Therapist Jerry Moe, the national director of
the Hazelden Betty Ford Children’s Program ,
applauds the show for helping children handle
trauma — addiction, PTSD, death.
“While the numbers and the colors and the sizes
and the shapes are all incredibly important, so is
that social-emotional development that children
need,” he said.
‘Sesame Street’ deals with the reality of what’s
going on with the kids today. And ‘Sesame
Street’ does it in such a child-friendly, age-
appropriate, developmentally-appropriate way
that not only grabs kids’ attention, but also all
the providers,” Moe said.
Celebrity appearances — starting with Burnett
and now numbering 650 — aren’t just a fun
component of the show, they’re part of the
lesson. From Janelle Monae to Sarah Jessica
Parker, from Anderson Cooper to Danny DeVito
— they’re all part of an attempt to lure parents
to watch as well.
“When parents watch the show with their kids,
the learning is deeper because you have a
conversation about what you watched together.
You talk about it,” said Benjamin Lehmann,
executive producer. “The parents are there to
scaffold on the lessons.”
In the adults’ honor are characters who go over
the heads of young viewers — Ethel Mermaid,
Baa Baa Walters and Alistair Cookie — not to
mention spoofs like “Orange Is the New Snack,”
“Grouch Eye for the Nice Guy” and “Upside
Downton Abbey.”
Not everyone has adored the show, especially
those who grouse about federal funds going to
a nonprofit that earns millions on licensing for