m (→Notes) |
(some tweaking, per Christie's quoted remarks, it sounds like she wasn't intended to be a fruit bat originally, but just the wings were inspired by them) |
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Rosita has an extended family which includes [[Rosita's Abuela|an abuela]] and [[Rosita's Family|other relatives]]. Her dad, [[Ricardo]], served in the military and is in a wheelchair due to injuries related to his service. He made his debut with Rosita's mom, [[Rosa]], in the 2007 resource video, ''[[Talk, Listen, Connect: Changes]]''. |
Rosita has an extended family which includes [[Rosita's Abuela|an abuela]] and [[Rosita's Family|other relatives]]. Her dad, [[Ricardo]], served in the military and is in a wheelchair due to injuries related to his service. He made his debut with Rosita's mom, [[Rosa]], in the 2007 resource video, ''[[Talk, Listen, Connect: Changes]]''. |
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+ | |||
+ | ==Development== |
||
⚫ | The idea of a bilingual Muppet character for the show was conceived as early as 1990 by [[Jim Henson]], who allowed Osbahr to pick what type of character it would be. A monster was ultimately chosen, fearing an indigenous animal might be viewed as politically incorrect. After Jim's passing, Osbahr met with some of the show's creative team to finally develop the character as she became.<ref>[[Below the Frame]], season two, episode one</ref> |
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+ | |||
+ | Rosita was named after one of Carmen Osbahr's best friends in Mexico, and was originally conceived as "a young girl monster proud of her heritage who encounters problems learning English."<ref>Apodaca, Rose, "[http://articles.latimes.com/1993-01-28/news/ti-2136_1_sesame-street Sesame Street's Newest Resident Is Furry, Affectionate and Latina]", ''Los Angeles Times'', January 28, 1993.</ref> |
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==Wings== |
==Wings== |
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− | Rosita originally had wings attached to her arms, |
+ | Rosita originally had wings attached to her arms, akin to those of another cave-dwelling create, the fruit bat.<ref name="Unpaved">Borgenicht, David. ''[[Sesame Street Unpaved (book)|Sesame Street Unpaved]]'', 1998.</ref> |
Members of [[Rosita's Family]] have exhibited the ability to fly, as seen in a [[Episode 3341]] where Rosita practices some flying of her own, but has trouble with making landings. In 2017, performer [[Carmen Osbahr]] explained that "She couldn't fly but she was able to glide like a flying squirrel. But mainly the big arms with wings were [designed] because she [used] to give very big hugs and to play the guitar."<ref name="facebookaugust2017">[https://www.facebook.com/muppetwiki/photos/a.332019350172893.72500.113171325391031/1691064547601693/?type=3 Muppet Wiki on Facebook] August 29, 2017</ref> |
Members of [[Rosita's Family]] have exhibited the ability to fly, as seen in a [[Episode 3341]] where Rosita practices some flying of her own, but has trouble with making landings. In 2017, performer [[Carmen Osbahr]] explained that "She couldn't fly but she was able to glide like a flying squirrel. But mainly the big arms with wings were [designed] because she [used] to give very big hugs and to play the guitar."<ref name="facebookaugust2017">[https://www.facebook.com/muppetwiki/photos/a.332019350172893.72500.113171325391031/1691064547601693/?type=3 Muppet Wiki on Facebook] August 29, 2017</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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⚫ | |||
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* In [[Episode 3832]], Rosita says that [[Prairie Dawn]] is her best friend, but in [[Episode 3886]], she looks for a best friend and eventually settles for [[Herry Monster]]. During the 1980s (and as listed in their profiles in ''[[The Sesame Street Treasury]]'' volumes [[The Sesame Street Treasury Volume 6|6]] and [[The Sesame Street Treasury Volume 6|9]]), it was Herry and Prairie who were often paired as best friends. |
* In [[Episode 3832]], Rosita says that [[Prairie Dawn]] is her best friend, but in [[Episode 3886]], she looks for a best friend and eventually settles for [[Herry Monster]]. During the 1980s (and as listed in their profiles in ''[[The Sesame Street Treasury]]'' volumes [[The Sesame Street Treasury Volume 6|6]] and [[The Sesame Street Treasury Volume 6|9]]), it was Herry and Prairie who were often paired as best friends. |
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Revision as of 01:54, 24 February 2019
PERFORMER | Carmen Osbahr |
DEBUT | 1991 |
DESIGN | Ed Christie |
Rosita is a turquoise, bilingual monster who first appeared on Sesame Street in 1991 in Episode 2888 (Season 23). Hailing from Mexico, her full name is Rosita, la Monstrua de las Cuevas (Rosita, the Monster of the Caves).[1] She is five years old,[2] and celebrates her birthday on December 7. She is the second bilingual Muppet to recur on the show (after Osvaldo the Grouch), speaking both English and Spanish. She is good friends with Zoe, Elmo, Telly Monster, and Abby Cadabby.
Rosita has often presented the Spanish Word of the Day, and features frequently playing her guitar. She's very good with history, as well as geography.[3]
Rosita has an extended family which includes an abuela and other relatives. Her dad, Ricardo, served in the military and is in a wheelchair due to injuries related to his service. He made his debut with Rosita's mom, Rosa, in the 2007 resource video, Talk, Listen, Connect: Changes.
Development
The idea of a bilingual Muppet character for the show was conceived as early as 1990 by Jim Henson, who allowed Osbahr to pick what type of character it would be. A monster was ultimately chosen, fearing an indigenous animal might be viewed as politically incorrect. After Jim's passing, Osbahr met with some of the show's creative team to finally develop the character as she became.[4]
Rosita was named after one of Carmen Osbahr's best friends in Mexico, and was originally conceived as "a young girl monster proud of her heritage who encounters problems learning English."[5]
Wings
Rosita originally had wings attached to her arms, akin to those of another cave-dwelling create, the fruit bat.[1]
Members of Rosita's Family have exhibited the ability to fly, as seen in a Episode 3341 where Rosita practices some flying of her own, but has trouble with making landings. In 2017, performer Carmen Osbahr explained that "She couldn't fly but she was able to glide like a flying squirrel. But mainly the big arms with wings were [designed] because she [used] to give very big hugs and to play the guitar."[6]
Her designer Ed Christie went into detail on the puppet's construction in the same social media post:
Beginning with Season 35, Rosita was rebuilt and no longer had wings. Years later, Osbahr revealed that the decision to remove Rosita's wings had never been communicated with her:
In a 2011 interview with ToughPigs.com, Rosita offers an explanation for the loss of her wings: she claims that her family flew from their cave (near Snuffy's) during a storm, like a flying squirrel, and she lost her wings.[3]
Notes
- In Episode 3832, Rosita says that Prairie Dawn is her best friend, but in Episode 3886, she looks for a best friend and eventually settles for Herry Monster. During the 1980s (and as listed in their profiles in The Sesame Street Treasury volumes 6 and 9), it was Herry and Prairie who were often paired as best friends.
- Years before Rosita first arrived, Big Bird made friends with a chicken named Rosita on his trip to New Mexico.
- As of 2000, Sesame Workshop's digital video database was named after the character.[7]
Filmography
- Sesame Street (1991 - present)
- Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration
- Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years
- Sesame Street Stays Up Late
- Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
- Don't Forget to Watch the Movie
- Lead Away!
- Fiesta!
- Elmocize
- Quiet Time
- Elmo Says BOO!
- Elmo Saves Christmas
- Elmopalooza
- A is for Asthma
- A Brief History of Motion Pictures
- CinderElmo
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
- Kids' Favorite Songs 2
- Music Works Wonders
- Bert & Ernie's Word Play
- The Street We Live On
- What's the Name of That Song?
- Happy, Healthy, Ready for School!
- The Get Healthy Now Show
- Let's Get Ready!
- Abby in Wonderland
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown
- Being Green
- Elmo Loves You
- Talk, Listen, Connect: Changes
- Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments
- Coming Home
- When Families Grieve
- Math Is Everywhere
- Food for Thought
- Growing Hope Against Hunger
- Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce
- Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration
- Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas
- The Magical Wand Chase
Book appearances
- We're Different, We're the Same (1992)
- Big Bird Meets the Orchestra (1993)
- Around the Corner on Sesame Street (1994)
- Bright and Early with Elmo (1994)
- Rosita's Block Party (1994)
- Rosita's Calico Cat (1994)
- Rosita's New Friends (1994)
- My Name Is Rosita (1995)
- Rosita's Surprise (1995)
- Sesame Street Stays Up Late (1995)
- Elmo's Lift-and-Peek Around the Corner Book (1996)
- Christmas Songs (1997)
- Elmo's Christmas Colors (1997)
- Pumpkin Patch Party (1997)
- Baby Party (1998)
- It's Not Easy Being Big! (1998)
- Clap Your Hands! (2002)
- Look and Find Elmo (2002)
- Listen to Your Fish (2003)
- Brought to You by... Sesame Street! (2004)
- Elmo's World: Sports! (2004)
- Fun with Friends (2004)
- Animal Alphabet (2005)
- Boo! (2005)
- Be a Friend (2006)
- Let's Compare Sizes (2006)
- S is for School! (2006)
- Abby Cadabby's Rhyme Time (2007)
- Big Bigger Biggest (2007)
- Counting All Around (2007)
- Elmo & Friends Picture Stories (2007)
- Lots of Opposites (2007)
- Music Player Storybook (2007)
- Rosita's Easter on Sesame Street (2007)
- I'm a Helper (2007)
- Color Carnival (2008)
- Rosita and Elmo Read a Recipe (2008)
- Rosita and the Beanstalk (2008)
- Storybook ABCs (2008)
- What's the Word on the Street? (2008)
- Count to 10 (2009)
- Love, Elmo (2009)
- My Big Book of Firsts (2009)
- Busy Friends (2010)
- Murray's First Book of Words (2010)
- Elmo's Christmas Picture Puzzles & Songs (2011)
- Elmo's Merry Christmas (2011)
- Over on Sesame Street (2012)
See also
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Borgenicht, David. Sesame Street Unpaved, 1998.
- ↑ Season 46 press kit
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tough Pigs Live From Sesame Street: Abby Cadabby & Rosita" June 2, 2011
- ↑ Below the Frame, season two, episode one
- ↑ Apodaca, Rose, "Sesame Street's Newest Resident Is Furry, Affectionate and Latina", Los Angeles Times, January 28, 1993.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Muppet Wiki on Facebook August 29, 2017
- ↑ TVBroadcast.com "Preserving The Value Of Sesame Street" by Debra Kaufman