'Sesame Street:' celebrating 40 years of imagination

November 8, 6:44 PMDallas TV ExaminerMatt Carter

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Dallas TV Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

"Sesame Street" turns 40 on Tuesday.
Sesame Workshop

To say that "Sesame Street" helped redefine the nature of children's television may be the understatement of the year. When the show premiered on November 10, 1969, there really wasn't much on television like it. Now, people from all around the country (and even the world) can recognize some of the show's most popular characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird.

What made the show so successful? From the perspective of ratings it seems simple: "Sesame Street" provides parents the opportunity to immerse their children in an interactive learning environment. It's "safe" television that you can't always find on other channels or even in the real world.

When talking about "Sesame Street," though, it's hard to not look at it from a personal standpoint. I grew up watching the show like everyone else. My favorite character? Easily The Count, though I was compared at times to being Oscar the Grouch. I can't say that I remember too many specific memories, but I did love the sense of fantasy that came with so many different people living together in some form of harmony. It stirred the imagination, and was one of the few shows that really opened up its metaphorical doors and let everyone in. People of all different backgrounds, families, and cultures--they were all welcome to come down to Sesame Street.

So what about you: are there any favorite memories that stand out? What about characters? Let me know your thoughts with a comment below. "Sesame Street" will of course continue to air on PBS.

--

Want to read more of the latest TV news? Then click the "subscribe" button at the top of the page to receive continuous updates. You can also follow me on Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter.

Today's top TV stories:

"Jon and Kate Plus 8:" Jon Gosselin's ATV ride with son draws criticism

Carrie Prejean's mother saw infamous sex tape

"So You Think You Can Dance" has a romance

Taylor Swift sings about Kanye on "Saturday Night Live"

Reality show about Jackson family to debut December 13

"American Idol:" hear Danny Gokey's debut single