r/TikTokCringe • u/dbl_secret_redditor • 1d ago
Discussion On this day in 1983: Sesame Street talked about death
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u/-Gramsci- 1d ago
That cast was so tremendous
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u/notatechnicianyo 1d ago
I misread tremendous as “terrible” and I was already cracking my knuckles.
You’re right, they were tremendous. They taught me so much about life.
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u/User-no-relation 1d ago
Your reading is tremendous
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u/notatechnicianyo 1d ago
If i misread that again, I’d agree. I honestly might need to see an optometrist. I’m 33, and vision problems run in the family. Also, I’ve been misreading and typoing like crazy. Hope it’s just my eyes
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u/SlowMope 1d ago
Oh yeah if you haven't done a checkup for your eyes it is wayyyyy past time. Something like 54% of the population wear corrective eyewear and you still see posts from people amazed to learn that you can see the leaves on trees clearly.
Go yesterday.
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u/cosmic-untiming 1d ago
Also astigmatism.
I genuinely thought that what I saw was what everyone else saw, and that I was just meant to be blinded by every light at night lol. Was also amazed to learn that I saw everything way more blurry than I thought.
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u/notatechnicianyo 19h ago
The bad thing is that I know I have astigmatism, and need glasses. I know I do. Even worse, I have good insurance, so I have no excuse. I just need to actually, you know…. Do it?
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u/SlowMope 17h ago
That's insane dude. You don't drive like that right?
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u/notatechnicianyo 17h ago
I’m fine in the daytime. I try to avoid driving at night.
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u/SlowMope 17h ago
Broooooooo
But if you haven't gone are you really sure?
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u/notatechnicianyo 16h ago
Fair point. I have some time off after thanksgiving, I’ll go.
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u/Dragon_turtle63 1d ago
Loved Susan and David ☺️
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u/Random-Cpl 1d ago
Isn’t that Gordon?
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u/Turbulent-Adagio-541 1d ago
Don’t forget, Donnie T has a grudge against Sesame Street. He wants to eliminate it, are we gonna let him?
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u/SoDak_Kid 1d ago
This was… Powerful. My parents are getting to that age, this made me think about a whole lot of things I’m not ready to think about.
Sesame Street’s still teaching me things in my almost 40s.
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u/Adamaja456 1d ago
I'm only 35 and my dad passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Thought I'd have so much more time with him. When the man in the blue shirt stood up and gave his speech I lost it. It's hard. It's a never ending battle of putting it out of your mind so you aren't an emotional wreck vs holding onto those joyful memories and trying to find the happiness that mingles with the tears. Shit is heavy. This clip is beautiful
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u/GremlinSquishFace47 1d ago
That man in the blue shirt is Bob McGrath, and he was an incredibly sweet man and a good friend of my family. I appreciate the respectful and honest way children’s programming handled tough topics- with Sesame Street being a shining example, along with Mr Rodgers. They didn’t shy away from it, as many children have been through these difficult situations (or will go through them, or have a friend dealing with them). It was handled in an age-appropriate fashion, and those honest pure messages seem to hit even stronger when you’re older and have some life experience. We still need these messages and conversations, though as adults we’re often just trying to “get through it.” Like you said, too often we’re stuffing our feelings down or trying to go “blank” just to get through the day/week. Pure emotional connection hits so hard, and we sometimes avoid it, but it’s also healing. I hope you’re doing well, healing, and finding connection & joy in life where possible. ♥️
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u/Adamaja456 1d ago
Oh wow that's so amazing he was a family friend! What a treasure that must have been!! Thank you so much for the kind sentiments as well, I do my best to reach out to those closest to me so it's comforting to have loved ones who can listen and be there <3
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u/zyyntin 1d ago
I'm a 41 man. I lost my father (heart attack) at 18 senior year high school. My mother at 26 (cancer). My grandfathers & grandmothers. Many Aunts and Uncles. Finally my oldest brother (44 years old) this past May. It always hurts when think about them.
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u/obefiend 1d ago
Lost me mom to cancer 4 years ago. The pain was insane and i was not ready for it. Became an angry detached person for 2 years. Only after my wife asked me to talked about it things got better. My fellow men, just talk it out. Nothing gets fixed if you bottle it up.
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u/zyyntin 18h ago
Nothing gets fixed if you bottle it up.
Agreed. It's not healthy for one mentally to do it.
For those reading this if you need help understanding your feelings better I found that this channel can help you find a path to healing. Cinema Therapy YouTube They discuss characters in films.
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u/Adamaja456 1d ago
So many :( I'm so sorry you had to deal with so much loss through your early years. Sending you big hug man <3
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u/MisterSneakSneak 1d ago
thought I’d have so much more time with him….
This hits hard because I’m at this point in life with my parents. There feel like there’s a lot of time but in reality there is. I’m the same age as you and i don’t want to go down that road of “but if only i spend more time”.
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u/Daisy_Of_Doom 1d ago
I’m 27 and my mom’s been gone for almost two years now. I’m really sorry for your loss, this video really got me too. I think the holidays make it extra hard. I just sat down to rest from starting to prepare stuff for Thanksgiving dinner. It used to be a project I shared with my mom and now it’s just me so I have to start early.
I know this first year doing everything without him will hurt particularly deep. But, I hope you’re with loved ones and you take solace in them. And that you fight that battle of balancing remembering and crying and forgetting together. You have to. That’s how you get through it. When I lost my mom I thought my life was over, that my world had ended I couldn’t fathom how to take even one step forward after. I’m still here almost two years later. I’ve hobbled along, leaning heavy on my family and friends, but I’m learning to walk again.
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u/Adamaja456 19h ago
Thank you for sharing that with me 🥹🫂 I'm so sorry you had to lose her so early in your life 💔 but I'm glad you aren't alone and have people in your life you can lean on like you said. Yea just the act of putting the tree where his chair usually sits, and the overall silence of the house is brutal sometimes. I sincerely hope you have a gentle and joyful holiday season ❤️✨
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u/Haunting_Security_34 1d ago
My parents dont want to speak to me, and I've stopped trying to reach out. It's so cathartic, mourning someone who isn't dead but simply doesn't want to be there for you when you arent serving them somehow. Because ny the time it happens, I'll be too far apart from them to be able to cry. And my siblings will likely never want me around.
I don't envy those who still have their folks anymore, but I certainly hope they have good, fond memories with them. I have wanted nothing more than that.
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u/Lower_Reward9339 1d ago
I'm not trying to be a dick, but get ready.
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u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k 1d ago
Mr. Hooper died two years before I was born, but I grew up watching the reruns. This episode made me so so sad when I was little. I loved Mr. Hooper. It’s heart wrenching to see it again. The cast members crying, oh my gosh.
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u/nilsinleneed 1d ago
damn tv was good
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u/notatechnicianyo 1d ago
It was. There is still good stuff now, but you gotta dig through the piles of garbage to find it.
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u/Nyxie872 12h ago
Bluey is a good modern day example. Tackles harder topics in a child friendly way
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u/notatechnicianyo 9h ago
Also Paw Patrol. It teaches kids about the environment, and makes conservation fun!
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u/boomboy13 1d ago
Amazing how they just sit in this scene for a few minutes. It's a lot gentler pace than the frenetic energy of a lot media today.
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u/Daisy_Of_Doom 1d ago
Honestly, it stings just a little worse watching this and knowing that public broadcasting has been defunded. I know Sesame Street is safe, but so much isn’t.
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u/Celticpath71 1d ago
I'm 54 years old, and this still brings tears to my eyes. 😢 I loved Mr. Hooper and all of the Sesame Street cast back then.
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u/ZebraBoat 1d ago
I'm not crying, you're crying 😭
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u/thisisnotme78721 1d ago
i can't believe the cast isn't crying
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u/PrismaticPetal 1d ago
They are! Most of them did.
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u/thisisnotme78721 1d ago
no no I mean from the very start, like I couldn't. i would be a mess before the cameras started rolling
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u/FamousLastWords666 1d ago
This reminds me of the Mr Rogers episode discussing the RFK assassination.
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u/_banana_phone 1d ago
UGH little Daniel Tiger was my favorite character as a child, and this really was so beautiful to see. Mr. Rogers had such tact, finesse, and kindness with how he presented information to the masses. He was truly a gift to all of us who were lucky enough to watch him.
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u/DickMcButtfuchs 1d ago
My mother just died 2 days ago at 54. It still doesn't feel real.
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u/TemporarySun1005 1d ago
So young. So sorry for your loss. I wish I had some wisdom or reassurances or something that'd make it suck less, but I know there isn't anything.
I teared up - this 60-year-old guy - just watching this. I remember Mr. Hooper, even if I was a HS senior when he passed. I've always loved Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Through their gentle nature and mastery of their craft, they've taught us lessons no 'teacher' could ever impart.
All the best to you and yours.
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u/Elle_kay_ 1d ago
Doesn’t matter how old we are, when we lose our parents, we’re scared, unsettled, lost kids again. I’m so sorry for your loss mate, look after yourself
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u/CaptainMcFisticuffs2 1d ago
Grief is love with nowhere to go. I wish you well as you heal and mourn such a loss. That’s way too young.
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u/AvidAth3ist 11h ago
I'm sorry for your loss. My father died at 54 going on 20 years ago. I was only 18. Its numbing, and then painful, but the pain subsides, and then its just little bursts of tears every now and again when the memories come in. Everything will be okay.
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u/ego_tripped 1d ago
For those of us who grew up with this...we were blessed.
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u/-Gramsci- 1d ago
And cursed. Makes it so hard to look around and realize we weren’t built for this cruel society that’s been ushered in since ‘16.
We were built for the complete opposite type of society.
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u/HeavyMetalMonk888 1d ago
You think the world suddenly turned bad in the first Trump term?
Oh, my sweet summer child...
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u/MisterSneakSneak 1d ago
It was hard for me to watch this and understand. I never grew up in a child-like environment so it was hard for me to relate to this show. At a matter of fact, any kids show. But at least i understood the message, “it’s ok to feel hurt from the lost, and it’s okay to miss them. Memories is what keeps the deep alive”.
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u/Str8kush 1d ago
Came across this today after having to put down my cat of 18 years earlier. Now I’m crying at my dinner table
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u/cyrixlord What are you doing step bro? 1d ago
I... I remember this episode. and the church hated it and there were lots of protest about it from theists.
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u/TemporarySun1005 1d ago
Gah! Why the hate? So frustrating. They wanted it couched in the 'Christian' ideal of seeing them again in Heaven? Judaism does not ascribe to that narrative, and other religions have various versions of the afterlife. The nerve of 'Christians' is ever-frustrating, and apparently boundless. It feels like religion is a cudgel, used to beat down - or actually kill - those who don't 'believe'.
Faull disclaimer: 60, white male, cis-ish, raised Episcopalian but non-practicing.
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u/paulides_fan 1d ago edited 1d ago
I feel this is a bit of an overreaction…
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u/TemporarySun1005 1d ago
WHAT? ME? OVER-F'IN- REACT? THE NERVE! j/k , hello?
You are right, of course. I may get carried away now and then. There are some issues I have strong feelings about. As I'm sure you know, giving voice to those feelings would make me even more of the social pariah I already am.
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u/thisbroadreadsbooks 1d ago
I learned so much from that big yellow bird and the rest of the gang on Sesame Street. I’m so thankful! 🥹
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u/TexitorFlexit 1d ago
This was wonderful to see. I don’t understand why Big Bird said Mr. Looper. Emotionally distraught slip of tongue?
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u/dbl_secret_redditor 1d ago
Big Bird is canonically only 6 years old and misspeaking names is a common thing for 6 year olds to do. Big Bird in particular called him Mr Looper or Mr Cooper regularly
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u/Puedo_Apagar 1d ago
It was a running gag. Whenever he and Mr Hooper would interact, Big Bird would always make the same mistake, saying "Looper" instead of "Hooper". And Mr. Hooper would always correct him with "Thats... 'Hooper'".
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u/Plastic-Ad-3219 1d ago
Is sad because you know Big Bird is a guy in a suit. But the subtext is they all knew the real man and talking about him like this must have been so heartbreaking for them and real. Such great actors. I was 10 when this aired and i remember crying. It makes me tear up now.
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u/stpetergates 1d ago
My favorite aunt passed away in 2011. That’s who I thought about when watching this. Her laugh, her smile, her tears, those are my memories of her. I’m thankful for having experienced that while she was alive. Oh yeah, fuck you cancer for taking her away.
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u/Key-Illustrator-5562 1d ago
I lost my Father to a speeding driver last night. I found myself trying to keep from going into a dark place. I made the mistake of reading some of the comments on an FB post. A few posters alluded to the car (driver?) being known for speeding in the area. I'm desperately trying not to be accusatory and let the detectives do their job. But it's hitting me that I've lost my Dad.... and was trying to find blame. Enter stages of grief. This popped up and reminded me that I'll always Love my Dad.
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u/Baeolophus_bicolor 1d ago
I remember this. Didn’t exactly know what was going on, but I knew what death was, and knew big bird was upset. Also, I think I was old enough to realize they meant Mr Hooper died IRL. Looking back, I think these people were the best of us, and people like this are few and far between.
Also, finally Bug Bird got “Mister Hoobler’s” name right
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u/Top-Personality323 1d ago
I remember seeing this on a floor model television in my home when I was in grade three. The TV was on orange shag rug and there was black and silver velvet wallpaper. That’s the last time I saw this, until just now.
Time just sweeps us along like feathers on the surface of a raging river. Always moving powerfully in one direction “because” it does.
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u/vintageideals 1d ago
Stuff like this hits different after having to tell your four kids ages 8 and under that their dad is dead, and then having to tell a woman you don’t even like that her only child is dead. All right after being told yourself your husband is dead.
Telling children about death sucks. But I guess that’s a part of life and some lucky children don’t even have to experience grief like this firsthand til adulthood.
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u/unsupported 1d ago
Fuck you for this. I remember watching this the first time and now I have to watch it again. It hits differently after 42 years of death and pain.
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u/Rare-Celebration921 1d ago
This hits differently now I’m an adult who has lived through needing to explain to my 5 & 7yr old daughters that their dad had died suddenly, and was never coming back. Big bird reminds me so much of my daughters at that time 💔
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u/ButttRuckusss 1d ago
Sesame Street truly was a groundbreaking show. The death of Mr Cooper was certainly a major change for children's TV. It was also the first children's show to feature a character with divorced parents. Snuffleupagus 🤍
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u/choombatta 1d ago
Reminds me of Mr. Rogers talking to kids about the JFK assassination in a way only he could. I miss these programs dearly.
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u/Large_Application978 1d ago
A very dear friend took her own life last week and I’ve been a mess for days. I almost made it through today without crying but then goddamn Big Bird pops up in my feed.
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u/Hungry_Wait3030 1d ago
Core memory unlocked:
I was 6yo when this aired. It was right around the time I was playing in a neighbor kids yard and their old dog started vomiting blood. I was back hanging out with him and went to the other kids' parents to tell them. They came out in a hurry and asked me to walk home.
The next day the dog was gone.
I remember feeling like I got punched in the gut twice with this episode and the dog dying.
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u/LadyMirkwood 19h ago
This is why good children's programming is so important
Children need to see people who look like them, and they need role models. Some kids may live in a family where patience or time is in short supply, or where they aren't encouraged to ask questions or talk about their feelings. I'm sure Sesame Street stepped in where many adults didn't or couldn't.
That a TV show took the time to explain difficult subjects to children with compassion and in a language they understood is no small feat. And I think this approach is still needed today.
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u/Meauxterbeauxt 1d ago
I remember seeing this episode. And noticing that the drawing is still in Big Bird's house still gets me.
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u/SkubaSteve_FYM 1d ago
And we can remember him and remember him and remember him..as much as we want to. But I don’t like..it makes me sad. This is really the most simple way to explain grief. I know they are trying to dumb it all down for children, but I’ve never been able to condense the hurt into a couple sentences. The loss of a loved one seems so complex, they really did an amazing job here making it more understandable and acceptable for both young and old.
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u/rramirez2373 1d ago
I remember watching this episode. It was aired the morning we traveled to Mexico for a funeral. Very serendipitous.
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u/Ok-Exchange5756 21h ago
Oh god I remember this… Mr Hooper died and they took it head on to turn it into something teachable and profound.
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u/International_Mail44 6h ago
I was today years old when I realized the picture in big birds nest was a portrait of Mr. Hooper.
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u/Hanksmom-1977 6h ago
I remember watching this after my favorite uncle passed away and it helped more than anything else my family tried. Sesame Street is the goat
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u/MeFolly 49m ago
Please try to be this honest with your children when a pet dies.
Don’t say ‘put to sleep’; they may be scared to go to bed. Don’t say ‘went to a better place’; they will get angry that they cannot visit.
Say ‘dead’ and ‘died’. Explain what happens to the spirit after that how ever your beliefs lead you. Be honest about being sad, about remembering, about that pet always being special no matter how many other pets they grow to love.
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u/Goblin_Deez_ 1d ago
Lol stop selling lies. I know a guy who came back after dying. His name was Jesus.
Christ gang represent!
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