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Question of the Day | 11/05/2009 3:00 am

As we approach Sesame Street's 40th birthday, tell us: What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street?

Candice Bergen, Liz Smith, Sheila Nevins, Cynthia McFadden, Mary Wells and ‘Sesame Street’ visionary Joan Ganz Cooney looks back on the show that revolutionized children’s television … For a special wOw bonus, click here to see Joan Ganz Cooney’s ten favorite moments in ‘Sesame Street’ history
Courtesy of The Sesame Workshop
Cynthia McFadden

Cynthia McFadden | 11/05/2009 12:00 am

When Cynthia McFadden and Her Son Met Big Bird's Mom

My favorite memory of Sesame Street is going there as Joan Cooney’s guest for a magical day with my then-six-year-old son. The look of total delight on his face is a very happy memory. Many years later he still talks about the thrill of being there with “Big Bird’s mother” and meeting Elmo.
Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 11/05/2009 12:00 am

Candice Bergen's Favorite 'Sesame Street' Character (Video)

My favorite Sesame Street memory is watching it when my daughter was tiny and loving Count 1, 2, 3, 4 and teaching kids to brush their teeth with a huge toothbrush that had two big tufts of bristles. One for each fang. Also doing a show and bringing Chloe to the set.

Watch Elmo interview Candice Bergen below:

Sheila Nevins

Sheila Nevins | 11/05/2009 12:00 am

Sheila Nevins Applauds Joan Ganz Cooney

The brilliant Joan Ganz Cooney championing literacy for all children.
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 11/05/2009 12:00 am

Liz Smith on the Celebrity and Significance of 'Sesame Street'

Hard to believe those adorable little characters are 40 years old! I guess what I remember best about the show was that every time I turned it on, there was a major movie star or very important person interacting with the characters. Nobody was too big to go on "Sesame Street" and almost everyone in the world appreciated the show’s contribution to the education of the world’s children.
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 11/05/2009 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney's Greatest Moment Happened 11/10/69

My favorite memory of Sesame Street is getting the show on the air on November 10, 1969.

35 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Susan B.
Ok, maybe I should show more appreciation because you are exactly right in saying, "bringing diversity into young lives and making children more accepting of each other in this world".  What a beautiful gift to have given to the world. Seeing different people being neighbors with one another teaches more than a thousand lectures on overcoming racism. i haven’t watched in years but Grover’s near and fear skit still stands out along with, "waiter there’s a fly in my soup" scene that is part of the picture essay. All these bring back warm memories of my childhood and my children’s younger years. Where’s Mr. Snuffleuppagus these days anyway?
By Susan B. on 11/05/2009 10:46 am
Linda Myers

My favorite was Mr. Snuffleuppagus! He was more than could be seen at times by others, but to the children he was very real and that made him real. He was the innocence of being a child.

By Linda Myers on 11/05/2009 11:20 am
Jeannot Kensinger
My best memories are with the Count. Since I have an accent my girls thought it hilarious that he sounded worse than Mommy. Problem was that my oldest had to go for speech therapy in kindergarten because she could not say "three" just like Mom!
By Jeannot Kensinger on 11/05/2009 10:47 am
Chris Broersma
Kermie created many of the best memories for my sons and I over the years.  Sesame Street was the first fun program for kids and adults in my opinion!  It always hit on many levels and love, and the love of learning are at its center.
By Chris Broersma on 11/05/2009 10:57 am
Tracy Hopper

There is soooo many memories.  My oldest daughter just turned 18, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen the show, but now I have an 11 month at home, and she is going to be ready for Sesame Street here soon.  So I get to relive the muppets again! 

2 of my favorite memories are the two aliens that would just say "yup, yup, yup" every time the phone would ring or something.  I loved those guys!  The second memory is the baby Grover’s potty book that I read to my daughter every day during potty training.  Thanks for all your help Grover!  See you in about a year for another session of potty training!

By Tracy Hopper on 11/05/2009 11:01 am
Johnette Helms-Buzzell

My best memories are recalling and visualizing all my children at early stages of their lives sitting on the floor, with a blankie, stuff toy or floor pillow, eyes glued to the wonderful characters of Sesame Street and their learning adventures.  My favorite character and his worldly sophistication was always the Count while each of the children had their own very favorites from Big Bird and Ernie to the Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch! My two oldest of five children are now 42 and 41 and were perched in front of the television along with their father and me to view the very first espisode of Sesame Street! It was amazing and has never stopped being so! Happy Birthday, Sesame Street! 

By Johnette Helms-Buzzell on 11/05/2009 11:45 am
Maizie James
James Earl Jones [early 70’s] reciting the ABC’s.
By Maizie James on 11/05/2009 2:28 pm
Beth Cornell
I grew up watching Sesame Street as i was 2 when it started. I love Kermie, and Bert and Ernie and Big Bird. My favorite real life person was the storekeeper, and after he died it became Bob. 
By Beth Cornell on 11/05/2009 3:02 pm
Toni T

I have two childhood Sesame Street faves. The orange who sings an aria from Carmen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-0_p_yefg

…and the very first version of Mahna Mahna, later remade for the Muppet Show. Ah, good times!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTkGXuiT55w 

By Toni T on 11/05/2009 3:51 pm
Tina Littlepage
There are so many years of memories of Sesame Street I wouldn’t even know which to choose.  But my favorite part about Sesame Street is how they have famous people perform the simple music and skits that will cater to children.   Like Ray Charles singing the "ABC song" or Natalie Portman playing pretend games with Elmo…
By Tina Littlepage on 11/05/2009 4:37 pm
Bill Ostrander, Jr.
When Kermit the Frog sang the Rainbow Connection song. I’ve never forgotten that - it’s stuck in my memory and I’ve learned the lyrics by heart. It still is one of my favorite songs.
By Bill Ostrander, Jr. on 11/05/2009 5:49 pm
Baby  Snooks
Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side
Rainbow’s are visions
They’re only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we’ve been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they’re wrong wait and see

Someday we’ll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it’s done so far
What’s so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we’ll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I’ve heard them calling my name
Are these the sweet sounds that called
The young sailors
I think they’re one and the same
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it
There’s something that I’m supposed to be

Someday we’ll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
By Baby Snooks on 11/08/2009 5:36 am
Signing On
I would say the intro score reminds me of my own little ones delight when it came on; however, I had worked with ACT, and friends started Zoom so my heart began way back there, with WGBH, and childrens televiewing rights when I was in grad school, and a brand new mother.
By Signing On on 11/05/2009 7:54 pm
Signing On
Must add ~ greatest familar memories in re kiddos tv and sound, was Free To Be You and Me.
By Signing On on 11/05/2009 7:55 pm
Signing On
edit (familar) familial
By Signing On on 11/05/2009 7:56 pm