Children’s puppet show Sesame Street – which airs in 150 countries around the globe and is one of the most popular American brands – is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
There’s a moment early in the “Sesame Street” special marking the program’s 50th anniversary where host Joseph Gordon-Levitt, prompted by a curious Abby and Elmo, tells his two fuzzy friends that he’s 38 years old, eliciting gaps from the duo.
Elmo marches up to Abby’s ear and whispers, loud enough so the audience — and Gordon-Levitt — can hear, “Can a person be that old?”
“I don’t know,” Abby says. “I bet he knows dinosaurs.”
He doesn’t, Abby. But like most his age, he’s certainly known a big bird for a very long time.
“Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration,” airing on HBO on Saturday, honors the moments that taught generations of children the building blocks of learning through song, stories and silliness.
The program features celebrity guests like Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LaBelle, Elvis Costello, Meghan Trainor, Sterling K. Brown, Norah Jones, and looks back at iconic visits from other recognizable faces. Kermit the Frog also stops by.
The pairing of “Sesame Street” with premium cable and now a streaming network demonstrates the evolution of the show from its humble roots. Launched November 10, 1969, “Sesame Street” was initially broadcast on 180 public TV stations with the goal or preparing less advantages children for school. Now, it reaches more than 150 countries and translated into 70 languages.
Filled with jingles and positivity, the show also tackles serious issues like death, HIV, homelessness and divorce.
