Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the email address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

Newsletter subscriptions
Sign up to receive wowOwow's weekly newsletter and get our best picks delivered right to your inbox. Our newsletter content is hand-picked by the wowOwow editorial team and provides the top features, news, and commentary from our site. Subscribing to our newsletter is free and safe. We will never share your email or other information with a third-party without your direct consent.
By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.
Home › Entertainment

Joan Ganz Cooney | 07/28/2008 3:15 pm

A Look at the Brand New Sesame Street Site, by wowOwower Joan Ganz Cooney

By Joan Ganz Cooney RSS
Alert me to Joan's new posts
Joan Ganz Cooney

I don’t usually make recommendations when it comes to websites (unless it’s wowOwow) but I feel compelled to mention the new SesameStreet.org site. It launches August 11 and I feel some of the same pride that came with the launch of the television show. This website captures the energy and educational value of the series and brings it to life in this medium that is as influential today as television was when Sesame Street debuted.

The site is designed to make it user friendly for children who are just learning the ropes of technology. One of the highlights is an innovative feature called PlaySAFE that provides a way for children to enjoy the site’s games and videos without the worry for parents that their child might accidentally find her/his way to another website (especially one that might not be appropriate).

There are hundreds of games and thousands of videos — including some of my favorite segments. With a little help from my granddaughter (and half the team at the Workshop), I created my first playlist to share with you. I hope you’ll feel as nostalgic as I did when I viewed some of the oldies.

Features on my playlist (all of which you can find on the video section of the site):

Lena Horne singing "How Do You Do" with Grover
John John counting
Parodies of old movies like "Casablanca"
The Chris Cerf Muppet singing "Letter B" (with a bow to the Beatles)
Grover as the annoying waiter
Bert and Ernie in any sketch (the early ones played by Jim Henson and Frank Oz)

 

Read more about: Bert, Ernie, Grover, Sesame Street

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

Maurine H
Dear Joan- I should have written you a thank you note years ago when my children were learning, singing, counting and laughing as they watched Sesame Street. I should have told you that my grandchildren were just as enthralled as their parents by Grover, and Big Bird, and Ernie and Cookie Monster. I should have let you know that when they were home from school with the flu or a cold, each of my children would perk up as soon as Sesame Street came on. But I didn’t write to you about either generation and how growing up just wouldn’t have been the same without all the fun and love and learning that Sesame Street gave us. So, now’s the time to say “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for hour upon hour of happy learning. Thanks to all your cast members and guests and the wonderful people behind the scenes. Sesame Street is a part of our family.” Sincerely, Maurine H.
By Maurine H on 07/28/2008 11:37 pm
Josie Sullivan
WOW! I can’t imagine how proud you must feel right now. I remember Oscar the grouch saying “Old is better than new”…that started my Precision Dumpster Diving at a very early age. I found treasures that my mother was not excited about to find in my bed and closet. I now have a basement…hmmm…hm..growl like Oscar. I have wanted to start the Dumpster Diving USA team but have found no takers…can you help with this?
By Josie Sullivan on 07/29/2008 1:35 am
Josie Sullivan
Oh, and has anyone told you today (besides all of us), that you are swell? Well, my friend Jann (sitting beside me) who doesn’t do internet other than info gathering says you are magnificent! And Thank you!
By Josie Sullivan on 07/29/2008 1:41 am
Frannie Em
Joan, Thanks for all the great years of Sesame Street. The website is another cherry on top. I love all the characters, I haven’t watched in years, but Bert and Ernie always made me laugh. When Elmo was introduced my kids always asked me to impersonate him when I put them to bed. But my all time favorite was Cookie Monster - Hey. You got a chocolate chip omelette? Yum yum yum yum yum!!!!!!
By Frannie Em on 07/29/2008 5:14 pm
TricotGirl F
Joan, this is grand news that you should be so proud to share. It seems that Sesame Street is once again leading the way in helping to realize the real potential of popular technology/media to educate, enlighten, entertain and bridge societal gaps. As someone with a background in children’s media who believes that accessible popular technology can be the key toward encouraging literacy among kids who may not have all the tools they should, I have studied the Sesame Street way for years. I thank you for doing it right and being there for ALL children. There are countless children who might never have had the start or push forward in their learning without friends like The Count, Grover, Big Bird, Cookie, and of course you. I look forward to the launch of the new site as a happy safe place for children to learn and play on line. Wonderful! P.S. The Lena Horne segment is one of my all time favorites!
By TricotGirl F on 07/29/2008 8:56 pm
kermie b
TricotGirl F—Your list did not include Kermie, the intrepid reporter. He loves this site. I am sure it was just an oversight. Thank you Joan, for making Kermie a star. Sesame Street is great fun for all ages. It is an institution. Fantastic work.
By kermie b on 07/30/2008 2:47 am
theresa troy
JOAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SHARING THE GREAT NEWS ABOUT SESAME STREET’S NEW WEBSITE.PERHAPS THIS WILL TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN’S ATTENTION AWAY FROM THEIR ELECTRONIC GAMES. I WILL SPREAD THE WORD…JUST AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR WOWOWOW!
By theresa troy on 07/30/2008 1:52 am
« first‹ previous12