Muppet Wiki

Kermiteye Welcome to Muppet Wiki!


Please visit Special:Community to learn how you can collaborate with the editing community.

READ MORE

Muppet Wiki
Register
Muppet Wiki
44,369
pages
No edit summary
Tag: Source edit
Β 
(94 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Seasonsesame|premiere=November 10, 1969 ([[Episode 0001|0001]])|finale=May 8, 1970 ([[Episode 0130|0130]])|episodes=[[Season 1 (1969-1970)#Episodes|130]]}}
 
{{Seasonsesame|premiere=November 10, 1969 ([[Episode 0001|0001]])|finale=May 8, 1970 ([[Episode 0130|0130]])|episodes=[[Season 1 (1969-1970)#Episodes|130]]}}
 
[[File:Sesame Street Show Open Season 1|thumb|300px|right|Season 1 opening.]]
 
[[File:Sesame Street Show Open Season 1|thumb|300px|right|Season 1 opening.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:SSEp1Animation.jpg|thumb|300px|Season 1 title card.]]
+
[[File:SSEp1Animation.jpg|thumb|300px|Season 1 title card.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:SS1969Cast.jpg|thumb|300px|The season 1 cast.]]
+
[[File:SS1969Cast.jpg|thumb|300px|The season 1 cast.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:SS1969SScastB&W.jpg|thumb|300px|The original cast of ''Sesame Street''.]]
+
[[File:SS1969SScastB&W.jpg|thumb|300px|The original cast of ''Sesame Street''.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:SesameStreet.Season1Promo.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]], [[Bert]], [[Betty Lou]], [[Roosevelt Franklin]], [[Gordon]] and [[Susan]].]]
+
[[File:SesameStreet.Season1Promo.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]], [[Bert]], [[Betty Lou]], [[Roosevelt Franklin]], [[Gordon]], and [[Susan]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Broken Ukulele.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]] and [[Beautiful Day Monster]].]]
+
[[File:Broken Ukulele.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]] and [[Beautiful Day Monster]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:0083c.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Big Bird]] and [[Bob]].]]
+
[[File:Chickiry-Chick.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Big Bird]] and [[Bob]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Jejalphabet.jpg|thumb|300px|[[James Earl Jones]] on ''Sesame Street''.]]
+
[[File:Jejalphabet.jpg|thumb|300px|[[James Earl Jones]] on ''Sesame Street''.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:0001c.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Oscar the Grouch]]]]
+
[[File:0001c.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Oscar the Grouch]]]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Baker.jpg|thumb|300px|The baker in [[Numerosity]].]]
+
[[File:Baker.jpg|thumb|300px|The baker in [[Numerosity]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Kermit-earlyGrover-in.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Kermit the Frog]] and early [[Grover]].]]
+
[[File:Kermit-earlyGrover-in.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Kermit the Frog]] and early [[Proto-Grover|Grover]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Ernie8Salesman.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]] and [[Lefty the Salesman|the Salesman]].]]
+
[[File:Ernie8Salesman.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ernie]] and [[Lefty the Salesman|the Salesman]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:No6.jpg|thumb|300px|Six spies in [[Jazz Numbers]].]]
+
[[File:No6.jpg|thumb|300px|Six spies in [[Jazz Numbers]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Kermitlecturerectangle.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Kermit the Frog]] and [[Cookie Monster]].]]
+
[[File:Kermitlecturerectangle.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Kermit the Frog]] and [[Cookie Monster]].]]
βˆ’
[[Image:5peopleinmyfamily.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Anything Muppets]] of ''Sesame Street''.]]
+
[[File:5peopleinmyfamily.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Anything Muppets]] of ''Sesame Street''.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Hastig-001.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Professor Hastings]]]]
+
[[File:Kermit-Hastings-Emotions.jpg|thumb|300px|Kermit with [[Professor Hastings]]]]
 
[[File:Bob reads book season 1.jpg|thumb|300px|Bob reads a book to [[The Kids|the kids]] on the [[123 Sesame Street]] stoop, a recurring segment in the season.]]
 
[[File:Bob reads book season 1.jpg|thumb|300px|Bob reads a book to [[The Kids|the kids]] on the [[123 Sesame Street]] stoop, a recurring segment in the season.]]
βˆ’
[[Image:Ethsesstreet.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Ethel Kennedy]] on ''Sesame Street''.]]
+
[[File:Ethsesstreet.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Ethel Kennedy]] on ''Sesame Street''.]]
  +
[[File:SSoriginalmahna.jpg|thumb|300px|"[[Mah Na Mah Na]]," an eventual Muppet standard, is performed for the first time during this season.]]
  +
[[File:0072 04b.jpg|thumb|300px|Throughout its debut year, a handful of episodes had Big Bird creating various items out of boxes and other found objects, which miraculously ended up working like the real thing they were simulating. In [[Episode 0072]], he created a television set so he could watch "[[The Mr. and Mrs. Game]]."]]
  +
[[File:SusanNurseSeason1cast.jpeg|thumb|300px|Season 1 cast with Susan in nurse attire.]]
   
 
After [[Sesame Street Pilot Episodes|five test shows]] and years of preparation, ''[[Sesame Street]]'' premiered on NET (National Educational Television, a precursor of [[PBS]]) on November 10, [[1969]].
 
After [[Sesame Street Pilot Episodes|five test shows]] and years of preparation, ''[[Sesame Street]]'' premiered on NET (National Educational Television, a precursor of [[PBS]]) on November 10, [[1969]].
   
 
==Characters==
 
==Characters==
βˆ’
During this first season, [[Oscar the Grouch]] and [[Big Bird]] were the only Muppets to appear regularly in [[Sesame Street (location)|Street scenes]], while most of the other Muppets debuted in separate segments. Many of the Muppet characters had designs and/or character traits that would be changed or dropped later on. Big Bird had a much more naΓ―ve voice and a smaller head with fewer feathers, and was written as a sort of dopey adult character. Oscar, who would still retain much of his grouchy demeanor almost 40 years later, had orange fur. Monsters, who would become core characters by the second season, had fierce teeth, often destroyed anything in their path, and didn't have consistent names.
+
During this first season, [[Oscar the Grouch]] and [[Big Bird]] were the only Muppets to appear regularly in [[Sesame Street (location)|Street scenes]], while most of the other Muppets debuted in separate segments. Many of the Muppet characters had designs and/or character traits that would be changed or dropped later on. Big Bird had a much more naΓ―ve voice and a smaller head with fewer feathers, and was written as a sort of dopey adult character. Oscar, who would retain much of his grouchy demeanor, had orange fur. Monsters, who would become core characters by the second season, had fierce teeth, often destroyed anything in their path, and didn't have consistent names.
   
βˆ’
[[Bob]], [[Mr. Hooper]], [[Gordon]], and [[Susan]] were the original human cast members. With the exception of Mr. Hooper, who died in [[1982]], the other original characters are still with the series as of the 2010s, making them some of the longest continually-running non-[[soap opera]] characters in American entertainment. Like the Muppets, the human characters would change over time. Bob, originally a shop teacher, would later teach music, and by the end of the first season Susan would become a nurse. The season also featured live-action segments starring [[Buddy and Jim]], a human comedy duo that failed at such tasks as hanging a picture and making a sandwich. [[Jennie]] also made occasional appearances.
+
[[Bob]], [[Mr. Hooper]], [[Gordon]], and [[Susan]] were the original human cast members. With the exception of Mr. Hooper (whose [[Will Lee|actor]] died in 1982), the other original characters were still with the series until casting changes for [[Season 46 (2016)|Season 46]], making them some of the longest continually-running non-[[soap opera]] characters in American entertainment. Like the Muppets, the human characters would change over time. Bob, originally a shop teacher, would later teach music, and by the end of the first season Susan would become a nurse. The season also featured live-action segments starring [[Buddy and Jim]], a human comedy duo that failed at such tasks as hanging a picture and making a sandwich. [[Jennie]] also made occasional appearances, utilizing her drawing skills to play various games with the kids.
   
 
==Format==
 
==Format==
βˆ’
''Sesame Street's'' format as established in 1969 would remain virtually unchanged for decades; live-action street scenes would alternate with Muppet comedy skits, musical numbers and short film segments, all known collectively as "inserts". Many of the Muppet scenes and films were created so that they could be replayed over and over (at least one segment would be repeated within any given episode); some of the segments made in 1969 would continue to be rebroadcast into the 1990s. (Many of these pieces are available for viewing at [[Sesamestreet.org|sesamestreet.org]], and continue to be shown in various international co-productions.)
+
''Sesame Street's'' format as established in 1969 would remain virtually unchanged for decades; live-action street scenes would alternate with Muppet comedy skits, musical numbers, and short film segments, all known collectively as "inserts." Many of the Muppet scenes and films were created so that they could be replayed over and over (at least one segment would be repeated within any given episode); some of the segments made in 1969 would continue to be rebroadcast into the 1990s. (Some of these pieces are available for viewing at [[Sesamestreet.org|sesamestreet.org]], as well as being used in various international co-productions.)
   
βˆ’
The original episodes had a much more literal, almost lecture-like tone to the Street scenes, closer in style to its original contemporaries like [[Mister Rogers' Neighborhood]] or [[Captain Kangaroo]]. With time, the Street-scenes became more natural with a definite plot thrust, with less breaking of the fourth wall. For example, in the [[Episode 0001|first episode]], [[Ernie]] once addresses the audience as those in "TV land".
+
The original episodes had a much more literal, almost lecture-like tone to the Street scenes, closer in style to its original contemporaries like ''[[Mister Rogers' Neighborhood]]'' or ''[[Captain Kangaroo]]''. With time, the Street-scenes became more natural with a definite plot thrust, with less breaking of the fourth wall. For example, in the [[Episode 0001|first episode]], [[Ernie]] once addresses the audience as those in "TV land."
   
βˆ’
While the Muppets would eventually become the biggest stars of the show, they did not appear as frequently as the cast. Cartoon segments aired more frequently than Muppet segments, and as such, some of the original illustrated promotional material featured the cast and Muppets interacting with animated characters, who also appeared in advertisements of the show. Animated segments and live-action inserts featured in the season included [[Alice Braithwaite Goodyshoes]], [[Jazz Numbers]], [[Speech Balloon]]s, [[Alphabet Bates]] and [[Numerosity]], most of which continued to air many years later.
+
While the Muppets would eventually become the biggest stars of the show, they did not appear as frequently as the cast. Cartoon segments aired more frequently than Muppet segments, and as such, some of the original illustrated promotional material featured the cast and Muppets interacting with animated characters, who also appeared in advertisements of the show. Animated segments and live-action inserts featured in the season included [[Alice Braithwaite Goodyshoes]] (a know-it-all type who would get some repercussion for her arrogance), [[Jazz Numbers]], [[Speech Balloon]]s, skywriter [[Alphabet Bates]], and [[Numerosity]], most of which continued to air many years later.
   
βˆ’
The season introduced many original songs that have gone on to become beloved Sesame Street classics, including "[[Rubber Duckie (song)|Rubber Duckie]]", "[[I Love Trash]]", "[[Bein' Green]]", "[[The People in Your Neighborhood (song)|The People in Your Neighborhood]]" and "[[One of These Things]]". While all of those songs would have multiple performances on the show over the years, the last two would have many different versions during this season.
+
The season introduced many original songs that have gone on to become beloved Sesame Street classics, including "[[Rubber Duckie (song)|Rubber Duckie]]," "[[I Love Trash]]," "[[Bein' Green]]," "[[The People in Your Neighborhood]]," and "[[One of These Things]]." While all of those songs would have multiple performances on the show over the years, the last two would have many different versions during this season.
   
βˆ’
During the first season, many segments had some sort of connection with each other. It would be common for characters in the street scenes to introduce the next segments, various Muppet inserts would directly lead into the next film or cartoon, celebrities would appear in sort tag sequences commenting on the previous segments, and some Muppet inserts would have them commenting on the previous segments. Some episodes during this season would end with live animals appearing on the street set. Many episodes also had segments where one of the adults would read [[Pre-existing stories read on Sesame Street|an existing children's book]].
+
During the first season, many segments had some sort of connection with each other. It would be common for characters in the street scenes to introduce the next segments, various Muppet inserts would directly lead into the next film or cartoon, celebrities would appear in short tag sequences commenting on the previous segments, and some Muppet inserts would have them commenting on the previous segments. Some episodes during this season would end with live animals appearing on the street set. Many episodes also had segments where one of the adults would read [[Pre-existing stories read on Sesame Street|an existing children's book]].
   
 
==Curriculum==
 
==Curriculum==
Line 41: Line 44:
   
 
* recognition of [[Letters of the Alphabet|the 26 letters of the alphabet]] (often in the form of short cartoons like the Speech Balloon series)
 
* recognition of [[Letters of the Alphabet|the 26 letters of the alphabet]] (often in the form of short cartoons like the Speech Balloon series)
βˆ’
* numbers from one to ten (both forwards and backwards)
+
* numbers from one to ten (both forward and backward, though a few segments centered on counting to twenty)
 
* shapes: circles, rectangles, triangles, and squares
 
* shapes: circles, rectangles, triangles, and squares
 
* putting items in the right order, reasoning, and problem-solving
 
* putting items in the right order, reasoning, and problem-solving
 
* classification (illustrated by the song "One of These Things")
 
* classification (illustrated by the song "One of These Things")
βˆ’
* relational concepts (including "Near and Far", "Big and Little", and "[[First and Last (sketch)|First and Last]]")
+
* relational concepts (including "Near and Far," "Big and Little," and "[[First and Last (sketch)|First and Last]]")
 
* perceptual and auditory discrimination
 
* perceptual and auditory discrimination
βˆ’
* self: parts of the body, coordinated movement, emotions, differing perspectives, and self-esteem (as illustrated by Kermit the Frog's "[[Bein' Green]] song)
+
* self: parts of the body, coordinated movement, emotions, differing perspectives, and self-esteem (as illustrated by Kermit the Frog's "[[Bein' Green]]" song)
βˆ’
* roles: members of the family, and [[The People in Your Neighborhood (song)|jobs]]
+
* roles: members of the family and [[The People in Your Neighborhood|jobs]]
 
* cooperation and fair play
 
* cooperation and fair play
 
* the natural environment (often demonstrated in [[Sesame Street Animal Films|animal films]]) and the man-made environment<ref>Truglio and Fisch. ''[[G is for Growing]]''. p. 31</ref>
 
* the natural environment (often demonstrated in [[Sesame Street Animal Films|animal films]]) and the man-made environment<ref>Truglio and Fisch. ''[[G is for Growing]]''. p. 31</ref>
Line 58: Line 61:
 
* [[Episode 0002]] -- Oscar decides to leave Sesame Street
 
* [[Episode 0002]] -- Oscar decides to leave Sesame Street
 
* [[Episode 0003]] -- Big Bird makes a sweater for Susan
 
* [[Episode 0003]] -- Big Bird makes a sweater for Susan
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0004]] -- Gordon, Susan and Bob run Hooper's Store for the day
+
* [[Episode 0004]] -- Gordon, Susan, and Bob run Hooper's Store for the day
 
* [[Episode 0005]] -- Oscar gets wet in a rainstorm
 
* [[Episode 0005]] -- Oscar gets wet in a rainstorm
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0006]] -- Block party on Sesame Street
+
* [[Episode 0006]] -- A block party on Sesame Street
 
* [[Episode 0007]] -- Oscar's birthday / Mr. Hooper counts jelly beans
 
* [[Episode 0007]] -- Oscar's birthday / Mr. Hooper counts jelly beans
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0008]] -- B treasure hunt; Ernie erases Cookie Monster.
+
* [[Episode 0008]] -- B treasure hunt; Ernie erases Cookie Monster
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0009]] -- Lost cat on Sesame Street
+
* [[Episode 0009]] -- A lost cat on Sesame Street
 
* [[Episode 0010]]
 
* [[Episode 0010]]
 
* [[Episode 0011]]
 
* [[Episode 0011]]
Line 76: Line 79:
 
* [[Episode 0020]] -- Oscar cleans house
 
* [[Episode 0020]] -- Oscar cleans house
 
* [[Episode 0021]] -- Big Bird discovers balloons; Susan in the kitchen
 
* [[Episode 0021]] -- Big Bird discovers balloons; Susan in the kitchen
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0022]] -- The birthday party
+
* [[Episode 0022]] -- Jay's birthday party
 
* [[Episode 0023]]
 
* [[Episode 0023]]
 
* [[Episode 0024]] -- What's wrong with Big Bird?
 
* [[Episode 0024]] -- What's wrong with Big Bird?
Line 86: Line 89:
 
* [[Episode 0030]] -- Granny Bird visits
 
* [[Episode 0030]] -- Granny Bird visits
 
* [[Episode 0031]]
 
* [[Episode 0031]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0032]] -- Shapes on the clothesline
+
* [[Episode 0032]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0033]]Β -- Michael Cooney visits
+
* [[Episode 0033]] -- Michael Cooney visits
 
* [[Episode 0034]] -- A windy day
 
* [[Episode 0034]] -- A windy day
 
* [[Episode 0035]]
 
* [[Episode 0035]]
Line 97: Line 100:
 
* [[Episode 0041]] -- Mr. Hooper's newspaper machine
 
* [[Episode 0041]] -- Mr. Hooper's newspaper machine
 
* [[Episode 0042]] -- Oscar takes a trip
 
* [[Episode 0042]] -- Oscar takes a trip
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0043]] -- The cast introduces L, Q and Y; Kermit explains big and small.
+
* [[Episode 0043]] -- The cast introduces L, Q and Y; Kermit explains big and small
 
* [[Episode 0044]] -- Rufus visits / Oscar's boarder
 
* [[Episode 0044]] -- Rufus visits / Oscar's boarder
 
* [[Episode 0045]]
 
* [[Episode 0045]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0046]] -- Big TopΒ [[Big Bird]]
+
* [[Episode 0046]] -- Big Top [[Big Bird]]
 
* [[Episode 0047]]
 
* [[Episode 0047]]
 
* [[Episode 0048]] -- A visit from [[Pete Seeger]]
 
* [[Episode 0048]] -- A visit from [[Pete Seeger]]
Line 108: Line 111:
 
* [[Episode 0052]]
 
* [[Episode 0052]]
 
* [[Episode 0053]]
 
* [[Episode 0053]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0054]] -- Oscar bakes a cake; Mr. Hooper invents a 10 machine.
+
* [[Episode 0054]] -- Oscar bakes a cake; Mr. Hooper invents a 10 machine
 
* [[Episode 0055]]
 
* [[Episode 0055]]
 
* [[Episode 0056]] -- Mr. Hooper bakes Oscar a baked bean sundae
 
* [[Episode 0056]] -- Mr. Hooper bakes Oscar a baked bean sundae
 
* [[Episode 0057]]
 
* [[Episode 0057]]
 
* [[Episode 0058]]
 
* [[Episode 0058]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0059]]
+
* [[Episode 0059]] -- Balloon activities / Big Bird's rubber love
 
* [[Episode 0060]] -- Up and down!
 
* [[Episode 0060]] -- Up and down!
 
* [[Episode 0061]]
 
* [[Episode 0061]]
Line 124: Line 127:
 
* [[Episode 0068]]
 
* [[Episode 0068]]
 
* [[Episode 0069]]
 
* [[Episode 0069]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0070]] -- Oscar and the Groovin' Grouches / Susan's plant
+
* [[Episode 0070]] -- Oscar meets the Groovin' Grouches. / Susan's plant
 
* [[Episode 0071]]
 
* [[Episode 0071]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0072]]
+
* [[Episode 0072]] -- Ethel Kennedy visits / Big Bird builds a television set
 
* [[Episode 0073]]
 
* [[Episode 0073]]
 
* [[Episode 0074]]
 
* [[Episode 0074]]
 
* [[Episode 0075]]
 
* [[Episode 0075]]
 
* [[Episode 0076]]
 
* [[Episode 0076]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0077]]Β -- Oscar watches the Grouch Bowl/Mr. Hooper's missing glasses
+
* [[Episode 0077]] -- Oscar watches the Grouch Bowl/Mr. Hooper's missing glasses
 
* [[Episode 0078]]
 
* [[Episode 0078]]
 
* [[Episode 0079]]
 
* [[Episode 0079]]
Line 137: Line 140:
 
* [[Episode 0081]]
 
* [[Episode 0081]]
 
* [[Episode 0082]]
 
* [[Episode 0082]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0083]] -- Big Bird moves birdseed to his nest.
+
* [[Episode 0083]] -- Big Bird moves birdseed to his nest
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0084]]
+
* [[Episode 0084]] -- Rufus opens a lemonade stand
 
* [[Episode 0085]]
 
* [[Episode 0085]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0086]]
+
* [[Episode 0086]] -- Big Bird draws an "O"
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0087]]
+
* [[Episode 0087]] -- The magnificent block building
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0088]]
+
* [[Episode 0088]] -- Oscar needs a job
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0089]]
+
* [[Episode 0089]] -- Oscar keeps missing the day's activities
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0090]]
+
* [[Episode 0090]] -- Another block party
 
* [[Episode 0091]]
 
* [[Episode 0091]]
 
* [[Episode 0092]]
 
* [[Episode 0092]]
 
* [[Episode 0093]]
 
* [[Episode 0093]]
 
* [[Episode 0094]]
 
* [[Episode 0094]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0095]]
+
* [[Episode 0095]] -- Oscar sings [[I Love Trash]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0096]]
+
* [[Episode 0096]] -- Susan re-enters the workforce by renewing her nurse's license
 
* [[Episode 0097]]
 
* [[Episode 0097]]
 
* [[Episode 0098]]
 
* [[Episode 0098]]
Line 159: Line 162:
 
* [[Episode 0103]]
 
* [[Episode 0103]]
 
* [[Episode 0104]]
 
* [[Episode 0104]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0105]]
+
* [[Episode 0105]] -- Reading ''Sylvester and the Magic Pebble''
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0106]]
+
* [[Episode 0106]] -- Observing seeds and eggs
 
* [[Episode 0107]]
 
* [[Episode 0107]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0108]]
+
* [[Episode 0108]] -- Pete Seeger returns
 
* [[Episode 0109]]
 
* [[Episode 0109]]
 
* [[Episode 0110]]
 
* [[Episode 0110]]
Line 168: Line 171:
 
* [[Episode 0112]]
 
* [[Episode 0112]]
 
* [[Episode 0113]]
 
* [[Episode 0113]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0114]]
+
* [[Episode 0114]] -- Don McLean visits
 
* [[Episode 0115]] -- Gordon, Susan, and the kids go on an imaginary car ride
 
* [[Episode 0115]] -- Gordon, Susan, and the kids go on an imaginary car ride
 
* [[Episode 0116]]
 
* [[Episode 0116]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0117]]
+
* [[Episode 0117]] -- A visit from Odetta
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0118]]
+
* [[Episode 0118]] -- Garbage on Sesame Street
 
* [[Episode 0119]]
 
* [[Episode 0119]]
 
* [[Episode 0120]]
 
* [[Episode 0120]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0121]]
+
* [[Episode 0121]] -- Treasure hunt
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0122]]
+
* [[Episode 0122]] -- Big Bird builds a racing car
 
* [[Episode 0123]] -- Big Bird draws lowercase and uppercase R's
 
* [[Episode 0123]] -- Big Bird draws lowercase and uppercase R's
 
* [[Episode 0124]]
 
* [[Episode 0124]]
βˆ’
* [[Episode 0125]]
+
* [[Episode 0125]] -- Grover prefers capital G
 
* [[Episode 0126]]
 
* [[Episode 0126]]
 
* [[Episode 0127]]
 
* [[Episode 0127]]
Line 187: Line 190:
   
 
==Cast==
 
==Cast==
  +
[[File:SSseason01-Adults.jpg|thumb|300px]]
'''Muppet Characters:'''
 
  +
[[File:Henson6970.jpg|thumb|300px|Jim Henson and his band of Muppets.]]
βˆ’
:[[Big Bird]], [[Bert]], [[Ernie]], [[Oscar the Grouch]], [[Cookie Monster|proto-Cookie Monster]], [[Grover|proto-Grover]], [[Kermit the Frog]], [[Lefty the Salesman]], [[Mahna Mahna (character)|Mahna Mahna]], [[the Snerfs]], [[Beautiful Day Monster]], [[Anything Muppets]], [[Betty Lou|proto-Betty Lou]], [[Professor Hastings]], [[Roosevelt Franklin]], [[Roosevelt Franklin's Mother]], [[Guy Smiley|Sonny Friendly]], [[Hippie]], [[Fred's son]], [[Scudge]], [[Snerk]], [[Splurge]], [[Thudge]], [[Flute-Snatcher]], [[Fred (monster)|Fred]], [[Big V]], [[Snork]], [[Tony (Anything Muppet)|Tony]], [[Little Bird]], [[Baskerville the Hound]], [[Rowlf the Dog]]
 
 
;[[:category:Sesame Street Cast|Cast]]
 
:[[Matt Robinson]], [[Loretta Long]], [[Will Lee]], [[Bob McGrath]], [[Jada Rowland]], [[Brandon Maggart]], [[James Catusi]]
   
  +
;[[:Category:Muppet Performers|Puppets by The Muppets]]
βˆ’
'''Other Characters:'''
 
βˆ’
:[[Bob]], [[Gordon]], [[Susan]], [[Mr. Hooper]], [[Jennie]], [[Buddy and Jim]]
+
:[[Caroll Spinney]], [[Frank Oz]], [[Jim Henson]] (Uncredited: [[Don Sahlin]], [[Daniel Seagren|Danny Seagren]], [[Caroly Wilcox]])
   
βˆ’
'''[[:Category:Muppet Performers|Muppets of Sesame Street]]'''
+
;[[:Category:Sesame Street Human Characters|Human Characters]]
βˆ’
:[[Caroll Spinney]], [[Frank Oz]], [[Jim Henson]], with [[Daniel Seagren|Danny Seagren]], [[Caroly Wilcox]]
+
:[[Gordon]], [[Susan]], [[Mr. Hooper]], [[Bob]], [[Jennie]], [[Buddy and Jim]]
   
 
;Muppet Characters
'''[[:category:Sesame Street Cast|Actors]]'''
 
  +
:[[Anything Muppets]], [[Baskerville the Hound]], [[Beautiful Day Monster]], [[Bert]], [[Betty Lou]], [[Big Bird]], [[Big V]], [[Cookie Monster]], [[Ernie]], [[Fred (monster)|Fred]], [[Billy (Fred's son)|Billy]], [[Flute-Snatcher]], [[Granny Bird]], [[Granny Fanny Nesselrode]], [[Proto-Grover|Grover]], [[Guy Smiley]], [[Hippie]], [[Jack (A, You're Adorable)|Jack]], [[Kermit the Frog]], [[Lefty the Salesman]], [[Little Bird]], [[Oscar the Grouch]], [[Professor Hastings]], [[Roosevelt Franklin]], [[Roosevelt Franklin's Mother]], [[Rufus]], [[Scudge]], [[the Snerfs]], [[Snerk]], [[Sour Bird]], [[Splurge]], [[Taminella Grinderfall]], [[Thudge]], [[Tony (Anything Muppet)|Tony]]
:[[Matt Robinson]], [[Loretta Long]], [[Will Lee]], [[Bob McGrath]], [[Jada Rowland]], [[Brandon Maggart]], [[James Catusi]]
 
   
βˆ’
'''[[:category:Sesame Street Guest Stars|Guest Stars]]'''
+
;[[:category:Sesame Street Guest Stars|Guest Stars]]
βˆ’
:[[Batman|Batman and Robin]], [[Carol Burnett]], [[Michael Cooney]], [[Ruby Dee]], [[Mahalia Jackson]], [[James Earl Jones]], [[Ethel Kennedy]], [[B.B. King]], [[Burt Lancaster]], [[Don McLean]], [[Listen My Brother]], [[Odetta]], [[Pat Paulsen]], [[Lou Rawls]], [[Jackie Robinson]], [[Rowlf the Dog]], [[Pete Seeger]], [[Superman]]
+
:[[Batman|Batman and Robin]], [[Carol Burnett]], [[Michael Cooney]], [[Ruby Dee]], [[Odetta Holmes]], [[Mahalia Jackson]], [[James Earl Jones]], [[Ethel Kennedy]], [[B. B. King]], [[Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick]], [[Burt Lancaster]], [[Ed Lipton]], [[Don McLean]], [[Listen My Brother]], [[Pat Paulsen]], [[Lou Rawls]], [[Jackie Robinson]], [[Rowlf the Dog]], [[Tony Saletan]], [[Pete Seeger]], [[Superman]]
   
 
==Credits==
 
==Credits==
 
[[File:Season 1 credit crawl|thumb|300px|credit crawl]]
 
[[File:Season 1 credit crawl|thumb|300px|credit crawl]]
  +
[[File:Daniel Seagren Big Bird behind the scenes.jpg|thumb|300px|The cast and crew pose for some photos for ''[[Look]]''.]]
*Executive Producers: [[Joan Ganz Cooney]], [[David D. Connell]]
 
  +
[[File:Original cast stoop.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*Producers: [[Jon Stone]], [[Samuel Y. Gibbon, Jr.]], [[Matt Robinson]], [[Lutrelle Horne]]
 
 
*Executive Producer: [[David Connell|David D. Connell]]
βˆ’
*Directed by: Neil Smith
 
 
*Producers: Samuel Y. Gibbon Jr., [[Jon Stone]], [[Matt Robinson]], [[Lutrelle Horne]]
*Writers: [[Jon Stone]], [[Jeff Moss|Jeffrey Moss]], [[Bruce Hart]], [[Carole Hart]], [[Jerry Juhl]], [[Ray Sipherd]], [[Daniel Wilcox|Dan Wilcox]]
 
  +
*Directors: [[Neil Smith]], [[David Roth]], [[Jan S. Rifkinson]]
*Art Director: Charles Rosen
 
 
*Writers: Jon Stone, [[Jeff Moss|Jeffrey Moss]], [[Bruce Hart]], [[Carole Hart|Carol Hart]], [[Ray Sipherd]], [[Jerry Juhl]], [[Virginia Schone]], [[Daniel Wilcox|Dan Wilcox]]
 
*Art Director: [[Charles Rosen]]
 
*Costume Designer: Doreen Ackerman
 
*Costume Designer: Doreen Ackerman
 
*Music Director: [[Joe Raposo]]
 
*Music Director: [[Joe Raposo]]
 
*Music Coordinator: [[Danny Epstein]]
 
*Music Coordinator: [[Danny Epstein]]
 
*Associate Producer: Lutrelle Horne
 
*Associate Producer: Lutrelle Horne
 
*Director of Research: [[Edward L. Palmer|Edward L. Palmer, Ph.D.]]
*Property Coordinator: [[Nat Mongioi]]
 
 
*Chairman, Board of Advisors: [[Gerald S. Lesser|Gerald S. Lesser, Ph.D.]]
 
*Director of Operations: Ronald L. Weaver
 
*Director of Operations: Ronald L. Weaver
 
*Production Supervisor: Lew Barlow
 
*Production Supervisor: Lew Barlow
  +
*Supervising Film Editor: [[Dorothy Tod]]
*Stage Manager: [[Chet O'Brien]]
 
βˆ’
*Film Supervisor: Dorothy Tod
+
*Film Editor: M.M. Murphy
 
*Graphic Artist: Elaine Selig
 
*Graphic Artist: Elaine Selig
βˆ’
*Special Assistants: Barbara Demaray, Jane O'Connor
+
*Special Assistants: Barbara Demaray, [[Jane O'Connor]]
 
*Assistant to the Producer: [[Dulcy Singer]]
 
*Assistant to the Producer: [[Dulcy Singer]]
βˆ’
*Production Assistants: [[Emily Squires]], Mary Jane Behrens, [[Lisa Simon]], Mary Bauer
+
*Production Assistants: [[Emily Squires]], Mary Jane Behrens, [[Naomi Foner]], [[Lisa Simon]], Mary Bauer
*Unit Managers: Bernie Jones, Tony Marshall
 
 
*Associate Director: Jan S. Rifkinson
 
*Associate Director: Jan S. Rifkinson
βˆ’
*Technical Consultant: [[Walt Rauffer]]
 
 
*Technical Director: Bob Alexander
 
*Technical Director: Bob Alexander
 
*Lighting Director: Mike Mannes
 
*Lighting Director: Mike Mannes
 
*Audio: [[Mike Shoskes]], Arnie Rosenzweig
 
*Audio: [[Mike Shoskes]], Arnie Rosenzweig
βˆ’
*Video: Bob Squittierri, Gridley Quihuis
+
*Video: Bob Squittieri, Gridley Quihuis
βˆ’
*Sound Effects: Ralph Curtis, [[Dick Maitland]]
+
*Sound Effects: Ralph Curtis, [[Dick Maitland]]<ref>{{40book|229}}</ref>
 
*Stage Manager: [[Chet O'Brien]]
*Camera: [[Frank Biondo]], Richard King<ref>Spinney, Caroll ''[[The Wisdom of Big Bird]]'', p. 105</ref>
 
 
*Property Coordinator: [[Nat Mongioi]]
*Videotape Editors: Joe O' Dowd, John Hutchison, Vincent Sims, Hal McKeon
 
 
*Unit Managers: Bernie Jones, Tony Marshall
*Make-Up: Phyllis Grens Sternick
 
 
*Hair Stylist: Mickey Lawrence
 
*Hair Stylist: Mickey Lawrence
 
*Make-Up: Phyllis Grens
*Director of Research: [[Dr. Edward L. Palmer]]
 
 
*Video Tape Editors: Joe O'Dowd, John Hutchison, Vincent Sims, Hal McKeon
*Chairman, Board of Advisors: [[Gerald S. Lesser, Ph.D.]]
 
 
*Camera: [[Frank Biondo]], Richard King<ref>Spinney, Caroll ''[[The Wisdom of Big Bird]]'', p. 105</ref> (uncredited)
βˆ’
*Recorded by [[Teletape Studios|Tele-Tape]] at Second Stage
+
*Recorded by [[Teletape Studios|Tele-Tape at Second Stage]]
  +
  +
==See also==
  +
* [[Season 1 segments]]
   
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==

Latest revision as of 02:59, 13 March 2024

Sesame Street
Premiere November 10, 1969 (0001)
Finale May 8, 1970 (0130)
Episodes 130
Sesame_Street_Show_Open_Season_1

Sesame Street Show Open Season 1

Season 1 opening.

SSEp1Animation

Season 1 title card.

SS1969Cast

The season 1 cast.

SS1969SScastB&W

The original cast of Sesame Street.

SesameStreet

Ernie, Bert, Betty Lou, Roosevelt Franklin, Gordon, and Susan.

Broken Ukulele

Ernie and Beautiful Day Monster.

Chickiry-Chick

Big Bird and Bob.

Jejalphabet

James Earl Jones on Sesame Street.

0001c

Oscar the Grouch

Baker

The baker in Numerosity.

Kermit-earlyGrover-in

Kermit the Frog and early Grover.

Ernie8Salesman

Ernie and the Salesman.

No6

Six spies in Jazz Numbers.

Kermitlecturerectangle

Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster.

5peopleinmyfamily

The Anything Muppets of Sesame Street.

Kermit-Hastings-Emotions

Kermit with Professor Hastings

Bob reads book season 1

Bob reads a book to the kids on the 123 Sesame Street stoop, a recurring segment in the season.

Ethsesstreet

Ethel Kennedy on Sesame Street.

SSoriginalmahna

"Mah Na Mah Na," an eventual Muppet standard, is performed for the first time during this season.

0072 04b

Throughout its debut year, a handful of episodes had Big Bird creating various items out of boxes and other found objects, which miraculously ended up working like the real thing they were simulating. In Episode 0072, he created a television set so he could watch "The Mr. and Mrs. Game."

SusanNurseSeason1cast

Season 1 cast with Susan in nurse attire.

After five test shows and years of preparation, Sesame Street premiered on NET (National Educational Television, a precursor of PBS) on November 10, 1969.

Characters

During this first season, Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird were the only Muppets to appear regularly in Street scenes, while most of the other Muppets debuted in separate segments. Many of the Muppet characters had designs and/or character traits that would be changed or dropped later on. Big Bird had a much more naΓ―ve voice and a smaller head with fewer feathers, and was written as a sort of dopey adult character. Oscar, who would retain much of his grouchy demeanor, had orange fur. Monsters, who would become core characters by the second season, had fierce teeth, often destroyed anything in their path, and didn't have consistent names.

Bob, Mr. Hooper, Gordon, and Susan were the original human cast members. With the exception of Mr. Hooper (whose actor died in 1982), the other original characters were still with the series until casting changes for Season 46, making them some of the longest continually-running non-soap opera characters in American entertainment. Like the Muppets, the human characters would change over time. Bob, originally a shop teacher, would later teach music, and by the end of the first season Susan would become a nurse. The season also featured live-action segments starring Buddy and Jim, a human comedy duo that failed at such tasks as hanging a picture and making a sandwich. Jennie also made occasional appearances, utilizing her drawing skills to play various games with the kids.

Format

Sesame Street's format as established in 1969 would remain virtually unchanged for decades; live-action street scenes would alternate with Muppet comedy skits, musical numbers, and short film segments, all known collectively as "inserts." Many of the Muppet scenes and films were created so that they could be replayed over and over (at least one segment would be repeated within any given episode); some of the segments made in 1969 would continue to be rebroadcast into the 1990s. (Some of these pieces are available for viewing at sesamestreet.org, as well as being used in various international co-productions.)

The original episodes had a much more literal, almost lecture-like tone to the Street scenes, closer in style to its original contemporaries like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood or Captain Kangaroo. With time, the Street-scenes became more natural with a definite plot thrust, with less breaking of the fourth wall. For example, in the first episode, Ernie once addresses the audience as those in "TV land."

While the Muppets would eventually become the biggest stars of the show, they did not appear as frequently as the cast. Cartoon segments aired more frequently than Muppet segments, and as such, some of the original illustrated promotional material featured the cast and Muppets interacting with animated characters, who also appeared in advertisements of the show. Animated segments and live-action inserts featured in the season included Alice Braithwaite Goodyshoes (a know-it-all type who would get some repercussion for her arrogance), Jazz Numbers, Speech Balloons, skywriter Alphabet Bates, and Numerosity, most of which continued to air many years later.

The season introduced many original songs that have gone on to become beloved Sesame Street classics, including "Rubber Duckie," "I Love Trash," "Bein' Green," "The People in Your Neighborhood," and "One of These Things." While all of those songs would have multiple performances on the show over the years, the last two would have many different versions during this season.

During the first season, many segments had some sort of connection with each other. It would be common for characters in the street scenes to introduce the next segments, various Muppet inserts would directly lead into the next film or cartoon, celebrities would appear in short tag sequences commenting on the previous segments, and some Muppet inserts would have them commenting on the previous segments. Some episodes during this season would end with live animals appearing on the street set. Many episodes also had segments where one of the adults would read an existing children's book.

Curriculum

In 1968, the Children's Television Workshop established the original educational concepts that would prepare children for school. Over time these would be expanded into larger fields (such as women's career awareness, medical issues, and science and space). The original topics that were focused on during the first season included:

  • recognition of the 26 letters of the alphabet (often in the form of short cartoons like the Speech Balloon series)
  • numbers from one to ten (both forward and backward, though a few segments centered on counting to twenty)
  • shapes: circles, rectangles, triangles, and squares
  • putting items in the right order, reasoning, and problem-solving
  • classification (illustrated by the song "One of These Things")
  • relational concepts (including "Near and Far," "Big and Little," and "First and Last")
  • perceptual and auditory discrimination
  • self: parts of the body, coordinated movement, emotions, differing perspectives, and self-esteem (as illustrated by Kermit the Frog's "Bein' Green" song)
  • roles: members of the family and jobs
  • cooperation and fair play
  • the natural environment (often demonstrated in animal films) and the man-made environment[1]

Episodes

Episodes 0001 - 0130 (130 episodes)

Cast

SSseason01-Adults
Henson6970

Jim Henson and his band of Muppets.

Cast
Matt Robinson, Loretta Long, Will Lee, Bob McGrath, Jada Rowland, Brandon Maggart, James Catusi
Puppets by The Muppets
Caroll Spinney, Frank Oz, Jim Henson (Uncredited: Don Sahlin, Danny Seagren, Caroly Wilcox)
Human Characters
Gordon, Susan, Mr. Hooper, Bob, Jennie, Buddy and Jim
Muppet Characters
Anything Muppets, Baskerville the Hound, Beautiful Day Monster, Bert, Betty Lou, Big Bird, Big V, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Fred, Billy, Flute-Snatcher, Granny Bird, Granny Fanny Nesselrode, Grover, Guy Smiley, Hippie, Jack, Kermit the Frog, Lefty the Salesman, Little Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Professor Hastings, Roosevelt Franklin, Roosevelt Franklin's Mother, Rufus, Scudge, the Snerfs, Snerk, Sour Bird, Splurge, Taminella Grinderfall, Thudge, Tony
Guest Stars
Batman and Robin, Carol Burnett, Michael Cooney, Ruby Dee, Odetta Holmes, Mahalia Jackson, James Earl Jones, Ethel Kennedy, B. B. King, Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, Burt Lancaster, Ed Lipton, Don McLean, Listen My Brother, Pat Paulsen, Lou Rawls, Jackie Robinson, Rowlf the Dog, Tony Saletan, Pete Seeger, Superman

Credits

Season_1_credit_crawl

Season 1 credit crawl

credit crawl

Daniel Seagren Big Bird behind the scenes

The cast and crew pose for some photos for Look.

Original cast stoop

See also

Sources


Previous season: Next season:
(first) Season 2 (1970-1971)