Ode to a Forgotten Muppet: Roosevelt Franklin

Muppets have come and gone during the history of Sesame Street, so I wonder how many folks remember Roosevelt Franklin? Roosevelt was supposed to be the show's first African American puppet (even though he was purple.) He appeared on the famed children's program for five years, from 1970 to 1975. Rarely seen without his trademark striped shirt, he taught children the days of the week, history lessons, and not to drink poison. He was so smart he had his own elementary school named after him. There was even an LP released that focused solely on Roosevelt: The Year of Roosevelt Franklin, which was later reissued as My Name is Roosevelt Franklin.

Matt Robinson, who played Gordon on Sesame Street, was the voice of the Roosevelt Franklin puppet. Thanks to him, Roosevelt scatted and rhymed his way through many fun skits. However, I get a kick out of Roosevelt Franklin's mother, whose name was billed as just that on the record: Roosevelt Franklin's mother. How many times have you seen such a groovy looking muppet putting her hands on her hips?

One perplexing thing about Roosevelt was his age. He clearly looked like a little boy, and attended school and lived at home. But he had a grown up voice and he also sometimes filled in as a substitute teacher at his own elementary school.

So why did the producers eventually can the puppet? Roosevelt was a victim of too much political correctness. Viewers wrote in complaining that the character was either stereotyping black culture, or that his dialogue was not black enough. Perhaps the fact that Roosevelt appeared to from a one-parent home (we don't know if he had a father) set some critics off. Considering that children don't see racial stereotypes unless they are taught to do so, it seems kind of silly to take aim at a puppet - especially one that Sesame Street used as a good role model for children.

That wasn't the only criticism, however - apparently the other muppets at Roosevelt's school were unruly and therefore, not setting a good example. I guess they have a point with this "Loud and Soft" clip I found on YouTube. 

Roosevelt was phased out of the show by the mid-70s. Long live Roosevelt Franklin!