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Since its inception in 1969, Sesame Street has become one of the most popular children's television shows of all time, a favorite of children, parents, and educators alike. With friendly characters like Big Bird (Caroll Spinney/Matt Vogel) and maybe not so friendly but entirely harmless, like Oscar the Grouch (Caroll Spinney/Eric Jacobson), to beloved human characters like Bob Johnson (Bob McGrath), the innocent show hasn't garnered controversy. Well, wait a moment. Actually, one 1976 episode, #847, actually did create a stir, enough that it was never broadcast again. What could Sesame Street possibly do to warrant such action? Did they stage a coup against the number 6? Did Bert (Frank Oz/Eric Jacobson) create a pigeon blitzkrieg to take over the Street, and then the world? No, it was simply just too scary.

A new character has arrived on Sesame Street, and his debut has made history. Recently, a new scene from the long-running children's show was released online. Dubbed "Showing Confidence with Kal Penn," the segment features the actor interacting with Grover as well as Ji-Young, the first Asian-American muppet who was introduced on Sesame Street in 2021. Also introduced is young Tj, the first-ever Filipino-American muppet to be on the show. In the video, which you can watch below, Tj speaks with Penn about how he's trying to learn Tagalog, the native language of his Filipino family.

"Oh, well, I'm learning Tagalog," Tj says when Penn asks him how he shows his confidence. "It's a language my Filipino family speaks, and I have confidence because I can always ask my Lola for help when I don't know a word."

The character design was made in collaboration with Filipino-American artist Bobby Pontillas. After Tj's debut on Sesame Street,...

Sunday’s SAG Awards ceremony will be a streaming event for the first time on the Netflix YouTube channel. One of the highlights each year is the special In Memoriam segment. It’s been a particularly rough year with over 100 deaths of prominent actors and actresses who were likely members of SAG/AFTRA. Show producers typically are able to include approximately 40-50 people in a tribute.

Among that group will certainly be Oscar winners Louise Fletcher, William Hurt and Irene Cara, plus nominees Angela Lansbury (a SAG life achievement recipient) and Melinda Dillon. Emmy champs Mary Alice, Kirstie Alley, Leslie Jordan, Ray Liotta, Stuart Margolin, Robert Morse and Barbara Walters.

SEECelebrity Deaths 2023: In Memoriam Gallery

Here is our expansive list of over 100 people who died since last year’s ceremony, several of whom will be honored on Sunday’s event:

Ralph Ahn

J. Grant Albrecht

Mary Alice

Rae Allen...

“Sesame Street” co-creator and children’s entertainment pioneer Lloyd N. Morrisett has died. He was 93.

News of Morrisett’s death was announced Monday by the Sesame Workshop, who mourned the passing of the man who helped bring the organization into existence back in 1969.

“Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of our esteemed and beloved co-founder Lloyd N. Morrisett, PhD, who died at the age of 93,” they shared in a series of posts, which accompanied a photo of Morrisett on the iconic “Sesame Street” itself.

“A Lifetime Honorary Trustee, Lloyd leaves an outsized and indelible legacy among generations of children the world over, with ‘Sesame Street’ only the most visible tribute to a lifetime of good work and lasting impact,” Sesame Workshop shared. “A wise, thoughtful, and above all kind leader of the Workshop for decades, Lloyd was fascinated by the power of technology and constantly thinking about new ways it could be used to educate.

We're paying our respects to all the prolific musicians, actors, comedians, and cultural icons who died in 2022. This month, we lost famed R&b singer Anita Pointer, award-winning journalist Barbara Walters, fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, soccer star Pelé, musician Joseph "Jo Mersa" Marley, "General Hospital" star Sonya Eddy, Broadway star and choreographer Stephanie Bissonnette, famed DJ and dancer Stephen "tWitch" Boss, two-time Emmy-winning actor Kirstie Alley, "Sesame Street" legend Bob McGrath, singer-songwriter Georgia Holt, and "Green Book" actor Frank Vallelonga Jr. The previous month, Fleetwood Mac musician Christine McVie, Grammy Award-winning '80s singer Irene Cara, '90s pop star Aaron Carter, and Migos rapper Takeoff all died.

In October, beloved comedian Leslie Jordan, Harry Potter alum Robbie Coltrane, and Broadway icon Angela Lansbury also died. The death of the UK's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, at 96 rocked the world in early September, followed by the shocking deaths of PnB Rock,...

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Heartstopper, Sesame Street and The Baby-Sitters Club walked away with top honors during the second night of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.

HBO Max’s Sesame Street took the honor for outstanding preschool series, while Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club garnered the top award in the children’s or family viewing series category. Netflix’s Heartstopper took the win for young teen series.

Heartstopper had the most wins of the night, with four, including best guest performance in a preschool, children’s or young teen program (Heartstopper) for Olivia Colman. Netflix’s Kid Cosmic also was a multiple winner, taking home two awards.

Other notable winners included Helen Mirren, who was named best host for Cartoon Network/TBS’ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses.

Hosted by Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show‘s Jack McBrayer and held at L.

As the Children’s & Family Emmys took a moment to remember talent in the genre who had passed away this year, the ceremony paid special tribute to two “Sesame Street” icons who have recently died: Emilio Delgado and Bob McGrath.

“Sesame Street” star Alan Muraoka, who has been with the show since 1998, and “Sesame Street” puppeteer Martin P. Robinson, shared the stage at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Sunday to share their memories of Delgado and McGrath.

“The human characters on Sesame Street were created to represent many things for a child, a parent, a problem solver, an empathetic listener, and most importantly, a trusted friend,” Muraoka said. “I had the honor and privilege of working with Bob McGrath and Emilio Delgado, since I arrived at ‘Sesame Street’ 25 years ago. From day one, I saw how they used kindness as their superpower. We the humans of ‘Sesame Street,’ as we...

Netflix’s “Heartstopper” scored four wins on Sunday at the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, including one of the top prizes, for young teen series. Star Kit Connor also won, for lead performance, while Olivia Colman won for guest performance on the show, and Alice Oseman won for wiriting for a young teen program.

“Kid Cosmic” was the other program receiving multiple Emmys at the ceremony, which took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. The main event emceed by Jack McBrayer, who was also nominated for outstanding host.

Sunday night was the second of two ceremonies for the first-ever Children’s & Family Emmys. Among the key categories: Children’s or Family Viewing Series, Young Teen Series, Preschool Series and Animated Series. Performance categories were also set to be awarded on Sunday night.

LeVar Burton was on hand to receive the lifetime achievement award, as presented by Laurence Fishburne.

Gary Friedkin, who appeared as Clarence the Cook on “Happy Days,” and the 1982 comedy “Young Doctors in Love,” died Dec. 2 from Covid-19 complications, according to the Youngstown, Ohio Tribune Chronicle.

The four-foot-tall actor, who was born on Nov. 23, 1952, in Youngstown, “passed away peacefully,” at Hospice House, with his brother, Alan, and sister-in-law, Carol, by his side.

“He endured a difficult three-and-a-half weeks in the medical intensive care unit at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, due to complications of Covid-19,” the online obituary read.

Also Read:

George Newall, ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ Co-Creator, Dies at 88

“While Gary may have been short of stature, he was a giant amongst his family and friends. His legacy will live on as stories are told and retold for years to come by all who loved him. The family would like to thank Dr. Goodwin, who guided the family through this difficult time, and the phenomenal staff of St.

Kirstie Alley is being remembered by Hollywood. On Monday, the actress’ children announced that she’d died after a short battle with cancer. She was 71.

“Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren, and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did,” True and Lillie Parker, Alley’s two children, who are 30 and 28 respectively, wrote in their tribute.

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A post shared by Lillie Parker (@lillieparker)

Almost immediately after the news broke, John Travolta, took to Instagram to remember his late pal and “Look Who’s Talking” co-star.

“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had,” he wrote alongside a solo shot of Alley and a throwback pic of the two of them. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.

Kirstie Alley, the Emmy winning-actress who starred on sitcoms “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet,” has died at age 71, her daughters announced on Monday.

Her daughters, True and Lillie Parker, announced the news on Instagram that the actress had died after a battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.

“To all our friends, far and wide around the world, We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they wrote.

pic.twitter.com/g4nAItrR5x

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) December 6, 2022 Also Read:

Bob McGrath, Original ‘Sesame Street’ Star, Dies at 90

“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”

They thanked...

A bright, benevolent light went out on December 4, 2022, when Bob McGrath passed away at the age of 90. For 47 years, he maintained a residence as Bob Johnson on "Sesame Street," where, at an amazing 130-episode-per-season clip (until 1998), he taught children the joy of music. Whenever Bob dropped by Gordon and Susan Robinson's apartment, or popped his head into Mr. Hooper's shop, you knew a sing-a-long was imminent. He had a load of songs in his arsenal, and not a bum one in the bunch. But as a loyal viewer in the late 1970s, I always perked up when Bob busted out a rendition of "One of These Things," "A Face" or "The People in Your Neighborhood."

The vast majority of my earliest memories center on movies, television and music. I retain fragments of going to see "Star Wars" in 1977, rocking to and fro in front of my record player...

“Sesame Street” icon Bob McGrath, who portrayed the kind-hearted music teacher Bob Johnson from the series’ first episode in 1969 until 2017, has died at the age of 90. The actor was far more than one beloved character though, and led an exciting life filled with music, various acting roles and charity work.

McGrath’s passing was confirmed with a statement on his Facebook page on Sunday: “The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”

Born in 1932, McGrath was a graduate of University of Michigan, and received a Master of Music degree in Voice, from Manhattan School of Music in 1959 before serving two years in the United States Army. In 1960, McGrath began appearing on “Sing Along with Mitch,” which ran for four years. He also had an accomplished recording career in Japan in the 1960s with...

Bob McGrath, the actor and musician best known for playing the original human character Bob Johnson on the long-running children’s show Sesame Street, has died. He was 90. The actor’s family confirmed McGrath’s passing on his official Facebook page on Sunday, December 4, writing, “Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.” A cause of death has not been revealed as of writing. McGrath appeared in the 1969 pilot of the beloved kid’s program and went on to become a series regular, starring in 45 seasons. He eventually exited the show in 2016. Alongside series matriarch Susan Robinson (Loretta Long), McGrath was one of the two longest-lasting human characters on the series since the show’s debut. He also contributed many original songs to the series, including “People in Your Neighborhood,” “Sing a Song,” “If You’re Happy And You Know It,” and...

Bob McGrath of Sesame Street died at the age of 90 and Holly Robinson Peete took to social media to pay tribute to the late star. The actor shared a video of when she was a kid on the set of the children’s show sharing the set with McGrath.

“This news has me wrecked!” Peete wrote on Instagram. “I first met Bob McGrath in 1969 when my father and him starred together on #SesameStreet. He was the guy you saw on TV. The nicest, sweetest, kindest man.”

Peete continued, “The first time my brother and I got to be on Sesame Street we had this scene with him. Rest in peace, Bob McGrath. You were so loved all over the world.”

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A post shared by Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete)

In a separate post, Peete shared a still of McGrath with her late father.

“Rip Bob McGrath.

Bob McGrath has died at the age of 90.

The actor was widely known for his portrayal of Bob Johnson on the children’s show Sesame Street.

McGrath’s passing was confirmed by his family on his Facebook page on Sunday (4 December).

"The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family,” they wrote.

The cause of his death hasn’t been revealed.

Sesame Workshop also tweeted Sunday evening that it “mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.”

McGrath was a founding cast member of Sesame Street when the show premiered in 1969.

He made his final appearance on the show in 2017, marking an almost five-decade-long figure in the Sesame Street world.

The actor grew up in Illinois and studied music at the University of Michigan and Manhattan School of Music.

Bob McGrath, an actor and musician best known for being one of the original human stars of “Sesame Street“, died Sunday. He was 90.

McGrath’s family confirmed his death in a statement shared to Facebook, which read, “Hello Facebook friends, the McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family .”

The show’s official social media accounts also shared the news, re-tweeting a post from the Sesame Workshop.

“Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years,” they wrote, alongside a photo of McGrath.

“A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world,” the post continued. “Whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood,...

Click here to read the full article.

Holly Robinson Peete and Vanessa Williams were among those in Hollywood and the music industry who shared their condolences and tributes on social media following the death of Bob McGrath.

The actor’s family posted on social media Sunday that he died at 90. For four decades, McGrath portrayed the friendly music teacher Bob Johnson as an original castmember on Sesame Street.

“Hello Facebook friends, the McGrath family has some sad news to share,” McGrath’s family posted on his Facebook page. “Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”

Peete, whose late father, Matt Robinson, was also a part of the original Sesame Street cast, shared sweet memories as a child on set with McGrath. She also took to Twitter, writing, “Rest In Peace, Bob! …Joining Will Lee ( Mr Hooper) & Daddy ( Gordon) in Sesame Street...

Bob McGrath, one of Sesame Street’s first human characters appearing as Bob Johnson in its pilot in 1969, died on Sunday at age 90, his family confirmed on social media.

“Hello Facebook friends, the McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family,” the family posted on Facebook Sunday.

McGrath was an original cast member, and played the recurring character Bob Johnson and Sesame Street’s resident music teacher since its inception until 2016. However, he continued...

Bob McGrath, a member of the original cast of “Sesame Street” and who was on the beloved children’s show for 47 seasons, has died at the age of 90, according to a Facebook post from his family.

McGrath appeared as himself on the show’s pilot in 1969 and remained on the show until his retirement in 2017. During his run on the show, McGrath performed many of its most famous songs, including “People in Your Neighborhood” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

The Sesame Workshop mourned McGrath’s passing as a beloved member of the Sesame Street family. “A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world, whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood, or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts. A revered performer worldwide,...

Bob McGrath, an actor and recording artist who became a generational icon as one of the original human stars of “Sesame Street,” died Sunday at his home in New Jersey. He was 90.

McGrath’s death was confirmed by his family members through a post on his Facebook page: “The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”

Sesame Workshop shared a statement mourning the “beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.”

“Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world, whether teaching them the ABCs, the people in their neighborhood, or the simple joy of feeling music in their hearts,” reads Sesame Workshop’s statement. “A revered performer worldwide, Bob’s rich tenor filled airwaves...

Bob McGrath, who was a longtime cast member on the beloved children’s show Sesame Street, has died at age 90, his family confirmed.

The actor’s family shared the news on his official Facebook page. “Our father, Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.” No cause was given.

McGrath made his first Sesame Streeet appearance when the show first aired in the ’60s. He was featured playing himself in the 1969 pilot, the start of 47 seasons on the show. He left in 2017, having concluded with an episode titled “Having a Ball.”

Beyond acting, McGrath contributed original songs, including “People in Your Neighborhood,” “Sing a Song,” “If You’re Happy And You Know It” and even the show’s theme song.

He continued to work with Sesame Workshop, which administrates the franchise, by appearing at public events and serving as an advocate for early childhood education.

Click here to read the full article.

Bob McGrath, the Sing Along With Mitch tenor who portrayed the friendly music teacher Bob Johnson for more than four decades as an original castmember on Sesame Street, died Sunday at home with his family in New Jersey. He was 90.

“Hello Facebook friends, the McGrath family has some sad news to share,” McGrath’s family posted on his Facebook page Sunday. “Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.” (Hollywood also paid tribute to the actor on social media.)

Born on a farm in Illinois, McGrath was one of the four non-Muppet castmembers when Sesame Street debuted on public television stations of Nov. 10, 1969.

With no acting experience, producers always told him to be himself. Over the years, he sang dozens of the show’s signature tunes, including “Sing, Sing a Song” and “The People in Your Neighborhood,...

Bob McGrath, Sesame Street actor, singer, musician and children’s author, died Sunday. He was 90 years old.

His family confirmed the news on Facebook writing, “Hello Facebook friends. The McGrath family has some sad news to share. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”

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McGrath...

This is part of an ongoing series that looks at the history of disability issues in television. You can find Part One in the series here and Part Two here. As a disabled writer, I will use both person-first and identity-first language interchangeably for purposes of brevity and clarity.

Animation and children’s programming long have been at the forefront of disability representation. They’ve never solely been focused on introducing disability in children’s lives early — more often than not, they are creating fully-fleshed out characters to help children who might be disabled themselves.

I talked in the first part of this series about watching “The Wild Thornberries” as a kid and seeing the character of Bethany, who used a wheelchair. It wasn’t until after I wrote it that I realized I had an earlier experience: During the first four years of school I was asked constantly if...

Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for 49 years at “Sesame Street,” died Sunday in Connecticut after living with dystonia. He was 85.

Sesame Workshop announced his death, calling him an “artistic genius” whose “legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending.” Spinney’s death came on the same day “Sesame Street” is to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, D.C.

“His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world,” the announcement continued, “and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while,” Sesame Workshop said.

Spinney was with “Sesame Street” from the beginning in 1969, and continued working as Big Bird and Oscar through 2018, though he stopped performing inside the...

In today’s TV news roundup, Sesame Workshop announced a premiere date for “Sesame Street’s Historic 50th Anniversary Celebration” and “Brave New World” adds Sophie McIntosh.

Casting

New Zealand actress Sophie McIntosh has been cast in USA Network’s “Brave New World” series, Variety has learned exclusively. She will play the recurring role of Jane, and joins a cast which includes Alden Ehrenreich, Harry Lloyd and Jessica Brown Findlay. McIntosh is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment, Johnson and Laird Management in New Zealand, and Bloomfields Welch Management in the U.K.

Dates

Iliza Shlesinger’s fifth original Netflix comedy special will premiere Nov. 19 on the streaming platform. In the hour-long special, the newly married Shlesinger will pull back the veil on the dangers of having a zombie bachelorette army while also discussing wedding planning, garters and honeymooning.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street,” announced the historic 50th season...

There’s a new sheriff on Sesame Street — well, a new EP, at least. Sesame Workshop said today that Ben Lehmann has been named as executive producer of the children’s TV stalwart, taking over for interim EP Brown Johnson.

Lehmann joined Sesame Street as a production assistant in 2001 and rose to become supervising producer in 2015. He also has served as a director for the past three years. He has won nine Daytime Emmys and multiple PGA Awards during his tenure of sweepin’ the clouds away. Lehmann’s team also picked up a Primetime Emmy in September for the 2016 holiday special

The series moved to HBO for the 2016 season after 45 years on PBS.

“I am thrilled to have Ben lead our production team as we approach our landmark 50th anniversary,” said Johnson, who remains as creative director of Sesame Workshop. “His leadership and vision have helped us embrace new production styles,...

Now in its 46th season, “Sesame Street” has transitioned from PBS to HBO, and one of the big changes is that the long-running educational show for kids apparently no longer has room for the humans in its cast. Longtime “Sesame Street” star Bob McGrath (or just “Bob” to anyone who grew up watching the show) spoke at […]...

When old-school fans of the iconic kid’s show Sesame Street learned that of three of the original cast members — Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado and Roscoe Orman, aka Bob, Luis and Gordon — were being "let go," they clearly let their displeasure be known to the show’s producers.

It’s rare that the beloved, long-running educational children’s show receives bad press or public hostility but this week, fans have lashed out furiously at the 47-year old TV institution. Last week, the show’s creators announced that they were doing a little house cleaning, and that three veteran cast members were getting the ax.

Bob McGrath (Bob) who is 86, along with Emilio Delgado (Luis) who is 76 and Roscoe Orman (Gordan) who is 72 were among the remaining cast members who’ve stayed with Sesame Street for over four decades. Last week, they were released by the Sesame Network, who produces the show,...

Word spread last week that three longtime castmembers would no longer need to know how to get to Sesame Street. And today the CEO of the nonprofit group behind the show addressed what he called the “misunderstanding” about Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado and Roscoe Orman being let go after more than 40 years each on the kids staple. McGrath, an original castmember from Sesame Street‘s 1969 launch, spilled the news early last month, and the media caught on over the weekend…...

Despite last week’s news of a major Sesame Street casting shake-up, CEO Jeff Dunn insists that fans have not seen the last of Bob McGrath (Bob), Emilio Delgado (Luis) and Roscoe Orman (Gordon).

VideosSesame Street: Gina Rodriguez Raps the Spanish Alphabet With Elmo

In a message posted to Sesame Street‘s Facebook page on Tuesday, Dunn explains that, although the beloved trio isn’t included in any of the current season’s storylines, their residences on the iconic street have not been vacated:

In 2014, when we first began producing the current half-hour show format, we let all...

Roscoe Orman (Gordon), Bob McGrath (Bob) and Emilio Delgado (Louis) will no longer be a part of the Sesame Street cast, according to reports on Wednesday. ‘Sesame Street’ Fires Longtime Cast Members Gordon, Bob & Luis Sesame Street has recently moved from PBS to HBO for new episodes — leading to production changes. “As of […]

The post ‘Sesame Street’ Cuts Longtime Characters Gordon, Bob & Luis From Series appeared first on uInterview.

Sesame Street is saying goodbye to some of its oldest inhabitants. TVLine reports long-time castmembers Bob McGrath (above, right), Emilio Delgado (far left), and Roscoe Orman (front row, center) will be leaving the PBS/HBO series after more than 40 years.McGrath has played Bob since the show's first episode in 1969. In 1971, Delgado started playing Luis and, in 1974, Orman started playing Gordon.Read More…...

Sesame Street will join HBO for five seasons without three familiar faces, according to a statement released by Sesame Workshop. Longtime cast members Bob McGrath, 84, ("Bob"), Emilio Delgado, 76, ("Luis") and Roscoe Orman, 72, ("Gordon"), have been let go of the children's program. McGrath has been a part of the show since its inception in 1969. Delgado joined shortly after in 1971 and Orman in 1974.

"Sesame Street is produced by Sesame Workshop, which is an independent production company, and the casting decision was made by them," said PBS CEO Paula Kerger. "We did not know about it beforehand.

People often throw around the all-too-melodramatic phrase “my childhood is ruined.” Now I’m not going to say that here, but I will say that the younger version of me is certainly more than a little disappointed to find out that Sesame Street has let go of three long-time show actors. Bob McGrath (“Bob”) Emilio Delgado (“Luis”), and Roscoe Orman (“Gordon”) have been fired from the Emmy-winning and legendary TV series. The 84-year-old McGrath broke the news while at Florida Supercon. And he sounded miffed about changes that have happened since HBO acquired the broadcast rights to the series. “As of this season, I have completed my 45th season this year,” McGrath said. “And the show has gone under a major turn around, going from an hour to a half-hour. HBO has gotten involved also. And they let all of the original cast members go, with the exception of Alan Muraoka...

“Sesame Street” is losing a few longtime residents and fans are not happy. The show, which recently moved from PBS to HBO, is letting go cast members Emilio Delgadgo (Luis), Roscoe Orman (Gordon) and Bob McGrath. The three — second, fifth and sixth from the left in the above picture — have each been with the show for over 30 years. Needless to say, fans of the children’s series were displeased. “‘Sesame Street’ you break my heart. I learn the English from the Bob. I suplex the Big Bird if I ever see him!” former pro wrestler The Iron Sheik tweeted. Also Read:.

The evolution of Sesame Street continues with the now-hbo series losing three longtime regulars. Bob McGrath (music teacher and singer Bob), Emilio Delgado (Fix-it Shop handyman Luis) and Roscoe Orman (schoolteacher Gordon) are out at the venerable kids show. McGrath, who’s been part of the show since it launched in 1969 on PBS, announced the news July 2 at an event in Florida, and producer Sesame Workshop confirmed it today. Delgado has been on the show since 1971, and…...

PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger addressed the uproar surrounding “Sesame Street” and the recent decision to let go three of the show’s veteran cast members. “‘Sesame Street’ is produced by Sesame Workshop, which is an independent production company, and the casting decision was made by them,” she said. “We did not know about it beforehand. We found out about it after.” Longtime fans of the series were upset to hear that Bob McGrath, Roscoe Orman and Emilio Delgado had all been fired from the long-running educational program earlier this month. All three cast members had been with the show since the early.

The cutting of three veteran Sesame Street cast members was the result of the educational children’s series’ “evolving” curriculum and thus characters, and not any HBO interference, producers said in a statement on Thursday.

RelatedSesame Street on HBO Gets Updated Theme and Other Changes

In the wake of recent reports that Bob McGrath and Emilio Delgado (pictured above) and Roscoe Orman — who played Bob, Luis and Gordon for 45, 45 and 42 years, respectively — had been let go concurrent with the show’s retooling for HBO, Sesame Workshop issued a statement stating that cast changes go hand-in-hand with curriculum and content changes.

There are three new openings on Sesame Street. The longrunning children's show is set to let go of three of its longtime senior cast members, E! News has confirmed. The stars departing the series are Bob McGrath, who had been with the show since it premiered in 1969, as well as Emilio Delgado and Roscoe Orman. (Delgado joined the series in 1971, while Orman made his debut in 1974. "Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado ('Luis') and Roscoe Orman ('Gordon') remain a beloved part of the Sesame family and continue to represent us at public events," a representative for Sesame Workshop said in a statement provided to E! News. "To us, and for millions of people worldwide, they are a treasured...

Sesame Street is saying goodbye to its of their longtime cast members from the show.

On Thursday, a representative for the show told People in a statement thatg Bob McGrath, 84, Emilio Delgado, 76, and and Roscoe Orman's, 72, will be departing their on-air roles on the hit series.

"Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado (Luis) and Roscoe Orman (Gordon) remain a beloved part of the Sesame family and continue to represent us at public events," the statement read. "To us, and for millions of people worldwide, they are a treasured part of Sesame Street."

"Since the show began, we are constantly evolving our content and curriculum,...

Sesame Street is saying goodbye to its of their longtime cast members from the show. On Thursday, a representative for the show told People in a statement thatg Bob McGrath, 84, Emilio Delgado, 76, and and Roscoe Orman's, 72, will be departing their on-air roles on the hit series. "Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado (Luis) and Roscoe Orman (Gordon) remain a beloved part of the Sesame family and continue to represent us at public events," the statement read. "To us, and for millions of people worldwide, they are a treasured part of Sesame Street." "Since the show began, we are constantly evolving our content and curriculum,...

If you were to compile a list of iconic children’s TV characters, who would occupy a slot near the very top, say in the top five (to quote a recent Chris Rock flick)? Oh, we’re not talking about those denizens of “Toon-town”, so no Scooby Doo or Spongebob Squarepants. Well, at the dawn of the tube there was the freckle-faced marionette Howdy Doody and his pal/handler “Buffalo Bob” Smith. Then, as Mr. Doody hung up his strings, Bob Keeshan (a vet of that former show) arrived as Captain Kangaroo along with his real-life buddies (Mr. Green Jeans) and more puppet and costumed cast mates (Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose, and Dancing Bear). He was a TV mainstay for decades along with that gentle, soothing-voiced Fred Rogers and his puppet-filled neighborhood. Just a few years after his debut on PBS, a most influential classic educational kids’ program premiered on...

Read More: Watch: 'Sesame Street's' Caroll Spinney Embodies Michael Keaton for 'Big Birdman' For 46 years, Caroll Spinney has been playing "Sesame Street's" Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch - and at 81 years old, he has no intention of stopping. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, "I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story" features extraordinary footage of Spinney's earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart. In the exclusive clip above, fellow "Sesame Street" cast members Dr. Loretta Long and Bob McGrath recall a hilarious issue with a microphone, a couple of randy truckers and Bid Bird being stabbed in the neck (okay, not actually stabbed, just watch the clip.) "I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story...

Everyone has looked at Big Bird at some point in their lives and wondered what, or who, makes that oversized, yellow-feathered Muppet work. Now's your chance to meet him, in "I Am Big Bird." For 43 years, Carol Spinney has been climbing into a bird outfit and brightening the day of children and parents alike on "Sesame Street." This doc is a straight-up timeline piece that tells you the story behind the Muppet and the man; and it's one of the best films at this year's Hot Docs Festival.

It isn't too hard to imagine that Spinney was a sensitive kid who had an early love of art and puppetry. Despite his unique talents, it wasn't necessarily an easy path for a young Big bird. He was raised by an abusive father, spent time in the military and worked his way through a hodgepodge of gigs in his early years attempting to be a puppeteer.

Ken Greengrass, a producer and longtime Friars Club member who was instrumental in putting the famed organization's once-private and profane celebrity roasts on television, died April 10 in New York after a brief illness. He was 87. Greengrass also worked as a personal manager during his career, with clients that included Diahann Carroll, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Florence Henderson, Art Garfunkel, jazz musician John Pizzarelli, the country music supergroup The Highwaymen and Sesame Street actor Bob McGrath. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 A native of the Bronx, Greengrass was a member of the Friars Club for more

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Sesame Street remains the gold standard for children's television, but it also boasts some of the best original music and parodies of the past 43 years. It's garnered more Emmys than can fit in Hooper's Store, and it's phalanx of celebrity guests is staggering. Last week writer Judy Freudberg, who wrote for the show for 35 seasons, died of a brain tumor at age 62, which got me thinking about the show's wonderful past. Today, let's revisit the show's 10 greatest (and arguably, in many cases, gayest) musical moments. Those hyperlinks within the subheads link to the original video. Jamming yet, fellow Cookie Monsters?

1. Neil Patrick Harris finally admits that he's the Shoe Fairy

Yep, that's Neil Patrick Harris adorned in wings and a creamy suit (with some nutty Charles Nelson Reilly neckwear!) singin' about shoes. He's like Telly's personal shopper here, which is nothing short of spectacular. If he were an official pop star,...

June 10: Singer Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles is 71. Actor Andrew Stevens is 57. Bassist Kim Deal of The Pixies and The Breeders is 51. Singer Maxi Priest is 51. Actress Gina Gershon is 50. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn is 49. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan) is 48. Actress Kate Flannery ("The Office") is 48. Model-actress Elizabeth Hurley is 47. Guitarist Joey Santiago of The Pixies is 47. Guitarist Emma Anderson (Lush) is 45. Country guitarist Brian Hofeldt of The Derailers is 45. Singer Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing) is 42. Singer JoJo of K-Ci and JoJo is 41. Singer Faith Evans is 39. Singer Lemisha Grinstead of 702 is 34. Actor DJ Qualls ("Hustle & Flow") is 34. Actor Shane West ("ER," "Now and Again") is 34. Singer Hoku is 31. Actress Leelee Sobieski is 30.

June 11: Actor Gene Wilder is 79. Actor Chad Everett is 75. Comedian Johnny Brown ("Laugh-In") is 75. Singer Joey Dee is 72. Actress Adrienne Barbeau ("Maude") is 67. Drummer Frank Beard of Zz Top is 63. Singer Donnie Van...

Sesame Street's producers have launched a search for one of the original stars from their pilot episode. A clip from the Children's Television Workshop pilot from 1969 has surfaced featuring Bob McGrath, Loretta Long and an unknown actor in the role of Gordon. When the children's series finally went to air, Gordon was played by Matt Robinson. Hal Miller replaced Robinson in season three and Roscoe Orman has held the role since season six. However, producers have been unable to identify the original Gordon pilot actor and have requested help from anyone who can shed light on his identity. "We don't know who he is, and we'd like (more)...