20 Fun Facts About ‘Sesame Street’ for 55th Anniversary
Gen-Xers might be feeling a little older today as the classic children’s show Sesame Street celebrates 55 years.The series debuted on Nov. 10, 1969, and since then has continued to educate, inspire and entertain generations of kids through clever songs, animation and, of course, Jim Henson’s Muppets. Here are some fun facts about the beloved show.
1Although Big Bird is a curious 6-year old and Oscar is a Grouch, the two are identical on the inside, Carroll Spinney had been both characters since 1969.
2A Birdseed Milkshake at Hooper’s Store cost $.20 in 1969 and costs $2.99 now.
Robert Fuhring/TV Guide/PBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
3Why the name Sesame Street? After a long search for a catchy name, one of the show’s writers suggested Sesame Street. The word “sesame,” an allusion to the fabled command from The Arabian Nights, “Open, Sesame!,” suggested excitement and adventure. Since the show was set in an urban street scene, Sesame Street seemed an ideal combination.
4Elmo began his life on Sesame Street as a nameless Anything Muppet, before becoming the 3 ½ year-old furry red monster that has tickled millions of children of all ages. Kevin Clash first donned Elmo in 1984. 25 years later, Elmo is still 3 ½ years-old.
5James Earl Jones was the first celebrity to appear on Sesame Street.
6Cookie Monster used to have pointy teeth.
7Ernie is the only Sesame Street Muppet to have a built in smile.
8Two cast members have had their real-life children portray their TV children. Gabriella is Sonia Manzano’s daughter and she played Gabi, Maria and Luis’ daughter, as a child. Roscoe Orman’s son, Miles, also portrayed Miles, Gordon and Susan’s adopted son when he was younger.
Everett Collection
9Oscar the Grouch was the color orange in Season 1.
10Cameraman Frankie Biando has been filming Sesame Street since the first season and operated Camera 1 til the 52nd season.
11There are over 20 original and localized co-productions of Sesame Street including Galli Galli Sim Sim in India, Takalani Sesame in South Africa, Hikayat Simsim in Jordan and Plaza Sésamo in Mexico. Sesame content can be watched in over 140 countries around the globe.
12Sesame Street has won 122 Emmys to date and a recent Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, the most for any television show in history.
13In 2006, Abby Cadabby moved to the Sesame Street neighborhood as a pink fairy-in-training. She was designed to inspire young girls and demonstrate positive female relationships. She was the first new female lead character added to Sesame Street in 13 years.
14All of the Sesame Street Muppets have four fingers except Cookie Monster, who has five.
Richard Termine/Sesame Workshop/CTW/Courtesy: Everett Collection
15Four First Ladies have visited Sesame Street: Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.
16Elmo is the only puppet in history to have testified before Congress.
17There have been over 440 celebrity visitors to Sesame Street.
18Big Bird is covered with approximately six thousand dyed North American turkey, coq, ostrich and hackle feathers.
Henson Associates/Courtesy: Everett Collection
19Carroll Spinney used the same Oscar the Grouch puppet since Sesame Street’s second season.
20The Jim Henson Company has built over 5,000 puppets for Sesame Street over the past 40 years.
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