|
Harold Hooper (known as Mr. Hooper), played by Will Lee since the premiere of the American children's television program ''Sesame Street'' in 1969 until his death in 1982, was one of the first four human characters that appeared on the show. Created by producer and writer Jon Stone, Mr. Hooper is the original proprietor of Hooper's Store, the neighborhood variety store and combination diner/corner store that serves as a place for Muppets and humans to meet and interact. Lee, a character actor and instructor who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era, was "perfectly cast" as Mr. Hooper.〔 Mr. Hooper ranked first of all human characters of the show in recognition of young viewers. Mr. Hooper, who has been described as "slightly cranky but good-hearted" and "curmudgeonly", bridges the gap between the older generation and its young audience. Hooper's Store, "an idealized social institution",〔 is an extension of his personality. He has a special relationship with the Muppet Big Bird. At the time of Lee's death, instead of recasting the role, the writers and producers of ''Sesame Street'' decided to create an episode that taught their young audience about the difficult topic of death. Research was conducted to ascertain the messages they wanted to convey about the topic, as well as the effect the episode would have on the young children who watched it. They were advised by experts in the fields of child psychology, child development, and religion. Studies conducted after the episode was produced showed that most children understood its messages about death, and that they experienced no long-term ill effects. The episode, written by head writer Norman Stiles, aired on Thanksgiving Day 1983; the cast and crew reported that filming it was an emotional and touching experience. The episode, which set the standard for dealing with difficult topics on children's television, was called heartbreaking yet affirming, and one of the proudest moments in the show's history. == Development and description == Mr. Hooper, played by Will Lee from the premiere of ''Sesame Street'' in 1969 until his death in 1982, was one of the first four human characters that appeared on the show. Created by producer and writer Jon Stone, Lee was the first actor to be cast.〔Gikow, p. 68〕 Lee came to Stone's attention through writers Bruce and Carole Hart.〔Davis, p. 177〕 Mr. Hooper was inspired by the Bob Keeshan character, Captain Kangaroo; Stone previously worked on the ''Captain Kangaroo'' program, which greatly influenced him as he developed ''Sesame Street''. Mr. Hooper is the original proprietor of Hooper's Store, the neighborhood variety store and combination diner/corner store that serves as a place for Muppets and humans to meet and interact.〔Gikow, p. 66〕 Stone's original conception of Mr. Hooper was that he would be, like most owners of such establishments at the time, older, male, Caucasian, and Jewish.〔Davis, p. 168〕 Lee was a character actor and acting instructor with a range of roles in the theater and who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era. According to writer Michael Davis, Lee played Mr. Hooper, known for his bowtie and hornrimmed glasses, "with such certainty and naturalness he made adults suspend their sense of disbelief".〔Davis, p. 280〕 Writer Louise A. Gikow stated that Lee was "perfectly cast" as Mr. Hooper.〔 According to fellow cast member Bob McGrath, who also appeared in ''Sesame Street'' Davis described Mr. Hooper as "slightly cranky but good-hearted".〔 Gikow called Mr. Hooper "curmudgeonly".〔 Davis stated that since Mr. Hooper's appearance in the first episode of ''Sesame Street'', he had become many things to many young children, "... the guy in the apron at the far side of the generation gap, his half-lens glasses slipping down his nose". Davis also stated that Hooper's Store, which he called "an idealized social institution", is an extension of Mr. Hooper's personality.〔 Mr. Hooper has a special relationship with the Muppet character Big Bird, who would often come into Hooper's Store for a birdseed milkshake and a chat, but would mispronounce Mr. Hooper's name.〔 Mr. Hooper's first name, Harold, was not revealed until the character earned a GED during night school.〔Borgenicht, David (1998). ''Sesame Street Unpaved''. New York: Hyperion Publishing. p. 124. ISBN 0-7868-6460-5〕 Mr. Hooper's last appearances on ''Sesame Street'' aired in 1983, but Lee's last segments for the show were taped in November 1982 and Lee participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with other ''Sesame Street'' characters a few days before he died of a heart attack on December 7, 1982.〔〔Gikow, p. 182〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mr. Hooper」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|