The Etownian >> Campus Life
Happy Birthday Sesame Street
Thursday November 12 2009
On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
Snuffy’s big eyelashes, Big Bird’s big beak, Cookie Monster’s big belly and Elmo’s big mouth: if you’ve spotted any of these, you’re in the right place. Tuesday, Nov. 10 marked the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street.”
Watching TV for educational purposes was a new concept back in 1969. According to CNN, “Sesame Street” was created to teach inner-city kids math, ABCs and manners in a fun and engaging way.
Early episodes are available on DVD, but they include a disclaimer that notes, “These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.”
CNN explains that Cookie Monster can be seen on the DVD smoking a pipe as Alistair Cookie in “Monsterpiece Theatre,” a segment spoofed off of Alistair Cooke’s “Masterpiece Theatre.” Of course, thinking the pipe was a cookie (like almost everything else he lays his eyes on), he ended up eating it.
Nowadays, however, the emphasis on healthy eating is even reflected in Cookie Monster’s diet: cookies are a “sometimes food.” This change took place in 2006 when childhood obesity became a hot topic.
During the early years of the show, the Sesame Street scene lacked some of its kid-friendliness: Oscar the Grouch was actually quite mean, and children rode bikes sans helmets. Additionally, in one episode, the adult character Gordon invites a little girl he doesn’t know into his house for milk and cookies.
Over 4,000 episodes later, 123 Sesame St. is no longer dingy and grimy. The set, as well as the content, is far less contaminated. CNN acknowledges that now, “the only visible garbage can has a tenant.”
In a USA Today article, camera operator Frank Blondo, who has been with the show since it first aired Nov. 10, 1969, recalls when “Big Bird had a different type of head and Oscar the Grouch was orange.”
Senior Laura Kuserk was a fan of “The Muppet Show” and “Muppet Babies” growing up, but it wasn’t until this past summer that she began watching “Sesame Street” every morning with her two-year-old nephew Gavin.
Kuserk fell in love with the show, especially with Ernie. “I can really relate to him because he’s so fun-loving,” she said.
“Bert and Ernie have this amazing friendship; even though they have two completely different personalities, they can still be the best of friends. And, for the record, no, they are not gay lovers. They are supposed to represent Frank Oz (Bert) and Jim Henson (Ernie) and their real-life friendship. They are also only 6 years old,” Kuserk stated.
She believes that the show has changed for the better over the past 40 years: “Sure, they made Cookie Monster eat more vegetables, but when you watch young children ,you become very thankful for this.”
She also likes that the show now has more female characters, such as Zoe, Rosita and Abby Cadabby.
“I do believe that even though it has grown more politically correct, it has changed for the better,” Kuserk said. “It wouldn’t have been able to stay around for 40 years if it didn’t change with the times.”
The 40th anniversary season started off Tuesday on PBS with special guests first lady Michelle Obama and Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda. Other guest appearances this season include Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tiki Barber, Ricky Gervais, Kobe Bryant, Greg Kinnear and Adam Sandler.
While still teaching the ABCs and 123s, “Sesame Street” will throw science into the mix this season with “My World is Green & Growing.” This new segment, the first installment of which features Michelle Obama, aims to promote environmental awareness.
“Sesame Street” is not only the most popular children’s TV show, but it is also an incredible success story because of its longevity and staying power.
The show has won 122 Emmy Awards plus a lifetime-achievement trophy. It is a global phenomenon, making learning fun with adaptations in more than 140 countries.
“Takalani Sesame,” the South African version, introduced an energetic HIV-positive puppet named Kami in 2003 to try to lessen the stigma associated with AIDS.
Mississippi banned “Sesame Street” in its first season but later relented, according to USA Today, “agreeing it was OK for children to see white people and African-Americans mixing on the street.”
Come and play. Everything’s A-OK.
Friendly neighbors there; that’s where we meet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
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