It started as one street lined with homes in all shapes andsizes, from a nest to a garbage can. The residents were from alldifferent backgrounds -- human, animal and monster alike. They alllived in harmony and learned from each other.
It is no wonder everyone wants to know how to get to "SesameStreet."
"Sesame Street" was paved 35 years ago in the United States. Nowthe street stretches across oceans, connecting continents andfocusing on issues specific to each nation.
Tom Beatty, director of programming services for localtelevision station WIPB, said a 35-year run for a children'sprogram is uncommon.
Beatty said WIPB was started about 30 years ago partly as aninitiative to bring "Sesame Street" to children in the area. Hesaid the show has aired almost since the station's beginning.
"It's one of the most highly rated children's programs," Beattysaid. "Parents today watched it when they were children."
The show caters to young children, focusing on numbers, lettersand social skills.
"Sesame Street" has characters designed to represent thepsychological age of children, Lauren Ostrow, who works with theshow's publicity, said. Ostrow said the characters are supposed tobe human-like.
"They make the same mistakes kids make," Ostrow said. "Theylearn the same way kids learn."
Donna Williams, instructor of education, said children relate tothese characters because they represent feelings like beinggrouchy, daring or scared. Williams said a child might have thosefeelings or know people who have experienced them.
The show is filled with characters with diverse backgrounds andages. A group of human adults lives on the street with characterslike Big Bird, Elmo and other monsters like Oscar the Grouch, knownfor his garbage-can home.
Aside from teaching basic skills, the show, Williams said,focuses on some universal themes of sharing, kindness and being agood neighbor. With a cast of humans from different ethnicbackgrounds and a set of monsters different in age and personality,"Sesame Street" shows children how to deal with differences.
This theme carries over to a few of the versions in othernations. In Israel, Palestine and Jordan, the show has a specialcurricular emphasis focusing on respect and understanding.
Ostrow said a group of people who often work with children, liketeachers and doctors, set up seminars in other nations to helpdevise curriculums for the shows. Ostrow said an example of thiswould be the HIV-positive character in the South Africancoproduction of "Sesame Street." Because of the HIV stigma in thatpart of the world, "Sesame Street" hopes to help the childrenidentify with the character and help take the stigma away, Ostrowsaid.
Williams said she has seen several episodes where "SesameStreet" tries to convey certain social issues.
"It's hard for any program to do that," Williams said. "Thinkabout what an adult watches on television."
Williams said "Sesame Street" is an idea-starter when it comesto dealing with social issues, as the show conveys messages andvalues that are similar to those a child will hear from his or herchildcare provider, family and church or synagogue. The showcontinues to develop characters to bring out new concepts.
One of the newer characters on "Sesame Street" is Dr. Feel, whoresembles Dr. Phillip McGraw, known better as Dr. Phil. McGraw willappear with Dr. Feel on one of the new "Sesame Street" episodesthat begin Monday.
Attracting celebrities to the show is common. The new episodeswill include Julianne Moore, American Idol star Rueben Studdard,Grammy winner Norah Jones, Seth Green, Venus Williams and more.
"It's a way for children to have someone on the show that is newand different," Ostrow said.
Ostrow said the show might help make more parents want to watchthe show with their children.
"We look for guest performers who we believe our audienceadmires," Ostrow said.
Sometimes Ostrow said the show does not have to look veryfar.
"There are times where people will approach us to be on theshow," she said.
Williams said she heard some celebrities do not feel they arethat famous until their own children see them on "SesameStreet."
"A lot of celebrities want their own children to see them as apart of it," Williams said.
Though some guest stars might seem to cater more toward adults,Williams said people might be surprised at how many adult programschildren are exposed to. She said if a mother, father or babysitterwatches the Dr. Phil show during the daytime while the child is athome, the child might not be watching, but it is on in thebackground.
Aside from featuring celebrity guests and addressing currentsocial issues, the show still targets young children.
"There is a window of opportunity when the show would beparticularly appealing," Williams said.
But the audience is not the only reason the show keeps running.Williams said part of "Sesame Street"'s success is due to itsquality programming.
Bert and Ernie, Big Bird and the gang on "Sesame Street" mightsee 35 more birthdays, even if Elmo turns 3 1/2 every year.
"It certainly has the capacity to last that long," Williamssaid.
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