‘Sesame Street’

I seriously was going to read this article and looked forward to it until coming across the off-hand comment about "mercifully" not having to discuss Ernie and Bert's "relationship." A big deal in the article was (rightfully) made about including people of different races living together, but today's civil rights struggle is carelessly dismissed - because certainly, what could it matter to consign a certain percentage of Sesame Street's young viewers to the closet for a cheap joke. I guarantee you that there are many more young boys (and girls) of this program's viewing age that found a deep sense of comfort in being able to picture themselves in Ernie and Bert's obviously loving and complex relationship - whatever that might be. You do the program and it's young viewers a disservice in not recognizing that.

My favorite memory of Sesame Street was when my son (about 1 at the time) was watching and began yelling, "Mom! Mom! We're on Sesame Street! When I looked in, they were doing the "op" family...hop...pop...Our last name is Opp. Now I am watching Sesame with my granddaughters 3 and 4.

I am a 1st generation Sesame street kid and loved every show! I remember when snuffy was only seen by big bird and everyone thought that was his "imaginary" friend. I recently bought 2 DVD sets of the 1960's thu 1970's for my grandson and he loves it! It will be a tragady if we loose Sesame Street.

It's a truly sad thing there are only 26 episodes made per year as opposed to 160! Sesame Street deserves more respect than it's getting. I can only hope it's still around for my daughter to enjoy it with her kids...

sesame street developed my musical tastes.

I watched Sesame Street as a child and now my daughter and I watch it together everyday before school. My daughter will choose Sesame Street over any of the other channels, and we enjoy seeing the special guests we recognize on the show. The Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe episode was the best!

I truly appreciate the love and respect the Sesame Street characters model for all shapes, sizes, cultures, and issues. Their work in expressing feelings appropriately and trusting that all feelings are O.K. is wonderful. The work they put into showing acceptance, forgiveness, and un-conditional love and respect for all is what I hope to teach and model for my daughter and having a childrens show reflect that is truly validating. Not to mention the ABC's and 123's... there is so much more to Sesame Street then the educational value. It's the moral and integrity value it teaches that I appreciate most.

I'm truly grateful for Sesame Street, and I have no doubt this show has definately impacted me and my daughter.

I was in the "freshman class," having turned 1 the winter of '68-69, and I loved it immediately. The show was hugely influential, not only on me, but on my older siblings. I credit it with helping me achieve good test scores and early reading, and I have been delighted to introduce my own children to the show. I am a bit dismayed to note that some of the newer characters don't model good English skills (Elmo is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me), but all-in-all, Sesame Street remains one of the best programs - if not THE best - for preschool children. I am glad that [those of a certain political bent] have not (yet) succeeded in killing off PBS. I am living proof that government spending can, and does, produce real-world results that the private sector simply can't, or won't, achieve. Long Live Big Bird!!

I remember watching the very first episode.
As the show ended, I and the other members of my family just looked at each other, kind of dazed, with mouths wide open. During the first few years, the show comprised very short clips of brightly colored graphics between un-narrated video clips of zoo animals and songs. It was bizarre. It was like Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in for kids, but not particularly funny. Oh we continued to watch it, and it kind of grows on you, but many educators at all levels were cautious at recommending it. I sometimes wonder if Sesame Street, while being valuable for education, really paved the way for MTV.
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood is a stark contrast. A smoothly speaking, gentle, educated young man explained themes, many involving human conflict and personal growth, in mature terms. As I have become older, I have recognized the enormous value of these gentle men, Fred Rogers and Frank Oz, and their dedication, intelligence, and creativity. I think that neither of them ever cashed in or sold out, and children are the better for it.

I purchased the DVD collection of the original shows. My four year old loves the DVDs.

I was beginning my junior year in college and starting to take education courses for my minor in secondary education. All the dry research and studies I was fed in those classes came to life on Sesame Street. I became hooked and many of my friends did also as we found entertaning. As a graduate of Ding Dong School with Miss Francis, Romper Room and Capt Kangaroo, this truly was best children's show I had ever seen and believe it to this day. Long Live Big Bird, Bert, Ernie and the rest of Sesame Street. You are the man!