Count TV

“Count TV” is a video-based application that features interactive counting clips hosted by Sesame Street’s Numero Uno Vampire – the Count. To play, you choose a number between 1 and 10 and watch a video that conveys a lesson about the number that’s been selected. Each video has an interactive opportunity that allows the user to participate by touching objects within the video to count to the selected number. There are a couple of observations that struck me about this application. First, I was overcome with a warm, fuzzy sense of nostalgia watching the video clips; many of them were archival, old-school Sesame Street segments that brought back sentimental thoughts and feelings from my childhood in the 70's. The monster puppets and classic characters were like old friends, much of the animation had a funky, retro-vibe, and many of the grainy archival video clips had a pure, dreamy glow about them. My second impression was that, while entertaining, the application provides more of a passive learning experience than many educational apps I’ve played. I shouldn’t hold that against it though – “Count TV” is an aptly named app that offers the chance to sit back and enjoy amusing, retro-style Sesame Street video clips, a little counting practice, and a big trip down memory lane.