Professor Hastings



Professor Hastings is a character from Sesame Street. Hastings is an old professor who always falls asleep during his boring lectures. He often appeared with Kermit as his assistant, who would have to wake him up constantly.

In 1974, CTW advisor Gerald S. Lesser offered this cogent summary of the character: "verging on senility; gives comically confused lectures; interrupting each at unpredictable occasions for short naps; sporadically capable of remarkably clear insights that stand in stark contrast to his general muddlement."

Professor Hastings mostly appeared in Season 1; according to Sesame Street Unpaved, "He was performed by Frank Oz, but he didn't make the cut because he was, well, too dull." According to Phyllis Feinstein in the 1971 book All About Sesame Street, "The professor, more boring than broadening, is no real loss...." Although he has never been a big hit in the US, he is still considered a very popular character in several European countries. In a few pieces of European merchandise, he is mixed up with Mr. Johnson from the Waiter Grover sketches.

Sketches

 * Professor Hastings talks about the letter Y.


 * Professor Hastings gives a lecture on emotions.


 * The professor discusses "big" and "little".


 * Kermit and Professor Hastings on the importance of exercise.


 * Kermit helps the professor discuss parts of the body.


 * Professor Hastings talks about the number 2.


 * Professor Hastings talks from a dump truck, and shows how two trucks can be alike and also different.


 * The professor uses a pogo stick to demonstrate "up" and "down", and ends up jumping into a pond.


 * The professor's a contestant on "What's My Part?"


 * Kermit and Professor Hastings discuss the letter U.

Album appearances
Professor Hastings attempted to conduct a lecture about the letter U, with help from Ernie, in the 1971 LP The Muppet Alphabet Album.

Book appearances

 * Sesame Street Finger Puppets (1971)

Character Merchandise

 * Professor Hastings Heimo PVC figure
 * Professor Hastings Vicma Handpuppet