The producers requested that Henson and his team create Muppets such as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to interact with the human actors, and the Street segments were re-shot. "Sesame Street"s format remained intact until the 2000s, when the changing audience required that producers move to a more narrative format. In 1998, the popular "Elmo's World", a 15-minute-long segment hosted by the Muppet Elmo, was created. Starting in 2014, during the show's 45th season, the producers introduced a half-hour version of the program. The new version, which originally complemented the full-hour series, was both broadcast weekday afternoons and streamed on the Internet.
Format
Sesame Street
Sesame Street | Format
Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Sorry. I cannot find the answer based on the context. Sorry. I cannot find the answer based on the context. Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy; Fozzie Bear; Gonzo and more.
when did the first episode of sesame street air
user
10 November 1969.
assistant
is it a series?
user
Yes, an educational children's television series.
assistant
is the series still running?
user
Yes, it is on its second run.
assistant
when was the pilot episode done?
user
July 1969.
assistant
is it a puppet show?
user
Yes.
assistant
name a few characters from the series?
user
Human characters included Susan and muppet characters included Elmo.
assistant
can you name more muppet characters?
user
A wide variety of characters have appeared on the American children's television series "Sesame Street". Many of the characters are Muppets, which are puppets made in Jim Henson's distinctive puppet-creation style. Most of the non-Muppet characters are human characters, but there are many characters that are animated.
Sesame Street characters | Introduction
In addition to these regular characters, others that occasionally appear are: the Twiddlebugs, a family of cute and innovative insects; the Yip Yips, a species of Martians who "valiantly explore our world despite their frequent terrifying encounters with everyday objects"; game show host Guy Smiley; construction workers Biff and Sully; Herry Monster, a burly blue monster who does not know his own strength; Forgetful Jones, a "simpleton cowboy" with a short-term memory disorder; and even Kermit the Frog, the flagship character of The Muppets. The Three Bears from the story of Goldilocks appear in Muppet form on "Sesame Street". Telly Monster, a violet-red worrywart who overthinks everything, was described by writer David Borgenicht as "neurotic", and was originally portrayed as a television addict; Murray Monster, a dark orange monster with an energetic, outgoing personality and a sense of quick wit, who hosts a segment at the beginning of each episode called "Word on the Street".
Sesame Street characters | Others
This is a partial list of the more well known animated characters appearing on "Sesame Street". Some are animated versions of Muppet characters, others appear only in animated segments.
List of animated Sesame Street characters | Introduction
One Muppet monster who became a household name in the show's recent history is Elmo, a small, red monster with a falsetto voice, representing the three-year-old child, and usually referring to himself from a third person perspective. Elmo became what his eventual portrayer, Kevin Clash, considered a "phenomenon" after Clash took over the role in 1984, and his popularity ultimately grew to the point where he became what writer Michael Davis called "the embodiment" of "Sesame Street". Typically, he is portrayed as friendly and cheerful, he has a distinctive giggling laughter, and every so often he falls over backwards to amuse viewers, such as in the 2002 video, "Elmo Visits the Firehouse" (except that Maria caught him on that occasion).
Sesame Street characters | Elmo
In addition to Ernie and Bert, recognizable humanoid Muppets appearing on the show include Count von Count, a friendly and harmless, but number-obsessed vampire based on Bela Lugosi's interpretation of Count Dracula. The Count has been confirmed to be of Indian descent, explaining the love of numbers as his being directly related to Aryabhata.
Sesame Street characters | Count von Count (The Count)
The principal characters of "The Muppet Show" and subsequent media include Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy; Fozzie Bear; Gonzo; Rowlf the Dog; Scooter; Rizzo the Rat; Pepe the King Prawn; Dr. Bunsen Honeydew; Beaker; Statler and Waldorf; the Swedish Chef; Sam Eagle; Walter; and the Electric Mayhem, fronted by Dr. Teeth (lead vocals, keyboards) and consisting of Animal (drums), Floyd Pepper (bass, background vocals), Janice (guitar, background vocals), Zoot (saxophone), and occasionally Lips (trumpet). As well as "The Muppet Show", the characters are popular for their appearances on "Sesame Street" and "Fraggle Rock"; and also feature in "The Jimmy Dean Show", "The Jim Henson Hour", "Muppets Tonight", "Bear in the Big Blue House", "", and "The Muppets".
The Muppets | Characters
Additional Muppets performed by Brad Abrell, Pam Arciero, Julianne Buescher, Lisa Buckley, Kevin Carlson, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Alice Dinnean, Eric Jacobson, John Kennedy, Peter Linz, Rick Lyon, Noel MacNeal, Jim Martin, Drew Massey, Don Reardon, Joe Selph, John Tartaglia and Matt Vogel.
Elmopalooza | Sesame Street Muppet Performers
Two other Muppets who have appeared on the show since its beginning are Bert and Ernie, a pair of best friends with contrasting personalities; Ernie is portrayed as a free-spirited trickster who loves his rubber duck, while Bert is the world-weary foil to his friend's naïve trouble-making, and shows himself to be obsessed with things like pigeons and paper clips. The debate on these characters' sexuality is highly disputed, but as of September 2018, Bert and Ernie are confirmed to not have any sexuality, as do the other characters on this list.
Sesame Street characters | Bert and Ernie
Julia is the first Muppet with autism on the show, introduced in 2017, who was created to familiarize young children with the autism spectrum. She is four-years-old.
Sesame Street characters | Julia
The cast of performers over the course of the series consisted of Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Fran Brill, Eren Ozker, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Karen Prell, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, and John Lovelady. Many of the performers also worked on "Sesame Street", whose characters made sporadic appearances on "The Muppet Show". Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns were two of the head writers. The music was performed by Jack Parnell and his orchestra.
The Muppet Show | Introduction
The main protagonist of the series and the first Muppet to appear on the show was Big Bird, an 8-foot-tall yellow bird believed by writer Shalom M. Fisch and Dr. Lewis Bernstein to be a canary, who resides in a large nest alongside the "123 Sesame Street" building and represents the 6-year-old child with his tendency to question everything. On special days, he wears a white collar and colorful necktie. Big Bird's best friend is Aloysius Snuffleupagus (better known as "Snuffy"), who was portrayed as the bird's imaginary friend until revealed to the human cast in 1985.
Sesame Street characters | Big Bird
In 1998, the Muppet got his own segment occupying the last 15 minutes of the show, "Elmo's World", in which he explored child-centered topics from two worlds of live action and computer animation, which looked like "a child's squiggly crayon drawing come to life". "Elmo's World" continued until 2012, when another segment starring the character, "Elmo the Musical", was introduced to replace it. At the show's twenty-fifth anniversary in 1993, the producers expanded and redesigned the show's set with a new series of locations dubbed "Around the Corner", which was dropped from the show in 1997. One of the "Around the Corner" locations, the Furry Arms Hotel, had a few original Muppets of its own: proprietor Sherry Netherland, managers Humphrey and Ingrid (who had a baby named Natasha), and bellhop Benny Rabbit.
Sesame Street characters | Elmo
"Sesame Street" has many international versions across the world. Each uses some original characters, created specifically to represent their own culture. The following list highlights some of these characters. All characters are Muppets, unless otherwise mentioned.
List of Sesame Street international co-production characters | Introduction
They must stay there until the morning while avoiding a night watchman. The special features the regular human cast of "Sesame Street" along with several of The Muppets, including Cookie Monster, Telly, Bert & Ernie, The Count, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch. Snuffy also appears, even though his names are revealed to be Mr. Snuffleupagus and Aloysius Snuffleupagus; however, at this point in the show's history, he is still the imaginary friend of Big Bird, never seen by the other characters on Sesame Street.
Don't Eat the Pictures | Introduction
Many established Muppet characters appeared — including Rowlf the Dog, Johnny Fiama, the Swedish Chef, Bobo the Bear, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Sam Eagle, and Sweetums. Plus many new recurring and one-time gag characters would appear in segments, sketches and parodies. Several new characters that frequented the series include Larry and Oliver, Lester Possum, Ted Thomas, Stan and Louie, the Hollywood Pitchmen, the Blimp, Loni Dunne and a pair of musical performers.
Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony | Introduction
Sparklenose, along with her classmates Gonnigan and Blögg. Additionally, several DC Comics characters were licensed for use in animated segments on the show during its first season, including Batman and Superman. Animated characters rarely if ever interact with the human and Muppet characters, with the exception of Smarty. Smarty debuted in 2017 season 47 of "Elmo's World." Smarty is a sentient smartphone who can look things up in order to learn about them, and gives that information to Elmo and the audience.
Sesame Street characters | Animated characters
Also regularly seen was Professor Drummond Bugle, a lecturer, similar to more generic characters used in Roberts' animated segments. Roberts fleshed out the strip's cast with a vast menagerie of newly minted animal characters. Amongst them were Lotta Elephant, Richard Bird, Hedda the frog, Balderdash the mouse, Titus the snake, Thomas Turtle, Crawley the worm, and an errant spider. A pair of nameless, Muppet-esque monsters also skulked through on occasion. Though the earlier version of the strip avoided the Muppets, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster joined the cast in December 1972, and appeared through the end of the strip's run in 1975.
Sesame Street (comic strip) | Introduction
Conversely, the so-called "live-hands" puppets (see Puppets) require two puppeteers – again, in full view of the audience. The show draws inspiration from and imitates the format of children's educational television shows "Sesame Street" and "The Muppets". Marx interned at the program early in his career, and all four of the original cast's principal puppeteers—John Tartaglia, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jennifer Barnhart and Rick Lyon—were "Sesame Street" performers (D'Abruzzo returned to "Sesame Street" after leaving "Avenue Q"). Three of the puppet characters are direct recognizable parodies of "Sesame Street" puppets: Roommates Rod and Nicky are a riff on Bert and Ernie, while Trekkie Monster bears the distinctive voice and disposition of Cookie Monster, though not his obsession with baked goods.
Avenue Q | Background
They visited the Jim Henson studio in New York twice to review and discuss the construction of the Muppets for the show, which they then translated into their game engine; the engine includes dynamic fur simulation and skeleton animations that mimic the behavior of the Muppets. While the game includes at least two "Sesame Street" characters, Cookie Monster and Elmo, the original character from Martz's prototype, Marco, remained throughout the game's development. Another monster in the game, Seamus, also came from Campbell's original sketches, and given a shy personality, only able to be lured out by providing him with clothes that fit his mood.
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster | Development
Tingo, the only new Muppet character, is a green, purple, and orange monster and an exchange student living in America with his best friend, Niki (played by Kelly Karbacz). Teenaged Niki lives in the basement of her parents' home, and has an extended circle of family and friends, including grandparents, siblings Katie and Kevin, baby Jake, and the members of her band. Niki's band, Children at Play, includes Mike, Sam (Samantha), and Tom. Stage actors Roger Bart and Jonathan Freeman play various members of Niki's circle, as well as episodic roles. Plots center around sports activities, music, and family get-togethers and social events.
Sesame English | Characters and Cast
Additional Muppets performed by Joey Mazzarino, Carmen Osbahr, Pam Arciero, Jim Martin, Noel MacNeal, Peter Linz, Rick Lyon, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, David Rudman and Tyler Bunch.
The Best of Elmo | Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets
As a result of this decision, the appeal of the test episodes was lower than the target.
List of Sesame Street Muppets | Introduction
The Muppets are an ensemble group of comedic puppet characters originally created by Jim Henson. The Muppets have appeared in multiple television series, films, and other media appearances since the 1950s. The majority of the characters listed here originated on "The Muppet Show", a television series that aired from 1976 to 1981. Since then, several more characters have been introduced in other television series, as well as theatrical films. The first Muppet characters appeared in "Sam and Friends", a Washington, D.C.–based show which was broadcast from 1955 to 1961. Kermit the Frog was one of the show's regulars, and thus was one of Henson's first Muppet creations.
List of Muppets | Introduction
The characters became a household name after their appearance in the children's television program "Sesame Street". Henson was initially reluctant to become involved with "Sesame Street" because he feared being pigeon-holed as a children's performer, but agreed to work on the show to further his social goals. The characters created for that series are now owned by the Sesame Workshop, the producers of "Sesame Street", and are now considered a separate franchise. These characters have been owned by The Muppets Studio, a division of The Walt Disney Company, since 2004 when Disney acquired the characters from The Jim Henson Company.
List of Muppets | Introduction
During the 1960s, the characters—in particular, Kermit and Rowlf the Dog—appeared in skits on several late-night talk shows and on television commercials, including "The Ed Sullivan Show." Rowlf became the first Muppet character to appear regularly on network television when he began appearing with Jimmy Dean on "The Jimmy Dean Show". In 1966, Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett began developing a children's educational television program and approached Henson to design a cast of Muppet characters during this stage. Produced by the Children's Television Workshop, the program debuted as "Sesame Street" in 1969. Henson and his creative team became closely involved with "Sesame Street" during the years that followed; Henson waived his performance fee in exchange for retaining ownership rights to the Muppet characters created for the program.
The Muppets | 1950s–1960s: Beginnings
The producers had followed the advice of child psychologists who were concerned that children would be confused, and had recommended that human actors and Muppets not be shown together. As a result of this decision, the appeal of the test episodes was lower than they would have liked, so the show's producers knew they needed to make significant changes, including defying the recommendations of their advisers and show the human and Muppet characters together. Lesser called this decision "a turning point in the history of "Sesame Street"". Muppet creator Jim Henson and his coworkers created Muppets for "Sesame Street" that could interact with the human actors, and many segments were re-shot.
List of human Sesame Street characters | Introduction
Big Bird, Grover, Betty Lou, Roosevelt Franklin, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Herry Monster, Little Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Sherlock Hemlock, Farley, Baby Monster, Anything Muppets.
Sesame Street Together Book | Characters
An adult-oriented segment, "The Land of Gorch", was a regular feature in the first season of "Saturday Night Live". Guest stars on "Saturday Night Live" occasionally include both the Muppets and "Sesame Street" characters, as well as Muppet likenesses of real people; these likenesses appear recurrently in early episodes of "The Muppet Show" and on "Sesame Street", and appear occasionally on other series such as "30 Rock". Following Disney's acquisition of the Muppets, puppets created by The Jim Henson Company are no longer referred to as Muppets. Puppets created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, including those in "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal", have never been considered Muppets, as they are generally more complex in design and performance than regular Muppets.
The Muppets | Characters
The series stars Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Scooter, Skeeter, Rowlf the Dog, and Gonzo as the main muppets. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker made regular appearances as did Camilla in the form of Gonzo's stuffed baby chick. In the final two seasons, Bean Bunny and Statler and Waldorf began making regular appearances. Several Muppets made guest appearances including Janice as an older preteen, and Kermit's nephew, Robin, a young tadpole. The Muppet Baby character Skeeter, Scooter's twin sister, only appeared in this series, and was never a live-action Muppet.
Muppet Babies (1984 TV series) | Characters
He is a bit egotistical and loves to eat honey-sesame sticks. Alam Simsim reuses many of the sketches from other versions of Sesame Street, dubbed into Egyptian Arabic. Some of these include segments using American Muppets, however some names are changed. Ernie and Bert are known as Shadi and Hadi, Elmo is called Tohfa (antique), Telly Monster is named Mosaad while Grover is Jafaar. Kermit is simply called Kermit.
Alam Simsim | Characters
On "Sesame Street", Nelson's longest-running character was Count von Count, the counting vampire who takes delight in counting anything (and everything) he can. Nelson did the voice and puppetry for the Count from 1972 until 2004 and continued to provide the Count's voice until his death in 2012. His other Muppet roles on that program were Herbert Birdsfoot, The Amazing Mumford, Herry Monster, Biff the construction worker, Mr. Johnson, Simon Soundman, Mr. Chatterly, Frazzle, rockstar Little Jerry, and Sherlock Hemlock. He has also made a total of nine onscreen appearances on the show. Nelson was the first puppeteer to perform Mr.
Jerry Nelson | Career
Additional Muppets performed by Jim Kroupa, Peter Linz, Rick Lyon, Noel MacNeal, and Alison Mork.
Sesame Street Stays Up Late! | <a href="Jim%20Henson">Jim Henson</a>'s Sesame Street Muppets
Elmo, Barkley, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Jamal, Angela, Betty Lou, Zoe, Baby Bear, Otis the Elephant Elevator Operator, Benny the Bellhop, Sherry Netherland, A Dinger, Ingrid, Humphrey, Baby Natasha, Telly Monster, Hoots the Owl, Wolfgang the Seal, Slimey, Grundgetta, Joey and Davey Monkey, Herry Monster, Rosita, Celina, Ruthie, The Squirrelles, Wanda Cousteau, Cookie Monster, and a twiddlebug.
Sesame Street (Around the Corner Book/Era) | Characters
Elmo is a Muppet character on the children's television show "Sesame Street". A furry red monster with a falsetto voice, he has illeism, and also hosts the last full fifteen-minute segment (five minutes since 2017) on "Sesame Street", "Elmo's World", which is aimed at toddlers. He was most often puppeteered by Kevin Clash, but since his resignation in late 2012, he has been puppeteered by Ryan Dillon.
Elmo | Introduction
Additional Board of Birds Members are performed by: Bob Stutt, Nikki Tilroe, Lee Armstrong, Rob Mills, and John Pattison. Additional characters are performed by: Frank Meschkuleit, Terry Angus, Matthew Pidgeon, Stephen Brathwaite, Tom Vandenberg, Francine Anderson, Ron Wagner, Martine Carrier, Karen Valleau, Michelle Frey, Gus Harsfai, Patricia Lewis, Charlotte Levinson, Carolanne McLean, Peter McCowatt, Brian Moffatt, Myra Fried, Jani Lauzon, Sandra Shamas, and Kevin Clash.
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | Muppet performers
Bert, Ernie & Cookie Monster tell everybody on Sesame Street that they'll be sad because they don't like to watch "Sesame Street" anymore. Then, we cut to Kermit the Frog in his "Sesame Street News" attire asking people (all of which are Grover) how to get to Sesame Street, occasionally running into people who were on the show when they were kids. The show ends with the characters all singing "Sing". The program was dedicated to the memory of Joe Raposo.
Sesame Street... 20 Years &amp; Still Counting | Introduction
Elmo is a Muppet character on the popular children's television show "Sesame Street". Elmo may also refer to:
Elmo (disambiguation) | Introduction
The producers decided to reject the advisers' advice and reshot the Street segments; Henson and his coworkers created Muppets that could interact with the human actors. These test episodes were directly responsible for what writer Malcolm Gladwell called "the essence of "Sesame Street"—the artful blend of fluffy monsters and earnest adults". Since 2001, the full rights for the "Sesame Street" Muppets have been owned by Sesame Workshop, as the CTW was renamed in 2000.
Sesame Street characters | General information
Additional Muppets performed by Martin P. Robinson, David Rudman, Noel MacNeal, Pam Arciero, Bryant Young, John Tartaglia, Rick Lyon, Jane Henson, Pat Hodelin, Richard Termine, Caroly Wilcox, Ed Christie, Camille Kampouris, James Kroupa, Jim Martin, Cheryl Blaylock, Brian Meehl.
The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street | Cast
"Rechov Sumsum" (The original series)" and "Shalom Sesame" (The second series) "Rechov Sumsum/Shara'a Simsim" (The third series): "Sippurei Sumsum" (Spin-off):
Rechov Sumsum | Original Muppet characters
Many of the characters who appeared on "The Muppet Show" have appeared in previous and subsequent Muppet productions.
The Muppet Show | Characters and performers
Kermit the Frog becomes the host for the show from the start of the first season, while former host Nigel gets a part as the orchestra leader. Statler and Waldorf now watch the show from a balcony. Other characters from the pilots, including Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Sam Eagle, The Swedish Chef, George the Janitor, Mildred Huxtetter, Crazy Harry, Brewster, and Droop continue to make appearances. Characters from previous Jim Henson productions also make appearances, including Rowlf the Dog, Sweetums and Robin the Frog (from "The Frog Prince"), Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, and Thog (from "The Great Santa Claus Switch").
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 1 (1976–1977)
The show also includes three main Muppet characters who interact with the humans in the neighborhood just as they do on the original American program. Nimnim (tiny) is a large green furry creature who wears a cap from upper Egypt and a patterned vest. He is a somewhat gentle and naive creature who enjoys gardening. Khokha (peach) is a furry pinkish orange colored monster with long black hair. She is a very inquisitive, imaginative and confident character whose main message is to encourage young girls. Filfil (pepper) is a bearded furry purple monster who often gets carried away with himself.
Alam Simsim | Characters
Roosevelt Franklin is a Muppet who was featured on the children's television series "Sesame Street" during the early 1970s. He is purple with shaggy black hair that stands on end. His name is a word play on the name of the late U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, but the first and last names are reversed. "Sesame Street" cast member Matt Robinson, who also played Gordon on the series for the first three seasons (1969–1972), created the character and provided his voice. Franklin is an intelligent boy who often speaks in rhyme or scat. Franklin began to appear more rarely in episodes created after the mid-1970s until he no longer was on the series.
Roosevelt Franklin | Introduction
Eventually, Muppet Show references became less evident, with the introduction of new characters unrelated to the Jim Henson show: Jean-Marie Le Pen as a vampire, Jack Lang as a goat, Édith Cresson as a panther, Jacques Chaban-Delmas as a duck, Charles Pasqua as a walrus, André Lajoinie as a dimwitted dog, Michel Rocard as a crow, Laurent Fabius as a squirrel, Édouard Balladur as a pelican, Arlette Laguiller as a weasel, ... After Gaston Defferre died, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing complained about remaining the only character to be represented as a human (and a grumpy old man, at that). He was then changed into a marabou stork, but complained again, so he became a monkey (Ouistiti Giscard des Singes).
Le Bébête Show | Characters
The term “Muppet”, likewise, became a legal trademark of Disney; Sesame Workshop retains permission to use the term for its "Sesame Street" characters under a license from Disney.
The Jim Henson Company | 2000 to 2004
(The production officially disclaims any connection with either Sesame Workshop or The Jim Henson Company.) All of the characters (puppet and human) are young adults who face real-world problems with uncertain solutions, as opposed to the simplistic problems and invariably happy resolutions encountered by characters on children's television programming. Much of the show's ironic humor emerges from its contrasts with "Sesame Street", including the differences between innocent childhood experiences and complex adulthood. The storyline presupposes the existence of "monsters" and talking animals, and human actors sing, dance and interact with puppets, both human and non-human, as if they were sentient beings, in a light-hearted, quasi-fantasy environment.
Avenue Q | Background
All the puppeteers who performed the primary "Sesame Street" characters (such as Kevin Clash, Jerry Nelson, Caroll Spinney and Fran Brill) were called to Wilmington, North Carolina for the table read on May 19, 1998. The regular puppets were used for the normal Sesame Street characters, and puppets for assorted Grouches (including Grizzy) were designed and built by Mark Zezsotek. Paul Andrejco, Muppet designer for Bear in the Big Blue House, also designed Humungous Chicken. Sonia Manzano reprised her role as Maria and Roscoe Orman reprised his role as Gordon. Vanessa Williams was cast as the Queen of Trash and the hairstylist colored her hair green for the role.
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland | Casting
New characters include Fozzie Bear, The Muppet Newsman, Scooter, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, wardrobe lady Hilda, Uncle Deadly, Marvin Suggs and his Muppaphones, Trumpet Girl, and the singing duet of Wayne and Wanda. Recurring sketches include "Veterinarian's Hospital", "At the Dance", "Talking Houses", "Panel Disscussions", "Fozzie's Monologue", "Talk Spot", "Muppet Labs" and "Gonzo's Act".
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 1 (1976–1977)
For example, when the children saw Long's audition, they stood up and sang along with her rendition of "I'm a Little Teapot". As Stone said, casting was the only aspect of the show that was "just completely haphazard". Most of "Sesame Street"s cast and crew found their jobs through personal relationships with Stone and the other producers. Bob's former girlfriend was Linda (Linda Bove), a librarian who communicated using American Sign Language, and who became the longest-running deaf character in television history. In 1985, Gordon and Susan adopted a shy child, Miles, who was later age-progressed into a fun-loving teenager who formed his own band.
Sesame Street characters | Human characters
The Muppets were a crucial part of the show's popularity and it brought Henson national attention. In early research, the Muppet segments of the show scored high, and more Muppets were added during the first few seasons. The Muppets were effective teaching tools because children easily recognized them, they were predictable, and they appealed to adults and older siblings. During the production of "Sesame Street"s first season, producers created five one-hour episodes to test the show's appeal to children and examine their comprehension of the material. Not intended for broadcast, they were presented to preschoolers in 60 homes throughout Philadelphia and in daycare centers in New York City in July 1969.
Sesame Street characters | General information
From "The Muppet Show" onward, Kevin Clash; Kathryn Mullen; Louise Gold; Karen Prell; Fran Brill, Caroll Spinney; and Brian Henson performed several minor characters and assisted the main performers with puppeteering. Many of these puppeteers performed characters across "The Muppet Show," "Sesame Street", "Fraggle Rock", and other Henson-related projects. Henson, Hunt, and Nelson continued performing until their deaths in 1990, 1992, and 2012, respectively. Goelz, Whitmire, and Bill Barretta, who joined the main cast of performers in the mid-1990s, assumed Henson's characters, with Whitmire cast in the role of Beaker and Nelson cast in the role of Statler, both previously performed by Hunt.
The Muppets | Performers
The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson, many for the purpose of appearing on the children's television program "Sesame Street". Henson's involvement in "Sesame Street" began when he and Joan Ganz Cooney, one of the creators of the show, met in the summer of 1968, at one of the show's five three-day curriculum planning seminars in Boston. Author Christopher Finch reported that director Jon Stone, who had worked with Henson previously, felt that if they could not bring him on board, they should "make do without puppets". Henson was initially reluctant but agreed to join "Sesame Street" in support of its social goals.
List of Sesame Street Muppets | Introduction
In 1969, television producer Joan Ganz Cooney and her staff at the Children's Television Workshop were impressed by the quality and creativity of the Henson-led team, so they asked Henson and staff to work full-time on "Sesame Street", a children's program for public television that premiered on National Educational Television on November 10, 1969. Part of the show was set aside for a series of funny, colorful puppet characters living on Sesame Street, including Grover, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and Big Bird. Henson performed the characters of Ernie, game-show host Guy Smiley, and Kermit, who appeared as a roving television news reporter.
Jim Henson | "Sesame Street": 1969
Jim Henson created many Muppet characters for the purpose of appearing on "Sesame Street". His involvement with the show began when he and one of the creators, Joan Ganz Cooney, met in the summer of 1968 at one of the show's five three-day curriculum planning seminars in Boston. Author Christopher Finch reported that director Jon Stone, who had worked with Henson previously, felt that if they could not bring him on board, they should "make do without puppets". Henson was initially reluctant, but he agreed to join "Sesame Street" for social goals. He also agreed to waive his performance fee for full ownership of the "Sesame Street" Muppets and to split any revenue they generated with the Children's Television Workshop, the series' non-profit producer.
Sesame Street characters | General information
Several changes were made for the second season. Each week, Scooter would now greet the guest star in his or her dressing room before the opening theme song by announcing the time until curtain call. The opening theme sequence was replaced with one involving the cast in arches. Sketches such as "At the Dance", "Talk Spot", "Panel Discussions", "Talking Houses", and "Fozzie's Monologue" either made fewer appearances or were dropped altogether. Several characters were rebuilt, with noticeable changes in Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, and Janice. Characters like George the Janitor, Hilda, Mildred, and Wayne and Wanda were dropped from the series (although Mildred would still make rare sporadic appearances).
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 2 (1977–1978)
From 1969 to 2001, Henson was contracted to design and create Muppet characters for "Sesame Street". With the exception of occasional appearances in the Muppets franchise, the characters were used exclusively for "Sesame Street", but Henson legally owned these characters prior to their acquisition by Sesame Workshop. The only exception was Kermit the Frog, who was featured in other projects prior to "Sesame Street". Sesame Workshop retains the rights to use any "Sesame Street" footage featuring the character. The sale ended any direct affiliation between The Muppets and "Sesame Street", although the series retains use of the term "Muppet" under license from Disney.
The Jim Henson Company | Television
A prototype version of Grover appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Christmas Eve in 1967. This puppet had greenish-brown fur and a red nose. He also had a raspier voice and was played a bit more unkempt than Grover would later behave. The monster was referred to as "Gleep", a monster in Santa's workshop. He later made a cameo appearance in "The Muppets on Puppets" in 1968 with the Rock and Roll Monster. In 1969, clad in a necktie, he appeared in the "Sesame Street Pitch Reel" in the board-room sequences. During the first season of "Sesame Street", the character was nicknamed "Fuzzyface" or "The Hairy One", though neither would be used for his actual name.
Grover | Origins
Note that 1988 "Outstanding Children's Program" nominee "A Muppet Family Christmas" included "Sesame Street" characters.
List of accolades received by Sesame Street | <a href="Emmy%20Awards">Emmy Awards</a>
Since the premiere of the children's television program "Sesame Street" on November 10, 1969, it has included what writer Malcolm Gladwell has called "the essence of "Sesame Street"—the artful blend of fluffy monsters and earnest adults". The original cast, chosen by original producer Jon Stone, consisted of four human actors—Matt Robinson, who played Gordon; Loretta Long, who played Gordon's wife, Susan; Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper; and Bob McGrath, who played Bob. Unlike most children's television programs at the time, the producers of "Sesame Street" decided against using a single host and cast a group of ethnically diverse, primarily African American actors/presenters, with, as "Sesame Street" researcher Gerald S.
List of human Sesame Street characters | Introduction
Initially, the puppet characters on "Sesame Street" did not actually appear on Sesame Street itself, but were relegated to the intermediary segments. Muppets creator Jim Henson wanted them to be integrated into the series, suggesting a giant bird and creature living in the neighborhood's trash can. The character was developed by "Sesame Street" head writer Jon Stone and Henson, based on the personality of a “magnificently rude” restaurant owner. Puppeteer Caroll Spinney found inspiration for the voice in the driver of a New York City taxi he took to the studio. His first line was "Where to Mac?". Henson credits the character's name to the owner and namesake of Oscar's Salt of the Sea.
Oscar the Grouch | Origins
The character now belongs to The Muppets Studio, a division of The Walt Disney Company. His first "Sesame Street" appearance since Disney ownership was in an "Elmo's World" segment in the show's 40th-season premiere on November 10, 2009. His most recent appearance was in the 2019 television special "Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration", where he performed "Bein' Green" with Elvis Costello.
Kermit the Frog | "Sesame Street"
The "Sesame Street" sketches in "La Cometa Blanca" were so successful with their young audience that the Spanish-version was given another chance in 1983. Only José Riesgo as Julián returned from the first season. Caponata and Perezgil were replaced by two new Muppets totally designed, this time, and constructed by CTW. The main character was Espinete, a large pink hedgehog that replaced Caponata. Like Caponata, Espinete was a full-body Muppet and was the main character on the show, played by Chelo Vivares. He became famous for sleeping in pajamas in spite of being "naked" the rest of the day. Some of the friends of Espinete were: The show finished around April 1988 and was replaced by "Los Mundos de Yupi", a similar program fully produced by Televisión Española, featuring three extraterrestrial characters.
Barrio Sésamo | Barrio Sésamo - 2nd, 3rd and 4th seasons (4th Run)
While the rights to Muppet characters from other productions were sold to The Walt Disney Company in 2004, Sesame Workshop continued to fully own the "Sesame Street" Muppets; as a result, Sesame Workshop was and is allowed to have new Muppets designed and built for the show. These have included Abby Cadabby, a four-year-old pink fairy-in-training, who was introduced in 2006 to increase the number of the show's female Muppets; Her stepbrother, Rudy, was introduced to the show in the summer of 2017.
Sesame Street characters | Abby Cadabby
In addition to its "variety of distinctive and reliable personalities", both Muppet and human, "Sesame Street" has featured a few animated characters throughout its history, who have included (among others) Alice Braithwaite Goodyshoes, described by Lesser as an "arrogant, sanctimonious know-it-all", and the Teeny Little Super Guy, a typical problem solver. In 2008, Bert and Ernie got their own Claymation segment called "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventure", in which they explore the world, going on "active adventures in exotic locations", according to "Sesame Street" executive producer Carol-Lynn Parente. The following year, Abby Cadabby got her own computer-animated segment, "Abby's Flying Fairy School", where she takes fairy training classes from her teacher Mrs.
Sesame Street characters | Animated characters
An adaption of "Sherlock Holmes" with Gonzo as the title character, Fozzie Bear as Dr. Watson, Kermit the Frog as Inspector Lestrade, and Miss Piggy in various female leads.
The Muppet Show (comics) | Muppet Sherlock Holmes (4 issues)
Elmo is self-described as three-and-a-half years old and his birthday is on February 3. Elmo characteristically avoids pronouns in reference to himself, instead referring to himself in the third person (e.g. saying "Elmo wants this" instead of "I want this"). "Sesame Street" staff writer Nancy Sans once described Elmo's origins: "There was this extra red puppet lying around and the cast would pick him up sometimes and try to create a personality, but nothing seemed to materialize." The character of Elmo was originally conceived as a supporting character and background character in the late 1970s. It first appeared in the 1980 Sesame Street song, We Are Monsters.
Elmo | History
Additional Muppets performed by Pam Arciero, Noel MacNeal, Jim Martin, Bryant Young, Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Alice Dinnean.
Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years | The Muppets of Sesame Street
Also appearing on the show are an unidentified species of furry characters referred to as "monsters". Among these are Cookie Monster, a blue monster with a baritone voice, who is addicted to the baked goods for which he is named but ironically also likes healthy foods; he will eat anything and everything in sight, regardless of whether it's food or not.
Sesame Street characters | Cookie Monster
The principal Muppet character is Chelli, a puppet dog who is joined by his best friend Bag. Chelli and Bag run a general store. They live on Main Street in an unidentified town with their human friend Molly and a variety of other animals named for their species. Two sock puppets named Lyle the Sock and Argyle McSock work as stockroom boys and often interact with the main cast. In 1997, a humanoid Muppet character called Sofie was introduced. The first season features frequent interaction with a large cast of human regulars, including an assortment of child friends and colorful locals.
Big Bag | Plot
In 1971, the show introduced a Mexican-American character named Luis Rodriguez (Emilio Delgado), a repairman who has been called the "Mr. Fix-It" of "Sesame Street". Luis married Maria (Sonia Manzano) in 1988, and their daughter, Gabi, was born the following year.
Sesame Street characters | Human characters
Some of Jim Henson's Muppets, such as the Muppet character Fozzie Bear and the "Sesame Street" characters Ernie and Count von Count, are live-hand puppets. A variation of this puppet, called a "sack-body" puppet, is built with the puppet's arms directly connected to its base. Popular examples include the "Sesame Street" characters Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch, and the Muppet character Rowlf the Dog. The Swedish Chef, another Muppet character, is operated in a unique way; both of his hands are actual human hands, supplied by the second performer. The technique of the main puppeteer performing a character's head with an assistant performing both arms is also used for Rowlf playing the piano.
Puppet | Human-arm puppet
Zoe is an orange three-year-old female monster who is "simultaneously dainty and strong, practical and impulsive" and is Elmo's best friend. She has a pet rock named Rocco; and loves to dance ballet.
Sesame Street characters | Zoe
"Captain Kangaroo" was cancelled in 1984 after 29 seasons, and "Great Space Coaster" ended, freeing up Clash to work on projects with Henson such as the film "Labyrinth" and "Sesame Street." Clash started working at "Sesame Street" for ten episodes in 1983, mostly performing nondescript, stand-in puppets known as Anything Muppets. Some of his earliest characters included the saxophone-playing Hoots the Owl (based on Louis Armstrong), the infant Baby Natasha, and inventor Dr. Nobel Price. After 1985, Elmo, a furry red monster, became his main character. Three puppeteers, including Richard Hunt, had performed Elmo previously, but it was Clash's development, with a falsetto voice, that established the character.
Kevin Clash | Career
Pam Arciero, Lisa Buckley, Tyler Bunch, Tim Lagasse, Jim Martin, Carmen Osbahr, and Matt Vogel are also credited as additional puppeteers. The classic Muppet footage features performances by a wide variety of Muppet performers, but they are not listed in the credits.
Play with Me Sesame | Cast
Former Muppet performer Camille Bonora influenced Mazzarino when she taught an improvisation class at his university, and eventually introduced him to Jim Henson. Mazzarino later became the head writer for "Sesame Street" and also worked on "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland", "Muppets From Space", and "Kermit's Swamp Years". When Mazzarino auditioned for "Sesame Street", he wrote a sketch called "Colambo" and soon found himself cast in the title role. Since then, he had been a prominent member of the "Sesame Street" cast where he performed Horatio the Elephant, Murray Monster, Papa Bear, Stinky the Stinkweed, and various characters until 2015, when he resigned.
Joey Mazzarino | Career
The Muppets are an ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an absurdist, burlesque, and self-referential style of variety-sketch comedy. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, they are the namesakes of the Disney-owned media franchise that encompasses television, film, music, and other media associated with the characters. The Muppets originated in the short-form television series "Sam and Friends", which aired from 1955 to 1961. Following appearances on late night talk shows and in advertising during the 1960s, the Muppets began appearing on "Sesame Street" (1969–present), and attained celebrity status and international recognition through "The Muppet Show" (1976–1981), which received four Primetime Emmy Award wins and twenty-one nominations during its five-year run.
The Muppets | Introduction
At Henson's suggestion, the "Star Wars" character Yoda was originally performed by Frank Oz, and has been loosely described as a Muppet in media and reference works; he is not, however, and Henson otherwise had no involvement in the character's conception.
The Muppets | Characters
Hikayat Simsim () is the Jordanian co-production of "Sesame Street". The main Muppet characters in the Jordanian version are Juljul and Tonton. Issa Sweidan plays the lovable grandfather figure Jiddo Simsim. The Jordanian version premiered in October 2003. A second season debuted in January 2007. A third and fourth season followed.
Hikayat Simsim | Introduction
Ahlan Simsim (translating to "Welcome Sesame") is an Arabic co-production of "Sesame Street" that premiered on 2 February 2020 on MBC 3. The series features three original Muppet characters to the series – Basma, Jad, and Ma'zooza. In addition to human cast members, the series also includes localized versions of Gargur (Grover), Kaaki (Cookie Monster), and Elmo from Iftah Ya Simsim.
Iftah Ya Simsim | Ahlan Simsim
The cold open featuring Scooter visiting the guest star's dressing room was replaced by a new opening in which Pops, the doorman, would greet each guest as they entered the theatre. New characters included Pops, Lips, and Gaffer the Cat. Two new puppeteers, Brian Muehl and Karen Prell, joined the troupe of Muppeteers during this season, and Betsy Baytos auditioned to perform in eight episodes.
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 5 (1980–1981)
The residents of the Tree are Potto; Hilda and Archie, a new arrival for the second series. All the characters were developed by Sesame Workshop and Sixteen South, and the Muppets for the series were built by The Jim Henson Company in New York, who worked with exclusively local writers and Muppet Performers. Martin P. Robinson assisted in auditioning and training local performers, who include Lesa Gillespie, Paul Currie, Michael McNulty, Mike Smith, Helen Sloan and Alana Kerr.
Sesame Tree | Format
Most of the cast and crew found jobs on "Sesame Street" through personal relationships with Stone and the other producers. The results of the test shows, which were never intended for broadcast and shown to preschoolers in 60 homes throughout Philadelphia and in day care centers in New York City in July 1969, were "generally very positive". The researchers found that children learned from the shows, that the show's appeal was high, and that children's attention was sustained over the full hour. However, they found that, although children's attention was high during the Muppet segments, their interest wavered when there were only humans on screen.
List of human Sesame Street characters | Introduction
Most of the characters and sketches from the previous season remained. Canteen worker Gladys however, was replaced by a new character, Winny. Rizzo the Rat also made his earliest appearances, first as "Super Rat" in the episode which featured Christopher Reeve as its guest star.
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 4 (1979–1980)
Cameo appearances by Animal, Floyd Pepper, Mahna Mahna, and Scooter and Skeeter.
The Muppet Show (comics) | Cast
The original human cast, chosen by Stone, consisted of four characters. The first character to be introduced to the show was Gordon Robinson, a "well-liked and respected" African-American ultimately portrayed as a science teacher; he was played by Garrett Saunders on the test pilots, by Matt Robinson in the early years of the actual series, and after being briefly played by Hal Miller, was taken over by his longest-serving portrayer, Roscoe Orman, in 1974. The other three original human characters were Gordon's wife Susan, played by Loretta Long; Mr. Harold Hooper, a "gruff grocer with [a] warm heart" portrayed by Will Lee until his death in 1982; and Bob Johnson, a music teacher played by Bob McGrath.
Sesame Street characters | Human characters
Current shows featuring a costumed character puppet include Big Bird of "Sesame Street", Barney from "Barney and Friends", and Bear of "Bear in the Big Blue House". Less complicated characters include "Hip Hop Harry", "Yo Gabba Gabba!" and "TVO English Kindergarten". Older examples include "New Zoo Revue", "H.R. Pufnstuf", "Banana Splits", and British series "Gophers!".
Costumed character | On television
After being hired to work on "Sesame Street", Hunt mostly performed background characters. One of his first major performances was as Taminella Grinderfall in "The Frog Prince", physically performing the character while Jerry Juhl portrayed the voice. Hunt performed Scooter and shared Miss Piggy with Frank Oz until the final quarter of the first season of "The Muppet Show". His characters on "Sesame Street" included Forgetful Jones, Placido Flamingo, Don Music, Gladys the Cow, and Sully; Hunt also briefly performed Elmo before Kevin Clash was cast in that role. On "Fraggle Rock", Hunt's main role was the performing the facial expressions and voice of Junior Gorg; he also performed Gunge (one of the Trash Heap's barkers) as well as several one shot or minor characters.
Richard Hunt (puppeteer) | Career
The set used for this special intentionally combines elements from the backstage set used in "The Muppet Show" and the control room set used in "The Jim Henson Hour". The special was later syndicated alongside "The Muppet Show". This would be one of the last productions Richard Hunt performed Scooter and Janice before his death in 1992. The logo for the special incorporated characters from all three of Henson's most widely known productions, with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie joined by Gobo Fraggle and a Doozer from "Fraggle Rock", and Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street".
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson | Production notes
King, Jimmy Buffett, Bart Simpson, and the Metropolitan Opera's José Carreras—not to mention the blond, curly-haired Muppet character from "Sesame Street" who is his namesake and the lead singer of the rock group "Chrissy and the Alphabeats."
Christopher Cerf (producer) | Musical compositions
Two-Headed Monster, who teaches cooperation while speaking in baby-like gibberish but with heavy accents.
Sesame Street characters | Two-Headed Monster
A sly and witty brown rat from the inner city, that Whitmire describes as "a sarcastic kind of New York City character"; debuted in season four.
List of Muppets | Rizzo the Rat
Fans of "Sesame Street" have complained that Elmo's prominent status has caused roles to be greatly reduced for some older characters, such as Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Count von Count, Prairie Dawn, Grover, and Cookie Monster. Some fans also blame Elmo for the permanent departure of Kermit the Frog from "Sesame Street". Elmo has been referred to as the "Little Red Menace" by "Sesame Street" traditionalists. In its FAQ, the Sesame Workshop addresses the allegation that Elmo referring to himself in the third person will teach children improper English, by stating that this behavior "mimics the behavior of many preschoolers.
Elmo | Criticism and controversy
The final phase started in 1975, but lasted only until 1977. More characters and actors were added during the show's final seasons. All of the puppets were created by local Brazilian designers, with no known involvement from the Muppet Workshop. All original Sesame Street material was dropped, except for the Bert and Ernie sketches.
Vila Sésamo | The Co-production Era: 1972-1977, 2007-2019
They also had a predisposition for breaking the fourth wall. Author Ben Underwood remarked on how the characters generally "blur the boundary between performer and audience", as they are "concurrently audience members and performers". Underwood points to a second season incident in which the characters see themselves watching the Muppets, with Statler skeptical, saying "No one would watch junk like that".
Statler and Waldorf | Characters
In the special, comedian Bill Cosby details the history of the show while interacting with various Muppet characters. Among the subjects featured are the curriculum, the show's adult humor and even the foreign co-productions from around the world (e.g. "Plaza Sésamo"—now "Sésamo"—and "Rechov Sumsum"). There are also guest appearances; opera singer Plácido Domingo sings with Placido Flamingo, and Ray Charles sings Kermit's version of the song "It's Not Easy Bein' Green". Meanwhile, Bert and Ernie are taping the street with their video camera so they can watch "Sesame Street" on television, but Cookie Monster appears and eats both the video camera and the video tape.
Sesame Street... 20 Years &amp; Still Counting | Introduction
Schulz, Jay Ward, Dr. Seuss, Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane and John Lasseter. Three puppeteers have stars: Edgar Bergen, Jim Henson and Shari Lewis, as does Fran Allison, who appeared with Burr Tillstrom's puppets on the TV show "Kukla, Fran and Ollie". Henson also has three stars dedicated to his creations: one for The Muppets as a whole, one for Kermit the Frog and one for Big Bird.
Hollywood Walk of Fame | Fictional characters and their creators
Additional Muppets performed by Pam Arciero, Heather Asch, Tyler Bunch, Carmen Osbahr, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Ryan Dillon, Artie Esposito, James Godwin, BJ Guyer, Andy Hayward, Patrick Holmes, John Kennedy, Tim Lagasse, Bruce Lanoil, Peter Linz, Michael Lisa, Noel MacNeal, Amanda Maddock, Ed May, Paul McGinnis, Tracie Mick, Marc Petrosino, Karen Prell, Mike Quinn, Andy Stone, Ian Sweetman, David Stephens, John Tartaglia, and Gabriel Velez.
Elmo's Christmas Countdown | Muppet performers
Robin is identified as Kermit's nephew. New sketches include "Pigs in Space" and "An Editorial by Sam the Eagle". New characters include Bunsen Honeydew's assistant Beaker, Link Hogthrob, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Doglion, and Annie Sue. Muppet performers Eren Ozker and John Lovelady departed from "The Muppet Show" after the first season. In early episodes of the second season, female puppeteers were auditioned to replace Ozker. Louise Gold was eventually hired as Ozker's replacement. Richard Hunt replaced Ozker as Janice's performer while Jerry Nelson took over the roles of Crazy Harry and The Announcer from John Lovelady. Jack Burns quit his role as writer after the first season.
List of The Muppet Show episodes | Season 2 (1977–1978)
In February 2012, another new season for "Rechov Sumsum" was produced for "Hop! Channel". The new season featured the previous Muppets: Avigail, Mahboub, Sivan and Moishe Oofnik with new neighbor called Sesame Street's Elmo.
Rechov Sumsum | Season 3