40 years of sunny ‘Sesame’ days
“Sesame Street” launches its new season at 10 a. m. Tuesday on Channel 17, 40 years to the day it premiered — and revolutionized television.
The show has made such an impact that the world can be divided into pre-and post-“Sesame Street” people. Those old enough to have learned to read from Dick and Jane wound up watching the Muppets with younger siblings or children. Those who grew up with the show had an advantage. As studies have proven, children who watch “Sesame Street” start school more prepared to learn, know their letters, understand basic phonics and have a concept of math.
“Sesame Street,” however, has been on for 40 years because it gives viewers what they want—sheer fun. When raising money to get it on the air, Joan Ganz Cooney, the show’s creator, vowed that “every piece of education would be entertaining, and every piece of entertainment would be educational.”
Sure, some skits work better than others. What program, offering so much for so long, could say otherwise? “Sesame Street” never stops trying, changing with the times. Those revisions sometimes rankle viewers who want it to stay as it was when they were toddlers.
This is not your mother’s “Sesame Street.” There are CGI segments with Bert and Ernie, “Abby’s Flying Fairy School” and guys rapping a count to 40 in the season opener.
Tuesday’s episode has heavy-hitting guest stars befitting a special anniversary. First lady Michelle Obama, Cameron Diaz and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Award-winning creator and performer from “In the Heights,” appear.
Mrs. Obama plants seeds with two girls, a boy and Elmo and talks about how delicious and healthful vegetables are. When Big Bird ambles by, she beams with unabashed joy. Who could blame her?
Being in the presence of Muppets is a treat.
Though the new season premieres this week, the cast was wrapping up the season in February. As Telly’s handlers finish a scene about “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Emmy Award winner Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo, takes a break in his sunny office.
Though Elmo, the curious, fuzzy, red Muppet, is perpetually 3, Clash first gave voice to him 16 years ago. The high-pitched Elmo sparks the consuming adoration to which dictators aspire.
“This character is so popular, it’s really sweet to see how kids go crazy,” he says of Elmo.
In Tuesday’s episode, Elmo and his pet goldfish, Dorothy, cleverly work in the show’s word for the day: habitat, which Diaz introduces. They talk about frogs’ habitats; the season’s overarching curriculum is nature.
Marty Robinson, a friendly guy who would look at home at a Grateful Dead concert, has spent most of his adult life on “Sesame Street” and is the puppeteer for Telly, Mr. Snuffleupagus and Slimey the Worm.
“Telly cares desperately about everything,” Robinson says, settling into a couch, with Telly a fuzzy, crumpled pile on a table. “Telly is complex. He’s slightly psychotic. He’s never false and [is] very enthusiastic and very committed. He used to be panicked. We evolved that into more of an excitement.”
Anyone who watches knows these are not mere pieces of felt with eyelashes, but personalities. Fran Brill, the actress behind Zoe and Prairie Dawn, allows a visitor to try being Zoe’s puppeteer. It’s harder than it looks.
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