News

Caroll Spinney, Legendary Sesame Street Puppeteer Behind Big Bird And Oscar The Grouch, Dead At 85

December 8, 2019

Photo: JPI

More sorrowful news on Sunday. Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer behind beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch,died today, at the age 85 at his home in Connecticut. Spinney has been suffering from dystonia for quite some time.

For the body of his life’s work, Spinney received many significant honors. He was the recipient of four Daytime Emmy awards, as well as the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, the Library of Congress’ Living Legend Award, two Grammy awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

PhotoL SesameStreetWorkshop

The Sesame Street workshop put on this press release upon his passing: “Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind and loving view of the world helped shape and define Sesame Street from its earliest days in 1969 through five decades, and his legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending. His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world, and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while.

Welcomed to Sesame Street by Jim Henson, Caroll thrived under a mentorship that led to a decades-long great friendship. Caroll’s unparalleled career saw Big Bird visit China with Bob Hope, dance with the Rockettes, be celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a U.S. postage stamp, and named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. A favorite highlight for Caroll was conducting symphony orchestras and performing with them across the United States, Australia, and China, allowing him to personally connect with families everywhere through the music of Sesame Street. Caroll Spinney gave something truly special to the world. With deepest admiration, Sesame Workshop is proud to carry his memory – and his beloved characters – into the future. Our hearts go out to Caroll’s beloved wife, Debra, and all of his children and grandchildren.

Sesame Street co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney said of her longtime colleague and friend, “Caroll Spinney’s contributions to Sesame Street are countless. He not only gave us Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, he gave so much of himself as well. We at Sesame Workshop mourn his passing and feel an immense gratitude for all he has given to Sesame Street and to children around the world.”

Share your thoughts on the passing of Caroll Spinney and his tremendous contribution for bringing to life for children young and old, Big Bird, and Oscar the Crouch and more.

But first, watch Barbara Walters present Spinney with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Up Next

Justin Hartley Scores Supporting Actor In a Drama Series Nod As 25th Annual Critics Choice Nominations Unveiled

Don't Miss

Noted Soap Opera Producer Lisa de Cazotte Has Died; Daytime Community Mourns Her Passing

Click to comment

News

TODAY: The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream

March 24, 2023

As we are just two days away from Y&R officially turning 50, You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel will play host to a very special livestream event celebrating the milestone starting today, Friday March 24th at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.

Joining Michael for an hour of conversation, memories, and fun, will be stars of The Young and the Restless past and present.

Photos: Courtesy/CBS

Scheduled to appear are: Jess Walton (Jill), Tracey Bregman (Lauren), Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Jason Thompson (Billy), Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea), Tricia Cast (ex-Nina) and Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan).

Please join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone in the history of soap operas and for this iconic show.

You will be able to pose questions in the chat as might just be picked to be asked to the stars during the livestream.

If you would like to write a question for any of our guests in the comment section below, please do so well.

You can watch the live celebration below later today, or by clicking on this link.

News

The Young and the Restless Debuts New Opening Title Sequence

March 24, 2023

As a kick off to their 50th anniversary, The Young and the Restless debuted on Thursday’s episode (in the U.S.) their new opening title sequence.

According to a rep from the show, the revised look credits will be the on-going opening of the show, past the bicentennial celebration story arc currently airing on the CBS daytime drama series.

Courtesy/CBS

The new look title sequence adds a downtown and cityscape to Genoa City, including having Jabot, one of GC’s most prominent imminent companies in town, featured atop a building.

In the new sequence, the cast are featured going from black and white – to color in a gold tinge – with a red, seemingly more gothic look, lower-third displaying their names.

Courtesy/CBS

Throughout its 50 years, Y&R’s has delivered some of the most classic opening title sequences in the history of soap opera. How do you think this one stacks up?

Below, check out the first two editions of the new opening title sequences featuring different cast members that aired in Canada, with the second one which includes a tease of the opener of today’s U.S. episode.

Now let us know, if you give the Y&R’s new opening title sequence a thumbs up, thumbs down, or are you neutral on it, via the comment section.

Start at

News

Lauralee Bell’s Lifetime Movie Network Instagram Takeover To Coincide with Y&R’s 50th Anniversary

March 23, 2023

The Young and the Restless’ Lauralee Bell (Christine) will take over Lifetime Movie Network’s Instagram account on Sunday, March 26 to coincide with Y&R’s 50th anniversary on that same day.

Lauralee and Lifetime Movie Network will be posting exclusive videos as well as behind-the-scenes moments from her Lifetime Movie Network appearances as well as moments from Y&R.

To be a part of Bell’s Instagram takeover, start watching Lifetime Movie Network at 2pm on Sunday beginning with Nightmare Tenant, starring Lauralee as Dr. Carol Allen, an empty nester who unwittingly takes in her daughter’s obsessed former schoolmate who is determined to destroy her life.

Then, Mistress Hunter begins at 4pm and stars Bell as Jackie, whose husband has an affair and now she’s fighting for custody of her daughter and hires a mistress hunter to help. Suddenly, Jackie becomes a suspect. Their Killer Affair follows at 6pm.

V.C. Andrews’ Ruby begins at 8pm with Bell as Daphne Dumas, the evil stepmother to Ruby and her sister. The last film in the takeover is V.C. Andrews’ Pearl in the Mist with Lauralee continuing her portrayal the manipulative Daphne.

Will you be following Lauralee’s IG on Sunday, during the actual golden anniversary of Y&R and her LMN performances? Comment below.