Stepping onto the set of Sesame Street for the first time as a director was a surreal experience. My internal mantra, “Creativity happens. Shit happens. Creativity smells better. Use it,” echoed in my mind as I prepared for my first day. Directing for such an iconic show, especially with the beloved Telly Monster involved, brought a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
The day’s schedule included directing three “Word on the Street” (WOS) segments and two longer show segments. The WOS segments were set to feature some well-known faces: actress Claire Danes for the word “Anxious,” comedian Seth Meyers tackling “Greetings,” and actor Zach Braff explaining “Diagram.”
For those unfamiliar, “Word on the Street” is a charming part of Sesame Street where a celebrity and a muppet team up to explain a word, often through a song or a funny skit. The segments are usually simple, shot with a single camera, focusing on the interaction between the celebrity and the muppet within one frame. Directing these segments seemed straightforward, or so I thought.
Having read the script for the “Anxious” segment weeks prior, a thought sparked: there might be room for some subtle, playful creativity. Discovering that Claire Danes would be acting opposite Telly Monster amplified this idea. Danes was known for her intense, anxious roles, particularly in HOMELAND, while Telly Monster is, well, quintessentially Telly – a bundle of lovable, neurotic energy. My initial plan was simple: call “ACTION!”, let them do their thing, and call “CUT!”. Easy peasy, right? This simplicity was actually reassuring on my first day, easing the pressure of potentially making rookie mistakes in front of the entire Sesame Street audience, which felt like every child and parent in America.
The day arrived, and I was meticulously prepared to minimize any missteps. Claire Danes arrived on set, and then, unexpectedly, decided she no longer wanted to do the “Anxious” segment. She preferred a different word.
Suddenly, the set buzzed with commotion. Executives and PR personnel scrambled for phones, whispering urgently. Assistants scurried around, elbows flying. And me? I was trying to manage my rising panic, the kind that makes my eyes cross. Yes, my eyes cross when I’m truly panicking.
The Claire Danes segment was scheduled to be the first shot of the morning. Someone made the call to switch the shooting order. “Let’s start with Seth Meyers,” they said, “give the kid the non-actor first. That’ll buy us time to sort out this Anxious/Danes situation.”
What many might not realize about Seth Meyers is his incredible efficiency. He arrived, nailed two perfect takes, flashed a smile, and was gone. His entire presence in the building lasted about 27 minutes, most of which he probably spent in the elevator.
With Seth’s segment wrapped up, it was decision time regarding the “Anxious” situation. Enter the incredibly funny and accommodating Zach Braff. Without hesitation, he agreed to swap segments with Ms. Danes. He spent maybe five minutes with the new script and then joined Telly Monster on set, ready to go.
We decided to roll the camera during the first read-through. And it was during the second read-through that Zach instinctively tapped into that slightly subversive humor I had initially sensed in the script. Someone on set chuckled. Zach paused, about to correct himself, and that’s when I seized the moment!
Click on the image to witness how we subtly integrated a reference to SE7EN, one of director David Fincher’s darkest masterpieces, into a segment of Sesame Street, America’s most wholesome and lighthearted show, without causing an uproar from kids or parents.
The core lesson from this experience is this: plan thoroughly, but be prepared for things to deviate. More importantly, be receptive to the spontaneous bursts of creativity that inevitably arise. Embrace them. Utilize them.
Years have passed since I directed this WOS segment featuring Telly Monster and Zach Braff, yet I’m confident that each time someone discovers it, they’ll experience a moment of knowing amusement, a wider smile spreading across their face. This little piece of Sesame Street history continues to spark conversation, likes, and shares, creating engagement for years to come.
My sincere gratitude goes to Zach Braff, my Sesame Street bosses, producers, and crew for allowing this newbie director to play and create a memorable, slightly subversive, and ultimately hilarious moment with Telly Monster.
