TVSquad

While it has persevered for almost four decades, Sesame Street's heart and soul is very much a product of the 1970s. There was nothing like it when it first hit the public television airwaves in 1969; while other children's programs took place in mystical and magical lands, Sesame Street took place in a regular inner city neighborhood. Okay, it was an inner city neighborhood where monsters and people lived together, but it's that partial realism which set it apart from other programs, and, perhaps subconsiously, gave kids a sense of community and belonging.

On February 8, TV Land will air a four-episode mini-marathon of Cosby Show episodes dedicated to love and music. "Huxtable Love Songs: The Greatest Hits" will kick off at 9:00pm with episodes featuring Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Lena Horne, and the Count Basie Orchestra. The Valentine's Day special will also repeat on February 14 starting at 6:00pm, which is, you know, actually Valentine's Day.

Like I tell my kids, Ray Charles was a phenomenal musician, but I don't want to hear any music unless I can watch Bill Cosby doing his herky-jerky dance moves at the same time. I know that sounds odd, but it really doesn't matter because I don't have children. At any rate, curl up with someone you love --or the person you married to spite your parents-- cozy up under a blanket, and let Bill and his musical friends entertain you. Ah yeah, baby.

Being in the Final 12 means that you get to perform on the big stage, in front of the big crowd, with the big fancy lights. This is the AI equivalent of getting to sit at the adult table at Thanksgiving. No more of that kids' table crap. It's the big show with the bigger band and the souped-up sound system.

But there was no souped-up sound system in my apartment tonight.