As a longtime fan of Sesame Street, I must say that this journey through its history has been nothing short of enlightening. It’s fascinating to see how a simple children’s show has tackled some of the most complex and sensitive issues, from racial integration to death, in a way that educates and comforts both kids and adults alike.
Guess what? We can finally tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street.
For over five decades, the cherished kids’ television show that initially aired on November 10, 1969, remains one of the most adored programs not just among young viewers but also among many adults.
Following its premiere on the national public broadcasting service PBS, Sesame Street became a platform that catapulted Jim Henson’s cherished Muppets, such as Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Mr. Snuffleupagus and others, to household fame. Moreover, it played a significant role in educating children on various topics like letters, numbers, and eventually tackled more complex issues, including death, divorce, and drug addiction.
After numerous years (with over 4,700 episodes!), the program remains just as beloved, boasting a worldwide brand awareness of 100%, broadcast in 180 different nations.
Interestingly, you might not be aware that a particular state prohibited the airing of the series, which transitioned from PBS to HBO in 2015. Also, two Muppets were put aside due to stirred up debates, and surprisingly, Kermit the Frog decided to leave the show after only one season. It certainly isn’t simple being green!
Without a doubt, it’s not just the Muppets who have graced Sesame Street with their presence. A diverse array of stars like Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker, even the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, have visited to frolic with Big Bird and her delightful companions.
2019 saw Lance Bass reminiscing to Vanity Fair about his bucket list experience with Sesame Street. For his generation, who grew up on Sesame Street, the show’s unique charm lay in its consistent character portrayal. During breaks and rehearsals, the Muppets maintained their characters, creating an immersive atmosphere. When conversing with Elmo or any other Muppet, one was truly on the set of Sesame Street, not interacting with the person controlling the puppet. This aspect made the experience all the more magical for Lance Bass.
If you’re up for some assistance in scattering those clouds, let me share some delightful tidbits about a cherished show that might just brighten your skies. Join us where the atmosphere is fresh and inviting.
The beloved TV show, “Sesame Street,” currently holds the record for the most Emmy awards won by any series, totaling 227. This educational program is enjoyed by over 150 million children worldwide. In fact, there are now more than 150 adaptations of the series being produced in about 70 different languages. Furthermore, on an average day, approximately one million kids are interacting with a “Sesame Street” toy, as reported by Sesame Workshop.
2. The concept for the show emerged from a conversation at a dinner party in 1966, where Joan Ganz Cooney, the co-founder of Sesame Workshop who was then a producer, was questioned, “Can television teach anything?” as reported by _the Hollywood Reporter_.
3. A well-known figure in popular culture, Big Bird, stands tall at 8 feet 2 inches and is a 6-year-old yellow bird, is among the original characters on Sesame Street. He is one of the most recognized children’s characters globally.
Puppeteer Caroll Spinney was the man behind the character until he retired In 2018, with Matt Vogel then taking over. Spinney died at age 85 in 2019.
4. Inside the costume, Spinney found it difficult to see, so he had a tiny monitor inside the chest for a camera feed. Since he controlled Big Bird’s head with his right hand, Big Bird’s right arm was seldom active. The costume itself was designed based on Henson’s drawings and utilized around 4,000 feathers.
In 1998, during season 30, my beloved character Elmo finally received its own segment, Elmo’s World, owing to the character’s soaring popularity.
6. It’s obvious that it was a wise choice, given that Elmo had grown into one of the show’s most recognized characters, and the Tickle Me Elmo toy created a frenzy in 1996, with stores quickly running out of stock prior to Christmas.
1) During a sales frenzy, individuals were apprehended for brawling over a doll, while some New York City parents, in their eagerness to secure the plush toy, attempted to forcefully enter a delivery vehicle. Additionally, during a Midnight Madness sale on December 14, a Wal-Mart staff member in Canada was hurt amidst “Elmo-mania” when approximately 300 shoppers chased after him upon spotting the toy box he was carrying. That holiday season, one million Tickle Me Elmos were bought.
2004 saw the unveiling of Cookie Monster’s true first name – Sid. Initially created by puppeteer Jim Henson for advertisements, he gained his iconic moniker when he tasted a cookie for the very first time.
In the 2000s, as childhood obesity gained more attention, there were whispers on the internet that Cookie Monster might be renamed Veggie Monster. However, these rumors proved unfounded, as his love for cookies remained undiminished in the series.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d express it this way: “At that point, I was advocating for him not to embark on a restrictive diet, but rather adopting a balanced approach with sensible limits on sugary foods.
The Muppet received a fresh tune titled “A Cookie Is Occasionally Food,” and fresh characters were unveiled to provide advice on balanced nutrition and exercise habits.
10. As a lifestyle expert, I found myself reflecting on the enduring duo of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street after a past writer hinted at their relationship being something beyond mere roommates in an interview. However, to set the record straight, Sesame Workshop recently issued a statement explaining that the two beloved characters have always been portrayed simply as roommates on the show since its inception.
The statement explains that Bert and Ernie, who have consistently been portrayed as best friends on Sesame Street, were designed to demonstrate friendship between individuals who are different. Despite being male characters with human-like qualities, they are merely puppets without a defined sexual orientation.
10. Who was the initial star to make a guest appearance? Carol Burnett, who graced the stage first, with many other prominent stars joining later on. Speaking about her visits to Sesame Street, she shared with THR: “It was truly captivating!” She recalled her trips, admitting that at one point, she even played an asparagus.
Here are some retired Muppets: Professor Hastings, Harvey Kneeslapper, and Bruno the Trashman. In the 90’s, a street named “Around the Corner” was closed down following five years in service, as children found it confusing due to its transformation into a parking lot from an alleyway.
12. Originally, Kermit the Frog was among the first Muppets on the show. However, Jim Henson realized that Kermit would become his iconic creation, so he left Sesame Street after season one. He returned in season three and continued to appear occasionally, while Herbert Birdsfoot, who took over for a while, faded out after season five. Meanwhile, Grover, another assistant of Kermit’s, gained popularity among fans.
There was a single broadcast in 1976 of an episode, which was later prohibited due to receiving numerous complaints from parents, starring Margaret Hamilton reviving her famous character, the Wicked Witch of the West, from The Wizard of Oz.
14. Two Muppets left the show due to issues of controversy: Roosevelt Franklin, the first African-American puppet character, faced criticism and was eventually removed after five years on air in 1975. Parents and critics argued that his portrayal was offensive and caused racial tensions. The other controversy involved Don Music, a Muppet composer, who was known for repeatedly hitting his piano with his head during the ’70s and ’80s. After parents reported their children imitating this behavior, Don Music was taken off the show.
Rosemarie Truglio, the senior VP of curriculum and content for Sesame Street, stated this in a conversation with THR: “We wouldn’t act that way today since studies indicate we need to assist children in developing self-regulation abilities.” In simpler terms, she said, “Nowadays, we don’t behave that way as research shows the importance of helping kids manage their emotions effectively. Actions like banging one’s head are not productive ways to do so.
15. In 1970, the broadcasting of Sesame Street was halted in Mississippi due to the State Commission for Educational Television deciding not to air it on television based on racial issues. According to a report from The New York Times, some members of the commission were against showing the series because it features a diverse cast of children. A member of the committee stated at the time, “Some of us strongly objected to displaying the program as it has an integrated cast of children.” The ban was lifted just under a month later.
16. In 2012, the performer behind Elmo, Kevin Clash, stepped down from the show following allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old man. Clash refuted these claims.
17. Among the initial four human characters on the show, Mr. Hooper was one of them and operated Hooper’s Store. The character portraying the shopkeeper, played by Will Lee, passed away in 1982. Instead of replacing the role, the producers chose to address this real-life incident as a teaching moment about death. They did so in an episode that was broadcast on Thanksgiving Day in 1983.
Dulcy Singer, the program’s executive producer, shared that they chose to address the issue directly because if they didn’t, children might pick up on it. They felt it was best to be open and candid about it.
2002 marked a significant transformation for the show during its 33rd season, as producers decided to restructure it substantially, making it more story-driven. This change was attributed to the fact that the audience’s age demographic was shifting towards children aged 2 to 4.
Arlene Sherman, one of the co-executive producers, explained to The San Francisco Gate that they significantly altered the structure of the show. Instead of maintaining a magazine format, it was transformed into something more similar to “Sesame Street” hours. This redesign aims to make the program easier for children to navigate through. The modifications also expanded Cookie Monster and Count von Count’s roles and introduced a new daily Spanish segment.
19. It might be surprising to know that the first two seasons of Sesame Street originally came with a warning: “Sesame Street: Classic Episodes” are intended for adults only, as these early episodes of Sesame Street may not cater to the needs of today’s preschool children, as reported by The New York Times.
20. By the way, if you’re curious about how to reach Sesame Street, here’s a simple guide: In New York City, hop aboard either the R or V subway line and alight at Steinway Street station. From there, walk west on 34th Avenue for approximately three blocks until you reach 36th Street. Turn left onto 36th Street, and you’ll find the entrance to Kaufman Astoria Studios mid-block in Queens.
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2024-11-10 14:18