Where are the older humans?

[Pig'sSaysAdios]

I don't even think Loretta's been on the show in the last few years.

Well, her most recent appearance was in season 45, in that season and the 44th, she was only a background character and only appeared in one episode. And in season 43 she made no appearances at all, which was odd considering she seemed to have been making a comeback in season 42, when she not only was in four episodes but she actually had lines in all of them.

 

[somethingofafan]

At last, we get closure!

In this interview with Bob McGrath, he states that he, Roscoe and Emilio met with Jeffery Dunn as was originally stated. He says that they will not be returning to the actual show, but they (and presumably Sonia Manzano and Alison Bartlett, possibly Loretta Long) will be part of some sort of upcoming SST "celebration". He also said that they will be involved in the planning process for the show's 50th anniversary:

That's about how I figured it would probably all play out. While we older fans will certainly miss them, at least they're not forgotten. Also good to see that Mr. McGrath isn't showing any bitterness toward the whole situation.

That said, SW better keep their promise to keep them involved in the anniversary stuff.

 

[MuppetSpot]

Sorry for being a negative Nancy but, isn't the 50th anniversary in two years away maybe one of the cast members that were recently let go could passed away in two years, so we should not get our hopes really high yet.

 

[D'Snowth]

The way Season 46 got delayed because of the sudden HBO deal and everything, I'm actually quite curious as to what will be done regarding Season 50: will it come early 2020, or will they try to do like they did with Season 40 and start airing it in November 2019? I guess we won't know until it gets closer to time.

 

[jobi71]

Sorry for being a negative Nancy but, isn't the 50th anniversary in two years away maybe one of the cast members that were recently let go could passed away in two years, so we should not get our hopes really high yet.

I am speculating here, but I would guess the 50th anniversary special - maybe not the season is already in the works. This is a huge milestone for any kind of program, let alone one as iconic as Sesame Street. I would bet, or at least hope, that they are filming interviews or inserts with all the principle players in front and behind the cameras now to be able to have as many veterans represented.

Fifty years is a lot to celebrate and cover in any one particular special. My fanciful wish is PBS would dedicate time on some of it's other programs to highlight aspects of Sesame Street that might fit in with the other show's scope. PBS News Hour could do a week of pieces on various aspects of the show. The American Experience could do an episode about the impact of Sesame Street on education and learning. NOVA could do an episode on Slimey in space (I am grasping at straws here I know), but I think there is an opportunity for PBS to have some synergy and really celebrate what they helped to create. (Yes, I know new episodes are on HBO, but PBS is the real home of Sesame).

Sorry, Muppetspot, I wandered away from your original post.

 

[Censored]

That's about how I figured it would probably all play out. While we older fans will certainly miss them, at least they're not forgotten. Also good to see that Mr. McGrath isn't showing any bitterness toward the whole situation.

That said, SW better keep their promise to keep them involved in the anniversary stuff.

Mr. McGrath would certainly have every right to be bitter, but that just shows that he is a better man than Jeffery Dunn, but of course, there was never any doubt about that.

 

[Censored]

Sorry for being a negative Nancy but, isn't the 50th anniversary in two years away maybe one of the cast members that were recently let go could passed away in two years, so we should not get our hopes really high yet.

You make a lot of sense. It was a lot of double talk for fear of negative publicity that never actually changed anything.

Those who did not support these veteran actors in life, need not express hypocritical sadness after they die.

 

[Oscarfan]

(Jeffery Dunn is the CEO of the organization. He's not a producer; he wouldn't have creative input in the show. So, aside from issuing a press statement about the situation, he was not involved with it in any way.)

 

[jobi71]

You make a lot of sense. It was a lot of double talk for fear of negative publicity that never actually changed anything.

Those who did not support these veteran actors in life, need not express hypocritical sadness after they die.

The double talk is what I found most problematic. If there had been some sort of press announcement similar to Sonia's where it was announced the following actors will not be returning/returning in reduced roles that would have been upfront. We would have heard from each actor and seen that they were OK with it. But as you said it was double talk. Are they fired? Are they retiring? I would begrudge none of them if they said - yeah I need to step back. So the announcement was a mess. And I'll say an odd misstep from the Workshop who are usually pretty good at this. My one other gripe - which is personal and may not be germane - is that there was no farewell. Jerry Nelson had a wonderful tribute episode. If, indeed, these characters are being retired why not have a street story perhaps with a block party. They could inter-mingle. Gordon and Susan could have a scene with Big Bird. Luis and Maria with Oscar. Bob with Prairie Dawn? (She seemed the most likely to take music lessons - also a nice send off for Fran Brill). What is the educational purpose? They could have figured something out. Gordon and Susan moving to Florida. Importance of friendship? The writers found ways to blend the reality of the show into the narrative and curriculum of the show. I think it is a missed opportunity. While maybe not with the poignancy of Mr. Hooper's death it would have been a classic episode out of the gate.

I am merely a fan, so I am sure there are many reasons why this did not happen. But would have been nice if it did. Hey, it still might.

 

[Censored]

(Jeffery Dunn is the CEO of the organization. He's not a producer; he wouldn't have creative input in the show. So, aside from issuing a press statement about the situation, he was not involved with it in any way.)

Of course not. What influence could the boss possibly have?