interesting that Professor Hastings is not included on this set, and he also wasn't seen on Noggin. I wonder if Sesame Workshop really hates him (then again, I've read that his skits are frequently broadcast in non-u.s. versions of the show).

[jacobsnchz]

It is okay...
Not as good as I expected.

[theprawncracker]

Augh! I've been calling all of my local stores asking if they have the set in store and they don't! Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sam Goody, NOTHING!! Grr! I guess I'll have to order it off the internet or wait and see if the stores ever get it in.

[Boober_Gorg]

Augh! I've been calling all of my local stores asking if they have the set in store and they don't! Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sam Goody, NOTHING!! Grr! I guess I'll have to order it off the internet or wait and see if the stores ever get it in.
Did you check Borders or B&N?

[jeffkjoe]

OK, OK, one question has been on my mind, since my DVD hasn't arrived yet:

On the FIRST episode, do they still have the old: "Broadcast in living color" tag at the beginning?

[Boober_Gorg]

On the FIRST episode, do they still have the old: "Broadcast in living color" tag at the beginning?
Yes.

[jeffkjoe]

What's the "swinging Gibbon" bonus clip from 1969?

[theprawncracker]

Did you check Borders or B&N?
I don't think my Barnes and Noble carries DVD's. And I don't have a Borders near me...:smirk:

[Boober_Gorg]

What's the "swinging Gibbon" bonus clip from 1969?
The film where a gibbon swings to a Joe Raposo piano waltz.

[jeffkjoe]

Hey Boober Gorg:

Can you quickly sum up what happens in each of the first five years credit crawl? And thanks for your previous replies, btw....Very helpful.

[dvakman]

One question: which Mad Painter sketch is included?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me it's number 2!! That's the only one I'm missing (and Guille, if you're reading, you've got it already? How dare you? ;) ).

[BillKal]

#3 is the only Mad Painter sketch in the whole thing! AHH the Madness!

[BillKal]

I'm also disappointed that the "Bert & Ernie at the Movies: Emotions" is not on the DVD.

BUT....

It's nice to see the other 2. I can always find that clip though on YOUTUBE.

Of course, there's never enough Jazzy Spies and/or Baker Clips on here.


Overall nice set with very few disappointments other than the ones above. Its pretty much what fans want I guess (I know die hards want full seasons).

[BillKal]

OBTW, ---> BRING ON THE BEST OF TEC VOLUME 2!!

Hope you all enjoy your sets and looking forward to hearing from you!

[minor muppetz]

I'm also disappointed that the "Bert & Ernie at the Movies: Emotions" is not on the DVD.
If volume two has the second five season premiers then it will probably be included. It was in the season six premier.

Of course, there's never enough Jazzy Spies and/or Baker Clips on here.

It's mostly just the 2 segments repeated in various episodes (it seems like 2 was a frequent season premier sponsor).

Well, I spent most of the day looking for it, but with no luck. I checked my two local meijers, one of my two local Targets, one of my two local Walmarts, my local Best Buy, my local Sam Goody, my local Suncoast, one of my three local Kmarts, my local Toys R Us, my local Sears, and my local Circuit City and haven't found it anywhere. Did very few non-online retailers order copies? Could there be some shipping problems? It seems like a lot of recent Muppet products haven't been released in any stores near where I live on their release dates. I ddin't see any copies of My Life as a Furry Red Monster or Before You Leap untill three weeks after they were supposed to be released, I still haven't seen any copies of A Green and Red Christmas, and besides Old School, I have only found a copy of The World According to Sesame Street at one place (Target).

And not counting A Sesame Street Christmas Carol and a few small Sesame Street releases, we do not know of any new upcomming big Muppet DVD releases (we still don't know for sure when The Muppet Show: Season Two will be released, nor do we know when the third season of Dinosaurs will be released).

[dvakman]

#3 is the only Mad Painter sketch in the whole thing! AHH the Madness!

dvakman wept.

[theprawncracker]

Ugh, I'm really upset that I can't find this set anywhere in store near me...I really hope I don't have to order it on the internet...:smirk:

[jeffkjoe]

Here's a tip:

Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Tower Records have it. I've checked.

[zns]

I bought mine this afternoon and it is tremendous. I only have one question about it though. How do you find the easter egg on disc one?

[Drtooth]

Know what's funny? I was just at Target and they didn't have said box set... oddly enough they had "World according to Sesame" and it was in the (preschool) children's DVD endcap... and it says "Not suitable for 13 and up."

Newburry Comics in Boston has it for 31.99, BTW... I was just there.

As for Pinball Number count... if it is indeed not on this set, it will probably be on the next. besides... I feel Pinball Number count is over rated and Jazzy Spies never gets any attention. PNC was on the Great Numbers game and What's the Name of that Song, so I wouldn't be too p.o'd if we have to wait to see it on another disk set.

[The Count]

Heh... Feeling a bit relieved, gonna order this from the online Amazon links, along with everything else on my Muppety wishlist in the hopes some proceeds do end up in the coffures of MC.

Markie... Noggin was a premium cable network channel launched fairly recently, probably as early as 1998. It was originally cofounded by Nickelodeon and the CTW, now known simply as SW Sesame Workshop, in equal 50-50 partnership. A total of 63 episodes from the first twenty years of the show aired under the banner of Sesame Street Unpaved, I only came to find it from 2002-2003. The great thing was that it aired on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:30-4:30 AM sandwiched between two episodes of The Electric Company... So it was a great nostalgia trip seeing all of these programs together. They even had a cool police siren car cruising through the street cityscapes just before the SS episodes started. And a funny promo talking about how we've had Bob (Bob McGrath) through four decades as a constant fixture.

Rully good times and good memories. Rully looking forward to the boxset and all the classic goodness it has for us Sesame Street fans.

[Dr. Bombay]

I hope I'm able to find this set when I go shopping in about an hour...from the sounds of it I might run into trouble.

But I have a question: is the Muppet News Flash: Hickory Dickory Dock included? Oh please say yes! :o That is my all time FAVORITE and I haven't seen it since I was little.

[jeffkjoe]

I just got mine and it is EXCELLENT.

I'm not through all the discs yet, but it's as if SESAME WORKSHOP finally delivered what we fans have been looking for.

One thing:

The credit crawl for 1971-1972 (on disc 2) is different from the one on Noggin. There isn't any drawing of Grover flying over the neighborhood anymore, is there? There must have been (at least) two credit crawls for the Charlotte Rae / Raul Julia season.

[Taco Monster]

Contrary to what people were saying earlier in this thread, I had no luck finding this at Target, but Best Buy had it.

So far, I've only watched the "Classic Clips" for seasons 1-3, and it's a great mix of familiar favorites, segments that I had almost forgotten about until now, and ones that are new to me but made me smile nonetheless. I did notice the aforementioned discrepancy with the credits - I guess the scrolling building drawing was introduced later in season 3. On this set, the season 1 and 3 credit crawls take place over the end of the street scene, while season 2 has the credits flashing over a montage of children's paintings.

Can't wait to see the rest!

[Lone Wolf]

Must just be in the States then, eh?

Yep. Noggin wasn't carried either by StarChoice or ExpressVu, so the only way you could see it in Canada is through purchasing a "grey market" satellite dish and subscribing to DirecTV or DishNetwork by acquiring a U.S mailing address. Or you could just have tape traded with contact in the U.S -- that's how I managed to get my hands on a few of them ;)

[Taco Monster]

I forgot to mention a glitch on my copy (or maybe it's just my DVD player): I selected "Play All" for the season 3 clips, but after "C Is For Cookie", it went back to the menu. I tried it again and the same thing happened. The third time, I skipped ahead to "Ladybug Picnic", and everything went fine from there. Did anyone else have this problem?

[minor muppetz]

Regarding the bonus clips, when one ends and another one begins, do they just cut to the next clip, or do the skits fade to black before another one is shown, or is there some other type of transition?

[Taco Monster]

The skits fade to black before another one is shown. A copyright notice appears after the Batman and Superman animations.

[sixdollarman]

Wow! It's been a long time since I've been in Muppet Forum. I just ordered my copy from Amazon. As I looked at the cover, something occurred to me. It has 1969-1974 Volume 1. Do they plan on making 1969-1974 Volume 2? Wouldn't that just blow your socks off?!! It's got to be tough to include so many favorites and forgotten sketches in one volume. I know that there are hundreds of scenes and songs that I wouldn't mind seeing that aren't in volume 1. More "News Flashes", Ernie and Bert sketches, old songs and stories. The list could be just too big too fathom. Let's hope these volumes continue for those young at heart Sesame Street fans before those forgotten memories are really forgotten.

A big thanks to everyone who pushed for this Volume 1!!

[Mickey Moose]

I picked this up yesterday at Best Buy. The cashier actually asked if I was going to watch it myself, I guess to see if I was a fan like her, or if I was buying it for my kid or something.

I only had a chance to watch the first disc. The pitch reel was very cool, as I'd only seen bits of it before in various specials. And something I noticed in the first episode was that two of the animated bits were repeated twice in the same episode(Wanda The Witch, W is for Worm). In all the years I had watched Sesame Street as a kid, I don't recall them ever repeating the same sketches or animated bits in the same episode. Was this something they just did in the first season?

Anyway, I look foward to watching the rest later this week.

[minor muppetz]

I only had a chance to watch the first disc. The pitch reel was very cool, as I'd only seen bits of it before in various specials. And something I noticed in the first episode was that two of the animated bits were repeated twice in the same episode(Wanda The Witch, W is for Worm). In all the years I had watched Sesame Street as a kid, I don't recall them ever repeating the same sketches or animated bits in the same episode. Was this something they just did in the first season?


I know that a few other episodes on the set have sketches repeated. For example, the Baker film for the number two (also seen in episode 1) was shown twice in another episode. Noggin edited some of the repeats within the episodes but also aired some episodes with both showings of repeated sketches.

[The Count]

You know... That's a good story of what happened when you picked up your copy of the set Mickey Muppet.

Maybe with the excitement and the sales from this first set, other sets won't be too far behind in being put together and marketed for the rest of the SS fanbase. Gonna buy as most as I can through the Amazon links to help out MC, but there are some I'll have to go buy at the stores. Rully looking forward to this and all the other Muppety goodness being released on DVD.

[Dr. Bombay]

Wow! It's been a long time since I've been in Muppet Forum. I just ordered my copy from Amazon. As I looked at the cover, something occurred to me. It has 1969-1974 Volume 1. Do they plan on making 1969-1974 Volume 2? Wouldn't that just blow your socks off?!! It's got to be tough to include so many favorites and forgotten sketches in one volume. I know that there are hundreds of scenes and songs that I wouldn't mind seeing that aren't in volume 1. More "News Flashes", Ernie and Bert sketches, old songs and stories. The list could be just too big too fathom. Let's hope these volumes continue for those young at heart Sesame Street fans before those forgotten memories are really forgotten.

A big thanks to everyone who pushed for this Volume 1!!
I'm like you, SixDollarMan...I haven't posted here for a long time until now...but I also agree that they should do a Vol. 2 from these years because I know I want to see the rest of what couldn't be included including the Hickory Dickory Dock NewsFlash which I didn't see listed in the booklet!

Man, watching this set yesterday was SOOOOOOOOO awesome!!! I was watching with my roommates and we were surprised by how many things we remembered which then sparked memories of other skits and such.

[heralde]

I ordered the DVD the other day, but I think I'll wait until Christmas to open it. It'll be hard but ::sigh:: I'll manage!

[jeffkjoe]

Question:

Are there any other fans like me who wished they had chosen episodes OTHER than the ones shown on Noggin?

I mean, the first episode is fine, but all the other ones after that....

[The Count]

Would've been nice... But I'm OK with this, mainly cause I didn't get to watch the first five season premieres when they aired as part of Unpaved on Noggin.
And I've rullybeen looking forward to the first episode and Episode 406 to answer a few questions o' mine.

[theprawncracker]

UCH! NO stores in my area are getting this set in at all! It's driving me crazy...Okay, crazier. :crazy: So I guess I'm gonna have to help out good ol' MC and buy it from Amazon.

[minor muppetz]

Well, I finally found a copy. One copy at Suncoast. It wasn't ther eyesterday, but it was there today.

I watched disc one. I really liked the first episode. It was said that the first skit that got cut was replaced, but I expected it to be shown at the same spot in the show. Still, I liked Ernie, Bert, and Kermit's scenes. I also laughed really hard at Buddy and Jim. The animated introduction was better than I'd expected. The scenes with the dots were also better than I'd expected, though they did eventually get old (but then got better by the last one). I kind of wish that either Big Bird or Oscar would have joined the cast at the very end of the episode (was caroll Spinney performing Ernie's right hand in that scene?).

I also liked the pitch pilot. It's ironic that Kermit kept refusing to agree to be on the show, as he's the only character from that pilto to be a lasting character on the show (I don't know if Grover counts. Is there a difference between Gleep and the first Grover puppet?). I wonder if Jim Henson got an idea for the characters of Ernie and Bert when this film was made. Theyw ere absent, yet ironically they were the only Muppets to appear in the test pilots (unless the A&E biography was wrong).

I only had time to watch oen of the first season bonus skits, the one where Big Bird met Little Bird. I'll post my thoughts after I watch them all. Now I'm gonna watch another episode.

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

UCH! NO stores in my area are getting this set in at all! It's driving me crazy...Okay, crazier. :crazy: So I guess I'm gonna have to help out good ol' MC and buy it from Amazon.

yeah I know the feelin' about NOT finding it..... in ANY STORES near me, i could drive 1 hour to the city (theres fye and best buy in the mall) but i REALLY DONT wana have to drive just for thos. IF i had more things to get then i would... but... i JUST placed my order for "Sesame Street: Old School" and "World according to Sesame Street" dvds from Deep Discount Dvd.com and it ONLY came up to $35 with FREE S&H too! :D

[chpoof]

Well, I ordered mine from Deepdiscountdvd.com about a month and a half ago, and I got a notice saying it was shipped today. That means I probably won't get it till sometime next week, so I guess I will have to wait just a little bit longer. Patience is a virtue! ;)

[minor muppetz]

I watched all of the Season 1 Classic Cuts, so I'll post my thoughts on the clips included. First of all, this seems to have the rarest clips, only two of which have previously been released on video, and as far as I know only two were shown on Noggin's Sesame Street Unpaved series.Still, for awhile I had thought that every song that was included in the first album were performed before the album was made, but in the last year I started to have some doubt about some songs, and started to think that maybe thye were originally recorded for the first album but shown on television later. I also wish that more Muppet skits from this season were included.

My thoughts on the individual sketches:
*Bein' Green: I like the original version the best (though it's been a long time since I last saw the Lena Horne version, so my opinion might change if I ever see that version again). I'm glad to own this now (of course, I could have just bought the 25th anniversary DVD to have it). However, since this version was already released on DVD, I would have preferred to have seen another first season Kermit skit in it's place (also, it would have been great if Sesame Workshop saved some of the best-known early songs for future sets). Perhaps the set could have instead included Kermit's lecture on "in" (that would have given this set a first season Grover sketch), Kermit's hair lecture, Kermit's milk lecture (so that most of the first season monsters would have been included in this set), or Kermit's bear excersizes.
*Rubber Duckie: the classic version that we've all seen hundreds of times. However, although it's not the rarely-seen original version, I really like this song, and this version of the song. Even though it's been released on other videos and DVDs, this one deserves to be included. This song is to Ernie what Duck Amuck is to Daffy Duck (only Rubber Duckie doens't give Ernie any kind of conflict).
*James Earl Jones counts to 10: at first I thought that all celebrity appearances from the first season featured celebrities counting to 10, and thought that this set should have included James Earl Jones reciting the alphabet instead, but then I realized that the other two celebrities recited the alphabet (how ironic). This sketch is good, though the ending seems a bit weird (Jones ducking after saying 10).
*I Love Trash: a classic Oscar song, and this version is perhaps one of the most rarely-seen on the set. It looks like this might have been part of a street plot, as it seems like it begins after Gordon and a kid have a conversation. I wonder if this versionw as shown in multiple episodes.
*Jackie Rogers recites the alphabet: Not too interesting. Doesn't seem to have much purpose other than to include a celebrity reciting the alphabet.
*ABC-DEF-GHI: It's good to see the original version. The A&E Biography featured an early clip of Big Bird singing this song, which I thought was the original, and thought that Big Bird looked like his original version in that clip (maybe the original audio was used, throwing me off), but this is clearly a different version (the clip shown showed Big Bird looking out his doors, while this version doesn't show Big Bird anwhere near his doors). I wonder if this song was still shown in new episodes after Matt Robinson left and Mr. Hooper died. Gordon doens't appear, and Big Bird mentions to Susan that Bob or Gordon could explain to him what the word means, without mentioning Mr. Hooper at all.
*Swinging Gibbon: I didn't pay much attention to this, but it's mostly a flm clip about soem animals, I guess they are called gibbons. When I first read that this was included, I really hoped that it was a lecture by Proffessor Hastings about swinging gibbons.
*The Alphabet with Lou Rawls: I didn't pay much atention to this scene, but I wonder if it was a last minute addition. Lou Rawls is the only celebrity in bonus clips to not be mentioned in the press release, but the press release did mention Sing with Bob and Pinball Number Count, both of which aren't included. Perhaps Sesame Workshop relaized that Pinball Number Count wasn't from the first five seasons (I'm not sure about Bob's version of Sing) and replaced it with this. Again, I'm only speculating.
*Batman crosses the street: This is a very funny cartoon. It shows that Batman doesn't want The Joker to die, even though he was an enemey.
*I've Got Two: I had wondered if this was performed in the first season or if it originated on the first album. This answers that question, though the televised version only has Susan and Bob, but not Big Bird, Oscar, Gordon, or Mr. Hooper. Still, it is good to see a sketch with just the humans (though I'd rather see a Muppet sketch). This looks like it might have been part of a street story, or edited in some way. The way that the clip begisn looks like Susna and Bob had just had a conversation that was meant for the viewers to have seen when originally aired.
*Alphabet Soup: this skit was better than I'd expected.
*First Season Credits Crawl: It looks like the first season didn't have a consistent closing, instead showing new footage during the credits. It is a bit interesting seeing the turtles, and it would be great if this episode were to be included in the next set so that what happens earlier will make more sense.

top five skits that I most wished were included: besides what I mentioned when reviewing Bein' Green, I wish this disc included Everyone Likes Ice Cream, Lefty attempting to sell a U, the original Near and Far, Baker #9, and Lulu's back in Town (I hope that Sesame Workshop can secure the rights to this song for a future set).

[minor muppetz]

I forgot to give my comments on the skit where Big Bird met Little Bird. Anyway, I thought that skit was good. I figured that Jim Henson probably performed Little Bird in that appearance, though I expected him to give Little Bird a high-pitched Kermit-sounding voice rather than a Waldorf-like voice.

And now my review for disc 2:
Episode 131: A very good episode. I liked Big Bird's "Everyon Makes Mistakes" song, as well as Cookie Monster eating the J. Big Bird almost gettign hit by a car seems a bit extreme for Sesame Street. No wonder Noggin cut it. By the way, was that one of the performers who voiced the driver who almost hit Big Bird? It kind of sounds like Jerry Nelson, but also like Jim Henson or Caroll Spinney. I liked What's My Part?, Circles, and Ernie counting to 10 (I thought the review said that this release included the ending with Bert screaming and banging his head, but I didn't notice such a scene..... and if it was edited from both Noggin and this DVD, then maybe it was already edited when the episode was made). I Whistle a Happy Tune was also very funny, and I saw the top of Frank Oz's head at one point in this song.
Season 2 Classic Cuts: A very small selection, and only one Muppet skit, but still enjoyable.
King of 8: I've seen this one many times.
Over, Under, Around, and Through: This is the only Muppet skit from the secodn season included in this feature. I would have liked for somethign else to have been included, as it was recently included in A Celebration of Me, Grover, and Play-Along Games and Songs, which also features it, was recently released on DVD. However, on my copy the entire audio is missing (though after a few secdns of no sound I merely skipped to the enxt skit). Is it like this on other copies (of course, I think I would have read this in a review).
Astronaut Drawing: Similar to the M drawing sketch from one of the epsiodes in this disc. I guess the bonus skits include editions of recurring sketches that were in episodes inlcuded after all.
Listen, My Brother: Counting to 20: This song is interesting, but who is the group that performs it?
S-Superman: A good skit.
I Love Being a Pig: A good song about pigs.
Season 2 credits crawl: It seems like this season had a specific closing, so I don't know why the ending of an episode that led to this had to be included.
Episode 276: The beginning is interesting. Two kids narrarate, and properly introduce the variosu characters, including the new characters, but they act as if they already know Tom and Rafael. I liked both of Kermit's scenes, Herbert Birdsfoot's M lecture, the cartoon with the M being invited to dinner, and The Great Cookie Thief. I also liekd Snuffy's debut, though it was a bit weird. Snuffy seemed to be more zombie-like in his first appearance, not just in looks but also personality. When Big Bird asks where Snuffy went, he just says, "I suppose so". What's that supposed to mean? Did he mishear the question? And I guess Snuffy was really shy in his first appearance. And the cartoon character in that skit about Up sound s abit like Big Bird's original voice. Did Carol Spinney voice him?
Season 3 Classic Cuts: This selection fo classic cuts seems to have the msot stuff that I remember seeing.
C is for Cookie: A true classic, worthy of this release.
The Ladybug Picnic: Another classic.
Martians Telephoen: Another classic. I thought that the skit ended with the Martians reacting to the telephone ringing the first time, instead of them observing the sound.
Mumford's Magic Trick: Another classic. It's good to have Mumford on this set. The ending does go on a bit long though. And is that set seen behind the curtain the same one from The Question Song?
The Alligator King: One of my favortie of Bud Luckey's contributions.
Animal Breathing Song: he singer in this sort of sounds like Kevin Clash, but that's probably not right, unless Kevin Clash dubebd the voice.
A Special Day: a good, random Ernie and Bert skit, with Ernie decoratign the apartment and Bert trying to figure out why.
I Am Somebody: I don't ever remember seeing this one, but I read it in Sesame Street Unpaved. I didn't expect the kids to repeat the poem.
J Friends: a very good J song.
Would You Like to Buy an O?: Yayyy!!! Lefty gets included! Though I would ahve preferred to have seen another Lefty skit, like The Golden An or the one where Lefty tried to sell a snowman.
Harvey Kneeslapper with Mirror: This is different from how I'd pictured it. I expected it to have a plain-colored background (like most Harvey Kneeslapper skits), and I expected the mirror to be a hand-held one.
Capital I: A good song, though since it was recently included as a bonus skit in All-Star Alphabet I would have prefferred something else (perhaps, oh, I don't know, AN EXTRA KERMIT SKIT!).
Martian Beauty: Another great song to have.
My Favorite Letter: Good, but not the best.
Mad Painter: This is really funny. The painter keeps painting a 3 on a snadwhich, and it keeps getting eaten. Cookie Monster should have co-starred with the painter.
Season 3 Credits Crawl: After the secodns eason had a more specific closing, this one goes back to continung showing the action from the episode continuing into the credits. I could be wrong, but it seems like Fran Brill wasn't credited as a performer, even though she was credited the previous year.

[gbrobeck]

I must point out something. I never said that the Counter of Numbers sketch included that ending in the review. Phillip added that when he edited it. I'm of the belief that that ending is urban legend, so I didn't mention it as being edited.

Listen My Brother was an ensemble music group of the late 60s/early 70s that featured a very young and unknown by name Luther Vandross.

I also noticed in that season 3 closing that Emilio Delgado isn't credited. Very strange.


Greg

[jeffkjoe]

Does anyone know what the name of the musical group was who performed the "COUNTING TO 20: LISTEN, MY BROTHER" segment from the 1970 classic cuts section?

[gbrobeck]

Listen, My Brother was the name of the group.


Greg

[Taco Monster]

Over, Under, Around, and Through: This is the only Muppet skit from the secodn season included in this feature. I would have liked for somethign else to have been included, as it was recently included in A Celebration of Me, Grover, and Play-Along Games and Songs, which also features it, was recently released on DVD. However, on my copy the entire audio is missing (though after a few secdns of no sound I merely skipped to the enxt skit). Is it like this on other copies (of course, I think I would have read this in a review).

Someone on the Square One TV message board said that there's no sound on the right channel in that segment.

Season 2 credits crawl: It seems like this season had a specific closing, so I don't know why the ending of an episode that led to this had to be included.

They also included the episode endings for seasons 4 and 5, both of which have the scrolling building closing. I happen to think that was a good idea.

[Zet]

Hi all,
Do the discs credits persons responsible for individual segments, like who performed the song for the capital I animation?

[minor muppetz]

Someone on the Square One TV message board said that there's no sound on the right channel in that segment.


What does that mean? What's "right channel"?

[Ziffel]

My copy won't reach me until another 3 or 4 weeks. I pre-ordered it with TEC season 2 from Amazon and opted to have them delivered together in November (when TEC 2 comes out) to save on shipping. Now I'm paying the price of waiting an extra month or so, though! It'll be great when I get them and can enjoy those five full episodes of old SS.

[Taco Monster]

What does that mean? What's "right channel"?

It means that if you have a stereo TV, the sound will only come through on the right speaker. It might be silent for you because the left channel on your TV doesn't work, or because you have a mono TV, or something. I'm not an expert on these types of things.

[GeeBee]

I must point out something. I never said that the Counter of Numbers sketch included that ending in the review. Phillip added that when he edited it. I'm of the belief that that ending is urban legend, so I didn't mention it as being edited.




Greg

Trust me, it's no urban legend. It absolutely DID end that way. I remember it clearly from when I was a kid. Bert banged his head and ran into the camera.

[minor muppetz]

It means that if you have a stereo TV, the sound will only come through on the right speaker. It might be silent for you because the left channel on your TV doesn't work, or because you have a mono TV, or something. I'm not an expert on these types of things.

I watch my DVDs on my computer. My parents have a DVD player connected to a TV, but I don't usually watch that TV (unless I am watching something that my parents are also watching).

[JoeyMuppet]

I watch my DVDs on my computer. My parents have a DVD player connected to a TV, but I don't usually watch that TV (unless I am watching something that my parents are also watching).

I do the same thing.

[minor muppetz]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, her eis my review of disc three.

Episode 406: I really liked the opening sequence where the cast said the letters that their names began with, forming the alphabet. I wouldn't be surprised if this scene was reused as an insert in other episodes (the same could be said about many of the street scenes from these episodes). I remember seeing the D film about various D jobs a long time ago, but I couldn't remember if that was from Sesame Street or Eureeka's Castle. I also liked The Count and Sam the Robots first appearances. I also liked Simon Soundman's song (does anybody know the official title of that song?). This episode also had a skit that I forgot about untill I saw it included, and then I remembered it before it ended (I am referring to the skit with a 0 drill sergeant giving roll call to the numbers 1 through 10).
Season 4 Classic Cuts: These were great.
Newsflash - Rupunzel: I think it's strange that the chapter stop refers to it as Kermit News instead of Sesame Street News. Anyway, this is one of my favorite News skits. Since it was already available on the Big Bird's Story Time DVD, I would have preferred another early news segment, such as Kermit interviewing Cinderella and Prince Charming at the ball, The Count counting the three little pigs, or Kermit's interview with The Pied Piper. However, it is really good to see this one uncut on DVD (Big Bird's Story Time edited the opening logo and the ending). It's funny how Prince Charming behaved at the end, and I don't think Sesame Workshop would approve of a skit like this for newer episodes.
Bread, Milk, and Butter: A good classic. I thought the kid in this skit was a boy, but it's clearly a girl.
Lost Paper Clips: Another good one. It feels weird to see Bert with John John (most anniversary specials and documentaries seem to prefer John John with Grover or Herry). I thought I had read about a skit whereJohn John appeared with Bert and Sherlock Hemlock, and wondered if this was it, but I guess it's not.
Witches Cooperate: I had read about this skit, but I don't remember seeing it (untill now).
The Song of the Count: I guess this was The Count's trademark song before The Batty Bat. I really like the green ligthing effect at the beginning.
Bert's Bust: one of the few skits in my many wishlists to have actually been included as a bonus skit. This skit is ong overdue on video or DVD. One thing that I noticed when watchign this on DVD is the small pin on the back of Bert's nose (watch for it when Ernie puts it on the bust).
First and Last with Beetle Bailey: a good skit, though not the best. It's weird that a copyright credit is shown at the end of the skit. Did other SS skits have copyright credits within the segents?
Season 4 Closing Credits Crawl: The best closing credits crawl on the set. Back when the closing changed in the early 1990s I thoguht that was the best closing, but this one tops it. Too bad this closing isn't still used. Characters could have been replaced for later closings as new characters were added and old ones were dropped. It's great to see Herbert Birdsfoot and Proffessor Hastings illustrated in the closing. Does this mena they were still being used at this point, or that their skits were still beign shown regularly?
Episode 536: This episode has a lot of skits that I've seen many times, especially recently: How Do You Do?, Doin' the Pigeon, Kermit and a girl reciting the alphabet, Fat Cat, and Cookie Monster on Beat the Time, as well as quite a few segments that were in other episodes on the set. But this episode still has some treats. I liked Kermit's interview with a girl. Also, Doin' the Pigeon is finally uncut on DVD. Though it's been released on DVD four other times, all of those releases cut the beginning with pigeon home movies, and most of them began with Bert sayignt hat he likes pigeons (of course, for all of those DVD releases it might have seemed a bit out of place to include the beginning). I rememebred seeing a sketch with Bert in the same settign and attire as Doin' the Pigeon, with film footage of pigeons added, and thoguht that was a different sketch (though my memories are of the footage being in black and white, while the film is clearly in color). The Muppet Central review for Songs from teh Street says that Lena Horne laughing after Grover says "Good kisser, too" has been cut from most television broadcasts. I don't know if this is the original one or not, but that's cut here, too (though this release does include more of the sketch than A Celebration of Me, Grover! did), but I wonder if that part really exists on the show or if it was just included in the album version. I've noticed in Luis' scenes that there is a kid named Krystal. Is this the same Krystal who appeared in the cut segment where she and Big Bird play store? I did like the repalced skit where Big Bird counts Grover doing chin-ups, and I guess I was right about it beign the skit shown in E.T. (I recognise Big Bird's "ladies and gentlemen" announcement anywhere). I noticed that the replaced ending references the chin-ups, so I guess this skit was included in the epsiode that the ending was originally from. I also liked the beginnign and the "follow the leader" game.
Season 5 Classic Cuts: these were also good.
At the Movies with Ernie and Bert: The classic skit where a lady with a very tall hat sits in front of Ernie at the movies.
Nasty Dan: I've been wanting to see this whole song since hearing it in Songs from the Street.
Prairie Dawn's Pageant: I remember the scenes with Bert comming out of the flower pot dressed a sa flower. And it's good to get another Herry Monster skit on this set.
Jazz alphabet: when I first read that this DVD includes a jazz alphabet, I wodnered what it was. I figured it would be an animated skit, though I didn't realize that it's the animated alphabet skit seen in The Alphabet Game.
Going to the Zoo: When I first saw this title listed for inclusion at Muppet Wiki, it didn't mention the Twiddlebugs, and I figured that it would be a film segment about the zoo. I guess I was wrong.
Hamburger Bun factory: I figured that this would be a film segment, as opposed to a Muppet segment. I guess the inclusion of this skti proves that the people compiling the bonus skits cose some random skits in addition to classics.
Madrigal Alphabet: I figured this would be the same skit that was included in Learnign About Letters, and not the one with Judy Collins and Snuffy.
The Monsters Three Wishes: It is good to have finally seen this one. I expected the genie to have been performed by Jerry Nelson instead of Jim Henson.
Super Grover: Telephoen Booth: Was this the first Super Grover skit? Seems like it. Unlike other Super Grover skits, it doens't end with Grover thinking that he has saved the day (the ending is kind of open-ended).
Season 5 Closing Credits Crawl: the same as the season 4 credits, possibly with some different names. I didn't watch all of this, as I expected it to have the exact same illustrations and I didn't have much time to watch it all anyway.

I'll post my comments on the disc art, the booklet, and the packaging soon.

[minor muppetz]

And now, some final thoughts. I don't think the review really talsk about the disc or booklet art, but the artwork used in the 35th anniversary merchandise is used. Each disc has a 1970s-style illustration of two characters on each disc: Ernie and Bert on disc 1, Big Bird and Oscar on disc 2, and Cookie Monster and Grover on disc 3. The booklet includes a lot of photos (including both photos representing the early years and photos representing later years)and artwork. I really liked the facts about the guest appearances on the show. I liiked the interview with Grover at the end (though I wonder why a recent Grover photo was used). One thing I didn't likeis that while it points out that Jim Hensonw as the voice of the baker but not the actor portraying the baker, it does not say who that actor was. I also liked the booklet. That large photo of the stree tlooks familair. Is it new or was it included in a previous book (it looks like something from The Sesame Street Word Book)? That photo spread includes some interesting things: Barkly appearing dispite being aroudn later than season five, a group of monsters seeing a movie titled Follow That Monster (could this be a reference to Follow That Bird?), some of the area around the corner of Sesame Street being seen (but not the around the corner part that was later used on the show), and Oscar being carried by a garbage man who isn't Bruno (@*#!%^ it!!!!).

The packaging is also good, if not also misleading. The packaging mentiosn Pinball Number Count being included (this must have been droped at the last minute). It also mentions this being the first DVD release of material from the first five seasosn, but many of the skits included already have been released on DVD.

I think the menus are really neat, though I wish that more clips would be shown on the main menu. For example, in additon to Rubber Duckie, the disc 1 menu could also show clips from Big Bird's first appearance, Let's Sing a Song of Three, and James Earl Jones countign to 10, in addition to Ladybug Picnic, disc 2s main menu could have shown Big Bird meeting Mr. Snuffleupagus, The King of 8, and What's My Part?, and on the disc 3 main menu in additon to showing Doin' the Pigeon it could have shown Bert's Bust, Super Grover: Telephone Booth, and the cast reciting the alphabet.

Finally, it seems like whoever was involved with compiling clips wasn't playing favorites, character-wise. Ernie appears in more bonus clips than anybody else, but he's only in 7 out of 54 bonus sketches. A lot of classics that casual fans would remember are included. I'd been thinking about starting awishlist thread for volume two, but then it would be hard to match the style of whatw as included, as there are a lot of rare sketches included that I previously hadn't heard of (how many of us were really wishing for the set to include Swinging Gibbon, Alphabet Soup, Astronaut Drawing, Listen My Brother: Counting to 20, and Hamburger Bun Factory? And how many of us were aware of their existence?), and to make a wishlist that seemd similar would also be hard for the sake of having a close-to-equal amount of animation and film segments (outside of what's included, there aren't too many more non-Muppet skits from the early years, especially ones that aren't part of any recurrign series of skits, I can think of off-hand that weren't included here, and it's really hard to think of what time period any non-muppet skits that were made between 1974 and 1990 are originally from). Maybe it is good that Sesame Workshop doesn't know what we've all been begging fr (or does SW know?). Otherwise, there'd be a lot of great stuff to include that we wouldn't think of to include in our wish lists.

I can't decide of this set is better than The Muppet Show: Season 1, but it's better than Fraggle Rock: The Complete First Season and Dinosaurs: The Complete First and Second Seasosn. I hope that this set comes out sooner than a year from it's release. Even with the few edits I give it five stars. I hope that this set sells well enough to not only justify the release of a second volume, but also to possibly add another disc and maybe motivate SW to get the rights to some songs that weren't written for Sesame Street (like Lulu's Back in Town, Mahna Mahna, Windy, Octopuses Garden, and maybe also Consider Yourself).

[TheJimHensonHour]

so what stores have this set? whats the lowest price anyones seen?
And is it worth getting?:confused:

[travellingpat]

I dont have it yet...maybe for christmas....

[minor muppetz]

There is something I wonder about for future sets. If future sets continue to focus on the same years, I wonder if the closing credits crawls will always be included as a bonus feature, and I wodner if the closing credits will also be included as bonus features if the sets have episodes that originally had closing credits.

[JimmyGillentine]

I liked this set but........it could have been a whole lot better. No Beautiful Day Monster, no Fuzzyface Grover, only one skit with the early Cookie Monster.....:p . It was good but a huge disappointment at the same time. I think they could go back and release seasons sets!! Maybe just the first 15 to 20 Episodes per season. There was alot left out that was good. Oh well.....at least Elmo was nowhere to be seen so that's one good thing!;)

[The Count]

Hmmm... Wonder if that thought will still be prevalent when/should these five episode/season sets get to 1984-1989 when Elmo was part of the cast.

[JimmyGillentine]

Hmmm... Wonder if that thought will still be prevalent when/should these five episode/season sets get to 1984-1989 when Elmo was part of the cast.


I think I'll pass on those sets when they come out!!;)

[heralde]

Actually, Elmo was not bad in the '80s. He was just another character. He wasn't my favorite, but he was likeable.

Anyway, there is so much else in the 84-89 years that's worth seeing! So I personally wouldn't pass on it. :)

[ssetta]

Some things I'd like to point out:

So far, I've watched Disc 1, and I noticed something in the classic cuts section. You know how at the end of "I Love Trash", Gordon said that Oscar won a trip to the garbage dump, and then looked right at the camera? I'm guessing that when that segment aired originally, they aired the film about garbage right after it.

Also, about "Alphabet Soup," I have no idea why they did this, but the version on there was actually the sweetened version from 1996 or so. They must not have been very careful. And about the closing credits. You noticed how there was a portion of the music missing in between the credits and the CTW notice? I'm guessing that during that time, they had the sponsors AFTER the credits.

[anythingmuppet]

Well, here's another set I won't be getting due to "being too old". Well, then, I guess it's high time I dump all my old toys I still enjoy into the trash and pull out a suit and go to work. [/sarcasm] :grouchy: :exasperated sigh: And I'm just a teen still..

[MJTaylor]

Actually, Elmo was not bad in the '80s. He was just another character. He wasn't my favorite, but he was likeable.

Anyway, there is so much else in the 84-89 years that's worth seeing! So I personally wouldn't pass on it. :)
I agree, Elmo was just anything Muppet in the Eighties and most of the Nineties. It was when they started having Elmo's World that he became a right royal pain in the rear end.

[minor muppetz]

In some posts by Tim, it was mentioned that some characters, such as Ernie and Bert, actually have powder blue eyes instead of white as seen on TV, but as I watched this set, I saw a bit of blue in their eyes. Could they finally be showing up on screen thanks to the remastered pictures, or what?

[Mad Lil' Jerry]

I wanted to throw my two cents into the ring...

I really wanted to see some Little Jerry clips only to find that there were NONE. Not one single clip. I feel that there were more classic clips that didn't make the set.

I understand that it's not possible to put all the clips together... but when you look back on all the releases of VHS and otherwise... Alot of the good stuff stays on the shelf! Knowing now what I know about the set, I don't think I would have bought it. I am definately not advance ordering any more sets until I know what's on it and I am loosing faith that any Little Jerry and the monotones will ever be released to DVD

Boo!

[The Count]

Um... You do realize this DVD boxset presented the season premieres from the first five seasons? Cause I'm not completely sure, but it's quite possible that Little Jerry and The Monotones weren't part of the show in that timeframe. Maybe they'll be present when the boxsets reach the timeframe these characters were part of the show, if there's enough success with this first release to warrant future volumes, either of the first five seasons or of other season groupings.
Hope this helps, have a good night.

[gbrobeck]

And about the closing credits. You noticed how there was a portion of the music missing in between the credits and the CTW notice? I'm guessing that during that time, they had the sponsors AFTER the credits.


That's correct. You'll find that to be the case on another of the closing credits (season 1 is the only one that has that edit.)

And to whomever mentioned Little Jerry and the Monotones, they debuted in season 2.

Greg

[minor muppetz]

I really wanted to see some Little Jerry clips only to find that there were NONE. Not one single clip. I feel that there were more classic clips that didn't make the set.

I understand that it's not possible to put all the clips together... but when you look back on all the releases of VHS and otherwise... Alot of the good stuff stays on the shelf! Knowing now what I know about the set, I don't think I would have bought it. I am definately not advance ordering any more sets until I know what's on it and I am loosing faith that any Little Jerry and the monotones will ever be released to DVD


I really hoped that Little Jerry and the Monotones would have been included in this set. I would have liked for it to have had Mad, from the second season. I think that Danger, Sad, Proud, and Full of Rhythym are also from this time period. I can't really tell if Telephone Rock is from sometime during the first five yearsa or the second five years (1974-1979).

So far, the only way to see these characters on video and DVD in america (I've heard that at least one international video release features Mad) is to see Rock & Roll (which features an edited version of Telephone Rock, and also features the band at the end of the video) or Sing Yourself Silly (in which Chrissy, Big Jeffy, and Rockin' Richard join Don Music in Mary Had a Bicycle).

I hope volume two features something with these guys.

[minor muppetz]

I noticed that in these episodes that it is very common for a scene to fade to black. It seems less common in later episodes on the set, though still common. I wonder when it started becomming rare for a scene to fade to black and just show every skit back to back, with no transition (though I remember this happening a few times in some mid-1990s episodes, but it didn't happen often). In current episodes there is a frequent checker-pattern scene transition used for almost every sketch (it's used before every daily segment). Having a lot of scenes fade to black does make the skits seem more like commercials. I noticed at the end of the Sam the Snake sketch in the first episode that it looks like it's about to fade to black at the very end, but then cuts to the next scene.

[Davina]

i still haven't gotten this yet.. doesn't seem to actually be in stores here yet... i've asked and "oh yeah, that's out, but we don't seem to have gotten it yet.." was waiting cuz that "free shipping" deal rarely applies to ALaska.. anyway...
i have one big question... do we get to see the orange Oscar???
i'll be getting this one way or another.. as soon as it shows up up here.. but i'd really like to see that..

[JoeyMuppet]

I ordered my copy from Digital Eyes, I'll probrablly get it in the mail maybe tomorrow.

[minor muppetz]

i have one big question... do we get to see the orange Oscar???

Yes. He appears in the first episode, and in the bonus clip of the original version of I Love Trash.

[Big Bird Fan]

I finally got my copy today. (That's what I get for being cheap and getting free shipping from Amazon) and I loved it. Unlike others, I've never bought a SS DVD before, so this was my first time seeing most of these clips.

I've only watched the first disk so far, but my only complaint was that film about milk. It just kept going on and on and on and on...just when I thought it was over it kept adding on new things and repeating itself. That music didn't help either. I felt like Bert did when Ernie was counting and kept starting over. (If you include the part that was cut where he banged his head on the dresser and ran into the camera.)

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the episode. It was a lot more entertaining than I thought. 30 dots, Kermit's Lecture, and Buddy and Jim were all funny. And I loved how Sally said she used to drink coffee when she was little. heh heh. Unscripted little kids are always funny. So glad the show still does that.

What was really great was seeing the adults get some real screen time. Not that I don't like episodes where the Muppet's are the focus, it would just be nice if humans weren't supporting characters.

If only kids who see this set would like it enough that SW would change the format back. :(

Now bring on volume 2!

[gbrobeck]

Yeah Sally was particularly cute in that episode. You could already see her star potential (she was played of course by Matt Robinson's real daughter Holly Robinson Peete, star of such shows as 21 Jump Street).

Greg

[Marky]

BBF,

That milk clip, was it the one which shows a baby in a crib crying for milk intercut with shots of a dairy farm? You know, with a woman's voice repeating "miiiiiilk"? That was weird & funny at the same time.

[BillKal]

BBF,

That milk clip, was it the one which shows a baby in a crib crying for milk intercut with shots of a dairy farm? You know, with a woman's voice repeating "miiiiiilk"? That was weird & funny at the same time.


Hi Marky ---

It's a different film. And yes, it does seem a bit too long. It just shows the whole process on where milk comes from.

It's not the one where there's the process intercut with a baby that is crying for her milk.

[minor muppetz]

I've only watched the first disk so far, but my only complaint was that film about milk. It just kept going on and on and on and on...just when I thought it was over it kept adding on new things and repeating itself. That music didn't help either. I felt like Bert did when Ernie was counting and kept starting over. (If you include the part that was cut where he banged his head on the dresser and ran into the camera.)





I thought you said you only watched the first disc. That counting skit is in the second episode on the set, in disc 2.

[heralde]

I've only watched the first disk so far, but my only complaint was that film about milk. It just kept going on and on and on and on...just when I thought it was over it kept adding on new things and repeating itself. That music didn't help either.

Aw, I always liked the film about milk! Lol

It is slow, but I guess it just reminds me of all the old clips I remembered seeing on Sesame Street as a kid.

I don't know if I can wait until Christmas! But ::gulp:: I'll keep trying!

I never did have the Noggin channel, so I probably won't be comparing it to anything else.

[alizakaila]

my disk 1 repeats itself with the wanda the witch and the cartoon with worm, walrus and water.

I really have enjoyed watching this set. It really brings back memories from when I was a kid (born in 68)

Whom played the 2 guys hanging up pictures.
I did notice Alan Arkin on a later disk; also raul julia, charlotte rae and others

[The Count]

Hi AlisaKayla... According to Muppet Wiki, those two characters were Buddy, portrayed by Brandon Maggart, and Jim, portrayed by James Catusi.
Hope this helps.

[janicerulz]

I tried Best Buy, Target, and Sears Essentials in a few locations and NO ONE has this title for sale/on the shelves. Arguably, I did not try Wal Mart or FYE (I know Sam Goody is gone), but the ones I tried are national chains.

I know I can get it at Amazon, but still, am I the only one who finds it odd that none of the major retailers are carrying this title? Someone should have had it, or at least known if it was on order at the store. Most of the associates on the floor didn't even *know* what I was talking about.

This does not bode well for future releases if they are based on sales, since not everyone has access to Amazon and other on-line sites.

Has anyone else run into this? Or can anyone tell me where they found it for sale in a brick & mortar? Thanks!

--JR:flirt:

[jeffkjoe]

I bought mine at BORDERS last week on SALE for 29.99.

Don't think you can do any better than that!


BORDERS, BARNES and NOBLE, TOWER.

[Big Bird Fan]

I thought you said you only watched the first disc. That counting skit is in the second episode on the set, in disc 2.

Whoops. Didn't even realize I left something out. :o I started the second disk, but it had been a long day so I fell asleep about half way through the first episode, so that's why I didn't think to mention I had started disk 2.

[spaztek]

I received my copy in the mail yesterday, and I am pleased with what it has to offer. I have all but 4 of the Unpaved Noggin episodes, and this box set includes all of the stuff noggin edited out.

Aside from my nostalgic enjoyment, my children are GLUED!! They will NOT watch any of the new Sesame episodes, but are quite engaged with the old format. I can surmise that this is due to the rapid succession of skits in the older format; the newer format, to me, seems much too drawn out and less captivating to a young child. Also the huge variety of the older format including real-life shorts, several varied types of animation, muppetry, and street scenes is unlikely to lose a 4 year-old's attention. I find that they newer stuff is so overrun by fancy graphics and music that the actual value of what they're trying to convey is lost. Not to mention the dreaded furry red little menace...... Amen to Old School!!

Stacey

[minor muppetz]

I tried Best Buy, Target, and Sears Essentials in a few locations and NO ONE has this title for sale/on the shelves. Arguably, I did not try Wal Mart or FYE (I know Sam Goody is gone), but the ones I tried are national chains.

I know I can get it at Amazon, but still, am I the only one who finds it odd that none of the major retailers are carrying this title? Someone should have had it, or at least known if it was on order at the store. Most of the associates on the floor didn't even *know* what I was talking about.




I think it's weird too. After a day of not finding it after it's release, I found one copy at Suncoast. I'm surprised that it's not easier to find. Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart usually sell a lot of Sesame Street DVDs. Not that I was really interested in buying it, but The World According to Sesame Street is also hard to find, and Target is the only store that I've found it at (though at least Target had more than one copy).

[minor muppetz]

I wonder what segments will be promoted on the packaging on volume 2, if it comes out. The packaging for volume 1 pretty much only mentioned songs that are included, without talking about specific non-music sketches, I guess either becasue they didn't want to list an official title (not many people would know the official titles for each segment), or they didn't want to describe any particular moments. Of course, segments could have been described. The songs aren't the only material from the show that are really famous.

Here is how the box could have mentioned some non-music segments: "Relive such famous moments as Ernie making a clay sculpt of Bert, the story of The Monsters Three Wishes, the Sesame Street News report on Rupunzel, "A loaf of bread, a quart of milk, and a stick of butter", and The Amazing Mumford turning Grover into a rabbit, among other moments".

Most of the songs from the first five years that most casual fans are most likely to know about are included. While a lot of these songs were remade, and some were even remade during the first five years, people might not be aware of the fact that songs were remade. They may be familiar with certain songs but not neccessarily any specific version (though I think Rubber Duckie and C is for Cookie are exceptions). I am a bit surprised that all A-list songs weren't mentioend on the box. Still, suppose the next volume has different versions of The People in Your Neighborhood, I Love Trash, Bein' Green, and other songs that were remade and included on the first set. Casual fans who bought the first set who don't understand that they were remade might see them mentioend on the packaging and think that it's just repeating certain skits.

There are some songs that I associate as A-list, or very high B-list, that were not included in any form. Songs like Sing, Count it Higher, The Ballad of Casey McPhee, Somebody Come and Play, Mahna Mahna (though Sesame Workshop would need to secure the music rights to release it), and possibly Everyone Likes Ice Cream, Five People in My Family, and Everybody Eats. Of course, that's depending on if the next set focuses on the first five years again or if it focuses on the next five years (there is still a lot of classic material from the first five seasosn that are not on this set, but then again, material from the first five years would also be repeated in the episodes included on a 1974-1979 set).

[heralde]

Aside from my nostalgic enjoyment, my children are GLUED!! They will NOT watch any of the new Sesame episodes, but are quite engaged with the old format.

Glad to hear that! I rest my case concerning old school versus new. :)

[minor muppetz]

I don't think I understand what you are saying or asking.

[Taco Monster]

I've only watched the first disk so far, but my only complaint was that film about milk. It just kept going on and on and on and on...just when I thought it was over it kept adding on new things and repeating itself. That music didn't help either.

Yeah, I have to agree. When the film first started, I thought "Cool, I love cows!", but it just dragged on and on forever and didn't really go anywhere. I can't even imagine how much it would have bored me as a kid. This film could definitely be used to counter the old "Sesame Street causes short attention spans" argument.

I would actually say the first episode as a whole was a bit slow-moving and repetitive, but it still had some amusing moments, and it was cool to see how they introduced all the characters. The show had definitely found its footing by the third season though.

It's great that I can relive the days when Sesame Street had so much more to offer. I'm glad to hear that some of today's kids are finding yesterday's Street to be more appealing.

[The Count]

As of this moment, there have been no news made apparent as to a release of Sesame Street Season 1 (1969-1970) on DVD.

All we have at this time is Episode 0001 as part of the first five season premieres from Sesame Street Old School Volume 1.
Hope this helps and have a good night.

[minor muppetz]

I would be surprised if Sesame Workshop started to release season sets of Sesame Street anytime soon. The first 32 seasons normally had 130 episodes per season, so the first season would have a lot of discs. It would also probably be more expensive to release season sets of Sesame Street than most other TV shows, even hour-long shows. And there are a lot of legalties that would need to be cleared. For now, the Old School set is good enough for me, and hopefully more early episodes will be released.

[Marky]

Yeah, I have to agree. When the film first started, I thought "Cool, I love cows!", but it just dragged on and on forever and didn't really go anywhere. I can't even imagine how much it would have bored me as a kid. This film could definitely be used to counter the old "Sesame Street causes short attention spans" argument.

I would actually say the first episode as a whole was a bit slow-moving and repetitive, but it still had some amusing moments, and it was cool to see how they introduced all the characters. The show had definitely found its footing by the third season though.

It's great that I can relive the days when Sesame Street had so much more to offer. I'm glad to hear that some of today's kids are finding yesterday's Street to be more appealing.

Dude, back then, we dealt with the boring stuff. There weren't 500 satellite channels to pick from. Changing the channel in mid-show was not a common thing to do. SS had TONS of boring stuff in it. That crying baby milk film was boring at the time, it's hilarious in retrospect though.

I don't think there needs to be a full season set anyways (apart from the point Barkley dog avatar person (sorry, it's eary) made. It's all the best of. I'm pretty sure Vol. 2 will be 1975-1979. Being born in 1973, I'll probably get that one for nostalgia reasons, and that's it. I mean, it's not like SS is the Muppet Show, something I can watch over and over again as an adult.

[Big Bird Fan]

Dude, back then, we dealt with the boring stuff. There weren't 500 satellite channels to pick from. Changing the channel in mid-show was not a common thing to do. SS had TONS of boring stuff in it. That crying baby milk film was boring at the time, it's hilarious in retrospect though.

We're talking about the one where we learn where milk comes from. Not the baby one.

I don't think there needs to be a full season set anyways (apart from the point Barkley dog avatar person (sorry, it's eary) made. It's all the best of. I'm pretty sure Vol. 2 will be 1975-1979. Being born in 1973, I'll probably get that one for nostalgia reasons, and that's it. I mean, it's not like SS is the Muppet Show, something I can watch over and over again as an adult.

Personally I'd enjoy season sets, but that's not financially feasible yet.

[Rubber Duckie]

I picked up my copy this afternoon. I haven't seen any of the five shows in their entirety yet, but I was happy to see an old school PBS logo at the end of the episodes. I will review once I have seen all five shows from this set.

[heralde]

Oh! I definitely want to see the old PBS logo!

[JoeyMuppet]

I like that Circles film montage in the pitch reel, except the end of that montage sourt've bothers me...

[LadyVader]

where was R. franklin? where was all the meat of the shows? I didn't get why it was so cut up? I just hope they do better on the next one because i was really wanting more and i feel i got less.

[mikebennidict]

Dude, back then, we dealt with the boring stuff. There weren't 500 satellite channels to pick from. Changing the channel in mid-show was not a common thing to do. SS had TONS of boring stuff in it. That crying baby milk film was boring at the time, it's hilarious in retrospect though.

I don't think there needs to be a full season set anyways (apart from the point Barkley dog avatar person (sorry, it's eary) made. It's all the best of. I'm pretty sure Vol. 2 will be 1975-1979. Being born in 1973, I'll probably get that one for nostalgia reasons, and that's it. I mean, it's not like SS is the Muppet Show, something I can watch over and over again as an adult.
That fine but a lot of people like it so keep it to yourself.

[Rubber Duckie]

Oh! I definitely want to see the old PBS logo!
Well, the PBS logo on the DVD is the the logo used from the early seventies up to around the mid eighties. You know, the tri coloured P-Heads logo with the words Public Broadcasting Service appearing underneath the logo, which is one I like.

[minor muppetz]

where was R. franklin? where was all the meat of the shows? I didn't get why it was so cut up? I just hope they do better on the next one because i was really wanting more and i feel i got less.

I think it makes perfect sense that the first set focuses on the first five season premiers, and I think it's just a coincidence that in these episodes Roosevelt only made a one-line cameo and a few more background appearances. The Count, Herry Monster, and Prairie Dawn don't make too many appearances on the set, either. I do think that this set should have had at least one bonus skit that starred Roosevelt Franklin. I have a feeling that Roosevelt will be on the next set. If it's the season premiers from 1974-1979, then Roosevelt will probably have more to do. The season 6 and 7 premiers both had skits starring Roosevelt Franklin. And if they are not the later premiers, then maybe there will be some epsiodes that featured skits starring him (or maybe he'll star in a bonus skit).

[Davina]

my questionis.. what's the actual difference between the "modern tot" and us "old time tots"?? i mean, really.. it makes it sound like they've been upgraded or something that i'm pretty sure we're not capable of doing yet.. and shouldn't if we are....

[Davina]

sorry.. was meant more as a rhetroical question.. :)

[kajja]

OK! I need your help!!! This DVD has not been released in Australia, and the American DVD's are all region 1 coded and will not play in our DVD players! Is there sks that could somehow get a copy to me that will play PAL or Region 4? I'm desperate!
Please email me balmoral7@bipgond.com I will reimburse expenses!
Cheers
Kate

[GeeBee]

Although I wish the DVD set had included episodes that were not shown on Noggin (or at the very least, unedited episodes from Noggin), the bonus material well made up for any disappointments. I loved seeing the vintage skits that I never saw before (or at least don't remember) with Big Bird and Little Bird, orange Oscar singing I Love Trash, etc. I also loved revisiting old skits that I had not seen for 30 years such as Johnny Cash singing to Oscar or the original version of Big Bird singing the "alphabet song." The only mistake they made with the bonus stuff was showing the "sweetened" version of alphabet soup (I'd be more inclined to call it "soured"). Why the updated version with background music was chosen for an "Old School" DVD set is beyond me. Still, it was well worth buying overall.

[GeeBee]

Also, I had to laugh at the disclaimer they put on the DVD that it might not be appropriate for kids. I know I'm paraphrasing, but there were words to that effect. At first I thought they were going to make a joke out of it, but then I realized that they were serious. The funny thing is that, although the DVD combination may not have been created for children, every single episode and skit from those old shows were in fact originally intended for children. It was good for them back then, but may not be today. Odd. But heck, if that's what it takes to get all of the old episodes re-released, they can put a triple X rating on them for all I care, as long as they make them available to the public. :)

[Marky]

Also, I had to laugh at the disclaimer they put on the DVD that it might not be appropriate for kids. I know I'm paraphrasing, but there were words to that effect. At first I thought they were going to make a joke out of it, but then I realized that they were serious. The funny thing is that, although the DVD combination may not have been created for children, every single episode and skit from those old shows were in fact originally intended for children. It was good for them back then, but may not be today. Odd. But heck, if that's what it takes to get all of the old episodes re-released, they can put a triple X rating on them for all I care, as long as they make them available to the public. :)

Political Correctness is a dangerous thing.

[heralde]

I agree, I really do not buy that today's children can't appreciate older entertainment, especially when it is often better than what they have now.

And it's not just because I'm partial to classic Sesame Street because I grew up with it. I enjoy several kid's shows that are on today, if they are quality.

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

well i got my SS Old School dvd in (along with World acroding to SS) I watched ALL of Disc 1 (exp for a few clips in the bonus segments) and i REALLY enjoyed the "Sales Pitch" with Kermit and Rowlf, Disc 2 was good (both eps on the dvd) i didnt like Snuffys ugly green eyes tho! :p kinda creepy! hehe :smirk: disc 3 I watched the 1st ep on that disc so far... I loved with Bob, Ernie, Bert and a few kids where in a segment and Bob was talking about when people sleep and stuff the little girl keeped on touching Bert! lol....

[Marky]

I agree, I really do not buy that today's children can't appreciate older entertainment, especially when it is often better than what they have now.

And it's not just because I'm partial to classic Sesame Street because I grew up with it. I enjoy several kid's shows that are on today, if they are quality.

I'm not sure it's an issue of today's kids not liking the older stuff at all. It's just retor-active censoring as the paranoid P.C. weenies are in charge of kids viewing now.

[heralde]

That's true, I think I said before that there's too much emphasis on "protecting" kids from things.

[Davina]

There is also (sadly) a major "opinion" that children, "due to their limited attention spans," can't tolerated the longer segments that they used to have.. which is why the current shows have such short plots and story segments (and yet we can allow 20 minutes for Elmo's World???)
I personally think this is rubbish.. yes they have shorter attention spans.. but they never learn to focus and develop longer ones if you don't stretch them a bit.. and (i feel) catoring to this short attention span theory is part of why there are so many kids now who get classed as ADD and/or have problems focusing on anything that takes longer then a few minutes to do...
I mean, yes, there are some kids who are'nt going to take to it.. my sister and i, for example.. mom would turn on Sesame Street and I would be immediately facsinated and sit quietly through the entire episode (mid-70's..) and my sister, who is just a year younger then I am, never took to it at all and would wander off to do something else. When I used to babysit, SS was part of our regular, daily schedule.. and when I married my hubby 4 years ago.. on those occasions when his 4 year old daughter was with us, she watched it every day as well.. And I freely admit, that I, at 33, watch it when I can as well.. :)

[GeeBee]

That's true, I think I said before that there's too much emphasis on "protecting" kids from things.


I'm all for protecting kids, but when it comes to the old Sesame Street episodes, I have to ask, "What exactly are the kids being protected from?"

:confused:

[heralde]

In this case, it seems to be protecting them from being confused about the differences between old and new Sesame Street. Which I do think most kids get over quickly. I mean there were changes on Sesame Street before that kids must have noticed. Like characters changing actors or puppets changing their appearance.

[Mistersuperstar]

I think that fear wasn't drilled into people quite as much in the 70's and some things, like taking a photo of your child on holiday in a bathing suit, was much more acceptible than it is nowadays. I did notice when watching the DVD that a few of the things, like the kids showing "over and under" on a work site, wouldn't be allowed on new pre-school TV programs.

[minor muppetz]

Although I wish the DVD set had included episodes that were not shown on Noggin (or at the very least, unedited episodes from Noggin), the bonus material well made up for any disappointments.

These were mostly unedited Noggin episodes. Yes, there are two episodes known to be edited, but the edits that we do know of were shown on Noggin. If volume two focuses on the same time period, then I hope it includes episodes that were not shown on Noggin, such as the second episode (or another episode from the very first week of the show). Then again, if they were all episodes not shown on Noggin, then it would be hard for us to know if there are any edits.

[GeeBee]

These were mostly unedited Noggin episodes. Yes, there are two episodes known to be edited, but the edits that we do know of were shown on Noggin. If volume two focuses on the same time period, then I hope it includes episodes that were not shown on Noggin, such as the second episode (or another episode from the very first week of the show). Then again, if they were all episodes not shown on Noggin, then it would be hard for us to know if there are any edits.

There were at least two skits on the DVD set that edited things that were shown on Noggin. Gordon singing to the Anything Muppets and Stevie Wonder singing. The reasons, from what I've heard on here, were copyright issues.

[janicerulz]

Thanks to eveyone who pointed me to Borders. I got my DVD and I completely and totally LOVE LOVE LOVE it. We watched the first 2 discs , and I cannot believe all the stuff that's on it. It's amazing. My favorites are Springtime and the Tea Party w/the cats.

Loved that Raul Julia was on. Snuffy with the green eyes was scary. Big Bird 1969 was a littlle weird looking (so was Orange oscar). And of course I LOVED seeing Mr. Looper, er, Hooper again.

But I have one question for you guys -- who is the actor in the sketch w/Stockard Channing? It's the segment in the park with the guy who's painting numbers on bread. I thought it was the British guy from the Jeffersons, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

[minor muppetz]

But I have one question for you guys -- who is the actor in the sketch w/Stockard Channing? It's the segment in the park with the guy who's painting numbers on bread. I thought it was the British guy from the Jeffersons, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

It is Paul Benedict, who played the british neighbor on The Jeffersons.

[minor muppetz]

I just realised.... if volume 2 is more of the first five years, we would have a 660-8 chance of getting episodes that were not shown on Noggin. There were 665 episodes from the first five seasons, and 13 episodes from the first five seasons shown on Noggin. Five episodes from both category were on volume 1, so there are 8 episodes that were shown on Noggin that were not released. And if volume 2 is more of the first five years and one episode per season, then I'd gurantee that we'd get at least one episode not shown on Noggin, since Noggin only showed one episode from the fifth season, and the other episode from the foruth season prominently showed Stevie Wonder who was cut from one of the episodes on the set. I don't know if we would have better chances of getting his episode on the next set (we don't know if he charged too much for 123 Sesame Street or if he wanted too much for his on-screen residuals, or both, or if he didn't want to license or get residuals).

[Janice & Mokey's Man]

Hmm, my thinking would be that for each (hopefully there will be more!) box set, it will be separate years. Calling it "Sesame Street: Old School (1969-1974)" just sounds naturally to me that the next volume would be called "Sesame Street: Old School (1974-1979)". Of course I don't know that for sure, but it's just what it seems like it would be to me...otherwise I would have thought they'd add "Volume 1" after the dates for this set, but I realize this is tricky because this is the very first set released, so kind of a "testing the waters" kind of thing. I guess we'll find out.

[JJandJanice]

I'm loving this DVD, classic.

:p :( :grouchy:

[Janice & Mokey's Man]

Okay, time for my gushings.

Oh man...I had a "Street-a-thon" Saturday night and finished it Sunday night (I would've done it all in one sitting but I had to get some sleep for work), and I am just completely in love with the magic of Henson and the CTW that is "Sesame Street". *sigh*...

Really!

I am!

:flirt:

I will be the first to admit that I was annoyed there were going to be full episodes on here because I wanted as many "classic cuts" as possible, but I do love seeing the episodes. The pilot is such an experience to see how it all began, and while it was odd seeing goofy, duncey, small-headed Big Bird and Orange Oscar and an apparently then-unnamed Cookie Monster, it was so interesting to see (it's too bad "our" Gordon didn't make the set since he didn't come on until season 5).

I loved Bob and Susan's "I've Got Two"---what a fun, catchy song!

It was interesting at how long and mellow the "milk" film was.

It's surprising to see how many classic clips came out of the first five years!

What I call "The D Song" ("D-D-D-D, Daddy dear oh Daddy dear"), is my favorite animated song, and when I realized that the season 2 or 3 opener was being sponsored by "D", I started hoping-yet-not-hoping-too-much that this beloved piece of mine would be in the show---AND IT WAS!! WOO-HOOOO!! And not once, but TWICE! LOL! I was SO happy, that totally made my night...to have "The D Song" on DVD is just amazing...

It was such an experience watching things come on I had completely forgotten about, but then remembered when they started playing...it was like I was transported back to my childhood again, and it was just the biggest Warm Henson Fuzzy. The first time this happened was with "Two Little Girls and Their Little Dollhouse". That is just the sweetest little piece, and once it got going I totally remembered it and had such a smile on my face.

And then there was "Madrigal Alphabet". The light, ethereal medieval music and light airy voices in that are beautiful, and the different-yet-complimentary animation is married to it wonderfully. I had a nice little numinous experience as I watched and heard that segment for the first time in well over 15 years. It was so great to be "reunited".

I had forgotten about "There's a Bird on Me" and "I Love Being a Pig" and "Chicken or the Egg" and "Take a Bweaff" (lol, love that voice!), and those are all classic live action songs. I didn't forget "Ev'rybody Sleeps", and that's another good one.

We had a lot of Bert & Ernie, that was great...so we first met Ernie when he was nekkid in the tub, LOL...didn't see that coming. And Bert looked so unkempt and disagreeable, man! lol And I had forgotten about the "counting sheep" one---what great fun, lol.

What a great Muppet "inside joke" that Grover sang "Whistle a Happy Tune", as Julie Andrews would do on "The Muppet Show" several years later---in fact, these are the only two times I've ever heard this song, lol.

Herry with a blue fuzzy nose...weird...and Little Bird had a sex change! Even weirder! lol Well, I mean, he was introduced with a man puppeteering him, and then later Fran took over...but was he always a he? I remember being a kid and thinking he was a he, and when I saw him in books I thought of him as a he, but then later when I was older and realized it was a woman doing his voice I thought maybe he was a she? I dunno...but boy, Little Bird couldn't have been more un-excited at the prospect of being Big Bird's friend! lol...poor Big Bird...

Loved that they gave us a Sesame Street News Flash---with New York "Rhoda" Rapunzel, LOL.

Witches Cooperate! WITCHES COOPERATE!! I LOVE the Sesame Street witches!! And I know this is like their only appearance ever, but I remembered it, and I loved the skit so much...especially Richard Hunt's witch. This isn't because he's the man behind Janice, but because I love her look and voice the best...a great funny voice, and she looks so cool all green with the long stuck out-turned up nose and yellow googly eyes and dingey hair, heh. I wasn't even thinking about them during my viewing because I thought they came along a lot later, so I was THRILLED when they came into that cave with that eerie music. :D

And then right after them on the disc is The Count! Count Von Count! My favorite "regular" Street member! "Song of the Count" was neat, especially with the green lighting and bats and cobwebs and candles...and I loved the skit about Ernie's blocks he was in, LOL! It's so fantastic to have "early Count" on DVD where he has hypnotic powers, a cackling sinister laugh, and accompanying organ music for his moves---AWESOME.

I do like Cookie Monster, but I didn't "love" "The Monster's Three Wishes". I did get a kick out of "The Great Cookie Thief" though, which I did remember (didn't remember 3 Wishes).

I love Lefty, but I wish we'd gotten to see one of his regular routines instead of him singing. Just a preference.

Snuffy was whacked out in his debut, man...an almost catatonic, short-furred thing with freaky yellow-green eyes---jeez! I'm sure glad they re-vamped him, lol. And for those who like to think that he really was imaginary? Well, it seems pretty obvious he wasn't. He played with the Street kids, so he had to be real (I'm in the camp that believes he was always real anyway). But I can't believe he appeared so early, and was around for about 15 years before he was revealed to the humans---jeez! That woulda driven me crazy if I had been a kid in the '70s, seein' them miss him all the time.

It was great seeing Sherlock and the Martians too---I didn't expect the Martians to be "on board" so soon...yiiiip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip uh-huh uh-huh---LOL

And I love Harvey Kneeslapper, but we didn't get to hear his trademark laugh! D'oh....it was a great segment though with the tables turned on him, but I love his laugh, lol.

And if there were a Roy Fan Club, I would join..."Roy, you're weird". Roy rocks! LOL!

Oo, and Wanda the Witch! I forgot about that one, but so remembered it...that's a great one with a fun little storyline. I also forgot about "It's springtiiiiiiime!", and I love that one too.

Alligator King, King of 8, Ladybugs, Martian Beauty, Bread-Butter-Milk, Middle Eastern 1-20...gotta love those definite classics.

Interviews with the gorilla (for a job), and the letter N, I forgot about those! "26 letters in the alphabet and I gotta get 'N' "---LOL!

2 lines fighting, M coming over for dinner, Capital I...more good animated ones.

I was surprised also to see game shows had appeared this early. Now that I've seen "What's My Line", "What's My Part" is that much funnier, lol.

Love "J Friends"---what a jazzy (ha), upbeat, catchy song that makes ya wanna bop around all over the place. That handclapping number was cool, too.

The pitch reel was so interesting to see...and a nice rare appearance from Rowlf. And it's insightful to see just how much research and scrutinization went into every single segment...wow!

And man oh man...I love the credit crawl for the last few seasons on the disc. The artwork is brilliant and so colorful---I would love to have a really long one-sheet of that to have framed.

I REALLY hope there will be a new set in the not-too-distant future, with even more classic cuts! (season 2 or 3 seemed pretty short on those)

THANK YOU Sonyyyyy!

Really!

Thank you!

:D

[heralde]

Okay, time for my gushings.

I loved Bob and Susan's "I've Got Two"---what a fun, catchy song!


What I call "The D Song" ("D-D-D-D, Daddy dear oh Daddy dear"), is my favorite animated song, and when I realized that the season 2 or 3 opener was being sponsored by "D", I started hoping-yet-not-hoping-too-much that this beloved piece of mine would be in the show---AND IT WAS!! WOO-HOOOO!! And not once, but TWICE! LOL! I was SO happy, that totally made my night...to have "The D Song" on DVD is just amazing...


:D

Ok, I'd love to participate in the discussion now, but I've pledge to keep my DVD hidden until Christmas! But I'll do my best...

I've heard the "I've Got Two" song on the radio and it's really great, especially Bob's part. Can't wait to see it!

I remember seeing "Daddy Dear" nearly everyday of my life as a child! I'm really looking forward to seeing all these clips again!

[minor muppetz]

(it's too bad "our" Gordon didn't make the set since he didn't come on until season 5).
Actually, he first appeared in season 6. Season 5 is included here (the booklet mistakenly says that Matt Robinson left the show in 1971 and that Hal Miller left in 1974). That would be one good thing about the next set focusing on the next five years (if it happens), being that the more familiar Gordon will be included.


What I call "The D Song" ("D-D-D-D, Daddy dear oh Daddy dear"), is my favorite animated song, and when I realized that the season 2 or 3 opener was being sponsored by "D", I started hoping-yet-not-hoping-too-much that this beloved piece of mine would be in the show---AND IT WAS!! WOO-HOOOO!! And not once, but TWICE! LOL! I was SO happy, that totally made my night...to have "The D Song" on DVD is just amazing...

It was such an experience watching things come on I had completely forgotten about, but then remembered when they started playing...it was like I was transported back to my childhood again, and it was just the biggest Warm Henson Fuzzy. The first time this happened was with "Two Little Girls and Their Little Dollhouse". That is just the sweetest little piece, and once it got going I totally remembered it and had such a smile on my face.

And then there was "Madrigal Alphabet". The light, ethereal medieval music and light airy voices in that are beautiful, and the different-yet-complimentary animation is married to it wonderfully. I had a nice little numinous experience as I watched and heard that segment for the first time in well over 15 years. It was so great to be "reunited".

All of those skits, and many others (including soem that you've mentioend here, but I'm not going to comment on them all) have already been released on video and DVD. the D song was recently included as a bonus skit on All-Star Alphabet, the dollhouse skit was included in Learning About Numbers, and Madrigal Alphabet was included in Learning About Letters. Many other classic skits not included on this DVD set are also available on many older videos and DVDs. There is a thread in the Sesame Merchandise thread that mentions what skits are in various Sesame Street videos, if you're more interested in knowing what has been reelased on video.

We had a lot of Bert & Ernie, that was great...so we first met Ernie when he was nekkid in the tub, LOL...didn't see that coming. And Bert looked so unkempt and disagreeable, man!
I think its weirder that Ernie is naked out of the tub after his bath when Bert is in the room. Sure, he's not seen below the waist, so it's hard to tell if he's wearing pants, underwear, or a towel, but it's especially hard to tell if he's wearing a towel around his waist, since he was drying himself with a towel that obviously wasn't covering him.

What a great Muppet "inside joke" that Grover sang "Whistle a Happy Tune", as Julie Andrews would do on "The Muppet Show" several years later---in fact, these are the only two times I've ever heard this song, lol.
How is this an inside joke?

Little Bird had a sex change! Even weirder! lol Well, I mean, he was introduced with a man puppeteering him, and then later Fran took over...but was he always a he? I remember being a kid and thinking he was a he, and when I saw him in books I thought of him as a he, but then later when I was older and realized it was a woman doing his voice I thought maybe he was a she? I dunno...but boy, Little Bird couldn't have been more un-excited at the prospect of being Big Bird's friend! lol...poor Big Bird...
I think he was always meant to be a he, even with a female performer. There was an album with a song titled Mr. Big Bird, Mr. Little Bird. And I wonder if Little Bird was originally meant to have a regular name and personality. In that skit, he just says that he's a little bird, never addressing himself by name. I wouldn't be surprised if he was named Little Bird in the script, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he used Little Bird as a proper name untill the second season (and I would be more surprised if the scripts referred to him as Kenner Gooney Bird, the puppet that Little Bird was refurbrished from).

And then right after them on the disc is The Count! Count Von Count! My favorite "regular" Street member! "Song of the Count" was neat, especially with the green lighting and bats and cobwebs and candles...and I loved the skit about Ernie's blocks he was in, LOL! It's so fantastic to have "early Count" on DVD where he has hypnotic powers, a cackling sinister laugh, and accompanying organ music for his moves---AWESOME.
I also like the green lighting in The Song of the Count. Some of The Count's other early appearances have been released on video and DVD (mainly Learning About Numbers). Oddly enough, with the exception of the two-part sketch wehre The Coutn spent the night at Ernie and Berts apartment, I don't ever recall seeing any Count skits from the 1970s on the show itself, only on video and DVD releases.

I love Lefty, but I wish we'd gotten to see one of his regular routines instead of him singing. Just a preference.
Same here. I would have liked to have seen one of his skits where he was performed by Caroll Spinney instead of Frank Oz, or the sketch where he attempted to sell a snowman (not very many people here seem to remember seeing it). I also would have liekd to have seen The Goldne An, in addition to his regular encounters with Ernie.

Snuffy was whacked out in his debut, man...an almost catatonic, short-furred thing with freaky yellow-green eyes---jeez! I'm sure glad they re-vamped him, lol.
It seems like Snuffy was either really stoned or had a very zombie-like personality in his first appearance. After Big Bird asked who he was, instead of saying his name, he just said "I'm a Snuffleupagus" (yes, his species is the same as his last name).

And I love Harvey Kneeslapper, but we didn't get to hear his trademark laugh! D'oh....it was a great segment though with the tables turned on him, but I love his laugh, lol.
That was a good one, and the first Harvey Kneeslapper sketch I saw where he is the victim (there have been a few more). I do wish, though, that this set included one of his regular skits involving letters or numbers.

Interviews with the gorilla (for a job), and the letter N, I forgot about those! "26 letters in the alphabet and I gotta get 'N' "---LOL!
I liked that sketch so much, I've decided to have that line be my signature.... for now...

The pitch reel was so interesting to see...and a nice rare appearance from Rowlf. And it's insightful to see just how much research and scrutinization went into every single segment...wow!
That was one of the DVDs highlights. I am surprised that this wasn't on the last disc, as most multi-disc sets have all big (I.E. any features that aren't on every disc or program) features on the last discs. I also wish that this set had the Baker film that featured Rowlf counting nine lights. After all, they were able to secure the rights to use Rowlf, so why not show his SS appearance?

I REALLY hope there will be a new set in the not-too-distant future, with even more classic cuts! (season 2 or 3 seemed pretty short on those)

Who doesn't? Actually, I thought that the classic cuts for season two and four were too short, while one, three, and five were all long. The season three classic cuts seems to have the most skits, and the most skits that I remember seeing as a child. Season two especially should have had a few more skits. It only had one Muppet skit (not counting Oscar's cameo in the counting to 20 skit), and most of the season two classic cuts are forgettable. I was hoping for Mad, a Roosevelt Franklin skit, and a season two Ernie and Bert or Herbert Birdsfoot skit (and some more Herry) for the seaosn two classic cuts.

[Janice & Mokey's Man]

Actually, he first appeared in season 6. Season 5 is included here (the booklet mistakenly says that Matt Robinson left the show in 1971 and that Hal Miller left in 1974). That would be one good thing about the next set focusing on the next five years (if it happens), being that the more familiar Gordon will be included.

But Roscoe Orman's page on IMDB also says he started in 1974, just like the booklet. I just assumed he came on later in season 4?



There is a thread in the Sesame Merchandise thread that mentions what skits are in various Sesame Street videos, if you're more interested in knowing what has been reelased on video.

Since I don't have any other SS DVDs (I have the VHS of Elmo says BOO [for the Count's sake] and The Best of Kermit, but that's it). I'd rather spend money on a box set that has many classic cuts instead of various DVDs that have maybe a few different ones than I already have, or ones that would repeat on other DVDs. Right now I'm just on a SS high because this is the first DVD of the show I've gotten, and so many great classic cuts.



I think its weirder that Ernie is naked out of the tub after his bath when Bert is in the room. Sure, he's not seen below the waist, so it's hard to tell if he's wearing pants, underwear, or a towel, but it's especially hard to tell if he's wearing a towel around his waist, since he was drying himself with a towel that obviously wasn't covering him.

Oh yeah, I couldn't believe it when he just got out of the tub and was right in front of the camera. ! lol


How is this an inside joke?

Well not in the shows themselves, I just meant among us fans. Especially fans like me who have never heard of the song outside of these two Muppet performances. Just a very ironic yet cool little detail.





Same here. I would have liked to have seen one of his skits where he was performed by Caroll Spinney instead of Frank Oz, or the sketch where he attempted to sell a snowman (not very many people here seem to remember seeing it). I also would have liekd to have seen The Goldne An, in addition to his regular encounters with Ernie.

Was Lefty performed by CS often? I remember the FO voice so well...I do remember the Golden An sketch.






Who doesn't? Actually, I thought that the classic cuts for season two and four were too short, while one, three, and five were all long. The season three classic cuts seems to have the most skits, and the most skits that I remember seeing as a child. Season two especially should have had a few more skits. It only had one Muppet skit (not counting Oscar's cameo in the counting to 20 skit), and most of the season two classic cuts are forgettable. I was hoping for Mad, a Roosevelt Franklin skit, and a season two Ernie and Bert or Herbert Birdsfoot skit (and some more Herry) for the seaosn two classic cuts.

Oh I remember now...I was thinking one of them was kind of sparse because the classic cuts were only on one "screen"---season 4 I guess it is has 2 screens, but there are only 2 cuts I believe on the 2nd screen.

[minor muppetz]

Was Lefty performed by CS often? I remember the FO voice so well...I do remember the Golden An sketch.



No. Spinney performed Lefty in at least two first season sketches, one where he holds a sign with the letter P while Ernie holds an R sign, and the sketch where Lefty attempted to sell Ernie a U. I don't know if Spinney ever performed Lefty any other times.

[fatblue]

The DVD set is ok, I really wanted to see more early skits from '69 and more SS characters of the early days. I mean, where was 'Green' Grover, Beautiful Day Monster and others? Well, hopefully they will release another series on DVD in the future with more skits and maybe a few more original shows than what was on here, but it's still a good set for us that remember the golden SS days.

[LadyVader]

I don't think were going to see a Vol. 2. A lot of retailers didn't carry it in there stores because the were told that it was ment for adults and not kids. thats why i think a alot of stores only sold it on there web sites.

[Janice & Mokey's Man]

I think using the title "Sesame Street: Old School (1969-1974)" means there will be a season 2. If they had simply gone with "Sesame Street: Old School" with no dates, it would seem more like that were a testing set. But I have a feeling a 1974-1979 set will be in the works---and I sure hope so.

And I'm surprised the stores were told it was for adults and not kids. I mean, it's "Sesame Street" for crying out loud, lol. Sure it may be targeted more for nostalgia, but kids can still enjoy them and learn from them a lot.

[Davina]

i've only seen it in 1 store up here in Alaska (Best Buy) and wasn't able to pick it up at that time due to financial constraints.. (have to go back and hope it's still there.. they only had 2 copies...*sigh*) we've asked about it at every WalMart and Fred Meyer location in the area, and they have no idea if or when they'll ever get it,, most of them didn't even know it was out.. has been very disappointing...

[minor muppetz]

I think using the title "Sesame Street: Old School (1969-1974)" means there will be a season 2. If they had simply gone with "Sesame Street: Old School" with no dates, it would seem more like that were a testing set. But I have a feeling a 1974-1979 set will be in the works---and I sure hope so.


It seems a bit hard to tell. The 1969-1974 part is written before the volume 1 part, instead of after. It could have said Old School Volume 1: 1969-1974, instead. Of course, it also could have said Volume 1: The First Five Premiers, to give us an idea of whether the next set will be more premiers or if the sets in general will have different themes (a three-disc set with all six of the hawia episodes would be good).

[mikebennidict]

I don't think were going to see a Vol. 2. A lot of retailers didn't carry it in there stores because the were told that it was ment for adults and not kids. thats why i think a alot of stores only sold it on there web sites.
why would they not carry it because of that? That doesn't make any sense.

[Davina]

OOh.. good news for anyone (like me..) who has had trouble finding these locally... Deep discount dvd has it on sale right now for like $24

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=SON000102

not a bad deal.. (we've ordered a few things from them in the past and haven't had any complaints..) figured I'd let everyone else know too.. :)

[travellingpat]

Ohhhhhhhh I want this set so bad...

it sounds awesome!!!!

[fatblue]

I don't think were going to see a Vol. 2. A lot of retailers didn't carry it in there stores because the were told that it was ment for adults and not kids. thats why i think a alot of stores only sold it on there web sites.


Well, I sure hope they release other volumes. Calling it 'Vol 1' would only make one assume there is more to come. While this a good DVD set, they barely scratch the surface of old school SS, there are still many other skits and characters that were left out. With so much more footage to go, I'm sure they will produce a volume 2, 3 or more! Plus, this is for both adults AND kids.

[LadyVader]

why would they not carry it because of that? That doesn't make any sense.

That what I was told by the Store Manger in BestBuy

[LadyVader]

Well, I sure hope they release other volumes. Calling it 'Vol 1' would only make one assume there is more to come. While this a good DVD set, they barely scratch the surface of old school SS, there are still many other skits and characters that were left out. With so much more footage to go, I'm sure they will produce a volume 2, 3 or more! Plus, this is for both adults AND kids.


the little cartoon at the frount of the frist show say this is for Adults and not for kids of pre-shool age it is not ment for learning. That why i think the Stores are makeing it so hard to find it because the can't put out with the other SS DVD's

[fatblue]

the little cartoon at the frount of the frist show say this is for Adults and not for kids of pre-shool age it is not ment for learning. That why i think the Stores are makeing it so hard to find it because the can't put out with the other SS DVD's

Hmm, well you could have fooled me, because I'm sure many pre-schoolers can learn for this. Is The Electric Company DVD suited for adults more than kids? It would only make sense I think. If they are releasing a 2nd set of that, then I'm sure SS will follow.

[LadyVader]

Hmm, well you could have fooled me, because I'm sure many pre-schoolers can learn for this. Is The Electric Company DVD suited for adults more than kids? It would only make sense I think. If they are releasing a 2nd set of that, then I'm sure SS will follow.


Do you own this set yet??? and seen the opening cartoon.

[fatblue]

Just got it in fact, and yes, I saw the opening cartoon, of course,but I don't agree with it. I'm pretty sure that in the near future we'll see more stuff, because I think many of it is too classic and plain good to just be kept stored away.

[LadyVader]

Just got it in fact, and yes, I saw the opening cartoon, of course,but I don't agree with it. I'm pretty sure that in the near future we'll see more stuff, because I think many of it is too classic and plain good to just be kept stored away.


I think that opening cartoon is why the stores are not carrieing it because they don't have any where to put something like that.

[dvakman]

I'm not sure it's an issue of today's kids not liking the older stuff at all. It's just retor-active censoring as the paranoid P.C. weenies are in charge of kids viewing now.

Yeah, and it may be a case of wounded pride too. The quality of the show back then is so much better than what is being produced now, and there is so much love and nostalgia for the first 23 years as opposed to the last 14, that there may have been a little resistence from the current powers that be to get this set released. Some of the disclaimers and the insert in the booklet may have been put there to placate those who want to believe that only their current show is "right" for kids. Meanwhile, my kids actually are connecting to Sesame for the first time because of the release of the old shows.

The marketing angle is a little suspect too. Apparently a lot of stores aren't carrying the set because, again, the powers that be told them it was "only for adults". Is someone afraid that this set might catch on with today's kids (as it has with mine), and bring the effectiveness of the current format into question? I hope this lousy marketing scheme doesn't prevent another volume from being produced.

[heralde]

Yeah, and it may be a case of wounded pride too. The quality of the show back then is so much better than what is being produced now, and there is so much love and nostalgia for the first 23 years as opposed to the last 14, that there may have been a little resistence from the current powers that be to get this set released. Some of the disclaimers and the insert in the booklet may have been put there to placate those who want to believe that only their current show is "right" for kids. Meanwhile, my kids actually are connecting to Sesame for the first time because of the release of the old shows.



I have to admit, a similar thought had occured to me. They've invested all this attention, time and money into "Elmo's World"* and the new format. Now some kids might notice Sesame Street performs just fine without them.


But that's great that your kids like the DVD. At least they've made it available to new and old generations at all.

*Notice, I said "Elmo's World", not Elmo. As we often say, he was just fine in his early episodes.

[Zet]

If anyone's strapped for cash you can get the set new from deepdiscountdvd for $19.14 including shipping.
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=SON000102

Enter coupon code OAKLAND for 20% off on your order.
There are actually a few coupon codes that do the same thing I believe (e.g. SUPERSALE) but you can only use one at a time and they probably all end tomorrow (the 18th) like the oakland one.
Also the 20% off applies to your whole order if you want to pick up some other stuff while you're there. Each particular code can only be used once I believe.

[BEAR]

Why is this thing so hard to find. My mom said it was really hard to find when she was out shopping the other day. She got the last one on the shelf. Oh well...the important thing is I am getting it (YIPPEEE!!) but won't REALLY be getting it til my birthday in a few weeks.

[doctort13]

I received my set just this past weekend, and overall LOVE IT!

My 2 year old daughter has watched the entire set multiple times. She sings along with the songs she knows from the CDs we own, dances in front of the TV, and shouts with joy when she sees her favorite Muppets (Cookie, Big Bird, Oscar, Ernie).

My only complaint...NO CAPTIONS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED! I must use hearing aids to hear, and rely on closed captions to enjoy television shows & DVDs. Why on earth wasn't this common feature included? All of the other Sesame DVDs that we own (which are MANY), include closed captions, so not including this very helpful feature is confusing.

I intend to write a letter to Sesame Workshop and let them know how this affects my enjoyment of this DVD set. I hope that future sets of "SSOS" are on the horizon, that include closed captions.

[Ziffel]

My SS Old School dvds came recently with my TEC season 2 dvds. I watched them all. It was great fun seeing five complete episodes from the first five seasons. Just like the good ol' days as a child in the early 70's getting to watch an hour long show of all the classic stuff, including the wonderful "Sunny days" theme song opening. A lot of the clips we've seen from being uploaded on youtube but there were a few "new" ones too like the classic traffic lights clip and Grover on both sides of the long ladder (also Grover and Herbert Birdsfoot with the peanut butter stuck in his mouth). I'm more in favor of entire episodes than individual clips, but using clips like "C is for Cookie" as part of special features like they did is a good idea. I hope future sets will continue to include at least five more complete shows. Oh and I muted the sound each time a segment was about to close in case the sketch with the red and green anything muppets doing the alphabet with that creepy music came up next. And sure enough, on the fifth disc (from the '73-'74 season) that clip came on! But I had it muted so I didn't have to hear it, just like back in the early 70's (except we didn't have a remote so I had to cover my ears at the close of each segment back then instead!)

Anyway, it's really awesome to finally have what we've been craving for so long: Classic SS on dvd! And I'm looking forward to watching these with my niece when she's a bit older. Even though she's only a year and a half, she already loves the muppets. And she carries her Elmo muppet around with her a lot now. Oh and that reminds me, my brother also bought her one of those new tickle me elmo's (called TMX, right?) Wow that toy is neat. It cracks up laughing on the floor and rolls around and stands itself back up. Only thing is, she's a little frightened of it at this stage! But in time she'll probably come to be fascinated with it. :)

[minor muppetz]

One nitpick about the booklet is that it points out that Jim Henson was the voice of the baker, and that Henson wasn't the actor who played him, but it does not say who the actor playing the baker was.

[Ziffel]

Maybe the actor was just an unknown name. So that if the booklet had said, "the baker was played by Clint Collins" people would be like o...kay.

One of the street scenes that was nice to see was Grover trying to do chin-ups. Because I remember seeing that when it first aired in the early 70's. I recalled his line, "I'm not strong but I'm wiry."

[Lone Wolf]

I just got my mine yesterday. And Amazon said it would be delivered no earlier than December 8th, and no later than December 15th -- and actually got it on the fourth! (Miracles do happen!)

My thoughts? I have to say that overall I'm very pleased to finally see a DVD release that does justice to classic SS. Although the season premieres were nothing I hadn't already seen (I managed to get my hands on copies of season premieres 1-8 that had aired on Noggin a few years ago) But seeing them here with much sharper picture and sound quality made me appreciate them all the more and I'm very grateful that SW has taken good care of and preserved them all these years. It was also great to see some skits that I hadn't seen before -- skits that for some reason were edited from the Noggin episodes. The bonus material was a nice touch as well. I had seen bits and pieces of the original pitch film on the A&E Biography special on Sesame Street, but this was the first time I'd seen it in its entirety and I thought it was pretty hysterical, with Rowlf telling Kermit all about SS and the muppet executive board trying to come up with a name for the show. I also thought the animated segments of that character Bob who introduced each epsiode of the show were a nice addition. Even though it wasn't authentic stock footage from the archives, they had the same sort of humour and edginess that characterised so many of the animated skits from that era of SS.

My only criticisms would have to be I would have liked there to have been a commentary feature with certain key players -- who are still with us today -- reminiscing on those early days of the show, or even one or two interviews would have been nice. I also wish those edits didn't have to be made. But on the whole, I'm very happy with this set and I hope there'll be more in the future. Yes, we the fans have been waiting a long time for this but that just made me appreciate it all the more. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to SW for making this possible (also I implore you to disregard some of the disparaging remarks from the more ungrateful fans that are starting to appear on amazon's reviews).

[jisforjump]

The only thing I did not like about the collection, is that they showed the same clips over and over again

[minor muppetz]

The only thing I did not like about the collection, is that they showed the same clips over and over again

Would you have rather thsoe scenes have been edited every time they were repeated? It does get a little boring, especially since all clips that get repeated are not Muppet clips, but I'd rather have them repeated throughout the set in different episodes (or epsisodes that originally had episodes repeated within the same episodes) then have more edits.

[minor muppetz]

Well, this set is starting to show up in stores more. When I finally found my copy, it was the only copy at Suncoast. Now, I have seen another copy at Suncoast and a copy at Best Buy.

[Lone Wolf]

I'm glad to hear that. So far I haven't seen any stores here in Canada that have it on the shelves. At least not yet, anyway.

We all want to see more volumes of classic SS like this one in the future and the only way to ensure that happens is for sales of this one to do well enough on the market to justifiy the expense and effort of producing more. And the best way to maximize sales is by making more people aware that this DVD set exists. You have to wonder how many other people there are out there who don't read this forum regularly, who don't necessarily consider themselves hardcore Sesame Street/Muppet fans, but nevertheless appreciate them enough that if they saw it sitting on the shelves while browsing or shopping, they might just be interested enough to buy it.

On the other hand, the first box set of The Electric Company obviously sold well enough for SW to release a second set, and did that one have much marketing exposure beyond the internet? I don't recall seeing that one in any of my local stores either.

[Barry Lee]

Well I recieved the dvd last month, but finally got to watch the whole thing, here are my thoughts. The dvd is overall nice, its not alot of stuff, buts its "nice." The episodes are good, but they just seem to long. The bonus sketches were "ok," I would have really preferred more Behind the Scenes/ History bonuses, but what was there was nice. I was dissapointed by the fact of the low amount of Muppet sketches in the bonus skits aswell. I was delighted though that Kermit was in use and on the dvd. (Yay!!) The pitch reel, I have seen before so it really wasnt a shock to me. But overall I liked it. It should have had 4 discs instead of 3, and way more bonus features relating to behind the scenes, and way more muppets, maybe even commentaries would've been nice. Was it the worst dvd? No. Was it the best dvd? No. I much preffered The Electric Company set over the Sesame set, in the bonus feature content. I think they could've done alot better than what I could have seen. But heres hopes for a Volume 2.

[BEAR]

Well I recieved the dvd last month, but finally got to watch the whole thing, here are my thoughts. The dvd is overall nice, its not alot of stuff, buts its "nice." The episodes are good, but they just seem to long. The bonus sketches were "ok," I would have really preferred more Behind the Scenes/ History bonuses, but what was there was nice. I was dissapointed by the fact of the low amount of Muppet sketches in the bonus skits aswell. I was delighted though that Kermit was in use and on the dvd. (Yay!!) The pitch reel, I have seen before so it really wasnt a shock to me. But overall I liked it. It should have had 4 discs instead of 3, and way more bonus features relating to behind the scenes, and way more muppets, maybe even commentaries would've been nice. Was it the worst dvd? No. Was it the best dvd? No. I much preffered The Electric Company set over the Sesame set, in the bonus feature content. I think they could've done alot better than what I could have seen. But heres hopes for a Volume 2.


I've not gotten or watched the set yet, but I'd just like to remind you guys that it is the first set. Maybe they will have more behind the scenes content in future releases, but I think this is sort of the tester to see who is interested. Much like the Muppet Show season 1 set.

[Barry Lee]

Very true BEAR, and did realize that, but at the same time, look at the bonus features for Electric Company Vol.1, that as well was a tester, and the features were well worked out and enjoyable and informing. Just my two pennies.

[fatblue]

I've not gotten or watched the set yet, but I'd just like to remind you guys that it is the first set. Maybe they will have more behind the scenes content in future releases, but I think this is sort of the tester to see who is interested. Much like the Muppet Show season 1 set.

Hmm, funny, I said this earlier and there seemed to be a lot of doubting Thomas' out there that there will be any future SS DVDs. I agree Barry, we didn't get to see ALL the classic skits and some behind the scene stuff on the first set would have been nice, and I was really ticked at that, not enough bonus MUPPET footage! Again, we did see Kermit, but not enough, and where were characters like Beautiful Day Monster, Prof. Hastings, Hippie Grump, Scudge, Fred The Dragon, the first version of Grover and so on. They pioneered this show! Also, classic skits like 'Yellow Submarine' for example were not shown. However, this show ran everyday, so I realize there is no possible way to fit all skits in one DVD set because there are so many. But I KNOW deep down we will see future versions, there is enough footage out there to make a Vol. 2,3,4, 5and so on. So I would not worry.

[minor muppetz]

On the other hand, the first box set of The Electric Company obviously sold well enough for SW to release a second set, and did that one have much marketing exposure beyond the internet? I don't recall seeing that one in any of my local stores either.

I have only seen a copy of volume 1 at my local Best Buy on at least two different occassions (though there were times that I went to Best Buy between those two times where I looked for The Electric Company and didn't see the copy in the same spot where it had previously been). And so far I have not seen any copies of volume 2 anywhere.

[GeeBee]

I was reading the review of this DVD set again and I noticed that the censored ending in "Counter of Numbers" no longer seems to be included in the section on Noggin Cuts.

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/dvd/sesame_old_school_1.shtml


In the original ending in "Counter of Numbers", Bert bangs his head numerous times on the table and runs into the camera. I remember the author of this review saying that he did not believe it ever ended this way and that Phillip was the one who put it in his review. Now, it seems to be gone, but the pic is still there.

But, I can assure everyone that it definitely ended that way. I watched it numerous times when I was a kid in the 70's. When I first saw it on Noggin, I even wondered if they were going to show it since there was already the controversy about Don Music banging his head. Thus, I was not surprised when the scene faded out. But, believe me, this ending did in fact happen. First hand info about classic Sesame Street skits is one of the few nice things about being almost 40. :)

Hope mention of that edit comes back soon. It just doesn't seem complete without it.

[minor muppetz]

But, I can assure everyone that it definitely ended that way. I watched it numerous times when I was a kid in the 70's. When I first saw it on Noggin, I even wondered if they were going to show it since there was already the controversy about Don Music banging his head. Thus, I was not surprised when the scene faded out. But, believe me, this ending did in fact happen. First hand info about classic Sesame Street skits is one of the few nice things about being almost 40. :)



Were any segments with Don Music ever shown on Noggin? I was looking at the epsiode pages at Muppet Wiki, and for the Noggin epsiodes, I can't remember if I ever saw any Don Music sketches listed (most of the Sesame Street Unpaved epsiodes have detailed pages, while very few 123 Sesame Street episodes have pages at all).

[GeeBee]

Were any segments with Don Music ever shown on Noggin? I was looking at the epsiode pages at Muppet Wiki, and for the Noggin epsiodes, I can't remember if I ever saw any Don Music sketches listed (most of the Sesame Street Unpaved epsiodes have detailed pages, while very few 123 Sesame Street episodes have pages at all).


I can't recall seeing Don Music on the Noggin episodes. I guess banging one's noggin on Noggin is strictly forbidden.

[Medbe Monster]

I'm 15 and I'd really love to get this set, but I don't what to do, My Mom says she forbids me to buy this set, What should I tell her about the set that could change her mind???

[The Count]

Huh? Why would she say something like that?

She approves of Sesame Street right? Then calmly explain to her that this is a DVD set showing off some of the true history of Sesame Street's origins... How the street looked like waaaaay back in the beginning. How the two previous actors who performed Gordon differed from the current actor/version. Tell her it contains the first appearances and some of the beloved segments/sketches/songs of some of Sesame's iconic characters. Plus, there's an informative booklet that comes with the set that contains lots of factoids about the show and the first five season premieres included in the set.

Just some points that should help you win her over.

[GeeBee]

I'm 15 and I'd really love to get this set, but I don't what to do, My Mom says she forbids me to buy this set, What should I tell her about the set that could change her mind???


What to say to her would depend on what her reasons are for forbidding you to buy the set. Did she say why?

[Medbe Monster]

She said it's a baby/Preschooler show and she wouldn't want my friends to see that I have a DVD like that. I showed her the review of it on Muppet Central, A little bit of her oppinion changed, but now she says that I could get it when I'm in my 20's or 30's, Yeah probobly then DVD's will be obsolete like how VHS's are.

[mikebennidict]

I guess it's time to find a job so you can buy it yourself if you don't have 1 yet.

Don't think I'm trying to sound mean but that's the only thing I can think of.

[Medbe Monster]

I know what your saying, and That's True I do need a job.

[GeeBee]

She said it's a baby/Preschooler show and she wouldn't want my friends to see that I have a DVD like that. I showed her the review of it on Muppet Central, A little bit of her oppinion changed, but now she says that I could get it when I'm in my 20's or 30's, Yeah probobly then DVD's will be obsolete like how VHS's are.


Well, you could always try to fall back on the DVD disclaimer that it "may not be appropriate for preschoolers" to convince your mother, (even though it is perfectly fine for preschoolers).

In the meantime, there is still a lot of classic Sesame Street you can watch on YouTube.

[travellingpat]

Does anyone know if Best Buy still has them?

[Medbe Monster]

Yes. Best Buy still has them.

[ftnpro]

FINALLY got Sesame Street Old School (for Christmas), and I'm enjoying the heck out of them. I'm glad they included entire episodes, so I could recall how the original episodes were paced (a lot more interesting to watch than today's episodes, but then... I'm not a three year old).

No, not all of my favorite segments are represented, which just leaves me wanting MORE! (Hint hint to Sesame Workshop.)

[fatblue]

Oh, I think we'll see more, because there is so much more to see! The list is too long of skits I like, but I'm sure other volumes will follow.

[minor muppetz]

Does anybody know how well this set has sold in stores? It would be good to know what the sales are, and possibly good to know if it sold better or worse than the two Electric Company sets (it would be good to know if it sold better than whichever EC set sold better, and perhaps if it sold better than both sets combined).

I read at Wikpedia's page for The Electric Company that the second EC box set had some segments replaced with segments that were not included in the episodes when they originally aired. It was suggested that this was most likely due to the skits being on earlier sets and the DVD producers not wanting to repeat segments. I wonder if Sesame Workshop will have any skits replaced on volume 2 of Old School if they were on the first set. I've read that some of the skits on the first EC set were repeated in other episodes, so the fact that Old School had segments repeated wouldn't neccessarily prevent the next one from repeating segments. Of course, if Electric Company or Sesame Street episodes get segments replaced just to avoid repeats, then I wonder if that limits the amount of volumes that can be made.

[Medbe Monster]

hey! I told my mom the facts of the DVD set and she understood and she let me get it.

[minor muppetz]

hey! I told my mom the facts of the DVD set and she understood and she let me get it.

Congraduations!

[minor muppetz]

Does anybody else think that the term "Classic Cuts" sounds misleading? It might lead to people thinking that it is a grouping of skits that were cut from the show (then why'd they be called classics?). Then again, classic cuts is probably a better term than "The Best of Season (insert season number here)". While many of the best-known segments are included as bonus features, there are also a lot of rare segments included (they are well-known to hardcore fans, but probably not to the general public), and there are also a lot of average segments. They may not be known to a large percent of the world, but they also aren't rarely seen (well, that statement might be more true if it was ten years ago, but now almost every sketch on the set is rarely shown in new episodes, but a lot of them have been released on video and/ or shown on Noggin, if that matters).

I guess the best known ones are stuff like Rubber Duckie, Bein' Green, C is For Cookie, The King of 8, The Alligator King, Bert's Bust, Martians Telephone, Sesame Street News: Rupunzel, Loaf of Bread, and others, while rare would apply to the original I Love Trash, Big Bird meets Little Bird, I've Got Two, and some others (and the two examples I gave probably haven't been seen in years; I certainly don't think any of us had copies of that sketch before the DVD release). And average could apply to a lot of sketches, like Hamburger Bun Factory, Jazz Alphabet, A Special Day with Ernie and Bert, S-Superman, Twiddlebugs Go to the Zoo, and others.

I don't ever remember seeing any of the included celebrity appearances before this release. I heard Nasty Dan on Songs from the Street, and I saw clips from some of those skits, but I don't remember seeing them on the show. Do skits with celebrities eventually stop being shown if the celebrities start to lose popularity (though I don't think James Earl Jones or Johnny Cash have ever lost popularity)? Out of the celebrity appearances, I think that the ones from the first season are the only ones that were shown on Noggin. Of course, I know that Monster in the Mirror was shown as late as season 31 or 32, and some of the celebrities from that song were probably unknown by then. I also don't ever remember seeing Batman, Superman, or Beetle Bailey's appearances, and I don't think Batman or Superman ever lost popularity (I think I would remember if I saw them on the show).

Also, it seems to me that a lot of first season sketches aren't too popular with the general public. I know that they were still shown regularly in the 1980s and 1990s, but I don't think first season sketches are as well known as sketches from the 1970s. Very few of them have been released on video before this set, and most of the ones previously released are included oin this set. Bein' Green, Rubber Duckie (though it seems like the version that's often been released is from a later season despite the fact that Sesame Workshop seems to think otherwise), and Wanda the Witch have already been released on video. According to Muppet Wiki's page for Getting Ready for School, the original version of ABC-DEF-GHI was already available on video. There are some sketches on Learning About Letters and The Alphabet Game (Frances Fairy, K-Key, G-Gorillia, letters in the street, and capital letter H) that I think are from the first season, but I do not know for sure.

Sure, some first season sketches are classics, and sometiems it's hard to tell if something is truly a classic or just classic to us fans. The baker and Jazz films are classics, probably well known to casual fans, but are any particular editions of these segments well-known? I think some early Ernie and Bert sketches are classics (the sandbox game, Ernie's trip to the zoo), but I could be wrong about that. There are a lot of first season sketches that I don't remember seeing as a kid. I assume that first season sketches with Oscar and Grover weren't repeated after the first season (though I've heard that the baker #5 film continued to be shown untill the baker films stopped being shown), and I think first season Big Bird sketches might have been repeated for a few years (I don't think the original Big Bird looks too different). I don't ever remember seeing any first season Kermit sketches on TV, though I know they were repeated for at least a few years (though I also don't remember seeing very many of Kermit's lectures on television). I do remember seeing some first season Ernie and Bert segments up untill season 30 (sketches I rememebr seeing on the show include part 1 of Ernie giving Bert a haircut, Ernie and Bert dividing jellybeans, Ernie demonstrating before and after with a cookie lid, Lefty attempting to sell Ernie a U, and Ernie cleaning the apartment in less than 15 seconds).

I guess volume 2 will have a similar balance between classics, average sketches, and rarities.

[dwayne1115]

well i went to 3 stores looking for this set and finaly found it thanks a lot sony i love this set. i love how sesame workshope has worked with muppet holding compny. to bad that hit could not cut a deal like that when they relesaed emitotters jugband.

[mikebennidict]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rs4zMn3iHc

[travellingpat]

I got it for my birthday and its great!!! Heres hoping for more!!

[Erine81981]

Still haven't found it. I've tried my best to look everywhere. I can't seem to find it at Best Buy at all. I even looked at Hastings too. Can someone help me?

[MrsPepper]

It took me months but I found it. If you ca shop online, do so because it's very hard to find.

So far I've only watched episode 1. I totally understand why they have the disclaimer saying that it may not be appropriate for todays children. Did anybody WATCH that 5 (or was it 10? 50? Cause it felt like about seven THOUSAND) minute long segment about cows??? **giggles** Hey cow.... I see you now... It's just not effective enough. I'm an adult and I couldn't sit through it; how it a child expected to. I guess things like that they learne to improve and tighten over time.

[The Count]

Hey Kyle... Drop me a line, I gots me an extra copy and can ship it out to ya.

You know... My hopes are that more Old School DVD sets get released, but I'm somewhat wary due to the trouble most people have had finding Volume 1, and how that might affect the sales of this set and/or any potential future releases. Oh well, at least I bought my set, that's all I cans do cause I cant's do no more.

[minor muppetz]

If this set had a limited run, then it's starting to show up more. Today, for the first time ever, I saw multiple copies in the same store at the same time. I was at my local Best Buy and saw three copies. If a second volume gets made, I'm sure that I'll be able to find a copy eventualy (but hey, at least I found my copy on the day after it came out).

[caribbean]

Well i think i should order my copy now that and see how long it takes to get to England. Hope this trend continues and we get most of the classics collected on dvd evetually.

[caribbean]

Well i've got to order mine now and hope it gets here to England ok or i just might cry..Hope they continue on to the second set soon. and eventually we do get most of the classic stuff.( Dumb pc got me posting 2 replies with all this freezing up and crashing Grrr)

[minor muppetz]

I wonder if Sesame Workshop had a test audience of teenagers and adults for this set, similar to how Sesame Workshop has a test audience of kids for the show. If there is a 13 and older test audience for these DVDs, then the test audience must not be people who post here. If members were tested, I am sure that they would have said something, even if there are things they couldn't reveal.

[BEAR]

well i went to 3 stores looking for this set and finaly found it thanks a lot sony i love this set. i love how sesame workshope has worked with muppet holding compny. to bad that hit could not cut a deal like that when they relesaed emitotters jugband.


Well, Sesame Street is a pretty special case. After all, Kermit starred on Sesame Street long before the Muppet Show ever happened. Sesame Street launched him into the stardom that he has.

[BEAR]

It took me months but I found it. If you ca shop online, do so because it's very hard to find.

So far I've only watched episode 1. I totally understand why they have the disclaimer saying that it may not be appropriate for todays children. Did anybody WATCH that 5 (or was it 10? 50? Cause it felt like about seven THOUSAND) minute long segment about cows??? **giggles** Hey cow.... I see you now... It's just not effective enough. I'm an adult and I couldn't sit through it; how it a child expected to. I guess things like that they learne to improve and tighten over time.


Haha! Yep...the cow segment. It was just went on waaaaaaaaay longer than it should have. And when the guy squeezed the cows udders and shot the milk into the childs face, I just about lost it! It was weird.

[The Count]

Oh, I dunno... The cow segment from the first season wasn't that bad to me. Then again, I guess I've been conditioned not to let that sort of roaming countryside drag-on filming technique bother me: sat through a similar long-windedcountry tour scene in the MST3K movie Manos: The Hands of Fate, and the horrid half-hour long mountain climb in The Lost Continent. But it's also not a botherance factor to me because back when my family took summer vacations in the US and once through Canada's eastern portions we would drive through country pastures for a while getting from one place to another. Guess what I'm saying is that I wasn't rully that offset by the cow segment.

[mikebennidict]

Is there some reason why it has to short in order for some of you to enjoy?

I think you all should just be thankfull they're even releasing this stuff and not compain about a film that's too long.

[heralde]

I agree the cow thing was a bit too long, but I still love it! The music is great, very retro Sesame Street. Plus, the show already has so much quick and flashy moments. They were probably aware that kids (and their parents) needed some cooling down time as well! :)

[minor muppetz]

On this set, the copyright credits were changed, stating that Sesame Street is owned by Sesame Workshop (not Childrens Television Workshop) and tha the word Muppets and Kermit the Frog are owned by the Muppets Holding Company. However, I wodner why there are two seperate credits for The Muppet Holding Comnpany. Couldn't there have been a credit, saying "Kermit the Frog, and Muppets are trademarks of The Muppets Holding Company"? Also, I have seen past Sesame Street DVDs of productions that were available on video before The Jim Henson Company sold the rights to the Sesame Street characters, with unchanged copyright credits. The Rock & Roll! DVD (which I think was released before Disney bought the Muppets) still has a credit saying that the "Sesame Street puppet characters are trademarks of Jim Henson Productions", and the DVD release of Learnign About Letters, released on DVD after Kermit was sold to Disney, has the original copyright information. It still says that the Children's Television Workshop owns Sesame Street and trademarks, while the Muppets were trademarks of Muppets, Inc. There are no replacement credits stating the ownership of Kermit the Frog there.

In fact, for the first year when Disney bought the Muppets, most new Sesame Street DVD releases (both of new productions and past productions) had credits stating that The Muppets Holding Company owns the rights to the Muppet name, in both credits and packaging, but now it seems like new Sesame Street DVDs don't use the Muppet name in the credits.

Another thing I noticed is that the classic cuts don't include any multi-part sketches. I wonder if any will be included as bonus sketches.

[Drtooth]

A little late, but I just got this after Christmas, adn I've finally been able to get to a computer today, so here's what I say....

Positive: It was well worth it, a fun and educational look at the old years I wasn't born in time to enjoy....

Negative (in a positive light): It left me hungry for more.

The one thing about having the season openers is that they all seem to have been sponsered by the same numbers and letters. Therefore, you lose a lot of variety. And, if there is one thing I'm glad they got rid of was repeating the same skit in the same episode. I go ballistic if they use the same thing more than once in a season.

That said, I Loved it, and I will buy all they intend to release, be it more episodes/clips from 69-74 or they go forward with more epiosdes. It was great to not have to go to youtube or something to see Jazzy segments (even though they only used the 2 segment... twice) and see it on an actual television set. Some clips Im would have pegged for 80's, but weren't... especially Ernie and Bert at the movies.

I really wish there was more Roosevelt Franklin stuff... he was only in 2 skits, and he only talked breifly in one. Plus some clips weren't all too interresting. The Fireman and Dairy cow segments were rediculously laughable ("Hey Cow, I see you now." I mean, that's begging to be laughed at, not with.)

I felt there was a very good balance of Muppet and non-muppt segments, especially the bonus features section. I will say, I kinda disliked the first couple of years ONLY because they didn't have as many puppeteers and as many Muppet characters. But then of course, they only started with three voice acting star performers.

All and all, a great experiance. I loved it.

Though I am confused. The season 5 opener was only sponcered by D, but the end credits said C and U. Was this one of the edits?

[The Count]

Yes... Tha was one of the edits to the set indeed. Though it baffles me as to how they could get clearance to include Stevi Wonder' song "1-2-3 Sesame Street" for the Songs From the Street boxset and not his onscreen appearance from the Season 5 epremiere episode, since it was replaced by the segment where Big Bird and Grover are demonstrating the number 2 by means of Grover repeatedly doing two chin-ups, they used the sponsor ending from that very same episode for the ending of the Season 5 premiere episode included ithe DVD boxset.
Hope this helps.

[Erine81981]

Yo Ed. I hope this won't make you mad but my sister found me it just the other day at Best Buy. Thanks for letting me know you had extra one. I had gotten over to my sister's since I watch the girls and there it was. Shd left a note saying "Here lookie at what I found. Was thinking of you. Hope you like it?" So when she got home I was thank you so much. I told her that you were going to be sending me one and she was like well if I knew that I wouldn't have gotten it. But she was only teasing me. Thanks aways Ed.

[The Count]

Any time Kyle. At least now I know where you live in case I should ever swing by in some hereto distant future.

[MrsPepper]

So I finally finished this set. It's absolutely fabulous, I loved it. I love the music and the guest stars and the muppet moments are adorable. Yay! Please Sesame Workshop, let us have more.

[Erine81981]

Any time Kyle. At least now I know where you live in case I should ever swing by in some hereto distant future.
Welcome Ed. Now if you ever want to send me a letter do so. I wouldn't mind having you as a Pen Pal or Computer Pal too. That is if you can.

[minor muppetz]

The one thing about having the season openers is that they all seem to have been sponsered by the same numbers and letters. Therefore, you lose a lot of variety. And, if there is one thing I'm glad they got rid of was repeating the same skit in the same episode. I go ballistic if they use the same thing more than once in a season.


I agree. The first episode had an extra number sponsor, but that number only had one skit in the episode. However, some of the episodes had skits for numbers other than 2, even though they weren't sponsors. It was mostly segments about the numbers 10 and 20, though the Count's first skit was technically about the number 6. And quite a few bonus segments represented different numbers (I don't think any 2 segments were included as bonus sketches).

If volume 2 gets made, I hope that there is more variety in the number sponsors. If the first five seasosn are represented again, I think it might be good for it to include a first season epsiode sponsored by numbers higher than 3 (since this was the only season to have episodes ponsored by two numbers, then have an epsidoe that wasn't sponsored by 10... that number never shared sponsorship with any other numbers). Maybe have a first season episode that was sponsored by 8 and 9, a second season episode sponsored by 7, a third season epsiode sponsored by 6, a fourth season episode sponsored by 4, and a fifth season epsidoe sponsored by 20.

I am not, however, annoyed by segments being repeated in the same season. Not even (or let's say "especially") the most recent seasons, which have 26 episodes instead of 130. It seems like most of the repeated segments were ones about the number 2 and letter D, and none of the Muppet segments were repeated on the set.

[Davina]

Just got these disks (finally!!!) and am almost through them.. so far, yes, there's a good deal of repetition (esp for the number 2 skits), and that one cow skit did seem to drag a little, esp by today's standards, but over all, gotta say, I love it!!
though, gotta say.. Snuffy was kinda creepy looking on his introduction, glad he improved with age. I was born in 73, so it's been great to see some of the early stuff i missed, and the old stuff I still barely remember. (Mom would sit me down and I'd be fascinated with SS, my younger sister, however, would wander off..)
So glad I finally managed to find this :)

[dabauckham]

Hi all,

I have really been enjoying Sesame Street Old School. I recently watched the premier episode for season 3 - I feel like this was the year Sesame Street really polished itself (IMO, there was some dead time in the season 1 and 2 premieres, like that really long cow sequence in the season one premiere). The season 3 premiere flowed perfectly. (snuffy did look a little odd, tho :halo:

Here's my question: season three marked the entrance of several new characters, including Luis, Maria, and Raul Julia (tho he only stayed one season), all of whom are Spanish speakers. Did SS not do much with Spanish until season 3? It definitely seemed to become a front-and-center issue starting in this season, but I didn't know if it was incorporated at all in seasons 1 and 2.

I think the bilingual/multicultural aspect of SS remains one of it's strongest features.

-David

[minor muppetz]

I wonder if there are any sketches that Sesame Workshop will just plain refuse to release. I hope not.

[jeffkjoe]

Here's my question: season three marked the entrance of several new characters, including Luis, Maria, and Raul Julia (tho he only stayed one season), all of whom are Spanish speakers. Did SS not do much with Spanish until season 3? It definitely seemed to become a front-and-center issue starting in this season, but I didn't know if it was incorporated at all in seasons 1 and 2.



Believe it or not, SESAME STREET had a Hispanic character named Miguel (kind of a Luis-prototype handyman) played by Jaime Sanchez in the second season (1970-1971).

I have an old black-and-white 16mm episode from 1970 with him in it, and I also have the Time Magazine article from Nov. 1970 with Sesame St. on the cover that mentions him as one of the new human regulars.

[heralde]

Wow, that's interesting, I didn't know about that character. So they were trying to have an Hispanic slant all along.

[dabauckham]

Believe it or not, SESAME STREET had a Hispanic character named Miguel (kind of a Luis-prototype handyman) played by Jaime Sanchez in the second season (1970-1971).

I have an old black-and-white 16mm episode from 1970 with him in it, and I also have the Time Magazine article from Nov. 1970 with Sesame St. on the cover that mentions him as one of the new human regulars.

Thanks for sharing that info, jeffkoe! That is really interesting. Here's the info I found on muppet wiki, if anyone's interested:

Jaime Sánchez (b. 1938) played Miguel (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Miguel) in the second season (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Season_2) of Sesame Street (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Sesame_Street). Sánchez was the first Latino cast member on the show. He left the show after one season, and in Season 3 (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Season_3), three more Latino cast members were added -- Sonia Manzano (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Sonia_Manzano), Emilio Delgado (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Emilio_Delgado) and Raúl Juliá (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Ra%C3%BAl_Juli%C3%A1).
Sánchez has also appeared in Bonanza, Miami Vice (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Miami_Vice) and Law & Order (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Law_%26_Order). He recently appeared in the 2005 (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/2005) film Carlito's Way: Rise to Power.

[The Count]

What I'd like to know is, if anyone can help... Who played the other early Hispanic human on the street, Mr. Ortiz?

[minor muppetz]

If Miguel was on the show in the secodn season, then I guess Sesame Street Unpaved and the Old School booklet were both wrong about Luis being the first human cast member to have been added to the cast. Yes, I know that several characters debuted in the same episode with him, but I figured that he was hired first.

Of course, at Muppet Wiki, there is info on a second season episode that mentions a Maria character in it.

[minor muppetz]

If the episode where the adults explain Mr. Hooper's death to Big Bird gets included in a future Old School set, I wonder if the animated Bob will introduce the episode. All of Bob's introductions on the first set were meant to be humorous, but I don't think it would be in good taste for Sesame Workshop to allow for Bob to be humorous when introducing the episode about Mr. Hooper's death, and it would be weird to see Bob be serious, and it might also be tasteless for him to be over-dramatic on such an issue as Hooper's death. I think for that episode, it would be better for there to be a live-action introduction, perhaps by Joan Ganz Cooney, Loretta Long, Bob McGraph, Roscoe Orman, Caroll Spinney, or somebody else who knew Will Lee.

[Erine81981]

I've been watching the episodes and loving it but one thing caught my eye the other night. Episode 406 has the song "Dee Dee Dee" in but at the very end of the song it cuts right after it's done. Cookie Monster is spoused to faint over but it doesn't. It goes right to the next segment. Is that a mess up or did this episode air on Noggin and they cut that part out?

[dabauckham]

Hmmm... that's a good question. Are you sure that Cookie is supposed to faint tho and not just look around confused, as he does on SS old school? (I only ask because I'm not familiar with any other version of this).

[Erine81981]

The only reason is theres a video of this from a Sesame Street Video. I think "The Alphabet Game" is the one that has the song. But in it Cookie at the end falls down after having to keep up with Ernie.

Here take a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbEXHXqNeTc

[dabauckham]

Oh yeah, I see what you mean, Kyle. I guess I don't have an answer tho. Sorry! Maybe some other non-newbie MC member would know. ;)

[Erine81981]

Oh yeah, I see what you mean, Kyle. I guess I don't have an answer tho. Sorry! Maybe some other non-newbie MC member would know. ;)
Thanks anyways Baukham.