Category: Television

When We First Learned How to Get to Sesame Street

In November 1969, one of the most popular children’s programs, “Sesame Street,” debuted on television.

Big Bird

On November 10, 1969, the show Sesame Street, set on a fictional New York street, made its debut on television. Conceptualized by Joan Ganz Cooney as an entertaining and educational show to help underprivileged kids between the ages of three and five, the show became one of the most popular children’s shows of all time, eventually airing in 120 countries.

Below, you may watch the debut episode of Sesame Street. The show wasted no time, introducing us to classic characters like Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie in the first five minutes. Check it out.


What is your favorite episode of Sesame Street? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • I Love Trash

    • Fred Astaire As . . . Alfred E. Neuman?

    In 1959, Fred Astaire danced on television with the odd choice of wearing a mask of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman.

    Fred Astaire Mad Magazine
    Toward the end of Fred Astaire’s successful film dancing career, he made several television specials in the 1950s and 1960s. In the second of the four specials, Another Evening with Fred Astaire, Astaire donned a mask of an unusual choice. In a dance sequence for the 1959 show, he performed as Mad Magazine‘s Alfred E. Neuman.

    The dance creeps me out a bit, perhaps because the Neuman mask is such high quality. Astaire had the mask created by movie make-up man John Chambers, who did such great work on the Planet of the Apes films.

    In the segment, Astaire dances to Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady.”  The performance also features dancer and actress Barrie Chase with Astaire.

    2021 Update:  Unfortunately, the video of the dance is not currently available on YouTube.  But the video below intercuts some of the Alfred E. Neuman dance scenes, putting it to a polka tune. So if you wish to get an idea of the dance, you can check out the video.

    Apparently, folks do not really know why Astaire wanted to be a dancing Alfred E. Neuman, but the Mad Magazine fan in me likes it.

    What do you think of Fred Astaire as Alfred E. Neuman? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Carpool Karaoke With Stevie Wonder

    Wonder Corden

    One of the recurring highlights of The Late Late Show with James Corden has been the joyful Carpool Karaoke segments, where a famous performer joins Corden for a drive around Los Angeles talking and singing along with the performer’s records. So far, the guests in Corden’s car have included Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, Iggy Azalea, and Justin Bieber. One of my favorites is the segment that aired a few weeks ago with Stevie Wonder.

    James Corden recently explained how the idea for Carpool Karaoke grew out of a sketch with Comic Relief in England, where he drove around with George Michael. He also noted that taking superstars out by themselves in a car helps them loosen up and show another side of themselves.

    The Carpool Karoake segment with Stevie Wonder shows that Wonder can sing anywhere and that he has a great sense of humor. Also, you can see that Corden is genuinely touched when Wonder honors his request to call Corden’s wife and sing “I Just Called to Say I Love You” at around the 3:30 mark. Check it out.

    Who is your favorite guest on Carpool Karaoke? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Matt Damon’s Film Career in 8 Minutes

    Matt Damon movies Last night on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Matt Damon appeared on the show to run through the films of his career — and to promote The Martian (2015). As Corden previously did with Tom Hanks, he joined Matt Damon in a funny segment that recreated scenes from the actor’s career.

    In the “Matt Damon Roll Call” segment, James Corden helps Damon recreate scenes from such films as Good Will Hunting (1997), The Bourne Identity (2002), and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999). Check it out.

    What is your favorite Matt Damon film? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Elton John Joins James Corden for “Carpool Karaoke”
  • Carpool Karaoke With Stevie Wonder
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    Troubled Waters Plays “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”

    Troubled Waters Simon

    With the departures of David Letterman and Craig Ferguson from late-night television, the odds of catching an intelligent discussion on a late-night talk show decreased significantly. That is one reason why it was refreshing to see Stephen Colbert finally take over for Letterman, and his first week did not disappoint, with highlights that included a thoughtful conversation about grief and loss with Vice President Joe Biden.

    Of course, we want to laugh and dance too. And the first week of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert did not disappoint in that category either.

    For example, at the beginning of one episode the announcer (Colbert) exclaimed that one of the guests would be Troubled Waters, a Paul Simon tribute band. For those who stayed awake for the end, the “tribute band” did not disappoint, turning out to be made up of Paul Simon. Troubled Waters then performed “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” from Simon’s 1972 self-titled album.

    On the performance of “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Simon also received a little help from Colbert, who proved he not only can be thoughtful, he can sing, dance, and whistle. Check it out.

    What do you think of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert so far? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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