Sesame Park
Encyclopedia
Sesame Park was a Canadian
version of Sesame Street
. In its first format, it was referred to as Canadian Sesame Street and was a re-edited version of the American series; it adopted a new format and the Sesame Park title in 1996.
In 1972, the bulk of Sesame Streets content was licensed out to CBC Television
, originally as five minute interstitials during "commercial" breaks. CBC then added live action and animated segments teaching about Canadian culture and French bilingualism, replacing segments on Spanish
and American history on the original program. (Some Spanish segments still aired in Canada, although fewer in number). Most of the production of the Canadian segments took place in Winnipeg
and Montreal
. Between 1972 and 1995, this hybrid of American and Canadian production was known as Canadian Sesame Street and then became an institution for preschool Canadian children. In 1981, the show's running-time was changed to 30 minutes.
In the 1980s, a series of specially made Canadian Muppet characters were introduced, including Basil the Bear
(played by Bob Stutt
), French-Canadian Louis the Otter, Dodi, a bush pilot, and Katie, a girl in a wheelchair.
The Henson Muppet shop also provided some Anything Muppets which could be redressed to become whatever characters the script called for, including Barbara Plum (a parody of CBC broadcasting legend Barbara Frum
). Beau Beaver, an animated character, would discuss national symbols, particularly those appearing on Canadian money.
In 1996, the CBC decided to take on the job of producing different kinds of content for the series; specifically to have their own "street". Producer Shirley Greenfield and screenwriter Jill Golick decided to set the show in a park, rather than on an urban street. A new half-hour series entitled Sesame Park was born. In addition to three or four segments set in the park, each episode also consisted of almost entirely Canadian segments with only occasional American ones. Added to the cast was a muppet kitten named Chaos (named after Golick's own cat) and a human character named Ray. Many guests made appearances on the series, including Red Green, a Canadian situation-comedy character played by Steve Smith
, and Eric Peterson
as Old King Cole
.
In 1999, the series received its nomination and win from the Gemini Awards, for Best Preschool Program or Series (Wendy Smith, Susan Sheehan, Duncan Lamb). Bob Stutt
was nominated that year for Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series. In 2000, Sheila McCarthy
won Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series, for her role in an episode of the show, beating out fellow guest star Pier Kohl, as well as others. In 2001, the series won Best Preschool Program or Series (Wendy Smith, Susan Sheehan, Duncan Lamb), beating out Land O' Hands and The Nook Counting Network. Guest Eric Peterson
won again for Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series, beating out Pier Kohl, James Rankin
, Natasha LaForce and Gisèle Corinthios.
Sesame Park was cancelled in 2002.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
version of Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
. In its first format, it was referred to as Canadian Sesame Street and was a re-edited version of the American series; it adopted a new format and the Sesame Park title in 1996.
Canadian Sesame Street
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
, originally as five minute interstitials during "commercial" breaks. CBC then added live action and animated segments teaching about Canadian culture and French bilingualism, replacing segments on Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and American history on the original program. (Some Spanish segments still aired in Canada, although fewer in number). Most of the production of the Canadian segments took place in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. Between 1972 and 1995, this hybrid of American and Canadian production was known as Canadian Sesame Street and then became an institution for preschool Canadian children. In 1981, the show's running-time was changed to 30 minutes.
In the 1980s, a series of specially made Canadian Muppet characters were introduced, including Basil the Bear
Basil (Sesame Park)
Basil the Bear was the main character on the Canadian children's show Sesame Park. He was portrayed by puppeteer Tim Gosley from 1987-1996, and puppeteer Bob Stutt from 1996-2002....
(played by Bob Stutt
Bob Stutt
Bob Stutt is a Canadian puppeteer/writer, who has starred in various children's television programs throughout his career.He has appeared in the following television series:* Canadian Sesame Street – Basil...
), French-Canadian Louis the Otter, Dodi, a bush pilot, and Katie, a girl in a wheelchair.
The Henson Muppet shop also provided some Anything Muppets which could be redressed to become whatever characters the script called for, including Barbara Plum (a parody of CBC broadcasting legend Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum, OC was a Canadian radio and television journalist, acclaimed for her interviews for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Personal life:...
). Beau Beaver, an animated character, would discuss national symbols, particularly those appearing on Canadian money.
Sesame Park
Steve Smith (comedian)
Steven "Steve" Smith, Jr., is a Canadian actor, writer and comedian.Smith was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Before turning to comedy, he studied engineering at the University of Waterloo and then worked a variety of jobs...
, and Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
Eric Neal Peterson, C.M. is a Canadian stage and television actor, known for his roles in three major Canadian series – Street Legal, Corner Gas and This is Wonderland.-Personal life:...
as Old King Cole
Old King Cole
"Old King Cole" is an English nursery rhyme. The historical identity of King Cole has been much debated and several candidates have been advanced as possibilities...
.
In 1999, the series received its nomination and win from the Gemini Awards, for Best Preschool Program or Series (Wendy Smith, Susan Sheehan, Duncan Lamb). Bob Stutt
Bob Stutt
Bob Stutt is a Canadian puppeteer/writer, who has starred in various children's television programs throughout his career.He has appeared in the following television series:* Canadian Sesame Street – Basil...
was nominated that year for Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series. In 2000, Sheila McCarthy
Sheila McCarthy
Sheila McCarthy is a Canadian film, stage, television actress, and singer. She is one of the most honoured actors in Canada, having won two Genie Awards , two Gemini Awards , and two Dora Awards among multiple nominations. As of 2007, she can be seen on the Canadian television series Little...
won Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series, for her role in an episode of the show, beating out fellow guest star Pier Kohl, as well as others. In 2001, the series won Best Preschool Program or Series (Wendy Smith, Susan Sheehan, Duncan Lamb), beating out Land O' Hands and The Nook Counting Network. Guest Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
Eric Neal Peterson, C.M. is a Canadian stage and television actor, known for his roles in three major Canadian series – Street Legal, Corner Gas and This is Wonderland.-Personal life:...
won again for Best Performance in a Preschool Program or Series, beating out Pier Kohl, James Rankin
James Rankin
James Rankin was an American lighthouse keeper.A native of Killashee, County Longford, Ireland, Rankin emigrated to the United States in 1867. He served as the keeper of East Brother Island Light in California from 1877 to 1878, when he was transferred to Fort Point Light in San Francisco, where...
, Natasha LaForce and Gisèle Corinthios.
Sesame Park was cancelled in 2002.
Cast
- Tim GosleyTim GosleyTim Gosley is a Canadian puppeteer who is primarily known for his work on numerous Muppet productions. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Alberta and studied puppeteering with Richard Hunt from 1981-1983. He began his career portraying several minor characters on the...
/Bob StuttBob StuttBob Stutt is a Canadian puppeteer/writer, who has starred in various children's television programs throughout his career.He has appeared in the following television series:* Canadian Sesame Street – Basil...
as Basil the Bear - Pier Paquette as Louis the Francophone Otter
- Noreen YoungNoreen YoungNoreen Isabel Young, CM is a Canadian producer and puppeteer, and is still actively involved in the puppeteering business through her corporation, Noreen Young Productions....
as Dodi - Karen Valleau as Chaos
- Derek Ritschel as Ray
External links
- Sesame Park at Muppet Wiki