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Joan Ganz Cooney

Children's Show Creator

"Someone on the US Steel Hour was leaving to go to WGBH in Boston... to an educational station. I said, 'what? There is educational television?' And I knew that I was born to be in educational television. I knew it; it was Saint Paul on the highway."

About This Interview

In her four-and-a-half hour interview for the Archive of American television, Joan Ganz Cooney talks about her early involvement in public television in New York, where she worked as a producer for local station WNET. She  discusses the creation of Children's Television Workshop (CTW), and the academic hurdles she overcame in 1969 to create and produce the internationally acclaimed Sesame Street. She details additional CTW programs like the hugely successful Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, and Square One TV, and discusses several of the lesser-known CTW programs targeted towards adults. The interview was conducted by Shirley Wershba in New York, NY on April 27, 1998.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres

Shows

  • 3-2-1 Contact
  • Best of Families
  • Captain Kangaroo
  • Court of Reason
  • Dateline
  • Electric Company, The
  • Feeling Good
  • Ghostwriter
  • Latin American Health Minutes
  • Muppet Show, The
  • Poverty, Anti-Poverty and the Poor
  • Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
  • Sesame Street
  • Sesame Street: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
  • Square One TV
  • Today
  • Tonight Show, The (1957-1962, aka The Jack Paar Show)
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
  • Your Show of Shows

People

  • Michael Dann
  • Loretta Long
  • Rita Moreno
  • Sheila Nevins
  • Fred Silverman
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Ethel Winant

Topics

  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
  • Emmy Awards
  • Historic Events and Social Change
  • Memorable Moments on Television
  • Pop Culture
  • Technological Innovation
  • Television Industry
  • Television and the Presidency

Genres

  • Children’s Programming
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  • Highlights
  • Chapters
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres

Highlights

  • Joan Ganz Cooney on importance of research in the development of <i>Sesame Street</i><i/> (01m 26s)Joan Ganz Cooney on importance of research in the development of Sesame Street (01m 26s)
  • Joan Ganz Cooney on the use of Muppets on <i>Sesame Street</i>  and initial reaction to the show (02m 00s)Joan Ganz Cooney on the use of Muppets on Sesame Street and initial reaction to the show (02m 00s)
  • Joan Ganz Cooney on the importance of humor in <i>Sesame Street</i> (00m 50s)Joan Ganz Cooney on the importance of humor in Sesame Street (00m 50s)
  • Joan Ganz Cooney on the <i>Sesame Street</i>  episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)

Chapters

  • Chapter 1
  • On her childhood and early influences
  • On religion; on entering the media and on moving to New York and working for RCA and The U.S. Steel Hour
  • Chapter 2
  • On David Sarnoff, William S. Paley, and Pat Weaver
  • On the New York intellectual crowd she spent time with whle in her 20s; on Partisan Review
  • On the beginnings of educational television in New York; on becoming a producer at Channel 13 New York
  • On her early work at Channel 13 and the struggle for the survival of public television
  • Chapter 3
  • On her documentary,  A Chance at the Beginning, the formation of Head Start, and additional work at Channel 13
  • On the documentary format for television
  • On the creation of The Children's Television Workshop
  • Chapter 4
  • On hiring producers for The Children's Television Workshop
  • On bringing Jim Henson onto Sesame Street; on the creation of content for Sesame Street
  • On the creation of Big Bird, Oscar, and bringing in Gordon and Susan; on measuring the success of Sesame Street
  • On the music on Sesame Street and the joys of working with Jim Henson
  • Chapter 5
  • On the research conducted for Sesame Street
  • On Jim Henson and the Muppets on Sesame Street
  • On network interest in Sesame Street, humor and guest stars; on incorporating 
  • On the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983)
  • On the format and topics covered on Sesame Street
  • On other programs she helped develop for the Children's Television Workshop: The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Best of Families, Square One TV
  • Chapter 6
  • On The Electric Company
  • On the formation of the Children’s Television Workshop in 1968 and its incorporation in 1970
  • On the financial structure of the Children’s Television Workshop, Inc.
  • On the international success of Sesame Street
  • Chapter 7
  • On the grant from The Ford Foundation in the 1970s to help fund The Children's Television's Workshop; on cable investments
  • On The Children's Television Workshop's partnership with Atari and investment in theme parks
  • On The Children's Television Workshop's success with licensing; on digital ventures
  • On executive/consultant Mike Dann's contributions and how The Children's Television Workshop handled international productions - particularly those in Israel and Palestine
  • Chapter 8
  • On planning and testing of program to promote reading, The Electric Company
  • On the programs Feeling Good and Latin American Health Minutes
  • On the dramatic series, Best of Families
  • On the science program, 3-2-1 Contact and the math program, Square One TV
  • Chapter 9
  • On the format and funding of the science program, 3-2-1 Contact, on the math program, Square One TV, and on the reading program, Ghostwriter
  • On her reflections on her career and on her personal life
  • On how Sesame Street competes in the new marketplace; on the show's legacy
  • On her personal legacy; on her reflections on people with whom she's worked

Shows

  • 3-2-1 Contact
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the show, 3-2-1 Contact (01m 42s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the science show, 3-2-1 Contact (01m 11s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (07m 04s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the format and funding of the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (02m 28s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the success of 3-2-1 Contact versus that of Square One TV (01m 03s)
  • Best of Families
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the program, Best of Families (01m 18s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on subsidizing the program, Best of Families (01m 22s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the dramatic program, Best of Familie s, a social history of New York at the turn of the 20th century (03m 55s)
  • Captain Kangaroo
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on hiring producers from Captain Kangaroo for Sesame Street (04m 10s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Mike Dann helping her select executive producers from Captain Kangaroo (02m 26s)
  • Court of Reason
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Malcom X's appearance on the public television show, Court of Reason (00m 57s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the public television show, Court of Reason (04m 13s)
  • Dateline
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the documentary format and how she doesn't enjoy Dateline (00m 56s)
  • Electric Company, The
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the show, The Electric Company (01m 26s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the origin of the program to promote reading, The Electric Company (07m 45s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on planning the program to promote reading, The Electric Company (08m 49s)
  • Feeling Good
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on health series for adults, Feeling Good (04m 16s)
  • Ghostwriter
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the program to promote reading, Ghostwriter (01m 36s)
  • Latin American Health Minutes
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Latin American Health Minutes (02m 04s)
  • Muppet Show, The
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson's fear of being typecast as a children's performer (00m 30s)
  • Poverty, Anti-Poverty and the Poor
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her documentary,  Poverty, Anti-Poverty and the Poor (02m 58s)
  • Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on wanting Sesame Street to be a Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In for kids (00m 49s)
  • Sesame Street
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the origin of the name for Sesame Street (01m 55s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the creation of Sesame Street (23m 23s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on importance of research in the development of Sesame Street (01m 28s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the use of Muppets on Sesame Street and initial reaction to the show (02m 00s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the various Muppets on Sesame Street   (02m 39s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the importance of humor in Sesame Street (00m 50s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the international versions of Sesame Street (11m 36s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on how Sesame Street competes in the new marketplace; on the show's legacy (03m 41s)
  • Sesame Street: "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (01m 17s)
  • Square One TV
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the math program, Square One TV for 8-12 year olds (01m 23s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the math program, Square One TV (00m 41s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the math program, Square One TV (04m 04s)
  • Today
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Pat Weaver's creation of and advertising structure on The Tonight Show and Today (01m 16s)
  • Tonight Show, The (1957-1962, aka The Jack Paar Show)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Pat Weaver's creation of and advertising structure on The Tonight Show and Today (01m 16s)
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on getting a job at The U.S. Steel Hour (01m 02s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on publicizing The U.S. Steel Hour (03m 28s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on live television and later taping on The U.S. Steel Hour (03m 14s)
  • Your Show of Shows
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on live television, as on Your Show of Shows (00m 41s)

People

  • David Britt
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on The Children's Television Workshop's David Britt
      (00m 56s)
  • Karen Carpenter
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on The Carpenters popularizing the song, "Sing" from Sesame Street (00m 23s)
  • Dick Cavett
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Dick Cavett hosting 3-2-1 Contact
      (01m 50s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on getting Dick Cavett to host the health program, Feeling Good (00m 59s)
  • Bruce Christensen
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on public television's Bruce Christensen (00m 22s)
  • Dave Connell
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Dave Connell from Captain Kangaroo executive producing for The Children's Television Workshop (06m 02s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on contributing to The Electric Company (07m 15s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Dave Connell's role as producer on the reading program, The Electric Company (02m 57s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Dave Connell's involvement with producing the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (03m 06s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Dave Connell's role producing the math program, Square One TV (04m 04s)
  • Bill Cosby
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on contributing to The Electric Company (00m 58s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on working with Bill Cosby (00m 45s)
  • Michael Dann
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Mike Dann leaving CBS to become an executive at The Children's Television Workshop (00m 24s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Mike Dann helping to find an Executive Producer for The Children's Television Workshop (01m 52s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Mike Dann's involvement with The Children's Television Workshop (00m 29s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Mike Dann's early assistance with The Children's Television Workshop (06m 40s)
  • James Day
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on James Day, who ran local San Francisco PBS station, KQED, and served on the board of The Children's Television Workshop (00m 36s)
  • Paul Dooley
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on The Electric Company's head writer, Paul Dooley (02m 27s)
  • Paul Firstenberg
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on executive Paul Firstenberg's push to sell the company's investments in cable (03m 34s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the end of Paul Firstenberg's term at the Children's Television Workshop (01m 14s)
  • Morgan Freeman
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on contributing to The Electric Company as "Easy Reader" (00m 45s)
  • Louis Friedman
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Louis Friedman and the creation of The Children's Television Network (08m 26s)
  • Fred Friendly
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Fred Friendly's disapproval of an Arabic version of Sesame Street (02m 01s)
  • Sam Gibbon
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on hiring Sam Gibbon from Captain Kangaroo for The Children's Television Workshop (04m 10s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on contributing to The Electric Company (07m 15s)
  • Sam Gibbons
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Sam Gibbons role as producer on the reading program, The Electric Company (00m 55s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Sam Gibbon's involvement with producing the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (04m 04s)
  • Linda Gottlieb
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on hiring Linda Gottlieb and creating show ideas that would make their way into Sesame Street (02m 13s)
  • Jack Gould
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on meeting with New York Times television critic Jack Gould and having him in her corner (01m 06s)
  • Larry Grossman
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on Larry Grossman and his contributions to news and public affairs (00m 38s)
  • Hartford Gunn
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on public television's Hartford Gunn (00m 20s)
  • Jim Henson
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on bringing Jim Henson into The Children's Television Workshop (01m 38s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on meeting Jim Henson (05m 03s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson (01m 13s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the initial lack of female puppeteers on Sesame Street (01m 35s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson's Muppets on Sesame Street (02m 38s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson's request to the run licensing of the Sesame Street Muppets (00m 47s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on a story Jim Henson told her about someone passing on Sesame Street toys to a daughter (00m 23s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on Jim Henson (01m 21s)
  • Will Lee
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)
  • Loretta Long
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Sesame Street's "Susan," Loretta Long (00m 30s)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on how The Children's Television Network was a beacon of hope after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. (00m 44s)
  • Kathy Mendoza
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Kathy Mendoza's involvement with producing the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (00m 58s)
  • Rita Moreno
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on contributing to The Electric Company (00m 58s)
  • Sheila Nevins
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Sheila Nevins' work on the health program, Feeling Good (00m 40s)
  • Frank Oz
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson's Muppets and Frank Oz's puppeteering on Sesame Street
      (02m 38s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her reflections on puppeteer Frank Oz (00m 42s)
  • Joe Raposo
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on bringing in Joe Raposo to do the music on Sesame Street (01m 05s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Joe Raposo's musical genius on Sesame Street (03m 53s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on doing the music for The Electric Company (00m 23s)
  • Matt Robinson
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Sesame Street's original "Gordon," Matt Robinson (00m 30s)
  • William S. Paley
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on William S. Paley, founder of CBS (01m 11s)
  • Carl Sagan
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Carl Sagan's input on the creation of the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (01m 08s)
  • David Sarnoff
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on meeting David Sarnoff and starting at RCA (01m 49s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on David Sarnoff (founder of NBC) and William S. Paley (founder of CBS) (02m 16s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on why David Sarnoff fired Pat Weaver (00m 40s)
  • Fred Silverman
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Fred Silverman helping to find an Executive Producer for The Children's Television Workshop (01m 52s)
  • Frank Sinatra
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Joe Raposo's friendship with Frank Sinatra and taking Sesame Street music mainstream (00m 44s)
  • John Stone
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on hiring John Stone from Captain Kangaroo for The Children's Television Workshop (04m 10s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on John Stone suggesting the stage be a street on what would become Sesame Street (00m 50s)
  • Pat Weaver
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on wanting to work for Pat Weaver at NBC (04m 37s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on why David Sarnoff fired Pat Weaver (00m 40s)
  • Ethel Winant
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on casting agent Ethel Winant's involvement in producing the dramatic program, Best of Families (02m 20s)
  • Malcolm X
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Malcom X (00m 57s)

Topics

  • Choose ..
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her high school teachers that influenced her (05m 26s)
  • Emmy Awards
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her documentary,  Poverty, Anti-Poverty and the Poor and winning an area Emmy for the program (02m 58s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Emmy awards for Sesame Street (00m 55s)
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Civil Rights Movement (c. 1960s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on how The Children's Television Network was a beacon of hope after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. (00m 44s)
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Women
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on how the character of Susan on Sesame Street was problematic for NOW (National Organization for Women) (00m 38s)
    •  Joan Ganz Cooney on the initial lack of female puppeteers on Sesame Street (01m 34s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on being a woman in a male dominated business (02m 25s)
  • Memorable Moments on Television > We Cried
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)
  • Pop Culture
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the pop culture phenomenon of the Talking Big Bird toy - a sample of what was to come with the Tickle Me Elmo mania (01m 00s)
  • Technological Innovation
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on color television (00m 24s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on struggling public TV stations -relegated to the undesirable UHF (Ultra High Frequency) range of the broadcast spectrum (00m 43s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on The Children's Television Workshop's investments in cable systems (02m 14s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the online services of The Children's Television Workshop and the digital channel in the works with Nickelodeon (02m 58s)
  • Television Industry > Criticism of TV
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the use of Muppets on Sesame Street and initial reaction to the show (02m 02s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the criticism of the health series for adults, Feeling Good (02m 13s)
  • Television and the Presidency > Kennedy
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on a program she produced on Cuba shortly before the Cuban Missile Crisis (01m 13s)

Genres

  • Children’s Programming
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Louis Friedman and the creation of The Children's Television Network (12m 53s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the creation of Sesame Street (30m 45s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the use of Muppets on Sesame Street and initial reaction to the show (02m 43s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the importance of humor in Sesame Street (00m 06s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the Sesame Street episode following actor Will Lee's death,  "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" (airdate: November 24, 1983) (01m 16s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the international versions of Sesame Street (11m 36s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on Joan Ganz Cooney on Jim Henson's request to run licensing of the Sesame Street Muppets (00m 47s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the reading program, The Electric Company (08m 49s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the math program, Square One TV (07m 04s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (00m 41s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the science program, 3-2-1 Contact (02m 28s)
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the program to promote reading, Ghostwriter (01m 36s)
  • Choose ..
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the math program, Square One TV (04m 04s)
  • Drama Series
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on The Golden Age of Television (01m 02s)
  • News and Documentary
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on the importance of documentaries (07m 23s)
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Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2012-01-24 23:05.

i love jgc!!!!! <3

Submitted by raggedyanarchist on Thu, 2010-11-11 06:30.

That "The show will never be owned by a single talent" was non-negotiable, Kevin Clash / Elmo.

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