Sunny Days: A Brief History of “Sesame Street”
From its very first episode in 1969, Sesame Street captivated the imaginations of America’s youth, using research-based programming to reinvent children’s television. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett in the late 1960s, the show aimed to not only entertain, but educate — and it did just that. It’s been called the “largest and least-costly [early childhood] intervention that’s ever been implemented” in the United States.
Through its diverse characters and cast members, the show reflected the real world, and its fast-paced storytelling, repetition, and humor helped impart valuable life lessons. Sesame Street quickly became more than just another TV show: It’s been a trusted companion for generations of families. Read on to learn more about the history of the show that, through its commitment to inclusivity and social change, has left a profound mark on society — and made Big Bird a star.
A New Kind of TV Show
The seed that grew into Sesame Street was planted at a fateful Manhattan dinner party hosted by Joan Ganz Cooney, a producer with a background in education. At the time, Cooney was working for WNET/Channel 13, where she produced public affairs programming, including an Emmy Award-winning documentary about poverty in America. The guest list at the dinner party included Lloyd Morrisett, vice president of the nonprofit Carnegie Corporation. As the conversation turned to television, Morrisett shared that his young daughter was so mesmerized by TV that she would sit and stare at nothing but the test pattern. Morrisett, who was also a psychologist, wondered whether the medium could be used to teach children.
Inspired by the conversation, Cooney went on a three-month trip around the country to interview educators, psychologists, television producers, and more. The result was a study called “The Potential Uses of Television in Preschool Education.” It proposed a new kind of children’s television program — Cooney envisioned a fast-paced format similar to a sketch comedy show. She wanted to foster a strong connection between the show’s characters and the audience. And most of all, she wanted it to teach the young minds that would be watching, especially kids from lower-income and marginalized communities who often slipped through the cracks.
The yet-unnamed show went into development at the newly formed Children’s Television Workshop (now known as the Sesame Workshop). Morrisett helped raise the funds to make it happen, and in 1968, Cooney hired Jon Stone from the children’s show Captain Kangaroo to produce and direct the project. That summer, Stone brought a former colleague, a puppeteer named Jim Henson, to one of Cooney’s workshops. Together, Stone and Henson produced a pitch reel for the show featuring some of Henson’s Muppets, including Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog. “Hey, Rowlf, why don’t you call your show ‘Sesame Street’?” Kermit says in the reel. “You know, like ‘Open Sesame’? It kind of gives the idea of a street where neat stuff happens.”
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“Sesame Street” Is Born
Sesame Street debuted on November 10, 1969, and its brownstone-lined city street set and Henson’s colorful puppets became an immediate fixture in American homes. Kids and parents loved it; critics largely did too, even though there were some questions about whether a show tailored for short attention spans might lead to a generation that lacked focus. (That issue is up for debate, but many studies over the years have found that watching the show helped prepare children for school.) Additionally, despite Sesame Street’s legacy as a diverse and inclusive show, it initially faced criticism for its lack of representation of Latino people in its first couple of seasons. The show listened to its audience, and in its third season, added the characters Luis (Emilio Delgado) and Maria (Sonia Manzano), who became beloved cast members for decades. The show continues to embrace diversity and inclusion to this day.
The Muppets of “Sesame Street”
The biggest stars of Sesame Street were not the human cast members, however, but Henson’s beloved Muppets. The distinctive puppets had personalities and backstories all their own, and were created with specific educational goals in mind. Big Bird, for instance, is a 6-year-old preschooler, and was designed to help children develop reasoning skills. Bert and Ernie represent cooperation, and Cookie Monster, well, Cookie Monster just likes cookies — a relatable motive for any preschooler. New puppets have been added throughout the years — the Count arrived in season 4 to teach math skills, while the empathetic Elmo became a mainstay in 1980 — but most of the core characters remain fixtures on the show after more than 50 years.
During the show’s development, psychologists advised not to have the Muppet characters interact with the human cast; they believed mixing fantasy and reality would cause confusion. But test screenings showed that scenes featuring only human cast members scored low. In a last-minute attempt to improve the show before it debuted, the team went against the professional advice and remade the puppets so they could walk and talk with the human cast. Months before Sesame Street went on air, the show created what author Malcolm Gladwell has called “the essence of Sesame Street — the artful blend of fluffy monsters and earnest adults.”
A Musical Legacy
Since its debut in 1969, Sesame Street has embraced music as a powerful tool for both education and entertainment. The show’s musical segments are not mere jingles; many have become iconic songs and cultural touchstones. “Rubber Duckie,” “C Is for Cookie,” and “Sunny Day” (the show’s theme song, also known as “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”) have transcended generations. Musical guest appearances by stars from Stevie Wonder to Johnny Cash, Bruno Mars to the Chicks, and Ed Sheeran to Destiny’s Child, have enriched the show’s musical repertoire and helped it appeal to a broader audience.
Lasting Impact
Now in its 54th season, Sesame Street has become part of the American cultural fabric. As of 2023, it has won more than 216 Emmy Awards, 11 Grammy Awards, and two Peabody Awards. It is broadcast in around 150 countries, and boasts more than 30 international versions. Even as one of the longest-running TV shows in U.S. history, the pioneering series remains iterative and collaborative, reflecting changes in the world not just in its story lines and characters, but also in the show’s format. In recent years, the show has introduced a character with autism, as well as one experiencing housing and food insecurity; it now also integrates modern technology, including a smartphone character named Smartie. Through all of the changes, Sesame Street continues to create an engaging and playful imaginative environment while staying true to its educational mission.
