From Walter Cronkite to Ryan Seacrest: Sesame Street: Growing Up

Talk about a generation gap!

Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary is on November 10. I remember watching all of my favorite Sesame Street characters dance and sing the ABC's and teach me to count. Then what? I asked my nieces and nephews if they watched Sesame Street...resounding no! What? How can this be? After 40 years of wonderful learning and kids today don't get to experience it.

After reading the article on CNN's website, it was shocking to realize how much has changed. Note the sections that talk about Cookie Monster hallucinating, or even the dingy turning to "power washing." Growing up, I never realized all the things that weren't exactly "P.C." on the show. I'm equally as stunned as the author of the article with the release of the DVD with a warning that says
"These early 'Sesame Street' episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today's preschool child." WHOA! These certainly are changing times.

I've been searching for other recent stories on Sesame Street, but I had to dig and find some that aren't so recent. Not only that, I found an add for adult t-shirts sporting Sesame Street characters. Where's the kids' stuff?

Example of a t-shirt for sale

Well, from my point of view, I'm feeling a bit outdated. Case and point for this blog: "old" news vs. "new" news. I guess I'm part of the "old" kids shows and not so hip on the new generation's entertainment.

What do you think about the changing times and shows for today's generation of kids and the learning shows? Are they outdated? Do we still need The Count to help kids count? Or what about Big Bird, Ernie, Grover, and the other fun, lovable characters? Check out "Jimmy Kimmel Live" tonight and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on November 9 to see some of the characters stop by for interviews.

Check out these videos. Connan O'Brian did a parody on the actual Sesame Street clip with First Lady Obama.

Here's the original: