a reason the show has been on the air so long is that they allowed the cast members to age, number one,” said Manzano, author of several books including the memoir “Becoming Maria” in 2015. Manzano came on board in 1971, with the character of Maria meant to mirror the actress in personality and milestones. But unlike other children’s shows, “Sesame Street” didn’t talk down to its viewers and instead educated them on real world issues, including racism and death. The series premiered with the initial intent to provide educational programming for children in low-income communities. “It was a big explosion, like the Beatles, where all of the sudden they changed the landscape of artistry and how we absorb information.”
“I am so thrilled that has touched on an aspect of the show that isn’t often touched upon, and that’s the artistry of the show and how all of these creative people just crashed together in 1969, propelled by the civil rights movement, propelled by what was going on in the country socially,” Manzano, 70, told the Daily News. Manzano still cherishes her time on the show, the subject of a new documentary film, “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street,” available now via video on demand.
