".........when I grow up I want to be a police officer..." PRICELESS! Love this video, play it often for the kids I take care of...but I never caught the very last line...!! hahaha
i live in BK NY and i want an afro-modern-ballet class!!!!!! also i to this day cannot say psoas without making all slow and spaced out like those children. psoooaaass....
It's great that the kids want to dance, but I'm not sure that the whole drill sergeant attitude is worth it. These kids aren't getting paid for their performance, so how competitive does it need to be?
From 4:14-4:19, the girl seen all the way to the right looks like she is more interested in taking the class than the others since her mouth is open wider than the other kids seen when they're doing the chant from 4:11-4:28 where it looks like she is smiling a little. (Some people's mouths open wider when chanting in classes when they're interested). On the other hand all the other kids, including the boy narrating this skit, all look a little bored when doing the chant or to take the class.
To me, this didn't look like a dance class where first all the students stretched for a warm up from 1:11-2:30, then from 2:31-3:12, it looked like a self defense class with that chanting. Then from 3:17-3:55 they only did a little dancing at the last minute of class, after that Mr. Figueroa said from 4:02-4:05 to gather around the drummer like he was saying that it's the end of class while doing the chant again from 4:11-4:28 then sounding like it was a choir class with Mr. Figueroa conducting
Mr. Figeroa is very strict! Anyone can tell he tolerates no nonsense in his class. If this boy did indeed grow up to become a policeman, this class probably ingrained in him the need for teamwork and respect for the rules that are so much a part of that profession.
@thundergod25-you're funny. if i was around you when you said that i'd just start yelling huh huh huh huuuuuuh!!!! at you.
i love how this teacher says he doesn't have time to explain things to these kids, like he overbooked his dance classes and he has to spend a lot of time explaining to the next class. hilarious. i want a job where i can come right out and say i don't have time to do it.
oh yeah i remember that one with different types of music, i'll look for that one next. I remember as a child imitating the moves in this video with my cousin all the time. memories...
If that teacher named Mr. Finkelman is the dance teacher, I wonder why there are other people walking around making sure all the kids are using the right posture during the class. (I thought that it's Mr. Finkelman's job to make sure everyone is using the right posture since he's the dance teacher conducting the whole class).
Oh yes that's right. I guess when I'm hearing the kid's voice in the background, it was sounding a little unclear and it sounded like he was saying Mr. Finkelman but, now that I listen carefully I can hear him saying Mr. Figueroa.
I totally remember this one. I used to hate that teacher becuase i thought he was too strict. Anyone else thinkj the teacher looks like Freddie Mercury of Queen?
I remember when I watched this as a kid, during the part where they thank the drummer by bellowing at him, my dad said: "Jeez. That's how I'd thank someone for standing on my foot!"
I remember this. Yet another home movie on Sesame Street which tells about real life experiences for children. Nicely done. Though even if I were a dancer, I don't think I could handle that class. Mr. Figueroa seems a bit too strict. I probably would have been slightly intimidated by him at that age.
This is what arts education used to be like. Nowadays, art, music, and dance classes in the Public Schools are a joke. The only way this works is when you have teachers like this, who expect the kids to stay focused, behave themselves, and cooperate.
This is clearly an advanced class for kids who have some talent, and are interested in something intense. So it's not fair to compare it with a general class that everyone in a school has to take.
Anybody remember one video with a group of kids dancing to fast then slow music (then fast, slow, fast), freezing in between (with the tapping sound)?
I've seen that one, though I don't have a personal copy: the style of music varied each time, not just the speed. (I remember light classical music, traditional Asian music, and upbeat jazz playing; there were a few more that escape my mind just now,)
I like that they had a film like this that showed that dancers, whether boys or girls, are anything but sissies.
I always thought the teacher was pretty strict and a little intimidating...but as a young adult I took both African dance and Cuban drumming classes with teachers who got into very focused and demanding moods...I thought back (at age 23!) on seeing this film and thought, "I've seen a teacher act this way before...no need to take it personally." Who says Sesame Street is for kids? :)
Amen. The older seasons of the show had something for all ages, even the kinds of lessons it taught. "Sometimes your schooling will mean dealing with really strict people" is something anyone ought to know early on.
Yes, I love that line too after the dance class ended. Also, I did put this comment for this skit a month ago but, maybe he was taking dance classes to have fast moves so that he can be a fast runner as a policeman since policemen are expected to be fast runners and movers and dancers always usually dance fast. If this was the reason why he was taking dance classes to be a policeman, then it's very nice that he's thinking of his career even though he's an 8 or 9 year old 3rd grader.
Thanks for the post hoopersghost . There was another one that I was looking for , it's vintage too , a jump rope competition , does that sound familiar to you ? Do you have it by chance ?
I wonder maybe the reason why he was taking dance classes was just to have fast moves so that he can be a fast runner as a policeman since policemen are expected to be fast runners and movers and dancers always usually dance fast. So I guess he wanted to get prepared a little early (even though he was probably an 8 or 9 year old 3rd grader) taking dance classes for whenever he chooses to attend police school so that he can pass the police officer test without any trouble or problems.
Maybe the reason why they had the close up at 1 minute was so that whenever little kids are watching this skit, the little kids will be able to read that girls lips very carefully and be able to hear very well and clear when the whole class was saying the muscles in the lower back called "So As" (I don't know how to spell it). This is just a guess but, maybe that might be the reason.
Sorry about the misunderstanding. Maybe they had the close up there at 1 minute because, since the teacher told everyone to sit down with the soles of the feet together, probably they wanted the little kids who were watching the skit to understand where the soles of the feet are as soon as that boy put the soles of his feet together. They probably had that close up at 1 minute so that kids will understand what the bottom of the foot is called. I might be wrong again but, I'm just guessing.
That makes a lot of sense. When I first saw it, I didn't realize what they were doing, but I was only four at the time and didn't quite understand what was going on in general. All I knew was that they were putting their feet together in strange ways, then lying down, and then doing funny movements while chanting 'HA!' Boy do I feel silly.
Maybe that might be true that all of those students are on broadway now, except that kid because by now he's probably a policeman. I thought that, that teacher was good but, he sounded a little strict by never smiling during the class at all and whenever he said something to the students he talked in a little bit of a serious voice. Maybe the reason why he sounded strict was because, that dance class was part of the boy's 3rd grade class, and he was grading everyone on their performance.
I USED TO LOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS! That kid id the sole reason i ever wanted to wear stirrups. As i was watching it it was like i remembered all the lines! Such a great clip!
It strikes me how tough and no-nonsense the tone of this film is. If they were doing something like this now, it would be much warmer and fuzzier. That's not a good or bad thing, just different.
It's cynical of me, but I wonder if he was fed that line, so that any skeptical little boys watching wouldn't think that dancing takes away your manliness or something. (Did I mention that being cynical isn't much fun? :)
That thought ran through my mind as well, but whether it was or wasn't, it is nice to the art of dance being shown as an excerise technique and a way to keep the body in shape!
I don't think he was fed the line, although it was definately an editing decision to end like that.
Either way, though, i think it just demonstrates/assures kids that anything is possible, and that you can inhabit multiple identities of yourself without them being in conflict...if a dancer can also be a policemen ...If a dancer can be a policemen, all bets are off, and the world is my oyster
Jerry Rice the great wide receiver did this kind of dance while growing up. It shows that boys can dance, but still will likely be tough, and the dance makes them more agile.
We were given several topics to choose from and I chose to right how boys and girls were portrayed on children's TV shows. I taped an episode of Sesame Street and this happened to be on there.
OMG! What a classic! I looooove this video! The girl @ 2:29 reminds me of myself at that age.
Huh huh huh huh huh huh huh!! The kid wants to be a policeman when he grows up! LMAO! Thanks for posting!
spanrish 1 week ago
Wow this one was really memorable...thanks alot!!
sweetbreadable 2 weeks ago
I love this one. That was the typical dance instructor attitude back then, no nonsense and firm.
Lystaria 1 month ago
@Lystaria But those kids learned so much didn't they? They did a great job in the class.
RealTime88 4 weeks ago
".........when I grow up I want to be a police officer..." PRICELESS! Love this video, play it often for the kids I take care of...but I never caught the very last line...!! hahaha
Sugarfan34 2 months ago
i like the teacher," ok were gonna do it again cause i didnt like it."
angelgirl7473 4 months ago
0:08 Damn, I used to be ridden around in a van like that. Long before the Vans "grew a few feet" and became associated with the "stupid kids."
cesariojpn 5 months ago
i live in BK NY and i want an afro-modern-ballet class!!!!!! also i to this day cannot say psoas without making all slow and spaced out like those children. psoooaaass....
charsy1985 6 months ago
It's great that the kids want to dance, but I'm not sure that the whole drill sergeant attitude is worth it. These kids aren't getting paid for their performance, so how competitive does it need to be?
MondoBeno 7 months ago
@MondoBeno I'm 40 now..but even as a child, I always said that the teacher had a nasty attitude...lol
shydmples 5 months ago
@MondoBeno Apparently he didn't feel they were trying hard enough.
Sometimes it's understandable when someone like him may make express such feelings and sometimes it's not.
MIKECNW 4 months ago
I want to know if he became a cop. He'd probably be what, 46 years old now?
Muppet Wiki says it ared on Episode 1839 Thanksgiving Day 1983. - the episode when they covered Mr. Hooper's Death.
SecondRook 8 months ago
@SecondRook There's no way he'd be that old and this was made before 1983.
Earliest that I recall seeing this was in 1980-81.
MIKECNW 4 months ago
This always creeped me out a little as a kid
Amithrius 10 months ago
From 4:14-4:19, the girl seen all the way to the right looks like she is more interested in taking the class than the others since her mouth is open wider than the other kids seen when they're doing the chant from 4:11-4:28 where it looks like she is smiling a little. (Some people's mouths open wider when chanting in classes when they're interested). On the other hand all the other kids, including the boy narrating this skit, all look a little bored when doing the chant or to take the class.
afriendofbean 11 months ago
To me, this didn't look like a dance class where first all the students stretched for a warm up from 1:11-2:30, then from 2:31-3:12, it looked like a self defense class with that chanting. Then from 3:17-3:55 they only did a little dancing at the last minute of class, after that Mr. Figueroa said from 4:02-4:05 to gather around the drummer like he was saying that it's the end of class while doing the chant again from 4:11-4:28 then sounding like it was a choir class with Mr. Figueroa conducting
afriendofbean 11 months ago
Mr. Figeroa is very strict! Anyone can tell he tolerates no nonsense in his class. If this boy did indeed grow up to become a policeman, this class probably ingrained in him the need for teamwork and respect for the rules that are so much a part of that profession.
70Kenny 1 year ago
Did anyone notice a continuity error? At the beginning the girls are wearing socks. But later you can see they're all barefoot.
LarcenTyler 1 year ago
@LarcenTyler Continuity error or she took her socks off?
purplemoosemoose 4 months ago
unibrow powerr!
frenchfrye2000 1 year ago
Wow, they were doing pilates in the eightes.
Zion798 1 year ago
@Zion798 LMAO!
goddesswomon 1 year ago
@thundergod25-you're funny. if i was around you when you said that i'd just start yelling huh huh huh huuuuuuh!!!! at you.
i love how this teacher says he doesn't have time to explain things to these kids, like he overbooked his dance classes and he has to spend a lot of time explaining to the next class. hilarious. i want a job where i can come right out and say i don't have time to do it.
udanax19 1 year ago
ohhhho purple leotard and mustache. All a man needed in the 70s.
faerla 1 year ago
oh yeah i remember that one with different types of music, i'll look for that one next. I remember as a child imitating the moves in this video with my cousin all the time. memories...
swidanza 1 year ago
two things;
1) When I was little I had a mad crush on the girl at 0:58
2) To this day I say "OK we're going to do it again cuz I didn't like it" when the opportunity arises. Not many get the joke though
Thundergod25 1 year ago
If that teacher named Mr. Finkelman is the dance teacher, I wonder why there are other people walking around making sure all the kids are using the right posture during the class. (I thought that it's Mr. Finkelman's job to make sure everyone is using the right posture since he's the dance teacher conducting the whole class).
afriendofbean 2 years ago
@afriendofbean The dance teacher's name is actually Figueroa
Ahuebner2004 1 year ago
Oh yes that's right. I guess when I'm hearing the kid's voice in the background, it was sounding a little unclear and it sounded like he was saying Mr. Finkelman but, now that I listen carefully I can hear him saying Mr. Figueroa.
afriendofbean 1 year ago
I totally remember this one. I used to hate that teacher becuase i thought he was too strict. Anyone else thinkj the teacher looks like Freddie Mercury of Queen?
zacandtaylorrule 2 years ago
I remember when I watched this as a kid, during the part where they thank the drummer by bellowing at him, my dad said: "Jeez. That's how I'd thank someone for standing on my foot!"
crescentfreshbret 2 years ago
I thought the teacher was ok. Sure he seemed to expect a lot out of his students, but he did praise them when the did well.
dubs19842008 2 years ago
I remember this. Yet another home movie on Sesame Street which tells about real life experiences for children. Nicely done. Though even if I were a dancer, I don't think I could handle that class. Mr. Figueroa seems a bit too strict. I probably would have been slightly intimidated by him at that age.
The drummer looks like Dean Irby.
Garrettk41 2 years ago
This is what arts education used to be like. Nowadays, art, music, and dance classes in the Public Schools are a joke. The only way this works is when you have teachers like this, who expect the kids to stay focused, behave themselves, and cooperate.
MondoBeno 2 years ago
This is clearly an advanced class for kids who have some talent, and are interested in something intense. So it's not fair to compare it with a general class that everyone in a school has to take.
LarryGastropoleau 2 years ago
Anybody remember one video with a group of kids dancing to fast then slow music (then fast, slow, fast), freezing in between (with the tapping sound)?
bearcattony 2 years ago
I've seen that one, though I don't have a personal copy: the style of music varied each time, not just the speed. (I remember light classical music, traditional Asian music, and upbeat jazz playing; there were a few more that escape my mind just now,)
hoopersghost 2 years ago
@bearcattony I do! I was actually searching for that when I came upon this video. Did you ever find it??
JayZer0 1 year ago
"When I grow up I want to be a policeman." Priceless!
jimmywho723 2 years ago
LOL, random but so in character for small child.
AsianAgentScully 2 years ago
...AND a dancer.
sashonska 2 years ago
one of my teachers in school was strict like this
jackwolf131 3 years ago 2
I like that they had a film like this that showed that dancers, whether boys or girls, are anything but sissies.
I always thought the teacher was pretty strict and a little intimidating...but as a young adult I took both African dance and Cuban drumming classes with teachers who got into very focused and demanding moods...I thought back (at age 23!) on seeing this film and thought, "I've seen a teacher act this way before...no need to take it personally." Who says Sesame Street is for kids? :)
LanakilaIesu 3 years ago
Amen. The older seasons of the show had something for all ages, even the kinds of lessons it taught. "Sometimes your schooling will mean dealing with really strict people" is something anyone ought to know early on.
ISNorden 3 years ago
I wonder if they did that dance for a recital of some sort. It would've been interesting to see the final production.
efil4own1 3 years ago
First of all....
cbrowninbuffalo 3 years ago
I love "When I grow up I wanna be a policeman" after all the dancing.
SisterUnity 3 years ago
Yes, I love that line too after the dance class ended. Also, I did put this comment for this skit a month ago but, maybe he was taking dance classes to have fast moves so that he can be a fast runner as a policeman since policemen are expected to be fast runners and movers and dancers always usually dance fast. If this was the reason why he was taking dance classes to be a policeman, then it's very nice that he's thinking of his career even though he's an 8 or 9 year old 3rd grader.
afriendofbean 3 years ago 2
Thanks for the post hoopersghost . There was another one that I was looking for , it's vintage too , a jump rope competition , does that sound familiar to you ? Do you have it by chance ?
fayie79 3 years ago
Unfortunately not; even your description sounds unfamiliar to me. Sorry!
hoopersghost 3 years ago
I remember this. They were a team training for a double dutch competition.
gummi67 3 years ago
@fayie79 ps 268 that was the school double dutch
queenofsoca21 1 year ago
@fayie79 I know exactly what you're talking about. I think it was on reading rainbow, not Sesame Street.
Termite30 7 months ago
@Termite30
I was definitely on S.S., back in the mid-1980's.
ShadesBelow03 4 months ago
Thanks for putting this up on Youtube. I've been looking and looking for this. It was one of my favs growing up.
tonewinwy 3 years ago 2
I'd all but forgotten this segment. Of course it all came crashing back to my frontal lobe once the drumming started.
This reminds me now a lot of that delightful documentary, "Mad Hot Ballroom". If you haven't seen it, find it. Watch it, and enjoy!
Wonder if that young man ever did accomplish his childhood dream of becoming a policeman.
Thanks for posting this one.
tesubcalle 3 years ago
So he wants to be a policeman? Could you imagine him chasing a robber and doing his dance routine. "Hey! Freeze! Ha Ha Ha Ha Hooooooo!"
kingofc07 3 years ago 2
I wonder maybe the reason why he was taking dance classes was just to have fast moves so that he can be a fast runner as a policeman since policemen are expected to be fast runners and movers and dancers always usually dance fast. So I guess he wanted to get prepared a little early (even though he was probably an 8 or 9 year old 3rd grader) taking dance classes for whenever he chooses to attend police school so that he can pass the police officer test without any trouble or problems.
afriendofbean 3 years ago
What exactly is up with the close up at about 1 minute?
LarcenTyler 3 years ago
LOL
ladybaillio 3 years ago
Maybe the reason why they had the close up at 1 minute was so that whenever little kids are watching this skit, the little kids will be able to read that girls lips very carefully and be able to hear very well and clear when the whole class was saying the muscles in the lower back called "So As" (I don't know how to spell it). This is just a guess but, maybe that might be the reason.
afriendofbean 3 years ago
Actually, I meant after that, where it shows his feet.
LarcenTyler 3 years ago
Sorry about the misunderstanding. Maybe they had the close up there at 1 minute because, since the teacher told everyone to sit down with the soles of the feet together, probably they wanted the little kids who were watching the skit to understand where the soles of the feet are as soon as that boy put the soles of his feet together. They probably had that close up at 1 minute so that kids will understand what the bottom of the foot is called. I might be wrong again but, I'm just guessing.
afriendofbean 3 years ago
That makes a lot of sense. When I first saw it, I didn't realize what they were doing, but I was only four at the time and didn't quite understand what was going on in general. All I knew was that they were putting their feet together in strange ways, then lying down, and then doing funny movements while chanting 'HA!' Boy do I feel silly.
LarcenTyler 3 years ago
It took me a while, but I found the correct spelling on "Wiki" It's spelled with a silent "P."
Psoas.
patrickballoonman 2 years ago
"we're gonna do it again 'cause I didn't like it" I bet because of that teacher they're all on broadway now! Way to go!
ladybaillio 3 years ago
Maybe that might be true that all of those students are on broadway now, except that kid because by now he's probably a policeman. I thought that, that teacher was good but, he sounded a little strict by never smiling during the class at all and whenever he said something to the students he talked in a little bit of a serious voice. Maybe the reason why he sounded strict was because, that dance class was part of the boy's 3rd grade class, and he was grading everyone on their performance.
afriendofbean 3 years ago
I USED TO LOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS! That kid id the sole reason i ever wanted to wear stirrups. As i was watching it it was like i remembered all the lines! Such a great clip!
cynergy123 3 years ago
Brazilian Freddy Mercury teaches African Tribal dance to inner-city kids. This video is so funny. I love the last line.
Molly49494 3 years ago
It strikes me how tough and no-nonsense the tone of this film is. If they were doing something like this now, it would be much warmer and fuzzier. That's not a good or bad thing, just different.
Marbles471 3 years ago 2
Funny... I was pretty much thinking the very same.
dogdoo4brains 3 years ago
i think it has to do with the fact that they're indirectly trying to dispell certain stereotypes surrounding dance and gender...
But also, REAL dance teachers are nothing to mess with...teaching physical discipline is no joke...and in its toughness it can be a form of love...
sashonska 2 years ago
"When I grow up I wanna be a policeman."
It's cynical of me, but I wonder if he was fed that line, so that any skeptical little boys watching wouldn't think that dancing takes away your manliness or something. (Did I mention that being cynical isn't much fun? :)
Marbles471 3 years ago 3
That thought ran through my mind as well, but whether it was or wasn't, it is nice to the art of dance being shown as an excerise technique and a way to keep the body in shape!
seagatz 3 years ago
I don't think he was fed the line, although it was definately an editing decision to end like that.
Either way, though, i think it just demonstrates/assures kids that anything is possible, and that you can inhabit multiple identities of yourself without them being in conflict...if a dancer can also be a policemen ...If a dancer can be a policemen, all bets are off, and the world is my oyster
sashonska 2 years ago
I like your phrase..."and the world is my oyster" how wonderful!
treadley 2 years ago
@Marbles471
He wants to grow up to be a Policeman.
Just like that guy from the Village People.
anonbosch 1 year ago
omg omg omg i loved this when i was young. I used to do the moves right along with the kids on the video
ilovemayo123 3 years ago 2
Jerry Rice the great wide receiver did this kind of dance while growing up. It shows that boys can dance, but still will likely be tough, and the dance makes them more agile.
kobraf150 3 years ago 3
Don't forget Emmitt Smith.
I actually singled out this segment when I had to write a paper on an episode of Sesame Street for a communications class when I was in college.
leia5899 3 years ago
Really? What was the theme of your paper, and what did you write about this segment?
Marbles471 3 years ago
We were given several topics to choose from and I chose to right how boys and girls were portrayed on children's TV shows. I taped an episode of Sesame Street and this happened to be on there.
leia5899 3 years ago
@kobraf150 Many other wide recivers in the NFL , such as Al Toon, took classes like this for better agile & flexibility
AFGSANFORD2 9 months ago