One of the fondest memories I have of Sesame Street was of a young boy who counted to 20 with tremendous gusto. When saw that Sesame Street was about to be celebrated for 50 years of teaching children to be kind, and curious and courteous, I went to see if I could find that one segment. It aired originally in 1974 so I was yet to have my first child. Such was the fascination with this brilliant little puppet show.
So, as it turns out, Sesame Street is being honored by the Kennedy Center this coming Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on CBS. “The Kennedy Center Honors celebrates icons who, through their artistry, have left an indelible stamp on our collective cultural consciousness,” stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. “Earth, Wind & Fire’s hooks and grooves are the foundation of a seminal style that continues to shape our musical landscape; Sally Field has brought us unforgettable characters, both joyous and poignant, for more than five decades; Linda Ronstadt is the defining voice of a generation, spanning genres, languages, and continents; Sesame Street continues to revolutionize how children and adults learn about our world; and Michael Tilson Thomas goes far beyond keeping score: he has shaped American music and musical institutions for the 21st century.”
“In this class of honorees, we are witnessing a uniquely American story: one that is representative of so many cultural touchstones and musical moments that make our nation great,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter. “When I look at this class, I see the hopes, aspirations, and achievements not just of these honorees, but of the many generations they have influenced and continue to influence. We’re not just looking back; these honorees are urging us to look forward as well.”
“Sesame Street,” which is celebrating 50 years on the air this year, will also receive an award, making it the second time the Kennedy Center is bestowing the honor on a work of art rather than an individual. (“Hamilton,” recognized last year, was the first.) It is the first honor bestowed to a television program, the center said.
“We started thinking about what it would be like here in this 50th anniversary year for ‘Sesame Street,’ and it was a runaway hit with the selection committee,” Deborah F. Rutter, the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, said in an interview. “It really felt right to do this for ‘Sesame Street.’”
I cannot think of a time in my life where the messages Sesame Street presents is more needed.
“The way we do [“Sesame Street”] has changed,” says Sesame Workshop President and CEO Jeffrey D. Dunn, who took over five years ago and is credited with bringing the Workshop out of a financial slump, partly by striking a first-run deal in 2015 with HBO, which now foots the bill for “Sesame Street” while still making it available (free) to public-TV viewers.
‘But we have stayed relentlessly true to the mission of helping kids grow stronger, smarter and kinder,” he says. “I’m a huge believer in the idea that society is the result of kids growing up. We’re playing a very long game here, looking 30 years ahead at any point in time. . . . Your kids are going to grow up and be the adults of tomorrow.’
“Sesame Street” can feel deeply personal to just about anyone under the age of 55. It taught us to read and count, but it also taught us about kindness and acceptance. It was jazzy and groovy; it had a loose and wild feeling, even with all that PhD scrutiny on every frame.”
I have posted the 1974 clip of a young John counting with Harry Monster on our Facebook page which also includes a visit from a grown-up John at the end. Take a look…for old times’ sake… and tune in Sunday when they honor the show that taught us all to be a little more considerate, a little more inclusive, and probably a little more… wise.
