Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} I'll Miss You Mr. Hooper by Norman Stiles I'll Miss You Mr. Hooper by Norman Stiles. Muppe t Book Club. "I'll Miss You, Mr Hooper" In commemoration of Sesame Street's 35th anniversary, the Muppet Book Club is taking a look at one of the most memorable moments in Sesame history: the death of Mr Hooper, in December 1982. We'll be reading I'll Miss You, Mr Hooper , a 1984 Random House book designed to help children cope with death and loss. The book is based on Norman Stiles' script from the Sesame episode, and it's illustrated by TP favorite Joe Mathieu. Mr Hooper's death was a big turning point in Sesame history. In fact, when you think about "Sesame history," losing Mr Hooper is probably the first thing to comes to mind. That was the moment when suddenly there was a "history" -- there were the years with Mr Hooper, and then the years without Mr Hooper. So during the anniversary, this is a relevant moment for us to look back to. Over the next few days, we'll be discussing this book on the Tough Pigs Forum message board. Obviously, this one's going to be a bit more serious than our usual freewheeling discussion, but there's still a lot to talk about. Please come join us, and share your thoughts on the book, on the event, or on the impact Sesame Street has had on your own personal history. Norman Stiles. Norman Stiles (left) and Christopher Cerf at the 2001 TCA Awards. Stiles wrote the lyrics for "Put Down the Duckie" Norman Stiles (b. December 4, 1942) is a writer who worked on Sesame Street and its related productions for over twenty years. His concepts include the Muppet characters Harvey Kneeslapper, Count von Count, and Forgetful Jones. Contents. Stiles initially studied zoology and chemistry at Hunter College, and became a social worker for the New York City Welfare Department. During that period, he began writing comedy material for such performers as Ron Carey (later a regular on Barney Miller ) and Marty Brill, and wrote for Merv Griffin. [1] Stiles joined the Sesame Street writing staff in 1971, hired by head writer Jeff Moss as the show was entering its third season. He competed for the job with then intern Lois Fortune. [2] Stiles became head writer of Sesame Street in season 6, but left after that season to pursue a career in Hollywood. Stiles returned to Sesame Street in season 11, where he eventually resumed his role as head writer until season 28. In later years, his work would often touch upon sensitive topics, such as the death of Mr. Hooper in Episode 1839, or the effects of divorce on children in the unaired "Snuffy's Parents Get a Divorce." In 1990, as part of the Season 22 curriculum mandate to examine race relations, Stiles wrote an episode in which a blue monster named Greta refuses to let Elmo play wubbaball because of his different fur color, only to find herself excluded. [3] Stiles has also written for appearances by the Muppets, such as an Ad Council nutrition spot with Cookie Monster, and authored a variety of Sesame Street books (including The Perils of Penelope ), wrote lyrics for such songs as "Put Down the Duckie," and helped script Jim Henson's pilot special The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence . Stiles discussed his philosophy of writing in 1988: “ Never talk down to children. Always try to entertain children and parents at the same time. Try to have adult characters speak the way adults speak and not in singsong kiddy-show style. And teach something while all this is going on. This is basically a sketch comedy show. [4] ” Outside of the Muppets and Sesame Street , Stiles has written for America 2-Night (starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard) and Mel Brooks' 1975 sitcom spoof of Robin Hood When Things Were Rotten . In 1996, Stiles co-founded Sirius Thinking Ltd, an independent children's television production company, with fellow Sesame alumni Michael K. Frith and Christopher Cerf. At Sirius Thinking, Stiles wrote and produced the PBS children's show Between the Lions which premiered in 2000. The show has won six Daytime Emmy Awards, including a 2004 Emmy for best writing. In April 2014, Stiles launched a crowdfunding campaign for an online video series Baby & Toddler Parenthood News Network with his wife Ellen Dillon and child development expert Amy Hatkoff. Mr. Hooper. Harold Hooper (known as Mr. Hooper ), played by Will Lee since the premiere of the American children's television program Sesame Street in 1969 until his death in 1982, was one of the first four human characters that appeared on the show. Created by producer and writer Jon Stone, Mr. Hooper is the original proprietor of Hooper's Store, the neighborhood variety store and combination diner/corner store that serves as a place for Muppets and humans to meet and interact. Lee, a character actor and instructor who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era, was "perfectly cast" as Mr. Hooper. [1] Mr. Hooper ranked first of all human characters of the show in recognition by young viewers. Mr. Hooper, who has been described as "slightly cranky but good-hearted" and "curmudgeonly", bridges the gap between the older generation and its young audience. Hooper's Store, "an idealized social institution", [2] is an extension of his personality. He has a special relationship with the Muppet Big Bird. At the time of Lee's death, instead of recasting the role, the writers and producers of Sesame Street decided to create an episode that taught their young audience about the difficult topic of death. Research was conducted to ascertain the messages they wanted to convey about the topic, as well as the effect the episode would have on the young children who watched it. They were advised by experts in the fields of child psychology, child development, and religion. Studies conducted after the episode was produced showed that most children understood its messages about death, and that they experienced no long-term ill effects. The episode, written by head writer Norman Stiles, aired on Thanksgiving Day 1983; the cast and crew reported that filming it was an emotional and touching experience. The episode, which set the standard for dealing with difficult topics on children's television, was called heartbreaking yet affirming, and one of the proudest moments in the show's history. Contents. Development and description. Mr. Hooper, played by Will Lee from the premiere of Sesame Street in 1969 until his death in 1982, was one of the first four human characters that appeared on the show. Created by producer and writer Jon Stone, Lee was the first actor to be cast. [1] Lee came to Stone's attention through writers Bruce and Carole Hart. [3] Mr. Hooper was inspired by the Bob Keeshan character, Captain Kangaroo; Stone previously worked on the Captain Kangaroo program, which greatly influenced him as he developed Sesame Street . Mr. Hooper is the original proprietor of Hooper's Store, the neighborhood variety store and combination diner/corner store that serves as a place for Muppets and humans to meet and interact. [4] Stone's original conception of Mr. Hooper was that he would be, like most owners of such establishments at the time, older, male, Caucasian, and Jewish. [5] I was delighted to take the role of Mr. Hooper, the gruff grocer with the warm heart. It's a big part, and it allows a lot of latitude. But the show has something extra—that sense that you sometimes get from great theater, the feeling that its influence never stops". Lee was a character actor and acting instructor with a range of roles in the theater and who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era. According to writer Michael Davis, Lee played Mr. Hooper, known for his bowtie and hornrimmed glasses, [7] "with such certainty and naturalness he made adults suspend their sense of disbelief". [2] Writer Louise A. Gikow stated that Lee was "perfectly cast" as Mr. Hooper. [1] According to fellow cast member Bob McGrath, who also appeared in Sesame Street 's first episode with Lee, "Will had a broader dimension to his character than perhaps the rest of us did . He convinced me that no matter how simple the scene was with a child, you had to bring a tremendous integrity and an honesty and credibility to it". [1] Joan Ganz Cooney, Sesame Street co-creator and president of the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), said, "He gave millions of children the message that the old and the young have a lot to say to each other". [7] The New York Times reported that Mr. Hooper ranked first of all human characters of the show in recognition by young viewers. [7] Davis described Mr. Hooper as "slightly cranky but good-hearted". [5] Gikow called Mr. Hooper "curmudgeonly". [1] Davis stated that since Mr. Hooper's appearance in the first episode of Sesame Street , he had become many things to many young children, ". the guy in the apron at the far side of the generation gap, his half-lens glasses slipping down his nose". Davis also stated that Hooper's Store, which he called "an idealized social institution", is an extension of Mr. Hooper's personality. [2] Mr. Hooper has a special relationship with the Muppet character Big Bird, who would often come into Hooper's Store for a birdseed milkshake and a chat, but would mispronounce Mr. Hooper's name.