People

By Howard G. Chua-Eoan

The first to spot the signs was Big Bird. Last December Luis and Maria, co- workers at the local Fix-It Shop, were acting funny. "Why would grownups need to hold hands to cross the street?" Big Bird wondered. Love was in bloom on Sesame Street, and last week, despite the ominous date -- Friday the 13th -- Luis (Emilio Delgado) and Maria (Sonia Manzano) were married in a ceremony attended by all their friends, both human and Muppet. "It's a simple message we're dealing with," said Lisa Simon, one of the show's producers. "You become a family by forming bonds. That's what love is." However, there is a touch of dissonance. In his trash can, Oscar the Grouch grumbled that the whole affair was disgusting. But that's just because he's fallen out with his girlfriend Grundgetta.