Basically, the programming was geared to sell children toys, Tootsie Rolls. In 1969, what was on TV for kids was a very dire landscape. Marilyn, explain what was on TV then for kids and how this was in fact radical, revolutionary.ĪGRELO: Oh. 'Sesame Street' launched - this was November of 1969. KELLY: So let me take you back to the beginning. KELLY: We are also joined by actor Sonia Manzano, who played 'Sesame Street' resident Maria for 44 years. MARILYN AGRELO: Thank you so much for having me. Marilyn Agrelo is the director of 'Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street.' It's been on air more than 50 years now, and a new documentary explores Sesame Street's controversial, even radical, early days. By 2000, most of us had lost the rabbit ears, but kids were still watching. Now the wild thing is, a kid in the '80s would have had pretty much the same experience. Mom would adjust the rabbit ears on top of the set, and I would sit glued to Big Bird and Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch. When I was a kid in the 1970s, 'Sesame Street' was appointment TV.
