Work Text:
It was a beautiful day on Sesame Street, as Ringo Starr strolled passed Hooper’s store, upon the very street famous to small children.
“Why hello Ringo.” The new owner of the late Mister Hooper’s store called out, as he swept to stoop of his business.
“Hello Mister Handford.” Ringo replied back, with a friendly little wave, to the actor playing the character.
The former Beatle wasn’t in some alternative universe, but a few months ago found himself sitting next to no other than Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, on a plane bound for London.
This surprise meeting was a pleasant delight for both men, as they admired each other’s work, but had never met before.
Starr had only recently began living his life as a sober man, having completed his rehab program just a year ago.
He found Jim’s warm company on a long flight, helped ease the tension alcohol used to erase.
It didn’t take long for Jim to suggest that the former Beatle come on the hit children’s educational program called Sesame Street, and do a skit.
Now this was exactly what the drummer was doing.
The fond memory of the plane ride, caused the former Beatle to genuinely smile, as Kermit appeared passing by, with Jim himself laying on a rolling board, holding the green puppet above his head, as if the character were walking.
“Hello Rich!” the famous frog simply said as his only line, while Jim himself rolled by on a cart on the floor.
“Hello there Kermit.” Starr replied while smiling at his new friend below.
“Hi Mister Starr!” a giant yellow bird in roller skates quickly passed by. “Bye Mister Starr.” The forever six year old uttered off camera.
“Hi and bye to you too Big Bird.” Ringo said, turning his head in the birds direction.
Soon the man from Britain passed a line of stairs, where a rubbish receptacle stood. As the man approached, the lid on the container swung open, and out popped out the rug looking monster, Oscar the Grouch.
Jim had asked the former Beatle if he had any preference in the show’s characters. Which Ringo named the aforementioned Muppet, known for being sarcastic.
Oscar was rather popular with adults, who found his obnoxious personality to be a great break from all the childhood innocence the show usually replicates.
“So it’s you.” The Muppet in a rubbish container said to the former Beatle.
“Yes it’s me.” Ringo replied to the disgruntled character before him.
“I’ve heard of you.” Oscar said in his usual snarly voice.
“Well I also have heard of you.” The British accent came back.
“Oh yeah?” the Grouch asked, scowling at the guest star on the show. “Well I heard you have blue eyes, that everyone says are delightful to look at.” The green character stated.
“Well I’ve heard your eye brows are the only thing that moves on your face, besides your mouth.” Starr observed of the basic puppet.
“Well I heard you play music that everyone likes to listen to.” The green Muppet declared.
“And I heard you cause such a ruckus, which no one wants to hear.” Starr pointed out.
“People tell me you have a pleasant personality, and almost everybody likes you.” The character sneered.
“And people tell me you are grouchy, and everyone tries to avoid you.” Ringo told him forwardly.
“Oh how good of you to say that!” Oscar replied, looking as happy as the grouchy puppet could.
“My pleasure.” The drummer said with a smile.
“I had a rotten time with you.” The Muppet freely stated.
“And I had a delightful time with you.” The former Beatle answered.
Then the green creature ducted his head back into his receptacle with the tin lid slamming closed.
“Cut!” the director said. “That was perfect!” Jon Stone replied as the skit ended.
This short little exchange between Oscar the Grouch and the beloved Ringo Starr, was to teach children about different perspectives of other people, had played out well, while still being funny and entertaining for the adults and children watching.
Then Jim Henson appeared, standing upright, and walked over to Ringo Starr, and casually placed his arm around the musicians shoulders.
“Thank you Rich.” Mister Henson said, still thrilled to have this connection with the rock and roll band he enjoyed in his youth.
“Oh it was my pleasure Jim.” Ringo told him with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for you people to call me for years now.
With the pleasant exchange, the two friends walked off set together, enjoying their unique talents and new relationship, which tragically never occurred.