arnyjk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

And it's done in such a way that a child can truly understand the depths of what death really means. Even as an adult, the idea of death by itself is sometimes difficult to truly appreciate- it's the thought of NEVER seeing that person again that's truly terrifying and heartbreaking.

arnyjk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was five when this aired, and definitely was into Sesame Street, but I don't remember this episode. I remember Mr. Hooper and I remember hearing about his death years afterward, but this clip is new to me. That said, I'm watching this for the first time, at 30 years old, and yes, it's making me cry. What really sells it is the total sincerity of emotion. It's heartbreaking to watch Bob and Maria on the verge of breaking down at the death of their real-life friend, on and off set, wow.

arnyjk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Even in more recent years they did it with the death of Phil Hartman in NewsRadio, where his character was said to have died of a heart attack.

CholieOllieOxenFree (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I remember this. What a sad day. This is definitely something that today's kids should see because it shows them that even though our loved ones go away, we'll always have the memories of them.this still brought a tear to my eye. you know, the neat thing about this is that I read in the book "Sesame Street: Unpaved" that the actors we'rent acting during that whole scene and they did it in one take because it was so genuine. RIP Mr. Hooper. We'll always rembember

wotmeworry333123456 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

As a teacher, and a child who grew up in the 70's......This was a very important clip.We have so many untoward things happening in the world today...death, war.....it is imperative that we let the children know....according to their ages........so they will know.

jecca1978 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was five when Mr. Hooper died. I remember this episode and him. This was a sad episode, I cried.

TGAHFAN (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It hasn't been released... I WISH IT WAS... it is a shame that the DVDs say that some material is not appropreiate for today's kids.. I think that kids out to see who owned Hooper's store and learn more about him... He was a cool old guy...

hoopersghost (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Which DVD included Hooper's death announcement? I never heard of Sesame Workshop releasing it commercially.

TGAHFAN (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I want this on DVD.. The one thing that is still true to SS is that BB still has the drawing hanging in his nest.. I don't think that people are ever really ready to let our loved ones go.. I miss a lot of friends and TV icons a lot. Jim Henson and Peter Tomarken are my heroes as they made me smile over the years.. Broke my heart when Will and Jim died.. I miss seeing their names! (Crying)

smedleylt (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was 14 when I saw this. Mr. Hooper died when my childhood was ending. Now I'm 40, and it still brings a tear to my eye.