Sesame Street: A fine 40th begins with First Lady
How can this be? On a day of such great celebration, the 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street," Big Bird wants to leave the urban nest that has been home for four decades and migrate to the rain forest? The rain forest!
Elmo is so rattled he can barely speak as Big Bird comes to say goodbye. "But Sesame Street is where Big Bird lives," Elmo squeaks to the group of old friends, including Gordon, Maria and Snuffleupagus, who have gathered to see the yellow feathered one off.
The rest of the world might be focused on first lady Michelle Obama coming to The Street today to show Elmo and some of the children how to plant their own vegetable gardens. And symbolically, her appearance to help launch this special season is huge. As I said on WYPR last week, "Sesame Street," with its groundbreaking message of multiculturalism, did more to pave their way for the election of the first person of color as president than any other series in the history of the medium.
But screening the season premiere, I wasn't thinking such cosmic thoughts about the sociology of the show. Nor was I remembering the way it instantly took kids' TV out of the all-white, pastoral landscape of bunny rabbits and adults in baggy pants, to a jagged, urban, concrete and diverse landscape where children with a real preschool need for help in learning numbers and letters saw themselves for the first time on TV.
Instead, as I watched, I was reminded of how good "Sesame Street" made me feel - and how much fun it was to watch. And, oh yeah, I couldn't help but notice how incredibly smart this series is without ever showing off.
The opening segment with Big Bird is brilliant. The word of the day is "habitat," and a real estate salesman straight out of the Great American Theater Book of musical con men and hustlers appears almost magically on The Street to convince Bird that with winter coming, it's time to move to a new (you guessed it) habitat.
The salesman takes Big Bird on virtual tours of the beach, swamp and rain forest. And for each (you guessed it) habitat, he has a slam-jamming hip-hop number complete with choruses of singing birds - birds that have migrated to their new (you guessed it) habitats.
No spoilers here, but Big Bird comes to his senses.
And once Big Bird is settled in his old nest, it's off to learn a number for the day: (you guessed it) 40. Big number, but the educational consultants found a way to make it easy with fours and 10s.
God bless the Ph.D's who work behind the scenes to vet the curriculum and pre-test many of the scenes and concepts so that no little kid will ever be asked to handle more than he should when he sits in front of the TV with PBS.
Michelle Obama seems perfectly at ease with the "Sesame Street" kids as she hands them seeds and shows them how to place them in the ground. But her interaction with Elmo and Big Bird doesn't seem quite as natural at first.
I visited The Street for a Sunday profile on its 30th anniversary, and it took me a beat or two to realize you can't go halfway with a Muppet. You have to totally give yourself over to the fantasy. Embrace the Muppet, as it were. Easier for a TV critic than a first lady, I suppose.
So, Michelle Obama is a little stiff when Big Bird stumbles upon her and the kids and says, "Seeds? I love seeds. I didn't know you eat them, too."
The first lady informs Big Bird that she doesn't eat them, she plants them. But she seems almost taken aback when Big Bird says, "Hey, we're both really tall. Maybe we're from the same family."
But then, something clicks, and she just goes with the "reality" of talking to Muppets covered with red fur and yellow feathers. She stops playing the educator giving a lecture about how yummy fresh vegetables are.
And when the vegetables in a nearby basket start to speak, the first lady of the United States totally surrenders herself to the madness and starts laughing really hard with Elmo, Big Bird and the kids.
In that moment, she doesn't look at all like someone thinking big thoughts about the way in which "Sesame Street" changed the hearts and minds of multiple generations of American kids paving the wave for the presidency of Barack Obama. It looks like she's just enjoying this marvelous, magical gift to America from public television.
Comments
Hi Z,
I love Sesame Street and I am so glad to hear that Big Bird is staying. It wouldn't be the same without him. I think Sesame Street changed the world for kids and their grownups.
My little grandsons ( 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 ) speak a little spanish from watching. It makes me giggle because their father was the spanish speaking student of the year 2 yrs. in a row. Ola Jorge!
Great comment, Diane. Thanks. This is exactly the kind of lifetime affection Sesame Street instills in us. I know I have it. Thanks. And I loved the shout out to Jorge. PS Did you see my other post from yesterday talking about sharing the love for Sesame Street? Thanks. Z
Posted by: Diane | November 10, 2009 12:06 PM
I was 4 yrs old when Sesame Street was created 40 years ago and I strongly agree that it played its part in creating a generation of culturally aware people.
Of course parents play a key role too, but I'm certain that my teens and their friends are the advocates for the environment and world peace that they are because of my anti violence stance I took as far as television was concerned and because of the gentle teachings of shows like Sesame Street,
Congratulations Sesame Street and I too am glad that Big Bird is staying!
Posted by: Sharon McMillan | November 10, 2009 12:20 PM
I
Posted by: Jackie Johnson | November 10, 2009 12:24 PM
i was five when sesame street first aired and I watched it everyday. the songs still rattle around my head to this day. I learned about death and grief from sesame street when Mr. Hooper died. the show is more than television...it is a shared past. thanks guys
Posted by: mimi mcbroom | November 10, 2009 12:48 PM
Our little guy Trent is gonna love this tonight. After dinner we will let him come to Z on TV and see this webisode. He will love it.
Z were you on Sesame Street really? If so, we have to see that webisode. Too cool.
Yes, I was talking to my mom last night about this. She said she remembers me as a 1 1/2 year old finding this show when she was dialing the channels...she said the rest was history.
Congratulations Sesame Street on a job beyond well done. Thanks for being a show about kids, for kids & family, and for the many many contributions it has made.
Posted by: Irene | November 10, 2009 12:49 PM
I was excited to watch this video until I saw Michelle Obama... :(
Posted by: Anonymous | November 10, 2009 12:53 PM
OMG NO WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Posted by: DDD | November 10, 2009 1:12 PM
It was great. Mrs. Obama figured it out. We use a puppet in the preschool class at church. Pockets is a lamb. You just have to go with it because the kids totally know if you are not playing the total fantasy game. We have fun with it.
How appropriate habitats and rain forests those conservation ideas have been really big lately and kids get it. Good job Big Bird deciding to stay where you belong.
I fall back in love with Sesame Street everytime I see another one of these cute clips.
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 10, 2009 1:13 PM
Interesting that she only called the African-American kid "Ross" by name...everyone else was "you".
I have to tell you, Mr. or Ms whatever your real name is, I think you are tyrying to read something into an innocent kid moment that probably isn't there. That's just my opinion. But I sign my name to mine. Thanks. Z
Posted by: DonaldTrump | November 10, 2009 1:15 PM
More than 440 celebrities have visited Big Bird, even though the guest list reads like a book of model citizens, there are a few celebrities who appeared who probably won't be asked back after they later became infamous for bad behavior.
Check out this funny list of the Top 10 Celebrities Guests On Sesame Street Who Were Abusers, Boozers & Losers
http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/114
Posted by: Jane | November 10, 2009 1:24 PM
Today is also my 40th birthday and I feel it is an honor to share a birthday with Sesame Street. I learned so much watching this show as a child and I am proud to represent the "street".
Posted by: Beth | November 10, 2009 1:47 PM
HAPPY 40th BIRTHDDAY BETH @ 1:47!
My daughter shares a birthday today with you and Sesame Street. :)
Lucky ladies!Z
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 10, 2009 2:17 PM
Hard to believe it's been 40 years! When my older son, who will be 40 in Dec, was 2 y/o and telling his Grandma to "Say Bert-N-Ernie!" over and over she had no idea what he meant. We still laugh about that one. She hadn't embraced the muppets yet!
Posted by: xsandlapper | November 10, 2009 4:58 PM
Anonymous - what is the problem with having the First Lady on Sesame Street? I think this will be one of the great historical episodes. I hope I will have grandchildren who can watch.
I don't see the problem that Donald Trump had with Mrs. Obama addressing the child as Ross either. The child was the one in the video that was standing next to her and then she went around the table. I wouldn't have necessarily used the names of all of the children either, I don't think that was significant, but that is just my opinion.
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 10, 2009 9:03 PM
Z,
I am curious like Irene. Did you do a webisode of Sesame Street or did you visit it as a journalist for a story? Either way that is really great. I would love to meet the Sesame Street characters. We vote to put you on the next episode. ha
I'm done for now. Do you get tired of seeing my email address???
I visited the set. I think it was in Queens. It was the same studio wher The Cosby Show was filed. Yeah, Astoria, I think. Anyway, it was a great day talking to the producers, writers and the Muppets. Z
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 11, 2009 8:33 AM
So Fox news is "trashy"? Wow. it only took 40 years for political bias to ruin Sesame Street.
Posted by: John | November 11, 2009 9:15 AM
z,
That's really nice you got to visit Sesame Street. Glad is was a great day. It would be nice to have those opportunities as a journalist. I think I am in the wrong field. Would have been really great to meet Bill Cosby if it was the same set. I would like to see you interview him. He is great. He has done a lot for television, like Sesame Street. Good family shows.
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 11, 2009 10:28 AM
Sherry T. Next year for Z's 2ND anniversary on the blog we will have to rope Sesame Street into doing a Z on TV spoof! It would be awesome!
My 2 year old Trent watched this last night on the blog. My husband walked in the room and was like, "Oh no, not 2 of ya'll on the blog that live in this house." hehehe
Posted by: Irene | November 11, 2009 12:47 PM
Hi Irene,
Yes, we have to get Z on Sesame Street. A spoof with Cookie Monster. Can you dance Z, because I hear that Cookie Monster is an awesome dancer.
Too many bloggers in your house Irene there is only one here.
We had a great time at the ice skating rink, no casualties.
Posted by: Sherry T. | November 11, 2009 3:32 PM