Do kids still love Sesame Street 40 years on?
If you have school-aged children, like I do, you may have missed the news that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street’s first television broadcast. A new season with updated characters and segments will begin broadcasting next week, giving preschool parents tired of re-runs something to look forward to on November 10.
I wouldn’t have known about this major anniversary in children’s programming if I hadn’t randomly used Google yesterday. The Google “doodle” featured Big Bird, which made me search Sesame Street news to find out what was up.
As a child, I well remember watching Sesame Street. I loved that little kid John-John with the massive chubby cheeks who would sit on the wall and talk to Herry Monster about numbers and letters. I adored the Twiddlebugs so much that my parents nicknamed me Twiddlebug. I did not like Bert – he scared the dickens out of me.
This was back in the days before Elmo, Zoey and celebrity/political/pop artist cameos (that I can recall) – and before anyone on Sesame Street met or even believed Big Bird’s best friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus, existed outside of the tall yellow guy’s imagination. This was also back when kids growing up in Atlanta had only four television channel options – 2, 5, 8 and 11. We had Sesame Street, Electric Company, Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, Saturday morning cartoons and little else in the way of children’s programming from which to choose.
By the time my children came along, Elmo and Zoey had become regular “people in my neighborhood”; everyone could see Snuffie; and bands like R.E.M. were dancing around, singing “Furry, Happy Monsters” on the Street. All of my kids enjoyed Sesame Street for a while. But with so many children’s programs on so many different channels, Sesame Street faced stiff competition and was never really the favorite.
My older daughter probably watched Sesame Street the longest. The younger girls always wanted to watch what the oldest watched and quickly learned that certain shows (like Sesame Street by that time) were considered “baby” shows by the number one Big Sis in the house. Even early on, however, Big Sis often preferred other children’s programs to Sesame Street if given the choice. In fact, Arthur and Teletubbies reigned supreme in our house when my oldest child was a preschooler. My middle daughter loved the Tweenies, Blue’s Clues and Franklin. Our youngest was enthralled by Barney and a Scottish show we stumbled upon called Balamory. When we couldn’t find Balamory on the schedule any more, she moved on to Sid the Science Kid and Toot and Puddle.
All of this has gotten me thinking, what do you as parents think is the best children’s (preschool/early childhood) program out there? And which programs do your (or did your) young children prefer? What were your prerequisites for children’s shows? Do you go for maximum educational value? Maximum social learning? An even balance? Pure entertainment value? Do you ever steer your children away from programs that annoy you personally, or do you let them make their own choices as long as they are age-appropriate?
Do you still enjoy watching Sesame Street with your kids? How do you think Sesame Street has changed – for the better or worse – over the years? How has children’s programming in general changed – again for better or worse – in the past 40 years?
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192 comments Add your comment
anonymous
November 5th, 2009
7:20 am
that is gorgouss i
Vork
November 5th, 2009
7:22 am
Sesame Street always seemed so irrelevant and out of touch with reality to me. I grew up watching shows like “Dusty’s Treehouse,” “Pinwheel,” and “Today’s Special” on Nikelodeon.
mr ajamanan
November 5th, 2009
7:23 am
they increase phedophiiles in society
seasme street
November 5th, 2009
7:24 am
I thought i loved seasme street
it was so much fun.
i used to love the cookie monster
i watch it with my kids now
mr ajamanan
November 5th, 2009
7:24 am
Enter your comments here
motherjanegoose
November 5th, 2009
7:27 am
My children both enjoyed time watching Sesame Street and my daughter saw the anniversary plug on Google too. She is the one who told me. My daughter was actually more into Barney. I am not “in the know” on the current shows, so I cannot comment on them here.
While I do think educational TV has A PLACE….children spend WAY to much time in front of TV and not sitting down reading books, making puzzles, legos or having conversation with parents. Do not get me started on children in the car with DVD players going while the parents are on their cell phones. This is the perfect place for parents to talk to their children and ask questions about the environment.
Once, I saw a billboard with a HUGE purple circle in the middle of it…I was wondering what it was and as I drove closer…it read “THIS IS A BIG PURPLE CIRCLE…..parents…talk to your children!”
Sponsored by a literacy group…I loved it!
My topic is oral language and how it connects to reading. Children who watch a lot of TV are typically not as verbal as those who are engaging in conversation with their parents and peers.In a nutshell:
The preschool years are critical to the development of emergent literacy skills that will ensure a smooth transition into formal reading. Phonological awareness, print awareness, and oral language development are three areas associated with emergent literacy that play a crucial role in the acquisition of reading.
While Sesame Street and other educational programs can play an important role by introducing vocabulary, nothing takes the place of good old fashioned talk. Think of the children you may know who TALK all the time. Yes, they may be annoying but they are inquisitive and more aware of their environment and able to ask an answer questions with ease…a skill that translates typically into being a better prepared student. Our neighbor, who scored a perfect SAT, talked non stop as a child! He is very bright and I wish him the best!
CONGRATULATIONS to Sesame Street for 40 great years!
jake felstead
November 5th, 2009
7:28 am
i think it is about time sesame street went of air- GOOD GOD!!! either refresh yourself or get out
tessa
November 5th, 2009
7:29 am
i am only 16 years old and when i was little sesame street didnt really do it for me, i dont no wether it was because it was after playschool (my favourite program at that time) or because i didnt really like big bird. However looking back i much love those characters more then i like the characters now. I dont like how the elmo segmeant is done now and i dont really like all the controversy over Bert and Earnie, (my fave characters), but i am proud of sesame street it has done well and im sure it has another 40 years in it.
fatman
November 5th, 2009
7:30 am
i am 23 and i still watch sesame street
matt lyon
November 5th, 2009
7:32 am
i used to love seasme street as a kid. i still think its awsome
Momotoddlers
November 5th, 2009
7:32 am
I watched Sesame street as a child and I’m happy to have my kids watch it now. All of PBS programming is great!
JATL
November 5th, 2009
7:39 am
I loved Sesame Street, but my 3.5 year old likes it but isn’t nearly as into it as I was. I blame it on “too many choices”! When I was a kid, there was no Nickelodeon, Disney TV, Sprout, etc. We don’t allow very much tv watching around here -maybe an hour every few days- but I tried to really get him into Sesame Street and it’s just not his favorite when Diego, Spiderman, Scooby Doo and all the rest are around. He DOES really like a lot of the characters though (go figure). We have some Sesame Street stories, he chose Elmo fuzzy slippers, etc. My youngest is only 1, but he already seems a little more into Sesame Street items.
One thing I do love -when I absolutely must occupy the 3 year old for 20 minutes or so, we go to hulu.com and he REALLY enjoys the old cartoons -Rocky and Bullwinkle, Inspector Gadget and the kid is addicted to the Looney Tunes DVDs we have. Even if it’s not Sesame Street, I really prefer the older stuff!
Tamra
November 5th, 2009
7:40 am
You match my sentiments EXACTLY!!!! Okay, my channel numbers in Ohio were different, but that’s all. I loved Sesame Street (Electric Company and all the others) and am disappointed to say that my kids never bought into it much. Of course, when I controlled the TV early on, I was able to tune the oldest one into Sesame Street, but as you noted that was my only winning battle. Sadly, Electric Company wasn’t even an option 10-15 years ago. However folks, please note that a new Electric Company is back on the air and it is kind of cool. As an educator, I have used it at school. (And for the record, my nostalgic mother bought me the classic set on DVD. Of course, my kids have no interest in watching it.)
Side note – my daughter recently asked for “green jeans” and every time she said it, I kept thinking of Captain Kangaroo. Naturally, she doesn’t know him, but rest well Cap’n!
bob
November 5th, 2009
7:41 am
i have never herd of sesame street but im in ict and dont like iut…
karen
November 5th, 2009
7:42 am
I am nearly forty and still love Sesame Street … Elmo Elmo Elmo …
Lori Anne Franklin
November 5th, 2009
7:42 am
Considering the caliber of today’s programing, it would seem logical that parents everywhere would flock to buy Sesame Street videos. All of them. I grew up with this fantastic show as did my children. Do I think it made them smarter, more tolerant of diversity, and funnier? Well yes, of course I do. The brains behind this show and others like it (Mr. Rogers, Electric Company) were, well “spot on”. We are better for it! Thank you Sesame Street for 40 Wonderful years!
Matt
November 5th, 2009
7:43 am
While it’s true that there are many good educational programs out there these days, I don’t think that any of them offer the variety that sesame street does. My 3-year-old twin daughters are nuts for Elmo, and they can readily identify a good hanful or more of the other charecters, including some of the human ones. Oh, they may not always pick Sesame Street, but eventually they come back to it, and if Elmo is on, they are all about that. Congratulations to Sesame Street on 40 years and to the Children’s Television Workshop for making it great, keeping it updated, and giving parents an always safe choice for their children!!
bob
November 5th, 2009
7:45 am
i dont know what it is but im in ict and dont like it…
Toddler
November 5th, 2009
7:47 am
I can remember the days of the learning numbers from the count, craving cookies after watching cookie monster goobles up a plate, and trying to remeber the number, and letter, of the day. Now, I’m 25, and when i see commercials for Sesame Street I am rather disappointed in what its become. Also, they have changed alot of things, like I heard they make cookie monster not eat cookies now.. Then why call him Cookie Monster? Its things like that that destroy child hood memories. I mean Sesame was only my second favorite show to Fraggle Rocks, which ROCKS, crazy underground puppetry and Jim Henson’s Muppets, and Muppet Babies. Eat one had alot educational points in them.
However, I am not a father, thought I am an uncle a few times over and was around my sisters kids the first couple years of their lives and Sesame was NEVER on the TV, it was always Dora or that other Spanish kid. What happened to the good old fashioned cartoons that kids understood? The boys still don’t know any spanish other then what their father or I have taught them. those shows were useless. I say bring back the shows that inspired imagination and learning, instead of shows that focus on purely entertainment.
DB
November 5th, 2009
7:48 am
My kids never watched “Sesame Street”, and at one point, when my daughter had speech therapy, her therapist was worried about her cognitive skills because she didn’t recognize Bert and Ernie. The therapist was very careful about discussing it, until I pointed out that there was no reason for my daughter to recognize them, as she never watched the show. The therapist earnestly tried to tell me how educational the show was, and how my daughter “really ought to be watching it.” HUH?! My daughter preferred more sedate shows, shows that used only one or two cameras and recorded longer scenes, such as Barney, Mr. Rogers, the Muppet Show and Reading Rainbow. She just missed the Blues Clues heyday, although she watched it some, and Teletubbies completely passed us by.
I’d always secretly wondered if Sesame Street and shows that tried to copy it have been somewhat responsible for the increase in ADHD diagnoses over the years. The fast pace of the show, the quick cuts and busily flashing numbers, etc. didn’t seem to teach kids how to concentrate, and I could easily see where a young child’s brain in its formative years could be affected by not being allowed to fix on a concept with extended attention. There have been some interesting studies on this, too. Obviously, not every child who watched Sesame Street developed ADHD — but it would be an interesting statistical study to see how many of those that did were Sesame Street fans.
Mimi
November 5th, 2009
7:48 am
I absolutely LOVED Sesame Street growing up in the eighties. I still think those were the best episodes ever. My son who is now nine watched Sesame Street only for a short period of time. He loved Arthur and Dragon Tales more. Now it’s SpongeBob, and Danny Phantom oh and lets not forget The Avatar The Last Airbender. I will be tunning in to see these new epies of Sesame Street. I am just curious to see what new and exciting ideas they came up with. Congrats to Sesame Street 40th aniversary. I will be making my donations on their site!
cchicken fathitds
November 5th, 2009
7:50 am
its rubbis
peg carolan
November 5th, 2009
7:50 am
I take care of my God-daughters 21/2 year old twin girls every Friday and they love Elmo, most of all. Sid and Cyberchase are also a hit, but none compares to their Elmo. My oldest two boys age 46 and 41 grew up on Sesame Street and both are geniuses because of it…..Thanks Jim Henson for creating Sesame Street and all the great characters….He must be in Muppet Heaven by now.
poop
November 5th, 2009
7:50 am
its sick
CJ
November 5th, 2009
7:52 am
Sesame Street is still current and relevant, and not as frenetic as many of the other offereings are. Yes, there are many other offerings out there, but there will ALWAYS be a place for the Street.
motherjanegoose
November 5th, 2009
7:53 am
DB…you are correct about the correlation…not necessarily Sesame Street ….glad you brought up the point. Here is a quick read;
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/08/tv-adhd/
david
November 5th, 2009
7:53 am
I loved Sesame Street, my now 14 loved it but prefered Blues Clues (actualy the book about Blues Clues said it was by a SS guy who didn’t like the way SS was going). She watched SS only when there was nothing else. My 5 yo didnt ever like SS. Her favorites were Charlie & Lola and now iCarly (hardly educational) . We try for a 3 hr limit per week so they have to pick. With the DVR she can alwasy watch what she likes. There are 100’s of kids shows now. Dora was the all time longest watched.
I used to make them watch Little Einsteins and SS and they would get someting out of it. I liked watching numbers chase and word world with them.
There seems to be so many good, well done shows now.
The amazing thing is that when we go to Sessame place, she will wait in long lines to say hi to the ‘people’ rather than going on the fun bouncy rides etc. So it must make some kind of bond.
Favori
Gary W.
November 5th, 2009
7:55 am
I do recall that network tv did not want to run Sesame Street 40 years ago as a special, until NBC took a chance around Thanksgiving weekend 1969 to showcase it. My PBS affiliate was hard to get (pre cable) over the air, so it gave people inventive to pick up a UHF antenna to get the signal. I still remember Mr. Hooper, who was a character from the beginning. Way to go Seseme Street! Happy 40th.!!!
Donetar2
November 5th, 2009
7:58 am
I Loved Sesame Street as a child. Now I don’t even think it is fair to call it that, maybe it should just be called “Elmo and Friends” or “Elmo’s Neighborhood”. The Elmo segment lasts so long it think the other people in the neighborhood have been marginalized.
Graham White
November 5th, 2009
7:58 am
I love Sesame Street. However, considering the incredible amount of spelling mistakes in the comments below; perhaps you should start by watching it again…
Toni
November 5th, 2009
8:01 am
I love Sesame Street! I watched it growing up and even remember seeing the episode when everyone else discovered Snuffleupagus. I was so relieved when eveyone finally believed he was real! I am a 30-yr-old mother of 2 boys. They are 2 and 5. The 2 year old is really into the show now. He loves Cookie Monster the most now I think. He also enjoys The Wiggles. That show kind of drives me crazy but I let him watch it because he loves it. I hope Sesame Street stays around for a long time!
Sharon H
November 5th, 2009
8:02 am
My daughter is two and a half and loves Sesame Street. Two of her favourite characters now are Bert and Ernie, which is funny because they were my favourite when I was young and watching the show back in the late 80’s.
Other shows she now enjoys, when I allow her the option of watching TV, are Dora, Diego, the Wiggles and the Backyardigans.
The best show I ever found was the Little Einsteins and unfortunatly the only channel that aired it where I live in Canada took it off a few months back. She still really enjoys her Baby Einstein movies though which makes me happy as I found they have the BEST educational value of anything out there.
The only show I refuse her to watch is Barney. That show is highly annoying and I find it to be extremely condesencing.
I liked the way children’s programing was when I was younger, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, etc. While I know they still have these shows out now, they’re just not the same…
sesame street lovers
November 5th, 2009
8:04 am
we are 15 and still love sesame street we used to watch it all the time still. we love elmo the cookie monster and big bird they are some phitt stuff. sesame street is amazing and it should never stop…..we mean EVER….i still have a video somewhere from when i was like 5 xxx
LOVE YOU SESAME STREET XOXOXO
Windflower
November 5th, 2009
8:07 am
My two kiddos, ages 2 and 4, like Sesame Street, not that it’s their favourite. They prefer Little Bear, Big Comfy Couch, Franklin and and especially Word World, since they love spelling the word characters in each episode’s challenge. I would have my children watch Sesame Street over Backyardigans and Barney, since I personally cannot stand the singing and dancing in those shows. I strongly believe that tv shouldn’t be on in a household, whether its adults watching or kids, for a long period of time. There are millions of BETTER ways to teaching our kids educational values.
Ted
November 5th, 2009
8:07 am
Sesame Street always seemed a little bit urban to me, and it was hard to relate — but that was part of the appeal. The sense that I was only getting part of the joke. I watched it every day in the late 70’s early 80’s. I loved Grover’s sketches with the fly in his soup — even though when I watch the same sketches now, there are many humor elements that went over my head. Again, part of the shows appeal. It featured sophisicated humor, like the muppet show did, that challenged its audience to keep up.
It seems like the show has tried to Disney-fy inself since then, making marketable characters, etc., and trying to give the show a broad appeal, instead of the quirky sense of humor it had before. When I watch current episodes with my daughter, it’s not quite as cool as I remember.
katie
November 5th, 2009
8:09 am
Kids will defenitly still love still love sesame street im in middle school and me and my frriends still love it !!!!!
Sam
November 5th, 2009
8:09 am
Yes, kids still love Seasame Street. I have a 5 years old son and he loves to watch it on Treehouse. Even I enjoyed it when watching with my son.
Shajou
November 5th, 2009
8:09 am
w00t Sesame Street congrats!
To be honest if you’ve never seen Sesame Street as a child, i think you were robbed of your childhood in some way (that’s if you grow up in the generation that had Sesame Street on TV), don’t cha think?
Ashlee
November 5th, 2009
8:12 am
i absolutely love Sesame Street.
they have a like amusement park type thing that is based on Sesame Street around where i live and i remember going there as a child and having a blast.
I cant wait to be able to take my children there cause i know they will love it as much as i did.
I really like the Sesame Street google logos too.
The cookie monster one is my favorite.
motherjanegoose
November 5th, 2009
8:14 am
@ Graham….I was thinking the same thing about all of the spelling mistakes today but did not want to be the first to mention it.
This why why children who WATCH lots of TV and do not read print in books/environment are not typically good spellers. Those who read a lot, usually have much better spelling skills due to seeing the words in print and not just hearing them. This even applies to adults.
I do know that every poster here has made a typo at some point….you can be a good ( like me) speller but a terrible typist ( also like me) ….LOL!
@ Sharon H…I have been told that the person who created Barney was a Kindergarten teacher from Dallas, TX. MAYBE she knew something….who knows?
Constance
November 5th, 2009
8:15 am
Garanimals have come back!! And it is to a generation that honestly never knew OLD is NEW. The quality of Sesame Street is simple, clear, and fun. If you sat in a room placing, deeply religious children,
immigrant children,
good kids and bad from single parent/guardian household,
good kids and bad from a two parent household,
mentally challenged,
handicapped,
you get the point..it is neutral safe and honestly allows your child to learn to be creative and develop to see learning is fun, when parents cannot afford to buy them that THING. Imagination, is that dated now too. I am 40 and I grew up with educators within my immediate family; to much on TV condensed in a small time frame is not always good for kids all the time. For those of you who disagree, you were probably the one’s with computer devices constantly in hand. Since I am a dinosaur myself and actually helped patent the ridges now on wheels and tires everywhere, Sesame Street allows you to imagine and discover how just simply using your imagination does not cost money all the time. I love the Show, and missed Electric Company and Zoom.
beth
November 5th, 2009
8:16 am
SESAME STREET ROCKS! (especally elmo big bird and cookie monster!)
ROCK ON!!!!
^-^
Kathy
November 5th, 2009
8:16 am
I grew up with Sesame Street, Captain Kangaroo and the Electric Company also. My daughter LOVES Sesame Street and I think they have done a good job over the last couple of years making changes that are relevant and current with educational trends. Their initiative over the last 2 years has been to bridge the vocabulary gap between the lower and middle classes. They have been introducing lots of different vocabulary words and having the words used throughout the show in a variety of ways. It also cracks me up that they will do segments based on adult TV shows like there is one called Desperate Houseplants (Desperate Housewives) that I just think is hysterical!
There is a great book that was published this year called Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis. He explores how children’s programming was basically invented and how Sesame Street came to life. If you loved Sesame Street like I did and still do, you will find this history interesting.
My daughter also loves anything on Playhouse Disney. The Imagination Movers is her favorite and their music is great for kids and adults!
LuckyMom
November 5th, 2009
8:17 am
Not to give away my age, but I was already just a little old for Sesame Street when it started on the air. But, I was lucky. I had younger brothers and got to use that as an excuse to watch the “little kids” show. It was great. I am a little surprised at how many people do not seem to think that Sesame Street is that great. By the way, do you all use spell check?? I agree that it is a little different now than 40 years ago, but so is our childrens environment. With so many choices, they need something to keep their attention tuned to a good program. If that includes guest appearances by celebs and bands, then that’s great. They still get the exposure to counting in Spanish, learning ABC’s, spelling and watching some great characters show that you can have fun learning. I think that’s better than watching the universe get blown to bits in other cartoons on the air. I hope more pre-schoolers get the opportunity to enjoy Sesame Street for at least another 40 years. Congratulations to all of those wonderful Henson creations!
Karen
November 5th, 2009
8:17 am
I have older children in university and a two year old, who loves to watch Sesame Street. Only recently has she wanted to watch the whole hour, but her favourite part up to now has been Elmo and Elmo’s World: the last 15 minutes of the show. We sit and watch it together, this has always been a priority for me, ever since all my children were young.
Sesame Street, compared to other children’s shows is extremely valuable in that it follows the main rules of language acquisition (I teach language at university level), and is brilliant in its teaching techniques. The main one I notice is not the creativity (although nothing can compare to SS in creativity on all levels) but repetition.
Repetition is crucial for children’s development, and you’ll notice they normally never tire of it, but love recognizing things and ideas they’ve seen before. With SS, the whole show repeats itself every day, but with content variants. These content variants, however, are often reshuffled and presented again in other contexts, which is a great way to do it, as the child doesn’t just learn by heart, but learns how to apply the newly learned information/skills within meaning.
I’ve watched some other shows with my daughter, and yes, they’re cute, but none have the pedagogical value of good old SS.
Belle
November 5th, 2009
8:18 am
I remember watching it as a child and I still have a stuff animal of Mr. Snuffleupagus. I tend to keep the Baby Channel on in the background while we putter around the house. I think it is a great teaching tool for the 0-3 ages.
Photius
November 5th, 2009
8:18 am
Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip…. Book, book, book, book, book, book, book…. BBBRRRRRRRRRING! Yip Yip
motherjanegoose
November 5th, 2009
8:21 am
Oh wow…I could stay on here all day….but do have to work ( I know many of you are thrilled).
@ windflower re:I would have my children watch Sesame Street over Backyardigans and Barney, since I personally cannot stand the singing and dancing in those shows.
OODLES OF STUDIES SHOW THAT MUSIC IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN TEACHING and most likely why it is included in Barney. Many adults learned things like the state in the United States by singing; ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS….. I teach kids things all the time with music. Where are you Jesse’s Girl….I am leaving this to you!
motherjanegoose
November 5th, 2009
8:24 am
@ Karen…thanks for joining us and sharing your expertise. I would love to chat with you!
jay
November 5th, 2009
8:26 am
i never liked it… :/ sorry guys :P
K
November 5th, 2009
8:30 am
Sesame Street has always been on for as long as I can remember and I’m 32 years old. I learned a whole lot from this show back in the day. I have 2 little ones, 2 1/2 and 1, and they both love Sesame Street. My oldest has also learned a lot from this show. Sesame Street will always get tremendous love from me. Happy Anniversary Sesame Street!
K
November 5th, 2009
8:32 am
And yes I still watch Sesame Street and thoroughly enjoy it at 32 years old.
Xander
November 5th, 2009
8:32 am
Sesame Street is awesome, I watched it all the time when I was little and I still like watching it sometimes with my younger siblings. Sesame Street is still awesome, but I DON’T LIKE HOW COOKIE MONSTER IS EATING THINGS THAT ARE NOT COOKIES (or pencils, or typewriters, or telephones if you’ve seen the christmas special from when I was younger). But seriously, whats wrong with eating just cookies all the time? (I know childhood obesity is on the rise, but I doubt it is due to Sesame Street)
larryo
November 5th, 2009
8:33 am
At 63 I recall TV back into the early 50’s when entertainment for kids was Ding Dong School. It was a sweet and gentle program, not in color,except as we imagined it. Seasame Street came along long after I grew up. I was happy for my children to watch Buffy St Marie, Mr. Hooper, and Cookie Monster even Oscar the Grouch!
I’ve seen some negativity above here. It amazes me that some are so unhappy to have to disparage even a program that has clearly been sucessful, educational and yes, FUN for so many for so long. Seasame Street, I salute you! Happy Forty Years. Many Many More! : )
Jonsea
November 5th, 2009
8:33 am
sesame SUCKS
John K
November 5th, 2009
8:33 am
Dude sesame-street rocks haha!
Still manage to get a good laugh out of it even years later.
ImFiveyearsoldandstillwatchsesmae
November 5th, 2009
8:34 am
Screw all of you that watch Sesame street
Becky
November 5th, 2009
8:34 am
No one in my family watched SS and none of the little ones now watch it..I was never in the house long enough to watch TV, we were always outside..To this day, I don’t watch a lot of TV..
Andy
November 5th, 2009
8:35 am
I was 40 yesterday so share this with the birth of Sesame Street! Long Live Big Bird and the Cookie Monster!
madmommy
November 5th, 2009
8:36 am
I love Sesame Street and my daughter loves watching it. SS has stayed relevant to todays kids and recently did a special on the economic times most parents are facing. I enjoyed watching it if we were in that situation with a child old enough to understand the changes going on, I would have her watch it for sure.
We also enjoy Fraggle Rock, Reading Rainbow, and the Muppets. I miss Pinwheels, I justed loved that show when I was a kid. I wonder if I can buy copies of it online? Something to think about.
TV is great for kids in small doses and while my daughter does watch her shows, it’s really only 15-30 minutes here and there since she’s only three after all. They can only sit still for so long, so I don’t worry about it. Most of the time if the kids are dancing or singing, she’s all over jumping up and down or dancing around. I wish we could all have been kids for so much longer. Just doesn’t seem right to be an adult for so long when being a kid is so cool. (Ok, maybe I’m sad because my little one had a birthday this week, but I do think kids should be small for a lot longer time than they are. Just goes so fast.)
Michelle
November 5th, 2009
8:37 am
I never watched Sesame Street when I was kid. I just never really liked it. My son (who is 6 now) has never really been interested in it either. They only thing I did like…they had an alphabet cassette tape in the late 70’s early 80’s. It was GREAT for learning the alphabet and letter/vowel sounds. To this day, some of the songs still stick in my mind!
liezel
November 5th, 2009
8:38 am
STILL LOVE SESAME STREET AND SO DOES THE LITTLE ONES
john
November 5th, 2009
8:38 am
it’s like a trusted brand name. i personally let my kids watch it, but i never watch it. i wouldn’t do this if this were any other name of the show i couldn’t recognize.
greatgrett
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
I loved sesame street growning up in the early-mid 70’s. I lived for it! But that’s when most of the show was dedicated to teaching numbers and letters along with silly puppets doing silly things and fun animated shorts. When my children were little ones, I felt that seasmae street became focused on too many other things like social agendas. I didn’t like many of the band members/artists/people of influence that they invited on the show. Many were not people I would want my children to think were wonderful. Plus the things they focused on now, and still do, are second to academic learning and silly goofy puppets. I think that if the show did not change its focus, it would be more popular today. Young kids are not ready for policatal agendas and such.
madmommy
November 5th, 2009
8:40 am
PS. My little one loves Cookie Monster. When I was a kid I had the SS record and on side two there was the “C” is for Cookie song and I played it over and over on my portable turn table (how old am I?) over and over. Guess I played it too much because my dad came in smashed the record because I wouldn’t turn it down or stop playing it. One of the two for sure. Wish I still had that record to share as it was my favorite.
Just a funny SS story I thought I would share. How cool was I to even have that record? Kids today don’t know what it was like to really want something and have to wait a million and one years before you could get it, if you did at all. Kids today don’t know what it’s like to want or wait which is sad. Maybe with the new economic down turn kids will start to learn that skill again.
JJ
November 5th, 2009
8:40 am
I never watched Sesame Street, because I was about 10 when it started.
However, we loved The Muppet Show……Every night it was on the whole family watched…….I have it on DVD now, and LOVE IT!!!!! It brings back so many memories…..
Patrick
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
I don’t think I was ever really into Sesame Street when I was at the preschool age. My fortés were whatever was on Nickelodeon, mainly Pinwheel, Today’s Special, and Looney Tunes. I think if Pinwheel ever comes out on DVD, I will be snatching up a copy.
I had seen clips of SS in later years if I was channel surfing during the summer, or whenever I was off from school or out sick. Elmo and Zoe both bug the heck out of me. I remember watching something on A&E about Sesame Street a few years ago where they talked about an episode they were filming where a hurricane blows through, destroying Big Bird’s nest.
In relation to the Cap’n, I had never watched him, but there was another mainstay I enjoyed watching in the 80s: Bozo. Our cable company was nice enough to provide us with the Chicago station he aired on, and I loved it. Cuddley Duddley was my favorite, as was the Grand! Prize! GAME!
JATL
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
In regards to steering kids away from shows -Caillou!!!!! Creepy bald kid who is the whiniest thing with the wimpiest parents EVER. That show was viewed once by my kid (twice by me to see if we just watched a bum episode), but I find parents everywhere hate Caillou. Don’t start flipping out -I have nothing but pity for kids who are bald from chemo, and at first I thought maybe this was somehow part of the storyline, but no, he’s just a freaky-looking big-headed bald whiner. YUCK!
Another thing I credit Sesame Street with is exposing me to the fact that different races and ethnicities could all hang out and have things in common. I grew up in a very segregated society, and I have to say -starting with Sesame Street and continuing with the good ‘ol 70s and 80s sitcoms -TV did me a favor in that way. I don’t think television is great when consumed by anyone, especially kids and youth, in large quantities, but it really helped plant the idea in my head that people are people and it’s interesting to get to know lots of different kinds of them.
deidre_NC
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
my first child watched ss a lot..none of my kids have been much on tv..they watch it when theres nothing else to do. for some reason this reminded me of the sid and marty croft things at the omni..does anyone remember that?
Steph
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
Sesame Street is the same age I am. I totally relate to the whole 4 channels thing – I lived on the east coast also, but in the Boston area. We watched Sesame Street. Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, Zoom, and the Electric Company. The repetition elements really helped reinforce things like numbers and letters. I remember being so proud of myself when I could figure out the letters of the day the show was “sponsored by”.
Of course I had my favorite characters, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and the Count, and the ones who I thought were just too sappy, like Big Bird and Bert. But that is part of the beauty of the show…there’s always people in life you connect more with, but they all are important parts of the community.
The “newer” programming, ie. anything that came out after 1980, doesn’t seem to have the depth of Sesame Street. I’m probably biased, but I think kids would be better off watching SS than anything else out there.
Ursula
November 5th, 2009
8:51 am
Breakfast wouldn’t be breakfast if it weren’t for Sesame Street. The happy sights and sounds of this program for the past 40 years have become an indispensable part of our family routine. Children learn by repetition, so we welcome re-runs of any and all episodes, they’re just like the comfort of warm fuzzy slippers. Bring on the next 40 years!
Patricia
November 5th, 2009
8:52 am
I’m 26 and still think Sesame Street is one of the best programs out there.
It had the perfect mix of fun and education (no one explains the concept of near and far better than Grover). There were loads of different characters that are still iconic today…not to mention the many musical numbers that are practically a part of pop culture.
I moved to Canada when I was 6 yrs old and Sesame street was so fun to watch that I didn’t even realize I was learning (these days anyone who meets me can’t even guess that I’m from a foreign county since I don’t have an accent, I never even needed to enroll in ESL classes!).
Little known fact: Toronto’s Subway Chime (when the doors close and open) is the first 3 notes of the Sesame Street theme.
It’s a shame that kids are being inundated with random programs that clutter the genius that is Sesame Street. When I have kid’s I’ll be happy to sit with them and reminisce.
John Straub
November 5th, 2009
8:53 am
if kids dont like it 40 years on then its their loss im a bit older now lol and i love it even watching the old early episodes will GROUCH in his dustbin , big bird , and even the laugh a minute bert n earnie ha ha ha
Vork
November 5th, 2009
8:53 am
I think the fact that it is not even 9:00 AM yet and there are already about 80 comments on this topic…….the most of which sound like mongoloid idiots that don’t know their rear end from a hole in the ground speaks volumes about the Sesame Street audience as a whole.
uma
November 5th, 2009
8:54 am
My son aded 19 with severe learning difficulties and the only programme he loves is sesame street, though we don’t get it on TV’s now he still watches on You-tube and he loves them.My vote will br to sesame street as the best Children’s TV programme
Radha
November 5th, 2009
8:54 am
I loved Sesame Street and still do.
I’ll be turning 30 soon.
Over the years I have seen children’s programming devolve into flashy, shallow, commercial, consumer-driven materialism.
What Sesame Street carried were the sensibilities of an older age of more refined values, maturity, innocence, morality and simplicity.
The competitiveness of a flashy screen and the fresh air and sunshine outside the door is a hard choice for a kid to make.
Billions of dollars are spent to study, engineer, produce, market and monetize the fresh minds of our children by selling them on consumer culture “I want that daddy! I neeeed this!”
What this does is set the culture for our children into an ever expanding spiral of dissatisfaction with what they have, and what they expect others to deliver to them.
This pattern leads to frustration in adulthood when people don’t give you what you want, and chasing the leading edge of consumer goods destroys contentment with ourselves seeking inner fulfillment from external baubels. Not to mention it ruins the environment, polarizes the global economy, is unsustainable, and ultimately spiritually depressing.
All from who we choose to expose our children to.
What are the motives of the people who make children’s programming?
Who would you want babysitting your child?
An industrial scientist trying to figure out how to manipulate your child’s mind to crave what they want to sell?
Or another parent, who gets what you’re going through, and who shares your core values?
I believe that it’s our duty as parents to make our own entertainment for our kids.
Spend time with them, make games, dress up in costumes, play make believe, draw in the sand. What kids benefit from most is love and attention from their parents. TV jazzes them up to be dissatisfied with that.
If we choose to live a more grounded life, with less pursuit of unnecessary “necessities”, then we’ll have more time to share with our kids, who will in turn become healthy, balanced, mature and nurturing adults who can help so many people.
Sesame Street was the creation of such a person, Jim Henson, who pioneered the effort to inspire children with his gifts. Now let’s do the same with ours.
BenzMom
November 5th, 2009
8:55 am
When I was a kid, my mom was in her mid-30s and still watching Sesame Street with me. My favorite characters are the Martians (Yip Yips). How could you not love them? My hubby has an aversion to Grover – but only because his middle name is Grove and he used to get teased as a kid and called Grover. Our son Ben is too young for SS yet, but while I’m pleased it’s still on, I prefer old-school SS (show me how crayons are made and other neat clips of real-life stuff) but at the same time, I understand it’s important to remind our kids that you can’t talk to strangers (unless it’s a cop or fireman if you’re in trouble) and some of the other things that might not have been considered “way back when”. I hope I can share the history of SS and other classics with my son but like some of the other parents have said, it’s important to not camp out in front of the tv. Go outside. Read a book. Play make-believe. Have constructive play with your kids.
Bill
November 5th, 2009
8:56 am
I still love Seasame Street. It is the best! I still look out for the letter of the day! :)
Roxy
November 5th, 2009
8:59 am
yes yes yes yes yes i watched it when i was 3 and i still catch a glimpse of it now and again its truely AWSOMESSSSS
Pete_the_cookie_monster
November 5th, 2009
9:00 am
I saw big bird yesterday on google’s page, but since I saw cookie monster (my fav) I decided to click on!!! I definetly go for the educational value SS offers for my daughter! I know cable offers a good variety of choices, but frankly there is many shows now that have little to no educational value in them too! So I do carefully screen what my daughter can or can’t watch. So my daughter has to choose from what I pick for her & if the show has good message or can teach something of educational value then I will add it to the tivo for her to watch! I have seen in my lifetime parents that allow their kids to watch whatever and not really supervise! I’m sorry to say, but tv is not a replacement for a babysitter or a nanny! Many parents choose this anyway!!! Like I tell my wife… need to interact with my daughter more! Programs like SS can really help if interacting together and teach the children too! OHHHH!!! AND THANKS for reminding us about Sesame street’s anniversary! I really look forward to the new show mentioned!!! I do hope Sesame Street can live another 100 years!!! Well of course we grew out of sesame street way back when, and my daughter someday will too, but I hope someday she can use it as a tool to teach my grandchildren when she has some! (someday)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SESAME STREET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sell Out
November 5th, 2009
9:03 am
Sesame Street sold out a long time ago when everyone found out Snuffleupagus wasn’t Big Bird’s imaginary friend. That was probably back in the mid-80s. That moment is when Sesame Street became dead to me.
I also desperately wanted to see inside of Oscar the Grouch’s trash can. I mean, from all of the noise he made when he went inside, it sounded like he had this huge underground area with tons of treasures. I dreamt of the day we got to see inside. Did they ever do it? No. Instead, the story lines tried to show Oscar’s softer side with Slimey. I hated Slimey for that – if Oscar’s going to be a Grouch, he better live up to the name.
I also hate to admit it, but when I was young and impressionable, it was rather disturbing to hear Linda speak. I mean the sign language was okay, but I didn’t understand what was wrong.
Bert and Ernie sleeping directly on their faces because their eyes wouldn’t shut was also a troubling concept for me. Their noses got all in the way and you could pretty much always tell their eyes weren’t shut as you could still see the whites of their big eyes with their faces smashed in the bed.
Although when Ernie yanked off Bert’s nose – I lost it. Completely unexpected and awesomely funny.
johnny
November 5th, 2009
9:06 am
Seasame Street rules use to love bert and ernie, okidokie bert lol and big bird should be more kids programs like it
Keke
November 5th, 2009
9:07 am
SESAME STREET IS THE BEST EVER I GREW UP WAHCIN IT AND IF THEY WERE TO EVER CLOSE DOWN THE SHOW I WOULD BE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UPSET!
Nicosmama
November 5th, 2009
9:07 am
My two year old and I watch Sesame Street together. He loves Elmo the most, of course. He has learned to count past ten and is recognizing letters, as well as learning vocabulary. He repeats what he hears and we laugh together. I love Sesame Street for still being around. Their web site is great, also, with games we can play together. Keep going Sesame Street!
Pete_the_cookie_monster
November 5th, 2009
9:07 am
BTW I LOVE COOKIES JUST LIKE COOKIE MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehe!!!!!Thanks to PBS & all who brought Sesame Street to our living room’s all this time!!! Keep it Coming!!! My daughter does love elmo so… that’s why she loves watching it!!!!! THANKS!!!!!!!
Keke
November 5th, 2009
9:08 am
MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IS ELMO AND I LOVE SESAME STREET!
Keke
November 5th, 2009
9:08 am
I LOVE ELMO!
Mr Nordstrom
November 5th, 2009
9:09 am
In the 70’s the show was innocent, educational and not commercialized. The topics focused on both social and educational issue of the time. I’m not a big supporter of PC programming, or fooling children to think there is one Asian, One African, one Mexican and One White kid at all times in every class, but I get what they were after. I also have my concerns about Government run TV that promotes social issues and opinions. Does are Bert and Ernie now Gay?
The difference today is simply a matter of overwhelming our kids minds with junk stimulation.
Turn on Sponge Bob for an hour and then ask your child to watch Sesame Street.
Simpsons, South Park, or the fake world of “I’ll be the next pop star slut” Disney, once your kids brain is poisoned with this trash there is no comparison to the real world of Oatmeal Sesame street. Where you’re asking the kid to actually think.
The same issue exists with Parents allowing kids to play video games all day, or worse right before school and after all that visual and auditory stimulation they expect the kid to pay attention to Mr. HockenBore’s lecture on History?
Passive Stimulation VS Active Interaction.
julie abram
November 5th, 2009
9:10 am
my kids love the videos and dvds but why is it not on British television anymore??
All the rubbish childrens programmes that are on the wide choice of digital channels nowadays non of which are educational, at least Seasame Street teaches the basics ABC’s 123’s etc, I personally think it should make a come back even if on a digital channel.
Meg Stout
November 5th, 2009
9:12 am
I found Sesame Street to be a bit frenetic. I liked the analysis of Sesame Street in the book “Tipping Point,” cutting edge for its day. But the science of helping kids interact with TV has evolved (again, “Tipping Point” and the science behind Blues Clues).
On the other hand my autistic daughter knew her numbers and most her letters at age 3, a time when we were just helping her regain language. I thanked her school teacher, who confessed they hadn’t been teaching numbers and letters. I presume my daughter learned them from Sesame Street. So for that alone I am eternally grateful.
Dave
November 5th, 2009
9:13 am
Sezame Street RULEZ!!!
me
November 5th, 2009
9:14 am
Happy Anniversary to Sesame Street! Having had my first grandbaby 8 wks. ago, I am not, at the moment totally up on the latest and greatest kids shows. Sesame Street was always a fave with my 4 kids. I also babysat for 5 others and they loved the gang along with Mr. Rogers. (I personally loved The Electric Company, more so now that Morgan Freeman is a major star!} As the kids grew out of Sesame Street I would find myself in the room alone still watching (and staying for the entire show) as they ran off to otherwise occupy thier time. But I believe that the kid’s imaginations, social skills, learning skills, and appreciation for humor were all influenced by this great show. It was sooo much easier to watch a show WITH my kids that made learning fun and did not “dumb down” thier methods. I think the show has changed too much in trying to stay current and find it a shame. Or maybe it’s a sign of the times and has run it’s course. I hope not. Sesame Street proved that television can be a forceful learning tool as well as entertainment. As with everything, balance and moderation is the key. I hope future generations will have the opportunity to appreciate one of the hallmarks of childrens television.
Elmo is adorable, but long live Super Grover!
Leidy
November 5th, 2009
9:14 am
I lerned how to speak English with Sesame Street. I thought it was a good fun and educational program. I was almost like a good prep program while you were going to pr-k. c’mon and who desent love Elmo.. :)
Sesame Street Lovers
November 5th, 2009
9:14 am
Both my children still love Sesame street. My son (18 months)screams everytime he sees Elmo come on and my Daughter (4 yo) likes Zoey. They both love the music and my daughter gets a kick out of answering the questions the characters ask the home audience. I love it too. brings back fun memories for me. Wonderful show and educational with a twist of fun!
new mom
November 5th, 2009
9:18 am
Funny, we just sat down to watch ‘EHMO’ and it’s today’s subject here!
Our two year old loves Elmo, but also recognizes and now likes the other characters. In fact, we use it as a teaching tool: ‘what color is elmo?’ which character is blue?’ ‘what animal is that?’ ‘why is elmo sad?’ I think part of the problem is parents not watching it with the kids and helping them learn from it.
Now that being said, I will admit our little one watches more tv then I had planned, probably because I’m a bit more busy these days with a baby too. But when the show she’s watching is over, we turn the TV off and play.
Anne
November 5th, 2009
9:19 am
I’m 44 and just old enough to remember when SS first came on. I LOVED it – along with Electric Company, Mr. Rogers, Zoom, Romper Room, Captain Kangaroo and Shari Lewis’ Lamb Chop. I preferred watching SS to Speed Racer (the original cartoon) when the two shows were on simultaneously. When my own children were little, they loved SS too. I did 15 years of home day care during the time that Nick Jr. and Disney and other children’s channels were just starting. I think many of the newer shows have some educational value, but they miss the character development that their early predecessors brought to the screen.
Too much of ANY TV watching is unhealthy and should be restricted, while some experts say that children under 2 yrs of age should not watch ANY TV. Parents have to make their own choices there, but understand that the children are the ones who will have the consequences.
Sesame Street Forever!!!!!!!
Somebody
November 5th, 2009
9:19 am
Personally, as a kid, I prefered teletubbies or barney than Sesame street. I guess it’s basically because teletubbies are much more…how do you put it…let me just say that they don’t exactly talk much and as a kid, I find it hard catching up with conversations. Teletubbies are colourful too, for some reason, colourful and absurb things attract me. However as I grow older, I seem to like Sesame Street too, easpecially elmo. I don’t know why. Just so.
AB
November 5th, 2009
9:20 am
I like Sesame Street, and so does my two year old. She enjoys the learning experience, and LOVES Elmo and Big Bird. :o) I don’t know why it has to be up-to-date for a 2 year old, they don’t know and don’t care and repetition is the best form of learning for their little minds.
We limit TV very much, so really she only knows Sesame Street occasionally and Elmo’s World …
I think Sesame Street will certainly stay around after all of the “new” stuff fizzles out, I hope so at least!
Freeway J
November 5th, 2009
9:21 am
My son is 3 and just started watching it about 6 weeks ago. He loves it, we Tivo it for him.
sophia
November 5th, 2009
9:21 am
sesame street rocks
i am 12 years old
and no i do not waqtch it
BUT i do have 4 ernie teddies ( all different )
and an elmo bag which i brought of my friend
she’s had iit since she was 3
LOL.
SO YHH IT ROCKS
i lurrrve elmo and ernieeee(: which channel and what time are the new shows on xx