Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Music of Sesame Street - Airdate - 11/13 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 11/13/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

So our friends at Putumayo World Music recently released an awesome compilation of music around the world that was featured on Sesame Street. Check it out...



I think there's a program here with really great questions. How do you write for kids? How do you introduce universal values without coming across as forceful or overbearing? What songs did you grow up singing?

Dan and I are working on this one. Maybe we can book it for next week. I'll keep you posted.

Update: We now have three guests confirmed for this show. Gary Knell is President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, the producers of Sesame Street. Mona Kayhan is the director of Putumayo World Music's children's label. And finally, Javier Williams is the executive producer of Plaza Sesamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street. Rosita the Muppet, unfortunately, was not available for the program.

Rosita aside, it still should be a great show! Our question for you here at the Blog Without Borders: What songs did you grow up singing? (Maybe this one?) How important was music to your childhood? Post your comments here and we'll read them back on the 13th!

2 comments:

woebegoneone said...

It was mentioned that Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood were the only two programs on television aimed at the preschool audience. How can we forget (omit?) Captain Kangaroo, which had been running for 14 years already when Sesame Street premiered and lasted until 1984 at CBS, reappeared on PBS in 1986 and continued to 1993 for a total of 36 years.

Another program, forgotten by many, was Curiosity Shop. One of the child hosts was Pamelyn Ferdin who provided my favorite Lucy Van Pelt voice of all the Charlie Brown specials. Beginning it's short life in 1971, this is where School House Rock got it's start. Lots of us remember School House Rock.

So what songs do I remember?
Puffin' Billy from the Captain's original show opening and many of the songs from his musical segments, The themes and recurring standards of Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, 3-2-1 Contact, The Electric Company, School House Rock, Davey and Goliath (animated by Art Clokey, the creator of Gumby - remember Gumby?)

There was a lot of wholesome educational entertainment on television back then. Nothing on the tube can compare today, except maybe Sesame Street. I guess that's why it is still going strong.

Joe Hardtke said...

Hey Woebegoneone,

Thanks for the post. I was surprised myself that the Captain was missed in that show. I'll forward your post onto Jean for inclusion in our Here on Earth mailbag. I think we'll be doing one on next Thursday's show.

Please come back anytime!