Cons:
different.
Pros:
I was surprised to see all the old letter and number inserts, AND they have gone back to having 2 letters per episode, for the first time since 1995!
I've noticed that too. That was interesting. Also, it seems like they're listening to us about not having the Cookie Monster "Letter of the Day" things all the time, especially when the letter is used in the street story. I actually didn't see past the letter 'f' inserts, so I missed the Cookie Monster part in today's show. However, a muppet/kid moment with CM was a good idea. It's better than having the same old "Letter of the Day" skits that they've been showing since season 33. It's always good to give classic Muppet (ex: Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster,
,
& Oscar as much airtime as possible.
Now, to talk about the street story. Well, same problem that the show has had for the past decade. Too much Elmo and not enough other characters. I thought it was good that they used Abby in an insert rather than in the street story. If they did that more often, they could make room for a street story that would incorporate other classic characters, if you know what I mean. I guess they were a little inconsistent with the library's location. Also, who's running the place now that Linda isn't on the show anymore? For that matter, who the heck ran Hoopers when Alan went out with the pirates and Elmo? Lol. Since I'm working at a grocery store now I can't help but wonder about these things. In general, I thought the plot was a little weak. I think they could have done more. For example, when Elmo had to find three 'f' words, he could have left the store and maybe found Maria and Luis fixing a 'furnace' or something like that. All the claymation stuff on the show, might take some getting used to. I kind of liked the new opening though. The closing I didn't see, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to comment there. I was a little worried when the Brian Williams news report came on, because at first I thought they were really interrupting the show for something. That might have been better if he had interviewed a Muppet. I understand their concern about using
, but they could have used Telly's 'Monster on the Spot.' So who all did we see today Muppetwise, aside from the opening and possibly the closing: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar and the Count (in old footage). Hopefully as the season progresses we'll get more of Big Bird, Grover, Bert and Ernie and any other classic Muppet I forgot to mention. I am looking forward to meeting Susan and Gordon's nephew tomorrow.