DISCLAIMER: THIS VIDEO IS NOT MADE FOR KIDS THIS IS ONLY MADE FOR TEENS AND ADULTS WHO LIKE SESAME STREET OR PEOPLE WHO ARE INTO LOST MEDIA EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THIS AND SAY WHAT THEY WANT IN THE COMMENTS
Here are news reports of the actor Will Lee, who played the character Mr. Hooper on Sesame Street for 13 years up to that point, died a year prior, which the reports showcases Sesame Street’s upcoming response to his death at the time, the famous Goodbye, Mr. Hooper episode from 1983. And footage of the episode was shown in these reports, one day before the episode was broadcasted on November 24th of that year on PBS. These news reports also include some interviews with the cast and crew of the episode, such as writer Norman Stiles and actor Bob McGrath.
When Will Lee died on December 7, 1982, instead of recasting the role for the character, explaining Mr. Hooper's departure, or simply dropping him from the show without explanation, the producers of Sesame Street decided to have the character pass away as well. The staff that worked on this episode would listen to researchers to not reference Mr. Hooper “going to the hospital” for fear that a child might worry if a loved one gets sick and goes to a hospital. The staff also originally were going to add flashbacks from past episodes of him but ultimately rejected, citing that it would confuse children because, "for them, if something moves, it's alive. Which this resulted to one of the saddest moments in Sesame Street and children’s television history.
When the episode aired, it was beloved by many viewers who saw it, it even got a book adaptation a year later called I’ll Miss You, Mr. Hooper, and Sesame Street would continue to cover more serious topics like Adoption, Divorce, Racism, Parents in Prison, Foster Care, Homelessness, Autism, and other topics even to this very day. Because Sesame Street has always been treating its target audience with the level of intelligence and respect as they don’t dumbed things down to kids. Which is why it’s considered one of the most influential educational shows of all time.
Rest in Peace, Will Lee, Northern Calloway, Alaina Reed-Hall, Emilio Delgado, Bob McGrath, Caroll Spinney, you all will be deeply missed.
Sources: commerce.veritone.com/search/...
digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/...
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