As a child of the '70s, it made perfect sense that my breakfast included a healthy portion of "Sesame Street," but even then it puzzled me that my 19-year-old uncle appeared to be equally engrossed. Although he had recently immigrated from India, he grew up in an English-speaking school and, as far as I could tell, could count to at least 100. I figured he was probably just trying to bond with his nephews -- until the morning I caught him watching it alone.
Turns out he was blissfully unaware that it was supposed to be a children's show. He thought it was a sitcom.
The ability to simultaneously make grown-ups laugh and children think is the reason "Sesame Street" has hung around long enough to celebrate its 40th anniversary Tuesday and qualifies as one of the great TV shows of all time.
Sure, I learned my math skills from the Count and my ABCs from Big Bird, but I also owe the gang for introducing me to comedy. Grover prepped me for Richard Pryor; Bert and Ernie set the stage for "The Odd Couple"; Kermit the Frog was mocking the news when Jon Stewart was still talking back to his kindergarten teacher.
You have to keep in mind that Muppets creator Jim Henson never intended to be a children's hero. His stuffed, sarcastic creatures were making the talk-show rounds years before Joan Ganz Cooney persuaded him to join a ragtag team of educators who believed television could serve as a schoolhouse. The combination of Cooney's altruism and Henson's wit set the tone, one obviously based on "Laugh-In," a huge hit when the show debuted in 1969.
Much changed in the ensuing decades. "Sesame Street" no longer relies so heavily on quickie sketches, opting for longer, deeper story lines. Political correctness has also dulled some of the sharper humor. If Cookie Monster were created today, he'd most likely be addicted to tofu.
But the show still leaves room for belly laughs. This season promises a parody of "Mad Men," and if it's half as sharp as one previous takeoff called "Desperate Houseplants," I'll be thrilled. Celebrities continue to share their warm, wacky sides (First Lady Michelle Obama clowns around with Elmo and talking vegetables on Tuesday's season premiere).
It's for those reasons that I'll still occasionally take a stroll down "Sesame Street" -- and there won't be a child in sight.
njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431
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