@coatescopywriting there's a bit of a problem in society when people deem somebody attempting to speak proper english with acting like a certain race.
@coatescopywriting I agree; this is completely tame compared to those old cartoons with the blackface-style stereotypes. I guess the PC-police were too nervous kids would think all black people were hipsters!
Uh uh, not in this household. My parents didn't like this. We were middle class-knew nothing of the projects/inner city (black or white ghetto)...wasn't even supposed to know about it. Was NEVER allowed to watch Good Times, All in the Family until I was well into my mid teens (Sanfred and Son still prohibited)...besides my bedtime was 9:00.
LMAOOOOOO I LOVE ROOSEVELT FRANKLIN !! HE'S LIKE THE COOLEST PUPPET EVER !! LOVE THE DANCE MOVES HAHAHAHA !! I wonder who out there learned their alphabets from this song LOL
Why did they retire roosevelt franklin? I was three when I saw this and I thought he was great-I never got that it was racial in any way. Adults are so stupid when it comes to political correctness. Kids don't think in terms of race, I just thought he was a cool character!
Now these were the good ol days. Fun puppets. Alot better than Elmo. They really ruined the show in the last 10 years. More worried about being PC than teaching kids.
Roosevelt Franklin. Ask people who Roosevelt Franklin is today and they'll look at you like your from Alpha Centauri. This litlle puppet guy's memory is indelibly stamped into the ephemeral meanderings of my mind....Why Me? ... Scat? Scatman Crouthers? .... Don't get me started...
I remember this, and it's great to see it again. I must say after reading the comments that all this PC bullcrap has not fixed a thing after all these years. Thanks for posting this great old video.
(0:12 - 0:19) That pretty much sums up Roosevelt Franklin's personality right there! I found that quote so funny (and how he said it) I used it in my "Great Cookie Thief" YouTube Poop when the character popped up!
I loved this guy! This is how teaching was done, with music and an identifiable character. This guy was the FIRST rapper, think about it. Before Rapper's delight, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC there was Roosevelt Franklin. Ty who ever put this clip up.
I couldn't pronounce Roosevelt's name when I was a tot, so I called him Reggo! LOL! Cute character. I didn't even realize he was supposed to be black.
Now this is a classic, I remember singing this back when. "Man, I am getting up there. I think me and Roosevelt Franklin is the same age. Got to Love It.
Good times was NOT racist, just because they were poor and in the projects. I can say this because I'm from the projects - born where Good Times were supposed to be, the same year the show came out. The family was poor, but still had PRIDE and dignity, and had episodes that were uplifting and empowering (Black Jesus, the episode where Michael pointed out how racially biased tests were ..and episodes on child and alcohol abuse and its dangers)
all good times, the cosby show, and any other race based show did was desensitize whites to coloreds. thats all it ever did. and the result of it was the biggest mess in American history. you know who the hell im talkin about.
and i never knew roosevelt franklin was a black guy haha. hes still my favorite sesame street character.
Actually, if you listen to the actors and writers on Good Times, they'll tell you the show was a failure due to executive meddling. The original idea was to show a middle class, two parent, black family, which was unheard of on TV at the time. However, over the years, as they bent to pressure from above, it turned into what they were trying to avoid: a stereotypical, single mother, poor, black family. Anything positive was due to the writers trying to salvage the show.
john amos' portrayal of james evans, sr. on "good times" was one of the best character portrayals of the 1970s or for that matter *any* era of television, IMHO.
Roosevelt sure knows his alphabet, 'A' to 'Z,' and 'in between'! Moreover, I know that this is a very fond memory from my childhood viewing days! Thanks for posting!
Wow! I'm 40 and I remeber watching this when I was a kid. It's how I learned my ABC's! I used to like the music because it was jazzy and dance along. Thanks so much to whoever posted this. It took me WAAAAAY back!
Also, in a lot of the skits Roosevelt was a teacher who taught history lessons and lessons on how to get along with others. Someone's gonna have to point out a specific racist segment, because I haven't found one. All kids use slang.
How does someone bring irresposible comments to a sesame street clip, one classic before Elmo and brain washing. Black white Chinese we all grew up with the good old Sesame street.
Roosevelt Franklin is beast!!! The only Black puppet on Sesame Street. They should've stayed on the show...his mother know she need to take off that apron. lol
Hello! I can't believe it! I have never seen Roosevelt Franklin in action before! I gotta see RF counting the numbers! That was a favorite. (smile) I used to have the Roosevelt Franklin album! I think they used different voices on the album. Halfsies, Just Because... Man this takes me back! Now I gotta see RF & his friend Mobity Mosely! Holla if you have it!
Racist? You can't be serious! I learned from watching these skits, along with my black mother who supported me becoming an eduated black woman. I, my sister and younger brother are all at least college educated. Racist? The children in the classrooms depicted above are better behaved than the grown (20-45 year old) men that I deal with as a community health professional. Better than "smoking blunts" all day (with babies watching).
I remember Roosevelt Franklin during my pre-school years. He was a fan favorite of both children and adult, black and white alike.
The only people who complained about this were those who belong to groups or other organizations. I've always noticed it is never a private citizen who complains.
Brings me back to the good ole days of television in Tasmania, getting up at 8 O'Clock in the morning to watch Sesame Street. Sesame Street had a lot of soul in those days; man have'nt seen this clip for 35 years...Great memories of my childhood days, I'm 46 now!
When I first heard of Benjamin Franklin, I thought he was supposed to be a cross between Benjamin Bunny (Peter Rabbit's cousin) and Roosevelt Franklin.
I like how back then Roosevelt was practically the star, then he just faded and once in a while you'd see him in the background, but never hear him talk.
Basically, one group decided it was best for all not to see this cartoon. One groupd decided to pull the character for being deemed as offensive. And as an African American peaking on the behalf of African Americans who are not offended by this muppet... the only thing I'm offended by is that one group decided what was best for all. :-/ But ... hey, that's just MY opinion.
do all of yall realize that you have no life..this is a little kid cartoon its not meant to be racist..its meant to teach a lesson...and a name is just a name..and as for his actions dont you think its supposed to teach kids how to not act and behave properly?...[SIGH]
Roosevelt was never in detention! If anything he encouraged his friends to learn. Sure he was a bit of a wise guy, but he never put anybody down. As for ribbing his mother, what kid doesn't do a bit of that?
What utter, abject BULLSHIT jumping all over this as racist. The late '60s and early '70s were THE era for the blacksploitation flick and shows like Good Times and Sanford and Son. This wouldn't resonate at all unfavourably with anyone then, just as a rap tune of the alphabet wouldn't do so today. Don't take your modern crybaby politically correct brainwashing and apply it to things out of historical context. One can only wish that black music was still so soulful and funky today.
Roosevelt has a mother...this expresses the importance of family.
He not only stays in school, but actually teaches it...he's a classic OVER-acheiver!
If his style of singing is a stereotype...is it really a BAD one? Is it wrong to display such talent? How is it insulting to blacks to suggest that they have great musical gifts??
If the way he talks is stereotypical, mabye it was so black kids would identify with him...and love their family, stay in school, and show their talents!
This was political correctness gone bad. Roosevelt was one of the BEST muppets ever! "inferior"??! He was a classic OVER-acheiver! Not just staying in school but teaching it! And his musical ability...that's not a stereotype, it's a TALENT!! A talent shared by many blacks yes, but how is that a bad thing? There was a muppet called "placido Flamingo" who sang opera, but there were no tirades by the Latino community. Finaly, Roosevelt had a mom....he expressed a sense of family.
I'm glad I wasn't alive in the 70's, this is straight up racist. It's almost as racist as FOX News. You may as well have a muppet named Darky who does a little soft shoe and eats Watermelon.
Oh my....someone needs a history lesson. There is NOTHING RACIST about this character. You are a PRIME EXAMPLE of political correctness gone MAD. Political correctness will get us killed!
I remember Roosevelt Franklin and his mother as a tyke in the early 70s. I do not know how some of these PC people can determine that the characters and the Elementary School skit is racist; they're just rowdy kids in the classroom like we all have been before class starts and the teacher shows up.
I used to LOVE Roosevelt Franklin. It was kinda racist to name the black character after two Presidents after that (anyone remember Charlie Brown's black friend, also named Franklin!)
That said, I wouldn't give away my childhood memories for anything.
they said that roosevelt franklin portrayed the bad stereotypes placed upon the african-americans. on sesame street, he did a lot of things that were typical of the average black person (being loud, obnoxious, not givin a fuck, failing in school, things of that nature). he received a lot of complaints from the black community about how his image on sesame street makes the black community look inferior to other races. thats why he was put off the air...too bad though, i liked him..he was kick ass
That's not true.. he didn't fail in school. In fact, I had the original RF album, and he teaches kids things like letters and numbers and tells them to GO TO/STAY IN school (not black kids specifically.. all kids).
Patti Labelle's "gospel style" version (c. 1999) may be the most SOULFUL rendition of the alphabet song, ..... but even 39 years later, THIS stands firm as the FUNKIEST rendition, ever.
I had a friend who had this on a record and we used to dance to this and put on lip sync concerts to this. Funny for a couple of white chicks from the early 80's!
Gee, garrettsambo7- I guess Matt Robinson and Loretta Long never knew it either. You may want to hurry up and let 'em know; after all, them being two black cast members who happen to have performed the voices for this, the news might upset them after all this time.
Allright!!!! I used to love Roosevelt Frankling back in the 70s here in Puerto Rico. Even with my poor english I tried to sing his songs. (I learned english a great deal thanks to Sesame Street.)
what's all that nonesense about racial stereotyping? Liberals can be tremendously stupid sometimes. This is not stereotiping, this is cultural history.
How sad fohunned that people would say that you were stereotyping your race by posting this somewhere. At least you have a sense of humour. I'm not black but even as a kid growing up in the '70's in Canada, I loved Roosevelt's funky style and he was one of my favourite muppets (amongst many)! Then he suddenly disappeared and as I child I wondered why...I guess even back then people were overly-sensitive.
Roosevelt rocks, and it's nice to see him more of him on YouTube!
Amazing. We live in a generation of videos on tv showing blacks selling and smoking weed, pimps, and ho's black women being called bitches and paraded around the scene with tight pants and skirts on, the 'n' word all over everywhere and THIS generation has the AUDACITY to say that this this stereotype? Amazing. Simply Amazing.
All that is needed to have Heaven on Earth is probably to hear those immortal words from Loretta Long: "Mmmm-mmmm, Roosevelt Frankin sure doesn't know his NUMBERS."
because some idiot people thought it was racist depicting african americans in a "ghetto" sort of way. This was so classic. Roosevelt Franklin was awesome.
Apparently CTW got complaints from folks who saw Roosevelt Franklin as a negative black stereotype, mainly because he was always getting into trouble. My memories of him are sketchy at best, but by the time I started watching Sesame Street (mid-late 70's), Matt Robinson was long gone, and Jerry Nelson performed Roosevelt Franklin.
Playing this clip kinda weirded me out at first, I didn't expect Roosevelt to sing with a deep-ass voice. :)
I have not SEEN this since 1969 or 70. Lord have mercy..I just smiled when I saw and heard this. It had been so long that I couldn't remember the words until it got to the end. Sawing14s..God bless you for posting this. When learning was really FUN!
Man--this is the muppet I miss the most!! He was a riot!!!
notfragile33 1 month ago
The only Black character in the charles shultz peanuts gang's name was "Franklin" too.
ankokugaiBOSS 2 months ago
Matt Robinson, Roosevelt's voice, is actress Holly Robinson-Peete's dad.
PRHousequake 3 months ago
@coatescopywriting there's a bit of a problem in society when people deem somebody attempting to speak proper english with acting like a certain race.
kubrox91 3 months ago
Man, if they brought Roosevelt Franklin back today (with a few tweaks), he'd be the funkiest, coolest character on the Street.
agentadvocate 3 months ago
@coatescopywriting I agree; this is completely tame compared to those old cartoons with the blackface-style stereotypes. I guess the PC-police were too nervous kids would think all black people were hipsters!
wileyk209zback 4 months ago
I love how he throws his head back when he dances LOL!!!! Awww classic, he's my favorite ♥
MJRookieRook 4 months ago
I wonder how many kids learned the alphabet especially from this song :D
MJRookieRook 4 months ago
Uh uh, not in this household. My parents didn't like this. We were middle class-knew nothing of the projects/inner city (black or white ghetto)...wasn't even supposed to know about it. Was NEVER allowed to watch Good Times, All in the Family until I was well into my mid teens (Sanfred and Son still prohibited)...besides my bedtime was 9:00.
lajmh 4 months ago
what the fuck just happened?
mrblob1012 9 months ago
luv it...i watch these videos without my little one! i luv it and always will..sesame street is the BOMB!
takeauthority30 9 months ago
They claim he's Roosevelt Franklin.
prof1661 10 months ago
I used to love this when I was kid, but this was racist.
grosskopf2 10 months ago
I remember looking at some of the Roosevelt Franklin's videos on Sessame Street.
blessed1967 10 months ago
WOW, Sesame employed more black actors than Blaxploitation!
diepiriye 11 months ago
Does anyone have a clip of Roosevelt spelling his name? Thats its been a long time since I heard that one.
TheNedlaw 11 months ago
Roosevelt was holding it down for the brothas on Sesame Street!!!! As a black kid in the 70`s we were def checking for all of his episodes...lol
Romelus69 1 year ago
His voice is so much deeper than on the My Name Is Roosevelt Franklin album.
disneysongtape 1 year ago
"Yes, well I don't care if whether you know them or not, it's just too bad now..."
Could you see those PC people allowing this on Sesame Street these days?
Fupsennod 1 year ago
LMAOOOOOO I LOVE ROOSEVELT FRANKLIN !! HE'S LIKE THE COOLEST PUPPET EVER !! LOVE THE DANCE MOVES HAHAHAHA !! I wonder who out there learned their alphabets from this song LOL
MJRookieRook 1 year ago
What's with the deep voice? Early puberty?
MiddleEasternBorder 1 year ago
What happen to him an why was he removed?
bcguy216 1 year ago
this is a classic kids tv clip.......you idiots playing the race card are the real reason hate will always exist.....it aint color.....its you.
LizRichieBand 1 year ago
Roosevelt Rules
Grepple1234 1 year ago
Apparently this is what GOB's puppet 'Franklin' was based off of
Gob: It ain't easy being white
Franklin: It ain't easy being brown
Gob: All this pressure to be bright
Franklin: I got kids all over town
ScubaS7eve 1 year ago
These were created by, written, and performed by African Americans. Not racist, end of story.
HParker001 1 year ago
Funky 60's beat
PimpThe478 1 year ago
I think Roosevelt Franklin was supposed to be an Italian American kid living in NYC in the 70's but still a lot of fun to watch him.
herpster66 1 year ago
Sesame Street was once rated MA
animefreak873 1 year ago
Why did they retire roosevelt franklin? I was three when I saw this and I thought he was great-I never got that it was racial in any way. Adults are so stupid when it comes to political correctness. Kids don't think in terms of race, I just thought he was a cool character!
crodgers100 1 year ago
Now these were the good ol days. Fun puppets. Alot better than Elmo. They really ruined the show in the last 10 years. More worried about being PC than teaching kids.
thesagebrushkid 1 year ago
I'm Roosevelt Franklin, bitch!
YankeeJet24 1 year ago
One of the coolest ways to learn the A B Cs back in the day
ilshou2000 1 year ago
Roosevelt Franklin. Ask people who Roosevelt Franklin is today and they'll look at you like your from Alpha Centauri. This litlle puppet guy's memory is indelibly stamped into the ephemeral meanderings of my mind....Why Me? ... Scat? Scatman Crouthers? .... Don't get me started...
roberthalfull 1 year ago 2
@roberthalfull proud to be a hipster, i take it?
kubrox91 3 months ago
Wow! Roosevelt is still the mac of cool when It comes to learning your ABC's! Even 40 years later!
thereal001 1 year ago
Roosevelt Franklin ROCKS!!!!
johnyzero2000 1 year ago
I remember this, and it's great to see it again. I must say after reading the comments that all this PC bullcrap has not fixed a thing after all these years. Thanks for posting this great old video.
pazzensutra 1 year ago
I think Roosevelt Franklin was an Italian immigrant though.
herpster66 1 year ago
(0:12 - 0:19) That pretty much sums up Roosevelt Franklin's personality right there! I found that quote so funny (and how he said it) I used it in my "Great Cookie Thief" YouTube Poop when the character popped up!
wileyk209zback 1 year ago
i cracked up on the dance at 2:34-2:39....this clip is awesome. people 40+, we really grew up with the best shows, didn't we?
sherrymandalay 2 years ago
I can't believe this is from 40 years ago. Classic!
MikeKrysta1 2 years ago
Great stuff right up there with muppet Manamana
fifthworld 2 years ago
I loved this guy! This is how teaching was done, with music and an identifiable character. This guy was the FIRST rapper, think about it. Before Rapper's delight, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC there was Roosevelt Franklin. Ty who ever put this clip up.
humbleonewlp 2 years ago
He's so crazy but in a great way.
KajePanik 2 years ago
I love this. Classic-era SS was the best. Still is!
Though I do remember being *slightly* creeped out by Roosevelt's deep voice. lol!
& btw, I agree 100% w. Lashid4u re: Good Times.
Syrinx77 2 years ago
Thanks soooo much!
florihupf 2 years ago
This is going straight into my Fun with Roosevelt Franklin playlist! A funky little number that'll be stuck in my head for the remainder of the year!
My my, Roosevelt's got some serious bass for a little kid!
TelephoneRock4ever 2 years ago
I couldn't pronounce Roosevelt's name when I was a tot, so I called him Reggo! LOL! Cute character. I didn't even realize he was supposed to be black.
AgaMbadi 2 years ago
that's a low voice for a "little boy" LOL
quentinst 2 years ago
A toZ!!! A to Z!! A to Z!!!!
lol
SuppaSapien3 2 years ago
"Doesn't an E come right after D?"
Hey, don't feed him the answers, Mom!
jmkaye00 2 years ago
Now this is a classic, I remember singing this back when. "Man, I am getting up there. I think me and Roosevelt Franklin is the same age. Got to Love It.
fairfax17 2 years ago
this is so good i can't stand it!
78bison 2 years ago
what memories!
78bison 2 years ago
this is RACIST! mmkay? what nigger made this?
digitalxrefugee 2 years ago
Good times was NOT racist, just because they were poor and in the projects. I can say this because I'm from the projects - born where Good Times were supposed to be, the same year the show came out. The family was poor, but still had PRIDE and dignity, and had episodes that were uplifting and empowering (Black Jesus, the episode where Michael pointed out how racially biased tests were ..and episodes on child and alcohol abuse and its dangers)
Lashid4u 2 years ago 55
all good times, the cosby show, and any other race based show did was desensitize whites to coloreds. thats all it ever did. and the result of it was the biggest mess in American history. you know who the hell im talkin about.
and i never knew roosevelt franklin was a black guy haha. hes still my favorite sesame street character.
TheFilexican 2 years ago
Cabrini is all gone now....
ProfessorIgor 2 years ago
@Lashid4u
Actually, if you listen to the actors and writers on Good Times, they'll tell you the show was a failure due to executive meddling. The original idea was to show a middle class, two parent, black family, which was unheard of on TV at the time. However, over the years, as they bent to pressure from above, it turned into what they were trying to avoid: a stereotypical, single mother, poor, black family. Anything positive was due to the writers trying to salvage the show.
newguy90 1 year ago
@Lashid4u
john amos' portrayal of james evans, sr. on "good times" was one of the best character portrayals of the 1970s or for that matter *any* era of television, IMHO.
srw6666 1 year ago
Roosevelt sure knows his alphabet, 'A' to 'Z,' and 'in between'! Moreover, I know that this is a very fond memory from my childhood viewing days! Thanks for posting!
d72jjpilc 2 years ago 10
I never knew Barry White did a voice on Sesame Street haha.
zacandtaylorrule 2 years ago 8
@zacandtaylorrule
Actually, Matt Robinson (the original Gordon and the father of Holly Robinson Peete) was the voice of Roosevelt Franklin.
A1l2l2e2n4 1 year ago
@zacandtaylorrule
If he didn't, then he should have!
MsPandaRosa 10 months ago
HA HA HA HA!!! Classic!!! xD
deezvids 2 years ago 4
Wow! I'm 40 and I remeber watching this when I was a kid. It's how I learned my ABC's! I used to like the music because it was jazzy and dance along. Thanks so much to whoever posted this. It took me WAAAAAY back!
lusciousadria 2 years ago 14
I agree! I'm 45 and I swear I remember this but had totally forgotten about it!!!!!!!! WOW!!!
Blessed2day 2 years ago
The voices of Roosevelt and his mother are provided by Matt Robinson(the original Gordon) and Loretta Long(the one and only Susan, Gordon's wife).
cmulwee001 2 years ago 5
These 60's and 70's clips rule.
PimpThe478 2 years ago 12
Comment removed
MarioZone69 2 years ago
This would NOT be PC nowadays!
Back then it would be just fun.
harpo103 2 years ago
@harpo103
How would Roosevelt Franklin saying his alphabet to a funky beat be considered politically incorrect?
kelime 1 year ago
This is awesome. I have never seen this but it is now a fav!
I love how Roosevelt is so happy with himself...totally cocky and all that..
Classic!
Albertanator 2 years ago 4
Also, in a lot of the skits Roosevelt was a teacher who taught history lessons and lessons on how to get along with others. Someone's gonna have to point out a specific racist segment, because I haven't found one. All kids use slang.
Ebeth666 2 years ago 7
very well put
friskystapler 2 years ago
Well said, and I promise you, us little white kids loved experiencing the culture through Roosevelt!
droid740 2 years ago 3
Dayum! I hadn';t seen this in like nearly 40 years! Thanks so much for posting this!!! Now, dayum, I'm old!
stalzz 2 years ago 3
I love that Roosevelt is just completely stoned off that fat beat! He is living!
droid740 2 years ago 4
Ever notice that in those old Sesame Street eps, ourple muppets represented black folks.
AriesTRam 2 years ago
Half way there...progress,progress!!!!!
bills2baby 2 years ago
How does someone bring irresposible comments to a sesame street clip, one classic before Elmo and brain washing. Black white Chinese we all grew up with the good old Sesame street.
Wilzehagawa 2 years ago 2
My brother and I still to this day say "Roosevelt Franklin KNOWS his alphabet!" 35 years after the fact.
Rock on!
airoairo1968 2 years ago 6
Rosevelt Franklin in this year 1969
444kingtuts 2 years ago
i love this..i wish i could locate the birthday song skit Roosevelt Franklin did..i can't find it anywhere.
humphreezy 2 years ago
GAWED! I LOVE this! Thanks for reposting!
tonks78 2 years ago
i think i've watched this every day since i found it
WeirdFro 2 years ago 2
What you Say! Yay, yay, Yay!!
skorpyan7 2 years ago
Roosevelt Franklin can dance! He is gettin' DOWN!
vahistoryprofessor 2 years ago 4
See, Sesame Street used to be cool. Fuck Elmo!!!! Roosevelt Franklin for president in 2012!!!
jimjonjay 2 years ago 16
Is G.O.B. Bluth going to be Vice President? that's a killer ticket!
Breeslave 2 years ago 3
I Co-sign and agree Elmo is the Britney spears of Muppets. Sesame street used to be great.
Wilzehagawa 2 years ago 8
Sounds like Franklin's voice deepened earlier than normal.
quirpco 2 years ago 5
OH MAN! I used to LOVE this!
kpitt1204 2 years ago
By the way, The late Matt Robinson, doing Roosevelt Franklin voice, is Holly Robinson-Peete's father.
Tsuruta1 2 years ago
Another thing...why the hell was his voice so deep if he was only a child? LOL!!!!
MJRookieRook 2 years ago
Roosevelt Franklin is beast!!! The only Black puppet on Sesame Street. They should've stayed on the show...his mother know she need to take off that apron. lol
MJRookieRook 2 years ago 3
He looks kind of purple to me. :)
loneshewolf74 2 years ago
Same Sound Brown was also a Black muppet, voiced by Northern Calloway, he was used in about 10 or 11 sketches then was dropped
snuffereet 2 years ago
A to Z! A to Z! In between! In between!
deyoungparker 2 years ago
Thats how Franklin D Roosevelt know his ABCs
Ja100453 2 years ago
Sesame streets verson of President Franklin D Rossvielt
becaue FDR was a procivilrights, proeducational and kind to kids, and famus for Socal Suctiry act. I love FDR from seasme street
I bet thats why FDR knows ABCs,123s, stuff all about the world
Ja100453 2 years ago
OMG this brings me back to my childhood. I learned the alphabet by this episode.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago
It amuses me that they used purple muppets to represent black folks way back when!
AriesTRam 2 years ago
It feels so authentic and full of life. I'm grooving along with it.
OtherBrother09 2 years ago 2
Hello! I can't believe it! I have never seen Roosevelt Franklin in action before! I gotta see RF counting the numbers! That was a favorite. (smile) I used to have the Roosevelt Franklin album! I think they used different voices on the album. Halfsies, Just Because... Man this takes me back! Now I gotta see RF & his friend Mobity Mosely! Holla if you have it!
LatashaTrueHeart 2 years ago
Comment removed
rickrik00 2 years ago
Comment removed
rickrik00 2 years ago
Racist? You can't be serious! I learned from watching these skits, along with my black mother who supported me becoming an eduated black woman. I, my sister and younger brother are all at least college educated. Racist? The children in the classrooms depicted above are better behaved than the grown (20-45 year old) men that I deal with as a community health professional. Better than "smoking blunts" all day (with babies watching).
lotusblossom100 2 years ago 15
I remember Roosevelt Franklin during my pre-school years. He was a fan favorite of both children and adult, black and white alike.
The only people who complained about this were those who belong to groups or other organizations. I've always noticed it is never a private citizen who complains.
bigpopparamma 2 years ago 5
And little white kids learned from, and loved, Roosevelt Franklin too.
BeckyPoC 2 years ago 5
Ike and Tina could not have done it better.
abrahamlincoln0900 2 years ago
i love how he dances
yamba 3 years ago 3
Brings me back to the good ole days of television in Tasmania, getting up at 8 O'Clock in the morning to watch Sesame Street. Sesame Street had a lot of soul in those days; man have'nt seen this clip for 35 years...Great memories of my childhood days, I'm 46 now!
Tassie20 3 years ago
This faded clip from 1969 makes me feel very nostalgic and wish I could be there at that time.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago 2
Rosevelt Franklin in this year 1969,tell me if your feeling fine.Hopefully Rosevelt Franklin finished before 1970.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
When I first heard of Benjamin Franklin, I thought he was supposed to be a cross between Benjamin Bunny (Peter Rabbit's cousin) and Roosevelt Franklin.
TnseWlms 3 years ago
His voice sounds so much deeper here than on my My Name is Roosevelt Franklin record.
disneysongtape 3 years ago
Ooooh, his voice broke! What's an "Elmo" anyway?
Jolar70 3 years ago
I like how back then Roosevelt was practically the star, then he just faded and once in a while you'd see him in the background, but never hear him talk.
neddx 3 years ago 2
This is so charming and groovy! And I love Roosevelt's swirly head dance move.
I believe this was made with only good intentions.
dieorangeSchnecke 3 years ago 6
He Is cool man -- fire it up Frankie--
pekoe 3 years ago
This was so advanced for its time ,its almost like Rosevelt Franklin was in the year 1970.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
Why did Roosevelt Franklin get the boot from Sesame Street? I guess he was just too badass for the show. :)
Akira625 3 years ago 2
Basically, one group decided it was best for all not to see this cartoon. One groupd decided to pull the character for being deemed as offensive. And as an African American peaking on the behalf of African Americans who are not offended by this muppet... the only thing I'm offended by is that one group decided what was best for all. :-/ But ... hey, that's just MY opinion.
youngrebels75 3 years ago 6
do all of yall realize that you have no life..this is a little kid cartoon its not meant to be racist..its meant to teach a lesson...and a name is just a name..and as for his actions dont you think its supposed to teach kids how to not act and behave properly?...[SIGH]
sugarkissesz1 3 years ago
How is this racist?.I grew up watching Roosevelt Franklin when I was a kid so please this is no way racist at any point.
byronbenguche 3 years ago 2
Roosevelt was never in detention! If anything he encouraged his friends to learn. Sure he was a bit of a wise guy, but he never put anybody down. As for ribbing his mother, what kid doesn't do a bit of that?
PandaMishima 3 years ago
Roosevelt Franklin sounds like Isaac Hayes!
tapper36 3 years ago
I thought it was Rerun from WHAT'S HAPPENING!!
SnugglySara 3 years ago
What utter, abject BULLSHIT jumping all over this as racist. The late '60s and early '70s were THE era for the blacksploitation flick and shows like Good Times and Sanford and Son. This wouldn't resonate at all unfavourably with anyone then, just as a rap tune of the alphabet wouldn't do so today. Don't take your modern crybaby politically correct brainwashing and apply it to things out of historical context. One can only wish that black music was still so soulful and funky today.
gr8pumpkin 3 years ago 7
And the Jeffersons & What's Happening!!
SnugglySara 3 years ago
lets chat
Avon07734 3 years ago
Roosevelt has a mother...this expresses the importance of family.
He not only stays in school, but actually teaches it...he's a classic OVER-acheiver!
If his style of singing is a stereotype...is it really a BAD one? Is it wrong to display such talent? How is it insulting to blacks to suggest that they have great musical gifts??
If the way he talks is stereotypical, mabye it was so black kids would identify with him...and love their family, stay in school, and show their talents!
dangard88 3 years ago 5
This was political correctness gone bad. Roosevelt was one of the BEST muppets ever! "inferior"??! He was a classic OVER-acheiver! Not just staying in school but teaching it! And his musical ability...that's not a stereotype, it's a TALENT!! A talent shared by many blacks yes, but how is that a bad thing? There was a muppet called "placido Flamingo" who sang opera, but there were no tirades by the Latino community. Finaly, Roosevelt had a mom....he expressed a sense of family.
I misshim
dangard88 3 years ago 6
=O The song's lip-synced? I thought the puppets were actually singing it themselves! :) J/k. 5/5.
Yoshiling 3 years ago 2
I'm glad I wasn't alive in the 70's, this is straight up racist. It's almost as racist as FOX News. You may as well have a muppet named Darky who does a little soft shoe and eats Watermelon.
amnfoliver 3 years ago
Oh my....someone needs a history lesson. There is NOTHING RACIST about this character. You are a PRIME EXAMPLE of political correctness gone MAD. Political correctness will get us killed!
parsleyda 3 years ago 4
Racist!???? Where is that shown? What is with his voice? That is what I am laughing about.
zoeydebra 3 years ago 2
Not racist and I'm African- American! This was my era and it was educational. Lord help your children who just don't understand!
TriviaOne 2 years ago 4
I remember Roosevelt Franklin and his mother as a tyke in the early 70s. I do not know how some of these PC people can determine that the characters and the Elementary School skit is racist; they're just rowdy kids in the classroom like we all have been before class starts and the teacher shows up.
bigpopparamma 2 years ago 3
I used to LOVE Roosevelt Franklin. It was kinda racist to name the black character after two Presidents after that (anyone remember Charlie Brown's black friend, also named Franklin!)
That said, I wouldn't give away my childhood memories for anything.
Miss you Roosevelt
TadAllagash 3 years ago 4
I love this. Roosevelt is the best!
elsuperbrain 3 years ago 5
they said that roosevelt franklin portrayed the bad stereotypes placed upon the african-americans. on sesame street, he did a lot of things that were typical of the average black person (being loud, obnoxious, not givin a fuck, failing in school, things of that nature). he received a lot of complaints from the black community about how his image on sesame street makes the black community look inferior to other races. thats why he was put off the air...too bad though, i liked him..he was kick ass
jera1986 3 years ago
That's not true.. he didn't fail in school. In fact, I had the original RF album, and he teaches kids things like letters and numbers and tells them to GO TO/STAY IN school (not black kids specifically.. all kids).
jensmusicfaves 3 years ago
I liked Roosevelt too, we need him back! But he WASN'T failing school, he just had this devil-may-care attitude about it.
PandaMishima 3 years ago
Patti Labelle's "gospel style" version (c. 1999) may be the most SOULFUL rendition of the alphabet song, ..... but even 39 years later, THIS stands firm as the FUNKIEST rendition, ever.
Can You Dig It?
datmancalledwhw 3 years ago 2
I had a friend who had this on a record and we used to dance to this and put on lip sync concerts to this. Funny for a couple of white chicks from the early 80's!
Mommy246 3 years ago
Roosevelt is the most awesome kid on Sesame Street. I wonder what happened to him? Well, he's my favorite. :]
imSOridiculous 3 years ago
I never knew Sesame Street was racist!
garrettsambo7 3 years ago
How is this clip racist?
mjlaird 3 years ago 5
Gee, garrettsambo7- I guess Matt Robinson and Loretta Long never knew it either. You may want to hurry up and let 'em know; after all, them being two black cast members who happen to have performed the voices for this, the news might upset them after all this time.
galaxyhigh73 3 years ago 2
Yeah, what is racist about it? My gosh, what has America come too! Political correctness run amuck!
parsleyda 3 years ago 2
Allright!!!! I used to love Roosevelt Frankling back in the 70s here in Puerto Rico. Even with my poor english I tried to sing his songs. (I learned english a great deal thanks to Sesame Street.)
what's all that nonesense about racial stereotyping? Liberals can be tremendously stupid sometimes. This is not stereotiping, this is cultural history.
And I loooove it... Yeah yeah yeah...
elsuperbrain 3 years ago 5
YOU ARE MY HERO.
:3
Roosevelt Franklin is sexy. :)
NakamuraNamiko 3 years ago
The opening bassline on this skit is funk-a-licious, man!
Akira625 3 years ago
funny--I just posted this one on a message board and people challenged me by saying I was stereotyping our race.
fohunned 3 years ago
How sad fohunned that people would say that you were stereotyping your race by posting this somewhere. At least you have a sense of humour. I'm not black but even as a kid growing up in the '70's in Canada, I loved Roosevelt's funky style and he was one of my favourite muppets (amongst many)! Then he suddenly disappeared and as I child I wondered why...I guess even back then people were overly-sensitive.
Roosevelt rocks, and it's nice to see him more of him on YouTube!
JanaGen87 3 years ago 2
Amazing. We live in a generation of videos on tv showing blacks selling and smoking weed, pimps, and ho's black women being called bitches and paraded around the scene with tight pants and skirts on, the 'n' word all over everywhere and THIS generation has the AUDACITY to say that this this stereotype? Amazing. Simply Amazing.
migueldelrio85 3 years ago 9
Just because those things do exist doesnt mean this isnt a sterotype, because it is.
simplyphenomenal 3 years ago
OMG!@$%!@Q)!
Haven't heard/seen this is eons, and STILL it's fresh, like yesterday!
I'm 4 years old again :) :) :)
LHZZ12MM 3 years ago 2
Love the funky late 60's and early 70's beat.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
That juvenille muppet has gor some serious bass in them foam-rubber pipes of his!
hillbillyvampyre 3 years ago 3
How did Roosevelt Franklin get his name? Why was he named after our 32nd President?
67nairb 3 years ago
I've wondered that myself. FDR did have a lot of admirers, and the name is catchy.
PandaMishima 2 years ago
damn. roosevelt must have hit puberty when he was three.......that voice.
PRINCESSROCKYT 3 years ago 3
A wonderful time for me. I was about 4 when this came out. Sesame St. was the best!
nastynippelz 3 years ago
Brings back memories! Got to love the old sesame street!
dkmontg 3 years ago
I love the 60's and 70's
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
All that is needed to have Heaven on Earth is probably to hear those immortal words from Loretta Long: "Mmmm-mmmm, Roosevelt Frankin sure doesn't know his NUMBERS."
AMEN to that.
datmancalledwhw 3 years ago
Rosevel Franklin was so advanced for his time he hit the promised land of 1970.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
and his voice went from pre-teen to adult in such a short time during this skit lol
nirrad0791 3 years ago 2
Why did they get rid of roosevelt franklin?
actorflaw 3 years ago
because some idiot people thought it was racist depicting african americans in a "ghetto" sort of way. This was so classic. Roosevelt Franklin was awesome.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 3 years ago 2
Apparently CTW got complaints from folks who saw Roosevelt Franklin as a negative black stereotype, mainly because he was always getting into trouble. My memories of him are sketchy at best, but by the time I started watching Sesame Street (mid-late 70's), Matt Robinson was long gone, and Jerry Nelson performed Roosevelt Franklin.
Playing this clip kinda weirded me out at first, I didn't expect Roosevelt to sing with a deep-ass voice. :)
Akira625 3 years ago
I have not SEEN this since 1969 or 70. Lord have mercy..I just smiled when I saw and heard this. It had been so long that I couldn't remember the words until it got to the end. Sawing14s..God bless you for posting this. When learning was really FUN!
Sesame Street Was the BOMB!!!
TriviaOne 3 years ago 2
Typical late 60's and early 70's (1968-1974) beat.
Lordofjunggle 3 years ago
THank you for posting this, Sawing....Roosevelt Franklin was my FAVORITE puppet on the Street of Sesame!!!
'Coz he's Roosevelt Franklin...what you say???? Roosevelt Franklin...yeah yeah yeah....I luv it!!
bigfinewoman 3 years ago