Well … part of Big Bird, at least. CNN published a really fantastic piece on Sesame Street’s 40th reminding some of us who remember and informing others of us who never knew how the whole thing got started back in 1969:

In the early days of “Sesame Street” — that is, B.E. (Before Elmo) — Sesame Street was a pretty grimy place. The brownstone at 123 Sesame Street looked like it needed a serious power washing, the storefront of Mr. Hooper’s shop was intentionally dingy and the Fix-It Shop’s window was cluttered with toasters. It was gritty, but gritty in a magical way. When the show started in 1969 (”Sesame Street” will celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 10), the concept of educational television programming was nothing short of revolutionary. “Sesame Street” was originally intended as a learning tool for inner-city children — not only as a supplement to their lessons in math and the ABCs but to teach them to be good people and show them that learning can be fun. Those early years are now available on DVD; and the discs contain a disclaimer that essentially states that they are intended for nostalgia purposes only. The warning reads as follows: “These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.” Say what!? Never did I ever think I’d see “Sesame Street” and “intended for grown-ups” in the same sentence. On the DVDs, Cookie Monster can be seen as his character of Alistair Cookie in his “Monsterpiece Theatre” segment (a spoof of Alistair Cooke’s “Masterpiece Theatre”) smoking a pipe. Yep, Cookie Monster smoked. He later eats the pipe because, as he was often prone to doing, he thinks the pipe is a cookie. Cookie Monster used to become so overwhelmed by his desire for cookies that he’d start seeing (hallucinating about?) cookies that weren’t actually there. He’d eat (rotary) telephones, typewriters (what are those?), pencils, almost anything. It was funny. Today, Cookie Monster’s diet is much more balanced, as he has adopted the philosophy that cookies are a “sometimes food.” Cookie coincidentally changed his tune in 2006 amidst reports that childhood obesity had reached epidemic proportions. Early “Sesame Street” had some other elements that would not pass muster today. Oscar the Grouch is just plain nasty, children are seen riding their bikes without helmets, and there’s even a sketch where the human character of Gordon can be seen approaching a little girl on the street. He takes her by the hand and brings her into his house for milk and cookies (again with the cookies!). Clearly, that could be misinterpreted by today’s standards. Now, some 4,000 episodes later, 123 Sesame Street has gotten that power washing. Peeling paint is nowhere to be found, and the only visible garbage can has a tenant. It’s much more sanitized. I’m tempted to make fun of this, but then I notice the bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel on my desk and bite my proverbial tongue. For better or worse, today’s preschooler is very different from the 1969 version. And children’s television programming simply has to reflect that. But one thing hasn’t changed on “Sesame Street”: the unflinchingly genuine attitudes of its residents. For 40 years, they have taught us that sometimes we are going to get hurt, cry and be lonely. They’ve taught us that there’ll also be times when we’re downright jovial. All the while, those characters have remained sincere. We may never see Cookie Monster eat a pipe again, but luckily the memories are preserved on DVD, and in our hearts.

It’s pretty wonderful for those of us born after 1969 that we’ve never known a world without Sesame Street. I used to love watching that show. Living in Detroit, Sesame Street used to teach viewers how to speak Spanish as a second language … while my parents were fluent in Spanish, I didn’t want to learn the language from them. I learned how to count and say basic words from the gang on Sesame Street. Detroit’s very close proximity to Canada meant that we also got to watch Canadian Sesame Street on very fuzzy channels (in the days before cable TV) and I also got to learn basic French. There are so many little vinettes that I remember fondly from watching Sesame Street, like the pinball machine animation that teaches you how to count to 12. After the jump, check out that fun video and remember with me how cool Sesame was and still is …

The Eiffel Tower has celebrated its 120th anniversary with an impressive light show. Every night for the next three months the Trocadero facade will light up with thousands of state-of-the-art LED spotlights. The spectacular light show lasts 12 minutes, one minute for each decade it has stood in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and is visited by nearly seven million people a year.

The Eiffel Tower is one of my favorite places on the planet. As a child, I was obsessed with visiting the monument when my 5th grade pen pal from France sent me a small plastic version of the tower. I vowed to myself at that moment that I would lay my hands on the Eiffel Tower at least once in my lifetime. I’ve been very fortunate to have, thus far, visited and touched the Eiffel Tower twice now. All my birthday lurve goes out to the beautiful structure today. After the jump, check out a short clip of this new 120th anniversary light show that will be on display nightly for the next 3 months …

The Los Angeles Galaxy continued their improbable rise from the depths of MLS with Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes that clinched their first Western Conference regular season title since 2002. The Galaxy, playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 27,000 at The Home Depot Center, were the recipient of some good fortune in the win, their first against their bitter northern California rivals this season in three tries in the “California Clasico.” The victory gave the Galaxy (12-6-12) 48 points and first place in the West, no matter the outcome of Sunday’s regular-season finale between Chivas USA and the Houston Dynamo. The Galaxy own the head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams, should one of them tie the Galaxy for points. The Galaxy, which tied for the worst record in MLS only a year ago, certainly hope their first West regular season title in seven years is a good omen. The last they won the West, they also won the MLS Cup. They just missed out that season on a double when they were beaten by the Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup final. The Galaxy got a badly needed insurance goal in the 77th minute when Chris Klein, who had just come on as a substitute for Mike Magee, sent a beautiful pass to Landon Donovan who had gotten behind defender Brandon McDonald. Donovan took the pass, then beat an onrushing Cannon through his legs for his 12th goal of the season. The Galaxy dominated for most of Saturday’s match, especially in a first half which featured several good chances before ironically taking the lead on what amounted to a fluke goal. It was just five minutes into the match when the Galaxy had its first chance on an 8-yard blast by defender Sean Franklin after a wild scramble just outside the goal crease and directly in front of the San Jose net. But his attempt never made it through a group of players and was blocked by McDonald, a former member of the Galaxy. Then it was David Beckham’s turn 12 minutes later. San Jose’s Bobby Convey was called for a foul and then received a caution for dissent to set up a free kick from about 28 yards. Beckham expertly curved the ball over and around the Earthquakes defensive wall, but the ball sailed wide of the net by no more than a yard. San Jose, which was on a four-game (1-0-3) unbeaten streak on the road, finally showed some life on offense barely two minutes later when a shot by Ramiro Corrales just missed the Galaxy net from about 20 yards. The Galaxy, however, clearly were holding the upper hand in quality chances. Dema Kovalenko, for example, known more for his defensive play, got into the offensive flow and barely chipped one over the crossbar in the 22nd minute. That led to the Galaxy’s unusual score two minutes later. Donovan simply was attempting a cross into the penalty area when San Jose’s Bobby Burling stuck out his foot. The ball was deflected just enough, sailed high over the outstretched hand of Earthquakes goalie Joe Cannon and landed in the far corner of the net for a stunning own goal and 1-0 Galaxy lead. The Earthquakes responded with their best chance of the opening 45 minutes. It was just two minutes later when Corrales attempted a free kick and sent the ball deep into the Galaxy penalty area. McDonald, streaking toward the net, got his head on it. Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, however, got his hand on it and made the save. The Galaxy had three more scoring opportunities in the half, first on Edson Buddle’s 22-yard attempt that Cannon saved easily; Chris Birchall’s attempt from a sharp angle that went wide of the net and, finally, another Beckham free kick. This one, in the 35th minute, was from 30 yards and went just high over the crossbar. By virtue of the victory, the Galaxy now know they will be the road team in the first leg of next week’s Western Conference Semifinal Series. But whether they travel to Houston — or remain right at home for the first-ever SuperClasico playoff series against fellow Home Depot Center residents Chivas USA — remains to be seen.

Hurray!! This is great news for the Galaxy … and the news just keeps getting better. As is his custom, Becks stripped off his jersey after the match and paraded around the grounds showin’ off his fine physique. After the jump, check out a few pics of hawt Becks stripped down to the waist …

Yay! Today we’re all winners. Here’s hoping the Galaxy can keep the winning streak going into the championship season. Who knows, they might be in it to win it all!!! Congrats guys!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Robin Thicke and wife Paula Patton are expecting their first child, Usmagazine.com has learned. On Tuesday, the two – who began dating in high school before wedding in 2005 – got cozy at the 2009 Angel Ball in New York City. Thicke, 32, was happy to sing her praises. “She could make a marriage work with a chair,” he told Us of Patton, 33, who is currently shooting the Queen Latifah comedy, Just Wright. “She’s an incredible woman, and she’s very beautiful, so I’m just lucky to be with her.” Asked how they work so well together, Patton told Us, “He’s … amazing!”

I have to say … it’s about time. I’m sure countless babies have already been made by countless couples makin’ the sweet love to Robin Thicke’s music … it’s only fitting that Thicke and his wife make a baby of their own. Much love and congrats goes out to the happy couple … after all, as long as they keep on givin’ they can take anything that comes their way. Baby, rain or shine, all the time they got each other sharin’ the laughter and love.

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The bride was absolutely stunning in her beautiful wedding dress and the groom was lookin’ pretty swanky himself. It is my extreme pleasure to share the beautiful sight of our newly and very happily wedded friends :)

After the jump, check out an adorable photo of the Mr. & Mrs. sharing their first dance together as husband and wife and also check out a really fun photo of Mariqueen rockin’ her sexy red reception dress …

Have you ever seen a more beautiful bride and groom ever in your life? As I mentioned yesterday, it was an honor to share in their love on Saturday night and I hope you will join me (again) in sending our best wishes and all our love to the happy couple. Congratulations and much, much love Q & T!!!

David and I have been planning on getting a second car for AGES but because we’ve been traveling so much the past few months we never got around to getting it together enough to find the right car. Because this is David’s first car he wanted to find the perfect one … after checking out a few models we decided to go with the 2010 Cadillac CTS. Folks, this car is phat … and at long last we don’t have to fight over who’s gonna get the car at any given time. I hope you’ll join me in sending congrats to my boo. David looks good next to our new ride, don’t he?

If you can believe it, the day got even better. David and I were invited to a very special wedding ceremony which took place last night … we were honored to attend and enjoyed one of the best nights of our lives with a very special couple who celebrated their love with family and friends. After the jump, check out some fun photos from the festive event last night …

First things first, this is not a news report … nor do I plan on explaining every occurrence that took place last night. We spent a wonderful night celebrating the joyous union of two friends and that’s pretty much all that needs to be said. David and I were so touched to be included in the celebration of the union our friends Mariqueen and Trent and we had a great time celebrating their love last night. Here are some pics of us lookin’ all snazzy and shizz with our friends Mariqueen & Trent and Tamar & Rob (from the infamous Turtle Party: Book Club):

Q’s fabulous red dress was her party dress not her wedding dress (which was stunningly beautiful, I can assure you). The personal nature of Q & T’s special night is not for me to tell … I will say, tho, that it was really amazing to be in the presence of so much love. I will also add that I got to share a slow dance with Tamar (who looked beautiful, y’all) so now my life is complete. I hope you’ll join me in sending love and congrats to the happy couple! May they live a long, happy and very prosperous life together!!!

The joyous fête was outfitted with an ol’ time photobooth for the revelers to play with … here are some of the photostrips that we took last night:

You will note that my D-town homie Sergio is included in one of the strips … yes, it was a lurvefest all night long :)

Being a part of such a loving celebration really made me realize how much in love I am with David (plus we may have gotten some ideas for when we say our I Dos in the future):

We had a really special night because we were able to celebrate with our dear friends. Again … many, many congratulations goes out to the happy couple!!

Britney Spears becomes the first artist in over three years to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, to be released tomorrow (Oct. 15), as “3″ opens at the pinnacle of the chart. Her new track, a racy paean to the joys of three-way sex from the upcoming hits set “The Singles Collection,” due Nov. 24, shifts 255,000 downloads in its first week of release, also propelling it to No. 1 on Digital Songs. The title also jumps 38-25 on the Pop Songs chart and debuts at No. 49 on Radio Songs/Hot 100 Airplay, which ranks songs based on airplay audience on all radio formats. “3″ is the first title to debut at No. 1 since Taylor Hicks’ “American Idol” victory song “Do I Make You Proud” did so on the chart dated July 1, 2006. In fact, the last four songs to open at No. 1 were all “American Idol”-related. Prior to Hicks, Carrie Underwood’s “Inside Your Heaven” (July 2, 2005), “I Believe” by Fantasia (July 10, 2004) and Clay Aiken’s “This Is The Night” each debuted at No. 1. The last non-”Idol” song to open at No. 1 was Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” on Nov. 14, 1998. “3″ is Spears’ third Hot 100 No. 1. Her debut single “…Baby One More Time” spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1999 and “Womanizer” spent a sole frame at the top, exactly one year ago this week, on the chart dated Oct. 25, 2008.

Woooot!!! What amazing news!!! While I’m still pretty stunned to realize that Britney has only ever previously enjoyed 2 #1 songs, the stunning success of 3 more than makes up for it. I knew that the song was doing well but I had no idea it was doing this well. Congratulations of the highest degree are deffo in order for our dear Britney today. In case you are one of the few folks who has yet to hear 3, you can give it a listen after the jump …

Heidi Klum gave birth to a girl, Lou Samuel, on Oct. 9 in Los Angeles, her rep confirms. She joins siblings Johan, 2 ½, Henry, 4, and Leni, 5. The supermodel’s husband, Seal, released the following statement Monday night:

“It’s difficult to imagine loving another child as much as you love your existing children,” Seal writes. “Anyone who has a family will tell you this. Where will one find that extra love? If you love your existing children with all of your heart, how then can one possibly find more heart with which to love another? On Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at 7:46 p.m., the answer to this question came in the form of our fourth child and second daughter,” he continues. “Lou Sulola Samuel was born, and from the moment she looked into both of our eyes, it was endless love at first sight. She is beautiful beyond words and we are happy that she chose us to watch her grow over the coming years.”

Yay!! At last, we can extend our love and congrats to the newly expanded family and send them the warmest wishes for little Lou. Seal’s statement is sooo cute … you can tell that he loves his family more than anything else on Earth. I’m very happy for the entire family … much love and congrats again!! I cannot wait to see what darling little Lou looks like :)

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

US President Barack Obama sensationally won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday just nine months into his term, prompting world leaders to urge him to use the accolade to step up efforts for global peace. The jury hailed Obama’s “extraordinary” efforts in international diplomacy and to hasten nuclear disarmament, but criticism surged quickly over how the award could be given so soon. The US leader, 48, said he was “humbled” by the distinction. “Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the Nobel jury said in making the stunning announcement. A gasp went through the Nobel Institute in Oslo as Obama’s name was read out. The committee attached “special importance to Obama’s vision and work for a world without nuclear weapons” and said he had created “a new climate in international politics.” Obama took office on January 20 and has sought to restore US standing after widespread criticism over the war in Iraq and the world superpower’s attitude to efforts to control global warming. The first black American president has brought the Israeli and Palestinian leaders together for a meeting, approved new diplomatic engagement with Iran, Myanmar and North Korea and signalled a new willingness to attack growing environmental problems. Obama went to Cairo to make a major speech on relations with the Muslim world, badly tarnished by President George W. Bush’s order to invade Iraq. At the United Nations, he has launched an initiative to reduce the number of nuclear weapons. The US president was awoken at 6:00 am at the White House by his spokesman to be told of the award. An administration official quoted Obama as saying he felt “humbled”. Obama was honored “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjoern Jagland said, adding that it was “a unanimous decision.” The jury said: “Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations,” it said. “Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the US is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic changes the world is confronting.” The committee said it was seeking to encourage Obama’s ideals rather than recognise concrete results. Speaking to AFP, Jagland said: “It was unavoidable to give the prize to the man who has improved the international climate and emphasised negotiations and dialogue. Before he took office the situation was so dangerous. Step by step he has given the message to the world that he wants to negotiate on all conflicts, strengthen the United Nations and work for a world without any nuclear arms.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the award, calling it an “incentive to the president and to us all” to do more for peace.

This is quite an achievement and much congratulations goes out to our President today. Obama seems to instill a vision of hope that resonates beyond our US borders and was clearly recognized by the jury of the Nobel Prize. I fully expect this honor to inspire President Obama to do even more to work towards “strengthening international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” not only for the duration of his time in office as president but for the rest of his life. Much, much congrats President Obama!!

UPDATE: President Obama has announced that he will donate the $1.4 million in prize money to charity. That’s classy, y’all!

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Congratulations, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The fiercely private couple is still playing coy about whether or not they’re dating. But, take it from us, they are in fact engaged. Rumors that they might be betrothed have been floating around since April. Not true then. True now. “They’re telling friends they will get married,” says a pal, who heard the news directly from one of them. A wedding is bound to comfort Cruz’s Catholic parents, considering stubborn rumors that she’s pregnant. But she continues to deny she’s with child – even to friends. Despite a photo showing the smiling pair leaving an OB/GYN clinic in Madrid last month, they’ve been telling friends to hold off on the baby gifts. “They say the pregnancy stories aren’t true,” says another skeptical friend. Publicists for the stars declined to comment … While many reports have time-stamped Cruz and Bardem’s romance as starting in 2007, few know they first fell for each other in 1992 while making “Jamon, Jamon,” where their fiery sex scenes were improved by some real-life rehearsals. Cruz broke it off with Bardem after the film, but they teamed again for 1997’s “Live Flesh.” By the time Woody Allen cast them in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” both were older, wiser and international superstars. They fell in love all over again. Cruz’s convincing performance as Bardem’s virago ex earned her an Oscar. (He came home with one, too, for “No Country for Old Men.”) Some reports claimed they’d broken up last year, alleging she was mad at him for breaking a promise to take a year off from work. “Penelope is really angry because she turned down a few really good roles because she was so committed to their sabbatical,” one source was quoted as saying. Her brother Eduardo contended Cruz was also disappointed that Bardem wouldn’t go along with her plan to adopt a baby from India. Despite those reports, the two have remained inseparable, doing a very bad job of pretending to be friends. From the sound of things, they’re finally ready to give up their ruse.

Honestly, I’d hold off any rushing out to get any wedding gifts for these two … considering how fiercely private they have been about their dating life, I’m not sure I believe the couple’s so-called “friends” who insist the couple are engaged. That being said, I really do love these two together … they make a beautiful couple and I would love nothing more than for them to get hitched and start makin’ beautiful Spanish babies ;) Even if the couple are engaged, don’t count on hearing any confirmation at all … I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see if a wedding comes to fruition. Engagements can last years so … don’t hold y’all’s breath just yet.

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