It’s been many decades since I took much interest in the goings-on of Sesame Street. I couldn’t begin to speculate how it has changed.
But a comedy radio bit, possibly itself a decade old, had a comedian lamenting the fact Cookie Monster was on a diet and now regarded binging on cookies as a “sometime snack”. It probably isn’t a bad message. But when I was five there was something glorious about seeing someone eat a gluttonous tornado of cookies all at once, something I was never personally allowed to do. But probably seemed like a good idea at the time.
Are there other changes reflecting a healthier, more diverse or more modern world? How has the show changed over the decades?
Of course, Cookie Monster was always an omni-and-we-mean-omni-vore: Back in the day, he’d usually finish off eating a plate of cookies by eating the plate itself. Him eating apples and such is positively normal.
There are refugee Muppets in some markets. I can’t begin to list how Sesame Street supports learning about diversity and tolerance. Well, I did begin a list, but there is no way I can finish it.
Oh, due to the large amount of kids infected with HIV in some countries, some versions of Sesame Street have HIV positive Muppets.
There is an Israeli Sesame Street. There is a Sesame Street for neighboring arab countries. In a gesture of peace, the arab Muppets visited the Israeli Muppets. Originally somebody had proposed the visit in the opposite direction. It was pointed out that Israelis coming into arab territory could be seen as invaders or occupiers.
Seasame Street has always been socially responsible. Just having a cast of diverse people was in and of itself a deliberate act of social responsibility. A state commission in Mississipi voted not to air the show in 1970 because of it deicting people of different races interacting and getting along with one another.
Sesame Street had Buffy Sainte-Marie breastfeed her baby on air in 1977 (and explain breast-feeding to Big Bird). Sesame Street hasn’t changed - the willingness of people to make a big deal out of stuff has changed.
I clicked on the link to confirm, yes THAT Buffy Sainte-Marie. The folk singer on all of my friend Bill’s records.
I haven’t been watching Sesame Street lately. But if I had to pick a flaw, it would be the seeming lack of folk music. As was said above, The Children’s Television Workshop has ALWAYS been a bunch of bleeding heart left wing liberal hippies.
Yes, and the inner city setting was also an act of social responsibility, a step toward supporting children in an such a community, and perhaps exposing others to that environment. I grew up in the boonies, surrounded by woods accessible by one dirt road. I was jealous to see these children who could walk down the street to the candy store or fruit stand.
I must have seen those (I was born in 75). I’ve just forgotten.ETA
I LOVED* the Rankin Bass Hobbit growin up. I once asked my mom why I’d never read the book. She pointed out that a teacher read us the whole book in pre school, and that she and my dad had read me the whole book at least a dozen times since then. I don’t remember any of that. I trust that it happened. But I have no memory of it.
*Still love it. The animation was crappy even by the standard of the time. But the character designs were good and the voice acting is a 10 out of 10. John Houston makes an EXCELLENT Gandalf.
D’oh! How could I forget her? I remember an episode where a kid and Big Bird learn the characteristics of all living things. They determine by going down the list that Linda is alive. She says and signs “Good to know! Good exploring, guys!”
ETA
It’s become clear I need to watch more Sesame Street. Fortunately, I CAN tell you how to get to Sesame Street. Second star to the right and straight on til morning.
