10 Things You Didn't Know About Sesame Street

Everyone's favorite childhood show turns debuted 42 years ago today. To celebrate we've put together a list of things you may not have known about that most awesome of streets.

1. Oscar The Grouch Was Orange In Season One

But the color was changed to green because the early cameras couldn't capture the color correctly.

2. Kermit The Frog Was On Sesame Street For Many Years

Many people forget that before The Muppet Show, Kermit was one of the main players on Sesame Street.

3. Elmo Is The Only Puppet To Testify Before Congress

He testified before the Education Appropriations Subcommittee in 2002 to argue for more funding for music research and musical instruments for school programs.

4. James Earl Jones Was The First Celebrity Guest On Sesame Street

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He simply counted and said the alphabet.

5. Big Bird is 8'2" Tall

Or 7 inches taller than the tallest NBA player in history (George Mureşan and Manute Bol were each 7'7").

6. The South African Version Of Sesame Street Has An HIV-Positive Muppet Named Kami

The American version of the show considered having one as well, but as of now has not done so.

7. Roosevelt Franklin Was A Popular Early Character, But Was Discontinued

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Some felt he was a negative African-American stereotype.

8. "Sing A Song" Was Originally Going To Be The Show's Theme Song

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Before they settled on "Can You Tell Me How To Get To Sesame Street" theme.

9. Cookie Monster's Real Name Is Sid

He revealed it in 2004.

10. Sesame Street Was Once Sued For $5.5 Million Over Their "Let It Be" Parody "Letter B"

They weren't sued by The Beatles, but by Michael Jackson's music library that had bought the rights to the song. The case was eventually settled for $500.