Big Bird. Oscar. Elmo.
What happens when Jim Henson’s genius meets an educational revolution?
Here’s how a group of quirky creators broke barriers and turned Muppets into global icons.
‘”Street Gang” is my favorite documentary on educational creators.
It’s also the best doc on the making of a TV show that I’ve seen so far (with “6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park” a close second.
I wish someone would create a “Sesame Street” of YouTube, Tik-Tok, Instagram et al!
Trailer for “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street”
Watch “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street”
I watched “Street Gang” on HBO’s Max, but I just checked and now it’s on:
- Fubo (with subscription)
- Freevee and Crackle (free with ads)
- Apple and Amazon (only to buy ($14.99 last I checked)
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/street-gang-how-we-got-to-sesame-street
Ratings:
- My Rating: 95/100
- IMDB Rating: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 96/100 (Users); 95/100 (Critics)
Release date: April 23, 2021
My Review of “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street”
I grew up on Sesame Street.
Ever wonder how it became a cultural phenomenon.
“Street Gang” is the authoritative doc on this amazing educational creation.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
The original vision for the show?
No puppets on the street.
Lloyd Morrisett (often called the “father of Sesame Street”) envisioned only human characters interacting in street scenes.
The muppets were meant to appear in separate sketches.
But during a test screening, kids tuned out whenever the muppets weren’t on screen.
I would have skipped th Muppet-less version too!
So, Jim Henson’s creations like Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch became integral to the show’s fabric.
The same actor, Caroll Spinney, performed as both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Inside the Big Bird costume, Spinney’s hand controlled the character’s mouth and expressions, with his thumb manipulating the lower beak.
And of course, music shaped “Sesame Street” just as much as its characters. In the middle of the 1970 season, director Jon Stone asked Joe Raposo, the show’s resident composer, what Kermit the Frog thinks about when he’s alone.
Raposo pressed a key—B-flat—and immediately started writing. The result? “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”
The Original Pioneer: Joan Cooney
The Origin Story
Director Marilyn Agrelo helms this documentary (her other works include “Mad Hot Ballroom”).
Aat 107 minutes, this doc is packed with heart, history, and more than a few surprises.
Joan Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett teamed up in 1966 with a bold mission: to create a television program that could teach underprivileged children.
Cooney” started her career as a documentary filmmaker. Her work wasn’t about selling products but about enriching lives.
One colleague said it best: “What she’s doing is what television would do if it loved people instead of to sell people. And there’s all the difference in the world.”
Morrisett brought the science.
A psychologist and foundation executive, he grounded the show’s goals in research about how children learn.
Their idea was radical.
No one thought kids could sit through a show designed to educate them.
Pushback on Blending Education with Entertainment
The team faced skepticism and criticism.
Why would you blend entertainment with education?
Why use puppets?
Why target preschoolers?
The skeptics didn’t get it — until the show launched in 1969 and immediately captured children’s attention nationwide.
Iconic Characters and Moments
The heart of “Sesame Street” is its characters.
Jim Henson, already famous for “The Muppet Show,” created a roster of muppets that would become household names.
Big Bird, described by Spinney as “a kid in an adult world,” quickly became the soul of the series.
Oscar the Grouch, meanwhile, gave children permission to express grumpiness and frustration.
Spinney’s ability to switch between these polar-opposite characters remains one of the show’s most mind-blowing feats.
The doc also highlights the unsung heroes of the show, like Raposo.
His music didn’t just entertain—it taught lessons about emotions, relationships, and life.
Besides “It’s Not Easy Being Green”, Raposo penned the classics“Rubber Duckie” and “Sing”.
Lesser-Known Insights
- Orson Welles’s Praise: The legendary filmmaker once declared, “I think Sesame Street is the greatest thing to happen to television.” High praise from a man not known for doling out compliments.
- Diversity in the Spotlight: “Sesame Street” was revolutionary for its inclusive casting. Black, Latino, and white actors appeared side by side, modeling racial harmony for a young audience during a turbulent era in American history.
- Educational Experiments: The show tested every segment before airing it. Researchers observed how kids responded to different scenes and adjusted accordingly—a pioneering approach for children’s programming.
- Cultural Milestones: The show addressed real-world issues head-on, from death (when Mr. Hooper passed away) to racism, long before most kids’ shows dared tackle such topics.
- Enduring Legacy: The documentary reveals how “Sesame Street” became a global force, with adaptations in over 140 countries. Each version reflects local cultures while retaining the core mission of education and inclusivity.
Wrap Up
“Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street” is the best doc I’ve seen on educational creators.
And it’s gonna rank high as a Top 5 Doc on the Making-Of Television Shows (when I get to that awesome list).
If you’re a fan of the muppets, television history, or stories that inspire, don’t miss this one.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc