NEATORAMA HOME | LITE/MOBILE VERSION | BEST OF NEATORAMA

Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

By Miss Cellania in Baby & Kids, Video Clips on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:47 pm



(YouTube link)

Sesame Street premiered on November 10th, 1969, which makes it 40 years old today! The above clip is from a promotional show aired to introduce the series two days before the premiere. Sesame Street was originally intended for inner-city children, but became a hit with the preschool set all over the globe. Many people don’t realize how much the show has changed in 40 years. The early seasons are available on DVD with a disclaimer that says:

“These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.”

In those early days, Cookie Monster smoked a pipe. He also ate things that weren’t edible, much less nutritious. Oscar the Grouch was much grouchier. And children rode bicycles without helmets! You won’t see those things on this season’s Sesame Street. Link

More Sesame Street Links

Today’s anniversary episode features guest star Michelle Obama.

Caroll Spinney, who plays Big Bird, is still going strong at almost 76 years old.

8 Memorable Sesame Street Celebrity Cameos.

Sesame Street videos on YouTube.

The 101 Muppets of Sesame Street.

The Cookie Monster Interview.

Big Bird Sings at Jim Henson’s Funeral.


Share

Tags: , , ,


COMMENT
  1. dawgsman81
    Nov 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Its also the birthday of the finest fighting force in the world... How about an article dedicated to the USMC?
    "God has a hard-on for Marines because we kill everything we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls! God was here before the Marine Corps! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the Corps! Do you ladies understand?" -Gunnery SGT Hartman, Full Metal Jacket

  2. JoeH
    Nov 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    I'd be remiss not to mention my website, ToughPigs.com, which caters to adult-aged fans of Sesame Street, Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and the life and legacy of Jim Henson.

    Happy 40th, Sesame Street!

  3. AMCabral
    Nov 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Cookie Monster only had a pipe in the early "Monsterpiece Theater" sketches, and never really smoked it; he'd end up eating it by the end of the bit.

    Meanwhile, stuff like this used to happen:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE

    -T

  4. pwscott
    Nov 10th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    I'm sure I was put in front of the TV on the first day of broadcast. Of course I never saw them in color until I was ten. I'd be a pile of mush today without their guidance.

  5. Kate
    Nov 10th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    40 years old today and kids are still eating it up! Speaking of birthdays, my sister passed along a link to the new American Cancer Society movement - morebirthdays.com - because a world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays. Sounds good to me, everyone should join!

  6. Jane44
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    Over the years, 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 Celebrity Guests On Sesame Street Who Were Abusers, Boozers & Losers

    http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/114

  7. Robolasse
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    That song Ernie sings in the bath tub about how much he loves his duck is a bit questionable too.

  8. stu
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Is it just me or is ernie flipping us off when he's saying its on twice a day?

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Neatorama Comment Policy
You don't have to register or login to comment, but it's easier if you do so. Comments aren't censored, but those that are abusive or off-topic may be edited or deleted.


Keep track of the comments with Comment RSS

Lijit Search

T-SHIRTS FROM THE NEATORAMA SHOP

WRITE YOUR OWN NEATORAMA POST
Got a neat story? Share it with the world by writing your very own Neatorama blog post with the Upcoming Queue. Who knows, you might just win something ...

Here's how to get started:
FAQ | Tips