Episode 2: Grover

In this episode we are joined by fellow podcaster Jessica Hannan to discuss our favorite furry old pal, Grover! Jessica in the host of Deconstructing Damsels, a podcast highlight the women in romance. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

During the episode we briefly discuss ADHD and Kerry's experience as an undiagnosed child with ADHD. This wonderful article talks about how Sesame Street helps parents and children learn about self-regulation. To learn more about ADHD or to find more resources, we recommend the website ADDitude, the YouTube channel How to ADHD, and information from ADHD advocate René Brooks. Please free to add your own recommendations in our comments section below.

0:44-6:09 We introduce Jessica. Jessica tells us about the Muppets in an Atlanta museum, Brian Henson at Dragon Con, and watching The Muppet Show with her dad on PBS. She shares that she picked Grover not because he was her favorite character, but because she remembers him the most. Kerry shares why she loves Grover and mentions the books Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum. Justin admits that he didn't watch much Sesame Street growing up but that he still knew who Grover was even at a young age. Also talks briefly about his childhood love of Muppet Babies and how his love of Muppets grew later in life.

6:10-8:43 Kerry shares a few Grover facts, taken from from Muppet Wiki:

1. He describes himself as a cute, furry little monster.
2. He's most well-known for playing Super Grover.
3. He rarely uses contractions.
4. His first appearance was on the Ed Sullivan show.
5. He was given the name Grover on Sesame Street's 125th episode in 1970.
6. He has his own film, A Celebration of Me, Grover.
7. He was performed by Frank Oz from 1970-1998 with occasional appearances in 2012. He was taken over by Eric Jacobson in 2012.

Jessica also mentions researching Grover's international names, which leads into a conversation about the Grover in Germany, Grobi. 

8:44-16:33 Jessica talks about moving to Germany to get married and how her husband teaching her German through the German Sesame Street Sesamstrasse. Jessica discusses how Grobi is different from Grover. She talks about Grobi being more tactile and how children learn differently in Germany. She also references a number of Grobi videos. Justin and Jessica talk briefly about the differences between the original Super Grover and Super Grover 2.0. Then there is a general discussion about the different international versions of Sesame Street. These include Shalom Sesame, Jessica mentions that Tickle Me Ernie was the popular toy in Germany, instead of the popular US Tickle Me Elmo. This leads to a sidebar conversation about all the Tickle Me toys, including a Tickle Me Grover. Jessica also mentions that Ernie is the most popular Sesame Street character in Germany.

 Unser Alphabet Ist Das - Grobi - ABC Grover German Version

Grobi als Arzt - Grover as a Doctor

Sesame Street: The Power of Investigation with Super Grover 2.0

Original Super Grover helps girl with boxes

Shalom Sesame: Shabbat Shalom, Grover! Israel-American Sesame Street

16:33-55:59 Jessica, Kerry, and Justin discuss their favorite Grover moments and appearances. Their moments are taken from Sesame Street, Follow that Bird, and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Note: they refer to the recurring restaurant character as Mr. Blue, but his name is actually Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a Fat Blue Anything Muppet. Other characters mentioned in this segment: Gladys the Cow,  Miss Finch, The Dodos, Gordon, Olivia, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Julia. Kerry also mentions that Gordon and Olivia are siblings, something she didn't know until adulthood. Kerry also references the book Sesame Street Unpaved and talks about the psychological ages of Big Bird and Grover. There is also another brief discussion about international Sesame Street and Kerry mentions a Sesame Street discussion with the hosts of Star Trek Replay, a Star Trek podcast from Spain. Also discussed are The Monster at the End of this Book and the followup book Another Monster at the End of This Book.

Jessica's Favorites:

Waiter Grover Soup and Sandwich

Super Grover discusses the letter F

Grover and Mr. Johnson at the movies

Justin's Favorites:

 

The Coffee Plant (A spoof on Starbucks)

Outrageous Makeover (Spoof on Extreme Makeover Home Edition)

Super Grover Exit

Kerry's Favorites:

From Follow That Bird Super Grover mistakes Gordon's yellow beetle for Big Bird

Monsterpiece Theater: Grover version of The Sound of Music

Grover asks Billy about Santa Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

Other moments mentioned:

Cookie Monster eats the typewriter in Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

Grover's Rowboat

Fast Food Grover

Grover and Kermit ask kids how Santa gets down the chimney

56:00-68:59 Jessica, Justin and Kerry discuss their favorite Grover songs. Some random things that are brought up: The Simpsons, Robin Williams, John Travolta, and Saturday Night Fever.

Jessica's favorites:

ABC Disco

Around Over Under Through

Justin's favorites:

Rappin' Alphabet

Monster in the Mirror (Wubba, Wubba!)

Kerry's favorites

 Fuzzy and Blue

G Grover G George

69:00-74:55 Kerry and Justin close out the show. They share where the show can be found on Twitter and muppetprofilespod@gmail.com. Kerry also brings up the Muppets being on WWE Raw.