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KF5JRV > TODAY 10.11.19 16:00l 45 Lines 2247 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 17559_KF5JRV
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Subj: Today in History - Nov 10
Path: IW8PGT<LU4ECL<VE2PKT<VE7ROW<VA7RBP<KF5JRV
Sent: 191110/1454Z 17559@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQK6.0.18
On this day in 1969, “Sesame Street,ö a pioneering TV show that would
teach generations of young children the alphabet and how to count, makes
its broadcast debut. “Sesame Street,ö with its memorable theme song
(“Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Streetö), went on to
become the most widely viewed children’s program in the world. It has
aired in more than 120 countries.
The show was the brainchild of Joan Ganz Cooney, a former documentary
producer for public television. Cooney’s goal was to create programming
for preschoolers that was both entertaining and educational. She also
wanted to use TV as a way to help underprivileged 3- to 5- year-olds
prepare for kindergarten. “Sesame Streetö was set in a fictional New
York neighborhood and included ethnically diverse characters and
positive social messages.
Taking a cue from “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,ö a popular 1960s variety
show, “Sesame Streetö was built around short, often funny segments
featuring puppets, animation and live actors. This format was hugely
successful, although over the years some critics have blamed the show
and its use of brief segments for shrinking children’s attention spans.
From the show’s inception, one of its most-loved aspects has been a
family of puppets known as Muppets. Joan Ganz Cooney hired puppeteer Jim
Henson (1936-1990) to create a cast of characters that became Sesame
Street institutions, including Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar the
Grouch, Grover and Big Bird.
The subjects tackled by “Sesame Streetö have evolved with the times. In
2002, the South African version of the program, “Takalani Sesame,ö
introduced a 5-year-old Muppet character named Kami who is HIV-positive,
in order to help children living with the stigma of a disease that has
reached epidemic proportions. In 2006, a new Muppet, Abby Cadabby, made
her debut and was positioned as the show’s first female star character,
in an effort to encourage diversity and provide a strong role model for
girls.
Since its inception, over 74 million Americans have watched “Sesame
Street.ö Today, an estimated 8 million people tune in to the show each
week in the U.S. alone.
73, Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV @ KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
Email: KF5JRV@GMAIL.com
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