Added: 5 years ago
From: sawing14s
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  • a nice time

  • whoa i remember watching this when i was 5, this scared the crap out of me

  • This was great back then and it is still great.

  • That U was scary. lol

  • I wonder if the people who came up this sketch and okayed it were fired after we were all traumatized. This f****ed me up!

  • Yeah, this childhood memory just popped into my head and I'm 28. It not only serves to teach kids about the letter U, and it's **Utter** Unnapealingness as a foam rubber letter, but also teaches kids about boundries and sexual harassment. But, yeh - when the U goes in for the crotch and ass grab it's a little much :/

  • I am SO glad to see that other children were just as terrified of this segment! I also would cry and yell at the tv for the U to let him go. It was so traumatizing to watch this U.

  • Cop: Who raped you!?

    The guy singing :U did!

    ^_^

  • I can recall watching this as a kid. I was familiar with the song being that my folks were big Motown fans. But seeing Smokey trying to get away from overly affectionate "U" had me rolling. To this day, this still makes me laugh. But, you have to give credit to the Sesame Street people, they're a really clever bunch!

  • Howdy folks. I wa totally freaked out by this scene when I first saw it as a kid. It appeared as though the U was attacking Smokey. I don't see how the powers that be at Sesame Street thought this would be appropriatte for young kids to watch. I remember my Mom had to change to channel because I was so freaked out by it. I settled on "The Dukes Of Hazzard" instead.

  • Oh dear God, no wonder kids suffer PTSD!!!!

  • when i was little, i didn't understand the feeling this video gave me. it was sort of like half way between creeped out and maybe even... turned on?!?! no idea. but it made me hate the song forever.

    along with the creepy robots/dolls/satellites video, these two were the worst, most bizarre pieces of children's programming sesame street ever put out when we were kids. i mean, really? the letter U is practically molesting the guy. a little too suggestive, if you ask me. *shudders*

  • born in 1987. remember watching this at the age of 2. definitely freaked me out then, but the funniest thing is i didn't even remember this segment existed until watching the beatles "let it be" film a couple of months ago (when they sing a cover of this song). shows you how this stuff can freak you out on the subconscious level.

  • I am cracking up. I had to interpret computer acronyms in sign language last night and I had nightmares and here someone shares this, so succinct.

  • omg i remember watching this as a kid and getting scared especially from 2:24

  • Wow I totally remember watching this as a kid, and I remember thinking that it was kinda innapropriate for kids, I dunno it just seemed wrong to me, especially the parts where the U touches Smokey's crotch and butt lol.

  • @TheGoopy84 Oh please. Get over yourself.

  • Howdy folks. You know this scene from Sesame Street really freaked me out when I was a kid. It still is a bit freaky seeing twenty something years later. I wonder who's idea it was to show this kind of thing on a kid's show.

  • Smokey Robinson being molested by a giant foam rubber letter U is clearly one of the formative memories of my childhood.

  • This video is aweful. Sesame Street should never be allowed to show this video again. Why would the producers of this show feel that children need to see this? It appears as though the "U" is attacking him or something even more sinister. Children shouldn't have to see this. I wonder why Smokey Robinson agreed to do this scene.

  • I definately wasn't afraid. This began my childhood crush on Smokey Robinson. I was like 4, but I could recognize his voice ANYWHERE!!

  • I remember watching this as a kid. Great song, great musician, and great Sesame Street skit! A true classic.

  • "Being grabbed by a letter is unappealing" - my favorite lyric.

    Ah, back when SS had class.

  • I remember when this was new. Looking at it now its kind of disturbing. LOL

  • When I think of classic sesame street, this clip always stands out in my mind. I remember trying to sing along when I was 5... Thanks for the posting!!

  • "Understanding begins with U" has so many levels to it. Amazing.

  • maybe the u was not seeing right and was wondering where the nice zoice was coming from.

  • does he look like richard pryor?

  • hahaha 2:08-2:09

  • man this was gold then and its super duper gold now. i can remember the moment i saw this 20 damn years ago. so great. the chase scenes are epic!

  • This unnerved me as a kid, it was oddly sexual and creeped me out! Very inappropriate I always thought!

  • OMG - this thing SCARED THE CRAP out of me when I was kid. Rapey McU - LEAVE ME ALONE!

  • It's Smokey! I love Smokey's songs. This is a classic clip. Even though I love The Beatles I prefer Smokey's original version to their cover. And this parody of it is classic. Run Smokey Run!!!

  • Have you ever heard the version by Little Caesar and The Consuls?

  • No I have never heard of them.

  • I love this song and I loved this video. The "U" was the best part of it.

  • This one always creeped me out, and it still does!

  • I used to laugh when this came on as a kid. Heck it still makes me laugh.

  • Im 27 and this video and that bad, Listen to the words hes saying, Every word/Every vers hes doing the letter U is doing.

    I saw this when it 1st came out in the 80s and it didnt scare me, Ether some of you all ether get scared to easy or are to sensitive.

  • @CHItownDEVIL69 Question: How old were you when you remember seeing this? I was about 4 or 5 and I still get scared now when I watch it. Let me explain...I feel afraid when I see a big scary U, floating in the air, grab a grown man, pick him up, and carry him away. Also, the fact that the U is relentless, no matter how much he tries to push it away, is a violation of personal space and goes against his wishes...which is frightening for some people. Make sense now?

  • The part where the U has him around the waste, and when the U is carying him away are the scariest parts...

  • wow thats creepy.

  • Haha this was a bit before my time still funny i would have been completely oblivious to anything other than being worried about U's hugging me as someone with Asperger's Syndrome i can't stand being touched and it was worse as a child. Or maybe i would be worried about being kidnapped by U's hard to tell i was odd as a child and Elmo scared me though the Count was cool i wanted to grow up to be a vampire after seeing him lol.

  • someone call sexual harrasment panda...

  • haha wth??....that 'u' has some serious issues!

  • I think this episode should have been sponsored by th e letter D, for date rape.

  • see? if you're persistant enough, even smokey robinson will come to see reason.

  • 5stars for the sweet mustache

  • as san fransico( gay ) as it may sound this use to scare the crap of me i had to watch it as a grown man to over come the fear of watching it as a kid i still hate it hahahah

  • I remener seeing this new on Sesame Street in the 80's must have been over 20 years thanks :)

  • I'm glad I'm not the only person that was scared shitless by this video. I was like 4 or 5 years old and had dreams of that "U" suffocating the shit out of me.

  • Oh, I want to flee now, but I can't get free now! U really got a hold on me!

    Best line in the song.

  • man i remember dis when i was a kid growin up in trindad damn throwback classics

  • Me too! It still gives me the creeps!!

  • see how he's trying to keep a straight face?! i'll bet he enjoyed every minute!

  • this scared the SHYT outta me as a kid!!

  • My mom really liked Smokey Robinson, and she'd get all excited when this came on, and go "Look!!! It's Smokey Robinson!" Alright Mom, chill.

    And wow, that U has a serious groping problem.

  • I think it was great to see Smokey Robinson and Motown founder Barry Gordy speak at Michael Jackson's ceremony at the Staples Center when M.J. passed away. But it did question me on why Motown legend Diana Ross wasn't at M.J.'s ceremony, since she was the one who introduced M.J. and the rest of the Jackson's from Jackson 5.

  • it seems like everyone remembers being a little disturbed by this video when they were kids - I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

  • i love when kids shows bring amazing songs to you know, kids view.

  • hahhahaha funny with the hose down the U

  • oh wow I sooo remember this...I remember the whole scene lol. I have always loved this :D happy memories

  • I remeber this episode and it was years ago. I really loved this song and i didnt know who he was then. *sigh* the good ol' carefree days.

  • i first saw this in 1988. i thought the u was trying to be frends with the guy. i thought that the u thought since the singer was in the u''s space, that the singer wanted to be frends and then the singer was playing hard to get when the u knew the singer's scheme.

  • @moodychick83

    You're right, sort of. The U was definitely being over friendly :)

  • I remember watching this as a kid and getting a huge boner.

  • I don't know how you got thumbs down on this comment.

    I laughed out loud when I read it!

  • You too, huh?

  • WTF?! LMAO!

  • ahahaha, YES!

  • LMAO, why is it that I had the same thing happen to ME LOL, I thought that was a weird effect, maybe it's cuz i wanted the "U" all over mee too hahaha

  • I'm sure your uncle does to.

  • This used to disturb me when I was a kid. It's like a creepy nightmare, can't get away.

  • Me too!

  • This is my first memory ever! And I remember being slightly terrified, because the "U" wouldn't let him go.

  • U are not alone there! LOL!!! As a lil one i used to tell smokey to run!!! LOL

  • bahaha my exact same thought when i was like 5 or 6 too!

  • Me too!

  • @tokioobsessed1983 Omg, me too! I was terrified! It still makes me cringe to see it...I can remember crying when this would come on...my pulse is actually getting faster just watching it on here-and I'm in my twenties...

  • Yup we all felt uncomfortable & weirded out by that U don't worry you are'nt alone.

  • The 'U' is just like all other females that don't get the message.

    NO means NO!

  • i think you mean males.

  • This video is so explicit!

  • damn somebody hose down that U!!

  • When I was little in the 80's i thought it was Lionel because they do look a like and no not because they black.

    Now obviously i know different, but I always loved watching this video even as a kid I used to always laugh. I wish the good old days would return.

  • No your just racist.

  • i think i would've just about shot the "U".. lol

  • lol. hes like grabing him..... rofl~marina

  • I can remember being about 4 years old and this scaring the crap out of me...I actually got tense seeing it again on YouTube...AND I'M 26 now!!!

  • this used to scare the bejeebus out of me when I was little. Sexual assault!

  • Fantastic song.

  • I dont think the kids listen to the lyrics like me when i saw this when I was a kid I was more paying attention to the big U chasing him around

  • I wonder how the kids, when they saw this, felt about Smokey singing "I don't like you" right at them at the beginning. I know that's not what he meant, but I'll bet it took them a while to realize that.

  • I don't think it damaged my psyche. I remember loving this sketch.

  • that U got some sexy lips 2 bad shes a stalker

  • This one segment use to give me bad dreams when I was little. lol

  • i was searching for the pink x from sesame street, fond childhood memories I thought of the pink X hugging someone and I came across U hugging Smokey

  • great comedy acting! if he hadn't been one of the greatest american singer/songwriters - he might have had another career there.... still time to change tack, smokes!

  • I remember watching this from when i was little!

  • Sesame street has a lot of really good songs.....i mean, consider the singers - Cerf, Hunt, etc. The only problem is that the video editors are twisted man......do u know how scary it was to watch a letter 'U' chase somebody??......Other examples: the freaky bird from ''oh G'', the song ''wet paint' (looked like blood on the wall), NTV (when the N descends in the end), and a shitload of others.......

  • What is cooler than this ? Smokey and Sesame Street rocks

  • this was a little creepy to me as a kid

  • Thanks for the post. I want to say this brought back some memories, but not of this clip in particular.

  • Thank you so much for posting this!!!!!

  • scared of the letter "U" when i was a kid cuz of this video

  • I remeber this from my youth. It scared the bajesus out of me.

  • I remember watching this when I was four on sesame street

  • Smokey Robinson has attended Michael Jackson's funeral.

  • the letter U has been touched by Michael Jackson

  • Thank you, sawing14s, for posting this. It's been a LONG TIME since I've seen it. Ah, nostalgia.

  • I'll never be able to take this song seriously again ha ha

  • I remember watching this!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you so very much!! I love this!!!

  • tht was the biz. i remember that from when i was a child!!!

  • Thank U for posting this fond childhood memory of U hugging a singer, came across U in my search for X Just had to laugh at 2:26 I thought there was a clip of the pink X hugging someone, am I right on that one?

  • oh this is awesome!

  • Comment removed

  • You're thinking of "How I MIss My X" from Patti LaBelle! :)

  • That was Patti Labelle in "How I miss my X." BTW, That's Smokey Robinson singing "U Really Got a Hold on Me." Not Stevie Wonder.

  • rofl!

  • Sesame Street meets Motown!!

  • bahamasc,

    Curious, Why did you , "always think this this was Lionel Richie?"

    It is SMOKEY ROBINSON!!! OK??

    All black folks DO NOT LOOK ALIKE!!!

    Search your music history and search

    your heart. I found your comment offensive!!

  • Get your knickers out of a knock. I'm black and I thought it was lionel richie at first glance, but then he started singing and it was clear it was smokey. Not everybody is racist.

  • I don't mean to start anything, but the last time I saw this, I was, like, four or five years old. Seeing him now, of course I recognize him. But back then I thought it was Lionel Ritchie, too, and didn't know right off that 'Oh, Smokey Robinson sings this! That must be Smokey Robinson!' I had never SEEN Smokey Robinson before. Just because bahamasc thought it was Lionel does not make her (or him) racist

  • Jesus fucking christ, Gr*LilLady, quit waving your flag. It was a totally innocent comment. The person who made it was probably a KID when he saw this. And frankly, Smokey DOES look like Lionel Richie in this clip.

    You found that comment offensive? Then you'll love this one. I find your EXISTENCE offensive. You niggers need to be reminded of your place in this world.

  • What an stupid comment. He/ she did discover the identity of the singer. In addition, he/she did not state that all black folks look alike. Wow, you are a moron.

  • Geez calm down. I used to think it was Lionel Richie too!!! It's not being racist it's being a CHILD and not knowing any better.

  • Im black & I always get them mixed up...everything doesn't have to be about race

  • Both Smokey and Lionel rocked the same hairstyle and mustache, and considering them both being singers it's easy to see how the mistake was made (especially if you never paid much attention to how either of them looked).

  • Hahahahaha--I was both amused and weirded out by this as a child. It still has the same affect today. :-D

  • Is it me or is "U" getting a little freaky with Smokey.

    U is getting a little touchy-feely for me.

  • For a second, I thought "U" was trying to get a little freaky with Smokie. A little to touchy-feely eh, U.

  • when i saw this when i was kid, i freaked out that the muppet U was gonna rape him...

  • oh.. i get it!

    u

  • Yeh folks...I was another young kid that was bewildered,slightly disgusted & kinda freaked out by this one!..DAMN I just wanted Smokey to get away from that U but nothing he tried worked..was kinda scary back then! (and a little now too!)

  • that U was gettin a little frisky with smokie.

  • just like i remembered it <3

  • Comment removed

  • i always thought this was Lionel Ritchie!

  • i always thought it was richard pryor! dunno why...

  • me too lol m y mum corrected me but i use to always watch seasme street to see this and sing along

  • Don't feel bad, it's better than mistaking him for Bill Cosby like one poor fool did further down the comment line a while back ago

  • This was the first time I ever saw Smokey Robinson. Not a bad way for a first introduction!

  • I must have seen this in a rerun or something when I was younger, but it still creeped me out.

  • Man..I remember this episode. It was so funny to me when I was little. lol

  • That U is obsessed with that guy. lol

  • Poor guy. That U is persistent, isn't it?

  • tell me why U so grab smokie's crotch at 1:22,thats a horny ass U if you ask.lollmao

  • LOL! You are funny, I had to pay close attention and U appear to be a fresh one. Nice song!

  • I liked this video too but for a while after I first watched it, i was scared of giant floating tube

  • I remember this1 XD

  • LOL. My mom told me that this used to scare me when I was little. I guess because the U was grabbing him and he didn't want it to. haha. Weird.

  • haha i have no idea why i decided to look this up. but reminds me of my childhood afternoons.

  • AM I the only one who finds this creepy? This creeped me out when I saw it as a kid and it still creeps me out! In my 3 year old memory, I thought it was an "H".

  • Yeah, I just remembered this skit out of the blue and I thought it was the letter H too.

  • He Looks a Little Like Lionel Richie.

  • U REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME, That letter U really got a hold on him.

  • 2:25 you can see the stageguy's hand partially covering the left-side of the U... ^.^

  • U!

    10char

  • There's one just like this with Patti LaBelle [I think] singing Miss My X.

    I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could possibly post it.

  • No wonder I always feel like U are all over me.

  • my favorite, the one I remember best, and also my introduction to the greats of Motown

  • I loved this song and Smokey as a kid and I was thrilled to find this on youtube.

  • If kids' television was still this good, I'd be tempted to pop out a baby. Lucky for selfish me it's gone quite downhill.

  • I am totally with you sister!

  • I'd say it's probably more selfish to have a child....:-)

  • lololol look at 2:15 U is humping his ass loool

  • U is in heat, LOL, but yeah i used to hate this as a kid i felt for the guy. In a way now thinking bout it, kinda reminds me of Jughead and Ethel. ha ha

  • When I was a kid that U kinda made me feel scared for the poor guy! It would have been funny if she tried grabbing his crotch...lol.

  • hahaha!Yea,that would've been funny!!!But,really,this song scared the shit out of me(still kinda does).Actually,not really scare me,but i use to feel icky looking at it.this and" How I miss my X"

    Notice,both letters have the same "bedroom" eyes......

  • remember 70's foam? if it stayed in the sun for too long it would get all crunchy and you would have to throw out whatever it was that was made out it.

  • I was telling my mom about this episode the other day. From my 3 year old memory, I thought the letter was an "x"; after all, 24 years have passed since I had last seen it. Anyway, I was so mad at the letter for not letting Smokie Robinson go, when he was clearly trying to escape. Thank so much for posting.

  • thsis was my favorite scene from Sesame Street when i was a kid

  • This video used to scare the shit out of me when I was little, and now viewing it again as an adult, it still kind of does.

  • no way i loved this clip...HOT METAL was scary. yall remember that effing metal hot I beam that used to flip flop around to that evil bastard ass music? omg my gut gets sick to even think about it lol

  • everytime i hear this song, i get this image in my head...

  • hehehe

  • OMG - AWESOME!!!

  • what say the lyrics?

  • this just made my day LOL I fully remember this one too!

  • what year was this sesame street episode?

    It's amazing.