Sesame Street Turns 40
Happy Birthday Sesame Street!!
Watching Sesame Street has been the highlight of many kids day; tuning into watch their favourite characters while singing and learning.
I’m about to date myself way back, but approximately 1969 to mid 1970′s was when I visited the Sesame Street neighbourhood. I really loved Kermit he was rational, peaceful and I thought of him as the small father figure of the Sesame Street family. Big Bird kinda scared me, not horribly, it was just he was towering over everyone. Oscar the Grouch would pop out of the garbage can and remind me of a grouchy old man, sort of like my grandad when I misbehaved or like a grumpy neighbour. I could deal with Oscar. Ernie and Bert were funny, I think I remember an episode where they switched noses, that was weird. In looking back at my grade school pictures some boys were wearing very similar shirts as Ernie and Bert. Ha! Ha!
What I remember most, was all the different kinds of people. Not only real people like Bob McGrath, Hal Miller who played Gordon and Loretta Long who played Susan, but also the puppets. My perception was that the puppets were people too. They talked differently and were all colours but each was friendly and welcoming, I wanted to live in their neighbourhood. They mirrored feelings I understood, they asked questions I would ask, taught me well and engaged me in a way most programming did not. Most notably, they got along despite their differences which I didn’t see at school so much. What a great world to delve into, everyone was accepted. Learning was easier too, no pressure.
Sesame Street spans the globe, speaks many languages and positively impacts children. I’m glad it remains a part of our culture, championing tolerance and opening us up to our own potential. So much talent comes together to make Sesame Street what it is and so I think we should wish it many more healthy years.
Happy Birthday! Thank you very much for staying true to your vision so that we hold on to our pleasant memories and today’s children can create there own vibrant and happy memories too.
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Now, I may be a little late in commenting however, I feel the need to say that when you started watchin in 69/70 you were of course a child? I started watching in 77/78 when my first born was around 1/2. Now…THAT’S dating!! I graduated in /70!:))I watched Sesame Street with my children over the years and I truly believe this is one of the most educational and instrumental in the upbringing of children. Even I found it entertaining. And by the way I have the Sesame Street book collection from my former boss…who collected it for his daughter…who, by the way is an chief editor/critic for one of the largest book companys in Toronto. (For the life of me I can’t remember the name at the moment.)…yes I do!
Wow! “You lucky bum!” (as we used to say back in the day) I have got to see that collection.
You know, that is something to think about. Watching Sesame Street was entertaining for both parent and child.
There have been many times when I saw parents who turned on the tube with the child’s favourite show and then walked away. There are more shows that are babysitters more than they are truly bring people/families together – inspiring, instrumental and educational.
I love my memories of Sesame Street, I’m glad you and yours do too.
