Customer Reviews

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

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My 4 year old son really enjoyed watching this 1978 Christmas special. However, when he asked me "Where's Elmo?" I started to laugh and I told him that the movie came out before Elmo was born! Also, there was another scene where Cookie Monster ate the typewriter on which he was attempting to type a letter to Santa. Confused, (this time by the contraption that Cookie Monster was destroying), my son pointed and asked "What's that?" It had never occurred to me that in our hi-tech communications world of today, my son would have no concept of the antiquated typewriter. It was an interesting moment that made me feel a little old!

It was truly refreshing to watch a pre-Elmo Sesame Street special. I don't dislike Elmo, but his over saturating and ubiquitous presence can be annoying at times. Moreover, I truly feel that during the era of this film, the Sesame Street writers did a good job of keeping adults entertained as well - similar to today's Pixar projects in some ways - with quips and bits of humor that would "go over" young children's heads. Unfortunately, Sesame Street today probably could not get away with Big Bird referring to Santa Claus as being "fat," or with the caustic nature of the 1970's Oscar the Grouch, without someone complaining to the network.

It was also nice to see Mr. Hooper again - the little Jewish shopkeeper, beloved as much as any of the Muppets of the time. He, along with Bert and Ernie recreate a touching and memorable version of "The Gift of the Magi."

The picture on the front of the VHS version of the film, with Big Bird sitting on a snowy rooftop waiting to see how Santa manages to get down the chimney, is much better than the generic cover picture for the DVD. They should have continued to use the original image.

This truly is a great Christmas special, and a nice piece of nostalgia...I think we'll watch it again tonight!