Sesame Street got its start at the height of the civil rights movement and the war on poverty, in answer to a simple but powerful question: could television help prepare less advantaged children for school? 50 seasons later, the impact Sesame Street has had on children is immeasurable – so we sit down with Elmo & Abby to ask them a few questions on what 50 seasons of being on-air have meant to them…
Can we come and celebrate with you for your 50th season?
Elmo: Elmo would love for you to come and visit Elmo and all his friends on Sesame Street, Mia! Elmo will tell you how to get there. And if you can’t make it to Sesame Street, we can have fun virtually!
Abby: Yeah! We can use video chat to have a dance party, share a snack with Cookie Monster, and talk to Oscar. He’s such a grouch. You’ll love him!
What present would you like to celebrate Sesame Street’s 50th Birthday?
Elmo: The best present Elmo could get is spending time with Elmo’s friends on Sesame Street. Elmo loves visiting Hooper’s Store with Elmo’s Mommy, playing with Abby and Rosita, and having a dance party with Big Bird and Snuffy. They make the whole street shake. Friends are the best present ever!
Abby: Oh, oh! I want a big cake that I can share with all of my friends! Hopefully Cookie Monster wouldn’t eat it all.
If Sesame Street is turning 50 does that mean Elmo and Abby are 50?
Elmo: What? Fifty! No. Elmo is only three and a half. Sesame Street is really old, it’s been around a long, long, long, long, LONNNNGGGG time.
Abby: Yeah! And I’m only four. I’m still a fairy-in-training! I’ve still got a lot of learning and growing to do.
What are some of your favorite things to do on Sesame Street?
Elmo: Elmo loves living on Sesame Street. There are so many fun things to do, but Elmo’s FAVORITE thing to do is sing songs with Elmo’s friends. On Sesame Street we sing songs about letters, numbers, fruits, vegetables, and even Snuffleupagus’.
Abby: There are so many magical things to do on Sesame Street. I love learning my numbers with Count Von Count. Ah! Ah! Ah! I love going to Hooper’s Store to have snack time with Cookie Monster–even though he’s a pretty messy eater. Oh, and I love playing in my fairy garden with Zoe, Rosita Elmo.
We’ve heard you have a new friend Charlie who has moved to Sesame Street recently? Can you tell me more about Charlie?
Elmo: That’s right! Elmo was so excited to meet Charlie. She’s eight years old and moved to Sesame Street with her mommy and daddy. Elmo introduced Charlie to all her new neighbours – monsters, humans, chickens, cows, and even Oscar the Grouch!
Charlie is SO much fun. She loves to sing, play games, and make arts and crafts. We even went on a treasure hunt together. Charlie is a great new neighbour and friend!
How have you and your friends been doing staying at home during this time?
Elmo: It’s been hard, Elmo misses all of Elmo’s friends, but Elmo wants everyone to be healthy. Even though Elmo can’t be with them in person, Elmo can still see and play with his friends virtually.
Elmo’s Daddy set up video chat so Elmo can have sing-a-longs with his friends. Elmo has also been doing Grovercise with Grover– that’s when Grover teaches you exercises. He falls down a lot. And Elmo’s also been learning mindfulness activities. Yeah, like belly breathing and how to calm down before bedtime.
Abby: I’ve been having virtual dance parties with my friends like Big Bird. We both flap our wings together and teach each other new dance moves. I miss my friends too, but staying apart right now is helping keep everyone healthy! So, we can still talk with our friends and family with video chats, phone calls, and draw each other pictures until we can have playdates in person again.
You’ve been learning about the ‘Oops and Aha’s’ – what does that mean?
Elmo: It means it’s okay to make mistakes. We can learn from them and get to that Aha moment!
Elmo/Abby: Aha!
Abby: The Aha! Moment is when we figure out how to solve our problem.
Elmo: One day Elmo was upset when drawing because Elmo made a mistake. Elmo didn’t like his drawing anymore, but Chris told Elmo to keep working on it. Elmo didn’t give up and turned his mistake into a piece of art that Elmo loves.
Abby: Yeah! So, if you get frustrated don’t give up! Mistakes can turn into something magical and even better.
Have you ever met any Australian celebrities?
Abby: Oh, we’ve had so many friends from Australia visit Sesame Street – Miss Nicole Kidman, Mr. Hugh Jackman, Miss Naomi Watts, and Miss Sia. We got to sing a song with Sia called ‘S is for Songs’. S is for songs, and I LOVE SONNNGSSS!
ELMO: We’ve also met other celebrity friends like Joseph Gordon-Levitt Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor, Misty Copeland, Elvis Costello, and Dave Grohl. They’re not Australian, but they were all a lot of fun too! (laughs)
Abby: Yeah! And I bet they like Australia just as much as we do!
What are your favourite things to do in Australia?
Elmo: Elmo loves visiting the beaches and putting his furry toes in the sand. Elmo also swam with a dolphin. That was so cool. Next time Elmo visits Australia, Elmo wants to learn how to surf! Elmo wants to try “catching a wave” and “hang ten,” baby!
Abby: I love all of the animals in Australia, especially the platypus, so I loved visiting Taronga Zoo in Sydney. I even made a platypus for my art wall to remember meeting them.
Do you have a special message for Child Blogger readers?
Elmo: Elmo is sending a big hello to all of Elmo’s friends at Child Blogger. Elmo loves you and hopes Elmo can see all of you real soon.
Abby: Abby is sending you a big fairy hug and can’t wait to come and visit you all in Australia. And remember you can video chat us on Sesame Street anytime.
Sesame Street’s 50th Season kicks off Wednesday 15th July at 9.30am on ABCKids