I was 5 when Mr Hooper died. I can still remember not being able to understand what it meant and Big Bird's irrational response just made me feel upset and confused. I think they knew exactly what they were doing.
Sesame Street was just beautiful at dealing with these complex subjects in a way that was both easy to digest for kids and nuanced. Portrayed all emotions, highlighted things that you, as a child, wouldn't learn from adults as those might be things they're ashamed of, scared of, etc.
I think Sesame Street is up there with Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as one of the kindest and most influential shows on television, not in terms of influencing the medium and other shows but in terms of influencing viewers. Each of them brought up thousands of good people who went on to do more good. Caroll Spinney has, undoubtedly, played a huge part in that. RIP to a great man from a great show.
