It is incomprehensible to think that somewhere on planet Earth are persons who have never heard of Sesame Street, and yet, it is true. I think some of our overseas relief money should go toward taking this program to those less fortunate than ourselves. Okay, maybe not, but this show is such an icon, such a classic, that it has become the television show against which all other children’s programming is judged, and it seems that no other show can quite measure up.
Produced by the Children’s Television Workshop for PBS, Sesame Street utilized the amazing talents of Jim Henson’s Muppets and created characters of fluff and fur, feathers and fuzz, who are as real as the humans who live on Sesame Street. The sweetly naive Big Bird, the ornery yet loveable Oscar the Grouch, the mathematical mogul The Count – all these “people” have a place in the hearts of the viewers.
Set on a mythical street somewhere in New York City, the show is sponsored by a letter and a number of the day. All the skits and segments throughout the show tie in to that letter and that number in some way, and at the end of the hour, your toddler will have a good understanding of what that letter is and what that number looks like. Guest appearances by artists such as Patrick Stewart, with a Hamlet-esque soliloquy about the letter B, Tim Robbins (trying to get a good night’s sleep in a hotel built for puppets) and Aaron Neville (singing a song with Ernie about visiting the moon) and clever songs and parodies will keep parents entertained, as well as teaching children the basic things they will need to know for kindergarten.
This show has taken children’s programming in new and different directions. When the actor who played the beloved Mr. Hooper passed away, rather than explain his absence or replace him with a different actor, the show’s producers decided to write an episode to explain death. Big Bird had been a close friend of Mr. Hooper’s, and was the most affected. The adult characters spent some time comforting Big Bird and he was finally able to find closure. Never before had a children’s show attempted such a storyline.
Most of the time, however, the challenges faced by our friendly monsters are much simpler. Which friend should I play with? Do I have to share my toys? Whose turn is it next? In gentle and loving ways, the message is taught that having friends means acting like one.
There are many reasons why this show is the #1 favorite children’s TV program of all time. I certainly rate it very high on the educational and entertainment scale. As far as bejeebers go, there’s not one to be found. I love to sit down and watch this show with my children, and have been known to sing right along.
Tristi’s Score: 10 for Education, 10 for Entertainment, and the Parental Annoyance Factor is 0 with a 10% variable for Elmo.
