Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

source: Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

As "Street Gang; How We got to Sesame Street" (2021 release; 106 min.) opens, it is "New York CIty, 1981", and we get a glimpse of the program being produced: there is Joan Cooney, who came up with the idea in the mid-60s for a kids shows aimed at the underprivileged inner-city (read; mostly Black) kids aged 3 to 5, and Jon Stone, the director who is determined to not talk down to kids or, worse--selling stuff to kids (cereal, toys, etc.). And then there are the main puppeteers, Jim Henson and Frank Oz, whose talents are obvious... At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary. Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Marilyn Agrelo, who seemingly is given unfettered access to the Sesame Street achieve footage and "street gang" (i.e. The production staff and performers). There are some interesting titbits in this documentary: first and foremost, the active political considerations that went into it. Cooney was actively involved in the civil rights movement and very much aware of social, economic, and educational inequality and wanted to do something about it. Second, the first year budget for this was a staggering $8+ million ($54 in today's money), for an upstart, educational show aimed at disadvantaged kids. Amazing. Along the way we get tons of memorable clips, in particular from the early years (late 60's and early 70s). I never paid attention to Sesame Street until my kids were 3-5 yrs. In the early 90s. I thought is was terrific then. Bottom line: this documentary is well worth checking out. "Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to immediate acclaim. It got a select Us theatrical release in the Spring, and just recently started streaming on HBO Max, where I caught it. If you have any interest in Sesame Street, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

They glossed over quite a few people/events, including one of the guys who played Gordon (granted, the second guy wasn't there for long). Such is life with this kind of documentary, I suppose. You show me a talking heads documentary, I'll show you someone's story being left out. It really could/should have been a mini-series. Still, there's some priceless material here, including funny Muppet outtakes and some great interviews, both old and new. The ones with composer Joe Raposo ("Bein' Green", "Sing", "I'm an Aardvark", etc.) were my favorites, and the behind the scenes footage of the show's creators was very cool to see.

I have seen a few Documentaries on S2. Most have focused on JH or particular cast members. This is the first I have seen about the people who created the show. It shows how the creators decided on inclusion. While other shows only had white cast members and guests, S2 made sure every child could recognize themselves in one form or fashion. It also showed the push back for non inclusive people and places. As well as the blinding effects of what tobacco and alcohol marketing was having on children of the 60's. This is a great legacy piece that showcases the care and joy that went into many of our most vivid pre-teen memories.

I last watched "Sesame Street" when I was eight years old; I'm now 55. But even after all this time, I take its lessons to heart. Besides, you don't have to have grown up on the show to appreciate this fine chronicle of its history and influence. I could go on for several paragraphs about why this movie works, but I'll simply say that STREET GANG does for "Sesame Street" what WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR did for "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in 2018. I give it my highest recommendation.

When was good Before Elmo and everything is good and everything is happy socially right messages. The real Sesame Street existed.no Elmo No PC and socially in your face deal with it etc. Kermit Ernie Bert, Cookie monster Big Bird etc. Now a days its No where what the start of SS was meant to be. Its sad.

Sesame Street is an institution nowadays, but it wasn't an easy sell. This is that story, how one person (Joan Ganz Cooney) saw the TV as an opportunity to bring education to the disadvantaged . . . With the help of Muppets. And it's a moving one. The filmmakers highlight the key personnel involved in the crafting of the show; sure, Jim Henson is a star player, but I loved seeing his dynamic with Frank Oz (real life Bert and Ernie! ) and it hasn't been touched on on the docs I've seen up to this point. Even more so the coverage of Joe Raposo, the man behind all of our favorite songs. This is a thoughtful, honest work that hit me right in the solar plexus; and such positivity is ever fleeting in this world.

source: Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

When was good Before Elmo and everything is good and everything is happy socially right messages. The real Sesame Street existed.no Elmo No PC and socially in your face deal with it etc. Kermit Ernie Bert, Cookie monster Big Bird etc. Now a days its No where what the start of SS was meant to be. Its sad.

As "Street Gang; How We got to Sesame Street" (2021 release; 106 min.) opens, it is "New York CIty, 1981", and we get a glimpse of the program being produced: there is Joan Cooney, who came up with the idea in the mid-60s for a kids shows aimed at the underprivileged inner-city (read; mostly Black) kids aged 3 to 5, and Jon Stone, the director who is determined to not talk down to kids or, worse--selling stuff to kids (cereal, toys, etc.). And then there are the main puppeteers, Jim Henson and Frank Oz, whose talents are obvious... At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary. Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Marilyn Agrelo, who seemingly is given unfettered access to the Sesame Street achieve footage and "street gang" (i.e. The production staff and performers). There are some interesting titbits in this documentary: first and foremost, the active political considerations that went into it. Cooney was actively involved in the civil rights movement and very much aware of social, economic, and educational inequality and wanted to do something about it. Second, the first year budget for this was a staggering $8+ million ($54 in today's money), for an upstart, educational show aimed at disadvantaged kids. Amazing. Along the way we get tons of memorable clips, in particular from the early years (late 60's and early 70s). I never paid attention to Sesame Street until my kids were 3-5 yrs. In the early 90s. I thought is was terrific then. Bottom line: this documentary is well worth checking out. "Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to immediate acclaim. It got a select Us theatrical release in the Spring, and just recently started streaming on HBO Max, where I caught it. If you have any interest in Sesame Street, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.