Our Mantra
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FINAL CURTAIN CALL
“Sunrise, Sunset…” Will sang as he combed his thinning white hair, grinning at his reflection. “One season following…”
A sudden wave of exhaustion and chest pain whelmed him. Breathless, he sank into a chair, closing his eyes.
“Willie, you’ll be late for Hebrew school.”
“Let me rest a moment, Mama.” He opened his eyes and glanced at his watch. “Oy! I will be late for the show.” He kissed her faded photograph. “See you soon.”
Later costar Carol Spinney, wearing his Big Bird feet, wrapped his arm around Will. “I love you, Mr. Looper.”
Will returned the hug. “Hooper! Hooper!”
Carol “Big Bird” Spinney and Will Lee
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I remember Mr Hooper! A sweet and knowledgeable older chap. Thanks for including a link to his Wiki page. He was blacklisted for a while I see – what a terrible time that was for so many people. A shameful, paranoid way to treat your own citizens. Enjoyed this warm, touching vignette, Rochelle. Lovely
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Dear Lynn,
Blacklisting was a horrible thing. Why do I feel that we’re on the verge of repeating it? At any rate, my eldest son and I used to watch Sesame Street together. I loved Mr. Hooper. Finding out much more about him was difficult. Thank you, Mr. McCarthy.
Thank you so much for a lovely comment. It was nice to wake up to.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do hope you’re wrong about history repeating itself, though make people afraid enough, instill them with the feeling they can’t trust anyone, especially those different in some way, and you never know what might happen. My pleasure entirely 🙂
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I’m guessing this is a life well-lived
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Dear Neil,
Someone who’s remembered with such fondness is testament to life well lived, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know Sesame Street is a kid’s TV show, but I’m afraid that’s all I know about it
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I watched it a lot with my kids, particularly when my eldest was little the only child. I recently watched an interview with Carol Spinney which was the inspiration for this little snippet. As you know, I love sussing out the behind the scenes stories.
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I liked the built in flashback, cleverly done.
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Many thanks, Mr. Ayr. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tale and a nugget of history, per usual, Rochelle. I didn’t know anything about Mr. Lee, so this one was a real eye-opener. Cheers, Varad
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Dear Varad,
I really didn’t know anything about Mr. Lee either other than I enjoyed Mr. Looper (Hooper! Hooper!) After seeing an interview with Mr. Spinney I went searching for more. Glad you enjoyed the results. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved how his mother appears in the middle of this, and then we realise she’s only in his thoughts (or to get him up and out of his chair again!). Nicely written.
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Dear Claire,
I could find so little about him. So I drew on what I know about Jewish mothers and their sons. 😉 Thank you for such a nice comment. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sweet. I’ll make some time to read more about this, and check out the video link.
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Dear Peter,
I had a heck of a time finding out more about his dear man. But you can find plenty of Sesame Street videos. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Skilful insertion of the flash-back there, Rochelle. I didn’t watch Sesame Street, so the characterisation is lost on me. But he sounds like a larger than life man, bless him.
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Dear Sandra,
My eldest son is 43. I started watching the show with him when he was three or four. He learned to read and count from these delightful characters. I know this character will be lost on many which is why I include the link and the video. Thank you for your kind comment re the writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely tribute to the actor Will Lee, Rochelle. It was a good thing the show worked a tribute into one of the episodes. The child viewers would have been wondering where he went. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
That tribute episode was brilliant on the part of Sesame Street’s writers, wasn’t it? It was great opportunity to try and explain death of loved ones to children. And the cast and crew, according to Carol Spinney really loved Will Lee. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved Mr. Hooper from the start. Thanks for the reminder. You’re a great one for tickling childhood memories 😉
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Dear Josh,
I think I just felt the winds of age blowing through my old bones. 😉 I loved watching Sesame Street with my kids. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Ahhhh… Sesame Street and all its characters. I watched it as a kid and so did my boys. Thanks for this lovely snippet on Mr. Hooper! I so love that insertion too…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I watched Sesame Street with my boys., too. I loved Mr. Looper…Hooper, Hooper. I love delving into the lives backstage….
“laden with happiness and tears.” ❤ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💕
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I was a latch key kid back in the 70’s and remember Sesame Street and Mr. Hooper fondly. They were both there when my little sister and I left to go to school and they kept us company until Mom came home after work. I can honestly say that Sesame Street helped raise me as did many of the other shows on PBS and CBC. Thank you for taking me down memory lane with this sweet story of yours.
Fondly,
Renee
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Dear Renee,
I, too, have fond memories of Mr. Hooper, from back in the day. But my perspective is a mother’s. My eldest son and I used to watch it together. I can still hear his giggles.Thank you for your sweet comment and sharing your story.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Great story. I didn’t watch much Sesame Street, so it made much more sense after watching the video clip.
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Dear Trent,
Big Bird was such a part of our children’s lives and, therefore, mine. Happy to introduce you. 😉 Glad you liked my story in any event. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did know the show and had seen it, I just didn’t recognize Mr. Loop… I mean Hooper.
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I get that. Since he passed away in 1982, he was a stranger to many children. If I were to turn it on today, I probably wouldn’t recognize a lot of the characters. And after the father and son Hensons have both left us… 😦 …
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Dear Petunia,
What’s next, an expose on The Count? Did he secretly battle dyslexia? And what about Oscar the Grouch? Was he really just an ol’ softie beneath that gruff exterior? I’m sure you can find plenty more material to mine in this vein.
BTW – nice tribute to a wonderful gentlemen who touched millions in a positive way.
Good investigative work,
Detective Lowry
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Dear Detective Lowry,
I suppose I could write a definitive exposé on the life and times of Cookie Monster. What caused his addiction to cooooooookies? Was he forced to eat broccoli as a young furry blue baby? Perhaps his parents pummeled him with carrot sticks. I’ll get right to work on that.
Thank you. We’ll never forget Mr. Looper, will we? (Hooper! Hooper!)
Shalom,
Petunia W(T)F
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I don’t remember him, but we did have Sesame Street. An affectionate snippet.
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Dear Iain,
I’m guessing that you’re too young to remember Mr. Hooper who passed away December 9, 1982. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s nice to still be described as ‘too young’ sometimes 🙂
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Takes me back to being a child watching Sesame Street in my Pyjama’s!
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Thank you, Madison. Glad you enjoyed the trip down Memory Lane. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Sunrise, sunset…” Actually, that makes me think more of “Fiddler on the Roof”. I don’t have a memory of Mr. Hooper.
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Dear James,
Did you never watch Sesame Street with your kids? Sunrise, Sunset was to indicate the Jewish connection. What else should he sing? He he.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Will Lee died in 1982 and my first borns (twins) were born in 86, so I think we missed our window for Mr. Hooper.
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That would certainly explain it. My last one was born in 1983. He never knew Mr. Hooper. 😦
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Aw, what nice remembrance. I remember watching Sesame Street even into grade school. I had a kind of morbid fascination with the flashing number clips and the letter of the day.
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Dear Alice,
I loved the letter o the day. Fun stuff Loved watching it with the kids. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Enjoyed reading about Mr Hooper,
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Thank you, Michael. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice little story, full of emotional warmth. I loved his mother’s admonition!
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Dear Penny,
I’m glad you picked up on those things in my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My daughter is watching Sesame Street now. I hope she finds characters as lovable as Mr. Hooper. It’s too bad that such wonderful people eventually move on. Wonderful story, Rochelle! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
If I were to watch Sesame Street now I probably wouldn’t know anyone, save the Muppets. Mr. Hooper was quite a loss. I’ll always think of him fondly because it brings back memories of watching with my eldest son. 🙂 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you for the reblog, Henrietta. 😀
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You are welcome!
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Lovely story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Sascha. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d never heard about this lovely man. Thanks for informing me with your lovely tale.
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Dear LIsh,
I guess there aren’t that many who’ve heard of him. Pity. He was a favorite of my oldest son and me back in those days. Glad you enjoyed my story in any event. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely and beautifully written tribute.
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Thank you, Cindy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sesame Street passed me by but it was still a good story and interesting.
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Dear Irene,
This one is a bit obscure for many. At any rate I’m glad you enjoyed my story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sunrise….Sunset. Probably my favorite song from Fiddler on the Roof. I wanted it sung at my wedding but….Since I am not a Sesame Street fan I had little to contribute to that conversation. This is a lovely story, as always.
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Dear Susan,
I guess I can’t expect everyone to relate. Some of us relate to the show as parents, some as children who watched. At any rate I’m glad you liked the story. As for Sunrise, Sunset, my mother wanted it sung at my wedding…however Misty was our song. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Though I have watched Sesame Street, didn’t remember the names or who played them. Searched now after reading your drabble, and was a good bit of nostalgia. 🙂 Lovely piece, Rochelle!
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Dear Vinay,
Glad my story sent you searching. 😉 The program was such an integral part of my children’s lives, particularly my first one. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s so sweet. The juxtaposition of the past and present was very effective. Even though I don’t know the characters, I found it very touching.
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Dear Joyful,
Thank you for your sweet words. I’m glad the emotions came through. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember him from long ago 🙂 Most people in the UK watched Sesame Street in my day.
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Dear Ali,
Sesame Street has covered a lot of territory since first appearing in the 70’s. Glad you remembered Mr. Hooper. 😀 Thanks for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never watched Sesame Street but that did nothing to lessen my enjoyment of your tale.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thank you for your kind words, Keith. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree with Keith – my children were born before the Sesame Street era, but your story was sweetly nostalgic just the same.
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Dear Liz,
I’m glad you liked my story despite the disconnect. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now I have ‘Sunrise, sunset’ on repeat in my mind!
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Dear Clare,
Always happy to lend an ear worm. 😉 Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly, Sesame Street flew under my radar, Rochelle. I remember Pipkins, and Rainbow and my favourite were Bagpuss and Mr Benn. I didn’t really get into American TV until the Cosby Show and ChiPs then Thirty Something…
I can feel the nostalgia in your prose, though, along with an abrupt end to the narrator.
I unique take on the prompt, Rochelle. Linked in some mind and time-bending way I am sure. 😎
Shalom
Kelvin
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Dear Kelvin,
I had a crush on Erik Estrada back in the CHiPs days and Bill Cosby was one of my childhood heroes. Needless to say that the Cosby scandal has left me heartbroken. I’m totally unfamiliar with the British children’s programs.
I’m glad the nostalgia came through. And cluing you into my link to the prompt…”He smiled at his REFLECTION…” 😉 Now you have a clue as to how this mind works. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just liked the motorbikes on CHiPs. And the safe way they handled their power. I do remember EE though, but who was his blonde sidekick??
Do have a google of Bagpuss when you are researching next. It’s a classic piece of British film making. I think it inspired the Wallace and Grommiit phenomena, unlink with countless others like Morph and…
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I will do that. The blond baby faced cutie was played by Larry Wilcox. Both of them were the stuff of teen idols. Although by that time I was a young mother with three boys.
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Rochelle, you do make me smile. Thanks for the ‘admission.’ I of course, was never smitten by any female actress… although, Jodie Foster in Bugsy Malone, caught my eye. I admire her acting skills. In Silence of the Lambs she was sublime!!
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What a sweet and touching story. I loved the image of him talking to the photo of his mother, especially.
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Dear Joy,
So glad you enjoyed my story. What Jewish boy isn’t close to his mother? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story!! Loved the show as a kid
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely loving tale of remembrance!💐
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Dear Sabina,
Mr. Hooper was like loving grandpa to millions of children in the 70’s. He deserves nothing less. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are welcome. Your writing gives me so much insight into so many folks!💐
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Another little tidbit of knowledge. I never got into the Sesame Street thing. We chose not to have a television when our children were growing up, so I’m not familiar with the characters. I had to go read about Mr. Hooper, though 🙂
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Dear Linda,
There were times I wished we didn’t have a television, but not when it came to Sesame Street. 😉 My kids, particularly my eldest son and I enjyoed it together. Thank you for stopping by. Always happy to share tidbits and trivia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t have a TV until my daughter was 4, but my son and I always watched Sesame Street after lunch (1 pm on UK TV, from what I can remember). He knew his alphabet fluently at the age of 18 months, thanks to the Sesame Street gang …at least he did, as long as he could sing it at the top of his voice! If asked to say it, that was a different matter. Thanks for bringing on a fit of nostalgia in me, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Sarah,
Mi nostalgia es tu nostalgia. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. My eldest also knew his alphabet by eighteen months nd could count to 20. I do attribute some of that to Sesame Street and the rest to the fact that he’s merely brilliant. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked the way you have used the flashback. Loved the prompt too!
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Dear Reema,
I’m glad you liked my story and the photo. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this snippet. I love how we can hoard on history with your help.
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Dear FP,
I’m always happy to share nuggets of history and happier still when my readers appreciate them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved Sesame Street growing up, and this was a nice tribute to both the programme and the actor. For a moment I thought he was on the verge of death, with the pain in his chest and his mother talking. But he lived to film the show!
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Dear Fatima,
Actually, in this snippet, the actor is on the verge of death. He had a heart attack either later that day or that week. Hence the title FINAL CURTAIN CALL. I merely added some fiction to it. Glad you enjoyed my story and that it brought back fond memories. Thank you for taking the time to say so. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Warm touching story. Loved the emotional quotient.
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Many thanks, Lavanya. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sweet remembrance.
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Thank you, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a nice photo!
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😀
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Another nice tribute Rochelle. I didn’t watch Sesame Street and so didn’t know Mr Hooper but you bring him to life
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Dear Michael,
I’m glad Mr. Hooper came alive through my story despite your disconnect. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful. A really touching tribute. Especially liked him hearing his mother’s voice, calling him to her.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
Thank you for your lovely and affirming comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the ‘see you soon’ 🙂
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Thank you, Dahlia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating Rochelle, your story preserved in amber a moment I knew nothing of until I followed up your link to the life of….
What would we do without Google?????
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Dear Valerie,
I’m so pleased you took the time to read my little piece and even look of the Will Lee. If I’d had Google in school I might have been a straight A history student. 😉 Thank you for coming by and leaving a lovely comment besides.
Love,
Rochelle
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