Power Rankings: Forgotten/Underseen Sesame Street Characters

As suggested on the podcast, this week's exclusive power rankings look at the long-forgotten, underutilized, or otherwise neglected characters on Sesame Street. Some may pop up from time to time, but they were all much bigger in the BOTNS era but have been, for the most part, sidelined for one reason or another.

Remember, this ranking is based on how each character would fare against another on a given day at a neutral playground at Roosevelt Franklin Elementary School.

1) Don Music: The epitome of the tortured genius, Music has undeniable talent but also undeniable issues. His inability to deal with creative struggles without bashing his head on his piano, says the great book Sesame Street Unpaved by David Borgenicht, is why the producers nixed him after reports that kids were imitating the behavior.

2) Roosevelt Franklin: As we noted on the podcast, he was thought to reinforce negative stereotypes. Unpaved also points out the classroom setting for many of his appearances was considered too rowdy and poor modeling for children. Of course, that contrast between that milieu and the normal series atmosphere is one of the main reasons his segments are so funny today.

3) Fat Blue/Mr. Johnson: He was a regular on the show for years, then went out of the rotation (though I think he still makes occasional appearances). He is an identifiable Everyman sharing many of the qualities we all do--hungry, a little cranky, and often annoyed by Grover.

4) Lefty: Is he the single seediest character to ever appear on the regular on the series?

5) The Amazing Mumford the Magician: Still a member in good standing, as far as I know, but more in the underseen category--apt status, perhaps, given his penchant for making things disappear.

6) Sherlock Hemlock: The master detective's skills have not diminished with time, though his screen time may have.

7) Harvey Kneeslapper: OK, he can be irritating in more than small doses, but for a minute or two at a time, his voice, his corny jokes, even his mustache all amuse me. Unpaved says he was retired for being a one-note character and for straining Frank Oz's voice with that (I will concede) shrill laugh.

8) Simon Soundman: I like the awe he inspires in Bert with his uncanny voicing abilities. He makes Michael Winslow look like an amateur.

9) Herry Monster: Again, he is still active, I think, but relegated to background status. He should be a major player again.

10) Herbert Birdsfoot: He brings a certain intellectual savoir faire to the program. I didn't remember him until we prepared for the podcast, and now I want to see more. He has a great look.