Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days
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Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days is a star-studded celebratory two-hour documentary on the classic children's series. This documentary doesn't seek to tell the story of how the show came to be, the way the recently released film Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street does. Instead, this made-for-TV special focuses on major milestone moments of the show and talks about how Sesame Street has tackled some big social issues -- inequality, race, gender, sexual orientation, and even the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa -- throughout its five decades on air. Not necessarily aimed at kids, there are bleeped-out swear words from the commentators, including an instance where a celebrity calls Sesame Street "f--king amazing" at the close of the show. Commentary is offered from John Oliver, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Angelina Jolie, Rosie Perez, Gloria Estefan, and Usher, just to name a few celebrities. Viewers get a glimpse into the future of Sesame Street, its global impact on social issues, and how the show is addressing children's current need for racial literacy. We learn about the introduction of a Black family of Sesame Street Muppets, born out of Sesame Workshop's recent racial justice initiative, Coming Together.
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What's the Story?
SESAME STREET: 50 YEARS OF SUNNY DAYS doesn't shy away from talking about serious societal issues and points out some of the biggest pitfalls the show has experienced in order to get to where they are today. The documentary kicks off with a re-imagined version of the show's classic theme song "Sunny Days" performed by Stevie Wonder. The documentary chronicles the creation and introduction of a Black family of Muppets, including Wes and Elijah Walker who are the father-and-son duo at the heart of Sesame Workshop's new racial justice initiative. Viewers also get a peek behind the camera during commentary from the puppeteers that make the characters of Ernie, Snuffleupagus, Rosita, and Julia come to life for children on TV. There's never-before-seen footage of an episode produced in 1992 focusing on the topic of divorce and around the experience of the beloved Mr. Snuffleupagus character and his family. The documentary also delves into the show's success worldwide and tells how humanitarian efforts are currently helping the show in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan to create compassion and care for refugees.
Is It Any Good?
Sesame Street's goal has always been to present diversity amongst its cast in order to reach kids regardless of their background. Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days does a great job at highlighting many of the ways the show has addressed issues of race. Interviews with Sonia Manzano (Maria) and Carmen Osbarh (voice and puppeteer of Rosita) give insights into what their roles in the series has meant to them and others who can relate. The documentary looks back on the impact of Sesame Street's iconic programming, reflects upon the efforts that have earned it unparalleled respect around the world. Discussions around multicultural representation, social injustice, and racism aren't always easy for parents. Sesame Street sets out to be a resource that presents a positive narrative and can ignite conversations to help kids and parents more easily talk about difficult topics.
Surprisingly this documentary isn't suitable for the show's target audience but anyone watching, especially teens, might find it intriguing to learn how producers have made Sesame Street relevant to all kids around the world. This docu film celebrates the show's original vision and shares how Sesame Street stayed true (or not) to its initial goal throughout the past five decades. There are plenty of takeaways, and whether or not you grew up on Sesame Street, parents -- and their kids -- will be better for watching the icon kid's program.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the monumental moments portrayed in Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days and discuss the lasting impact the TV series has had on children. What impact do you think it has had on the United States and across the world?
Why is it important to show diversity on screen? Why is positive representation in the media important? What happens when a child rarely sees someone that looks like them in the media?
How do the people who made Sesame Street demonstrate compassion, courage, and empathy? Why are those important character strengths? How has compassion, courage and empathy led to Sesame Street's success around the globe?
Why do you think kids learn more when they watch educational media with parents? How can what they see on TV spark necessary conversations or answer difficult questions.
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 26, 2021
- Cast: Sonia Manzano, Carmen Osbahr, Peter Linz
- Networks: ABC, Hulu
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Puppets
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Empathy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 14, 2022
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