I've tried watching recently broadcast episodes of Sesame Street, but couldn't get into them. Too much Elmo, and not enough late 70s/early 80s fashion. This documentary, however, was just what Dr. Teeth ordered. First of all, it was made in 1989, when Jim Henson was still alive. Seeing and hearing him speak gave me a warm "fozzy."
Bill Cosby hosts this special retrospective of Sesame Street past. (1989 also pre-dates the tragic murder of Cosby's only son, so he's still happy and dewy and cute, not ((justifiably)) angry and bitter like he is now.)
This doc is only an hour, but boasts some terrific clips (such as Ray Charles' rendition of my favorite song, "It's Not Easy Bein' Green," and the heart-wrenching scene in which Big Bird learns of Mr. Hooper's death.) It also features some on-the-street NewsFlash! spots with intrepid reporter Kermit the Frog, who catches up with a few of the Sesame kids now that they are all grown up.
For a more in-depth look at Sesame Street and its counterparts around the world (like Rechov Sumsum and Plaza Sésamo) I highly recommend "The World According to Sesame Street," which is available on disc from Netflix.
