Sesame Street and the City: Revitalizing the City through Popular Culture

Abstract

In the midst of the urban crisis, the creators of Sesame Street rejected the suburban and classroom set designs of other children’s programs and chose instead a city street. When asked why, producers explained that it would appeal to their target audience: impoverished children in urban communities. But producers chose an urban setting because they believed the city could be saved and their show could be its savior. On-screen, producers crafted a vision for cities: an amalgamation of urban idealism, colorblindness, and nostalgia. Off-screen, producers attempted to improve urban conditions by providing children with access to Sesame Street. Drawing on close readings of the set design, production documents, and viewer mail, this article reconstructs the discourse between set designers, the city street they built, and their audience, to show how Sesame Street revitalized the city, both on and off-screen.