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MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: CHILDREN'S TELEVISION WORKSHOP: THE FIRST QUARTER CENTURY, SEMINAR NO.
1: SESAME STREET: GETTING FROM THERE TO HERE {MARK GOODSON SEMINAR SERIES} {LONG VERSION}

Summary

One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. This seminar, moderated by Museum television curator Ron Simon, features Joan Ganz Cooney, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), and creator of "Sesame Street." After she is intoduced by former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Edward N. Ney, Ms. Cooney speaks to the audience regarding the following topics, among others: the genesis of the "Sesame Street" concept; the emphasis her developing series placed on poor children and cognitive learning; her public announcement of the series's creation in 1968, which made the front page of the New York Times; her ground rules for production, which included a multiracial cast and short sketches in the style of commercials; her first meeting with Jim Henson and the creation of Big Bird, Ernie, Oscar and other "Muppet" characters; the contributions of composer Joe Raposo; the use of adult guest stars such as Lena Horne as a way of getting parents to watch with their kids; the program's original budget; the immediate popularity -- and educational success -- of the show; the unprecedented PBS publicity campaign that spread public awareness of the program; difficulties with finding underwriters over the years and the important role of licensed products in keeping the show afloat; "Sesame Street" as an international hit, both in its original English-language version and in many foreign-produced versions; future multimedia directions for CTW, including interactive software; the increasingly complex subject matter of "Sesame Street" programs over the years, including death, racial relations, and ecology; and the death of Jim Henson. As part of her presentation, Ms. Cooney screens brief clips from "Sesame Street," highlighting its format and its evolution since 1969. After Ms. Cooney's presentation, Ron Simon joins her on stage for discussion and questions from the audience, leading to her comments on the following topics, among others: the sophisticated level of the humor on "Sesame Street"; how the show's pacing has changed over the years; current ratings; whether it would be possible to start CTW today; the amount of new "Sesame Street" material produced each season; the addition of more female puppet characters in recent years; "Barney" as friend or foe; and her hopes for more support from the government and the educational establishment in the future.

Details

  • NETWORK: Paley
  • DATE: January 26, 1993 6:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:33:25
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:28077
  • GENRE: Seminars
  • SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Joan Ganz Cooney)
  • SERIES RUN: N/A
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Ron Simon … Moderator
  • Edward N. Ney … Speaker
  • Joan Ganz Cooney … Guest