I'm not even 30 yet everyday the news is reminding me how I'm actually aging. I still remember watching Sesame Street as a young kid on PBS, and I remember over the years being surprised how the series is still on going, especially when my nephews were born and my sister soon started watching Sesame Street with her son. Seems like a retirement well-deserved.
The Hooper's-death episode made a big impression on me when I was 3 years old -- it was actually the first frank discussion of death that I can remember being party to. The part where [if I recall correctly] Gordon and Olivia help Big Bird understand that 'Mr Looper' is not coming back is seared into my mind. How Spinney managed to convey so much emotion with only voice and body language is a marvel. I also clearly recall identifying with Big Bird's attachment to his teddy bear 'Radar.'
One great example at how good he was at conveying emotion with Big Bird was when Big Bird had a guest appearance on The West Wing. Didn't say a word, and the scene lasted all of about ten seconds, but was still hilarious.
I grew up on it too but a full generation earlier. Even now when some unlikely coincidence surfaces the number 12, sometimes this song[0] still pops into my head.
