Over the years, Sesame Street has taught us so many important life lessons. We learned about love and marriage, life and death, and even how crayons are made. So with so many subjects already covered by their 43rd year, Sesame decided to up the ante and enlighten kids about one final issue.
Sesame Street‘s 43rd anniversary special began with Elmo and Abby Cadabby showing the viewer around the Street. From Big Bird’s nest to the stoop of 123 Sesame Street, past the arbor and Hooper’s Store, around the laundromat and subway entrance, and landing on a group of people sitting in directors chairs.
As you may recall, the camera then backed up and revealed union grips, lighting fixtures, puppet handlers, sound boards, and yes, even puppeteers.
It was time for kids everywhere to learn the harsh lesson that Sesame Street isn’t real. In fact, it never was. The characters they know and love are just puppets, reciting carefully researched dialog for the purposes of education and entertainment of preschoolers. They only exist in a world fabricated on a television studio with fake walls, artificial lighting, and craft services.
The decision to reveal this aspect of Sesame Street was controversial at the time, and understandably so. However, looking back, it certainly seems to be an important lesson for all kids. At some point, their parents will need to tell them that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren’t real, and what better segue into that difficult conversation than the revelation that Elmo and Cookie Monster aren’t either?
It was pretty brave of Sesame Street to spend the entire anniversary special not only explaining how television shows are made, but also turning all the puppets inside-out on camera. I especially appreciated the part when Muppet performer Joey Mazzarino looked directly into the camera and said, “There is no Grover. Sesame Street is an illusion. Life is meaningless.”
Powerful stuff.
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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
