Sesame Street Unpaved (book)

Sesame Street Unpaved is a 194-page behind the scenes look at the making of Sesame Street. It was written by David Borgenicht, and published by Hyperion Books in 1998.

Chapters

1. "Can You Tell Me How We Got To Sesame Street?: The Sesame Street Story"

This chapter talks about the early years of the show, with info on the casting process, the original Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Grover puppets, a list of other shows to be on the air for 30 or more years, and more.

2. "I Can't Hear You-- I've Got a Banana In My Ear: The Classic Moments"

Info on the many classic moments from the show, many of which are in script form and accompanied by stills from the sketches. Most moments are included in special sections devoted to the main Muppets from the show (with sections on Ernie and Bert, Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Grover, Count von Count, Cookie Monster, Prairie Dawn, Telly Monster, Elmo, Zoe, Kermit the Frog, Guy Smiley, Herry Monster, and Oscar the Grouch). Some moments represented include Big Bird learning about Mr. Hooper's death, Grover's Near and Far sketch, Sesame Street News Flash sketches, many Sesame Street Game Shows, many Sesame Street Muppet & Kid Moments, animations such as The Alligator King and the King of 8, and Harvey Kneeslapper's practical joke for the letter B.

3. "Who are the People In Your Neighborhood?: The Cast"

Includes info on most of the human cast, many supporting Muppets who didn't get their own sections in the previous chapter, characters who no longer appeare on the show at the time (with explanations of what happened to them), and celebrities who have been on the show.

4. "Sing--Sing a Song: The Music and Poems of Sesame Street"

Includes lyrics, pictures, and secret facts on some of Sesame Street's best-known songs, such as Sing, Rubber Duckie, C is For Cookie, Bein' Green, The People in Your Neighborhood and others. Also includes a few poems, such as some of Roosevelt Franklin's.

5. "Psst! Hey, Buddy!": Behind the Scenes on Sesame Street"

Includes behind-the-scenes info, such as info on the various types of Muppets, how the Big Bird suit is built, info on the various international versions of the show, a two-page spread listing who performed which characters (mostly just applying to the then-current main performers plus Jim Henson and Richard Hunt) and biographies on Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney, Fran Brill, Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash and Martin Robinson.