We’re 40 and Still Counting

Sesame Street celebrates its landmark 40^th birthday on November 10, 2009! See what its co-founder and cast members have to say.

It is truly magnificent to see Sesame Street begin its 40^th season. I am thrilled and humbled by this remarkable celebration. Co-founder of the Workshop Lloyd Morrisett and I weren’t sure the show would make it past the first season, so it is both surreal and wonderful for us to see Sesame Street reach such a landmark.

Joan Ganz Cooney and the Muppets

It’s hard to believe that it was considered “radical” 40 years ago to use television to teach young children. Sesame Street was originally conceived so that less advantaged children would arrive in school with the same preparation as middle-class children. In addition to helping children learn letters and numbers, the show has grown to include teaching tolerance, empathy, and inclusion; life skills that continue, in no small way, to making the world a better place. Today, in over 140 countries, Sesame Street teaches more children—across more cultures—than any other children’s show in history.

I am continually inspired by the capacity and inventiveness of the creative talent and educators that create each new season. They stay tirelessly true to our mission while ensuring that the show remains relevant to the needs of today’s children. I am especially excited about our 40^th season, which will debut on the exact date of the 40^th anniversary of our first broadcast. The highlights include an appearance by our First Lady Michelle Obama, an all-new format which resembles a typical broadcasting block, our first CGI animation segment, “Abby’s Flying Fairy School,” which will help preschoolers develop critical thinking skills, and a new show open and close using chalk-art animation set to a new version of “Sunny Days.”

Thank you for celebrating with us.  I hope you enjoy our new season!

”What a magic carpet ride it's been! Time flies when you're having flán! Happy 40th one and all!” - EMILIO DELGADO, “LUIS”

“There have been many changes on Sesame Street over the past 40 years except for one—the Muppets™ still crack me up! Some things never change!” –SONIA MANZANO, “MARIA”

"Even on day one of Sesame Street, 40 years ago, I felt I was becoming a part of something very special.   However, I never could have imagined how truly important the show would become to so many people around the world. Including me." – CARROLL SPINNEY, “BIG BIRD” AND “OSCAR THE GROUCH”

"How bad can a job be when you get to act like a 3-year-old all day, laugh, sing, create dozens of characters, and feel part of a large, wildly creative (sometimes dysfunctional) family?!" – FRAN BRILL, “PRAIRIE DAWN” and “ZOE”

“Sesame Street is my family away from family. Not only the people that work there, but all the monsters, horses, cows, chickens, penguins and twiddle bugs too.  How cool is that?! I love what I do and I love all the people that help me do what I love.” – JERRY NELSON, “COUNT VON COUNT,” “HERRY MONSTER,” “FAT BLUE” and “SHERLOCK HEMLOCK”

“When Jim Henson hired me, he asked "if I wanted to be part of his Sesame Street family?" Since that day,  I've been part of the most colorful, funny, loving and amazing family. I LOVE IT!” – CARMEN OSBAHR, “ROSITA”

"Sesame Street lives and breathes in me from the time I was a baby. I sang wildly along with Susan and Bob ("Someday Little Children," I still know every word). I listened intently to the voice of Kermit trying to be calm and practical in the absurdist of absurd situations.  And I learned about love, grief, compassion and camaraderie while watching our friends process the loss of the beloved Mr. Hooper. Becoming a teenager and being a cast member on the show gave me a much-needed sense of home. Now, as a grown woman with children (teenagers, ouch) of my own, my childlike pride and wonderment of the incredible creation, brought to fruition in 1969 that I am still a part of, continues to bring forward the words in me which have never ever ceased throughout my life ... Thank you Sesame Street.” – ALISON BARTLETT, “GINA”

“Sesame Street has been my home for the past 11 years, and it’s always a place that I have felt safe to take risks, be absolutely ridiculous, and above all, have the time of my life. I can honestly say that it has been the most rewarding and soul-fulfilling job that I have ever had. As an Asian American actor, it has been an amazing honor to be a thread in the multi-cultural fabric that makes up Sesame Street, and it is something that I hold dear to my heart. It has been an honor to be a part of the legacy that Sesame Street has built. And I also have a great recipe for a birdseed milkshake.” ALAN MURAOKA, “ALAN”

”Being "Bob" the music teacher on Sesame Street for 40 years has been a unique opportunity to work with outstanding and creative people, all dedicated to helping young children achieve their maximum potential in life. Joan Ganz Cooney created the best and largest educational experiment in the world. It is tremendously gratifying to know that millions of children worldwide have benefited from her ideas and her imagination. Einstein once said that, "Imagination encircles the world". Joan's imagination has done just that, and I feel privileged and honored to have been a small part of her dream.” - BOB MCGRATH, “BOB”

“Sesame Street is the epitome of children's television. It has continued to maintain the successful structure that was established in the beginning. Through it's amazing research department, teaching has been made fun. This, the heart and humor works for children and adults alike, that's why I'm very honored to be a part of it.” – KEVIN CLASH, “ELMO,” “HOOTS THE OWL,” CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND MUPPET CAPTAIN

“Wow, who knew? When I left teaching to hang out with an 8-foot yellow bird, my parents began to pray for me and the show. Forty years later, it worked! Sesame Street changed my life and children’s television.” - DR. LORETTA LONG, “SUSAN”