Telly Monster, the anxiety-ridden but lovable Muppet from Sesame Street, is a character many viewers have grown up with. Known for his obsessive tendencies and bright pink fur, Telly’s evolution from a minor character to a central figure on the show is an interesting piece of Sesame Street history. Initially, Telly’s defining trait was his intense fascination with television, a detail that was quite prominent in his early appearances.
In these initial scenes, Telly was often depicted watching TV with unwavering focus. Interestingly, the presentation often showed him from a side angle, seemingly emphasizing his captivated gaze at the screen. One might expect to see what he was seeing on TV, perhaps even the back of the television set itself to highlight his immersion. However, viewers were often shown the television screen directly, which, in retrospect, might have been a missed opportunity to further accentuate Telly’s perspective and perhaps offer more varied visual gags related to his TV watching.
A significant shift in Telly’s portrayal likely occurred around Sesame Street’s tenth or eleventh season. Brian Meehl, a talented puppeteer, stepped into the role of performing Telly. According to Meehl himself, his involvement began in the latter part of season ten. This raises the possibility that the Telly seen in season ten episodes might already exhibit traits of the character we recognize today, or perhaps it was a gradual transition. It’s even speculated that Meehl may have been present on set during earlier Telly scenes, possibly performing other characters like Barkley, who notably shared a scene with Telly in Barkley’s debut.
Adding to the intrigue, archives at the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) reportedly contain program guides that hint at Telly’s activities in season ten. One guide mentions Telly and Bob participating in exercises. This detail sparks curiosity: Was this the emerging Telly personality taking shape, or was the scene depicting them watching an exercise program on television, staying true to his original TV-centric persona? The possibilities highlight the evolving nature of the character during this period.
The circumstances surrounding this transition are also noteworthy. There’s a fascinating anecdote about a time when Caroll Spinney, the legendary performer for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, was unable to tape a scheduled episode. Due to production timelines, instead of postponing, the Sesame Street team apparently made a rather significant decision. They essentially repurposed Telly, giving him a revised personality and a new performer (Brian Meehl), effectively placing him in a role that might have initially been intended for Big Bird.
While this might seem like a drastic measure, it’s conceivable that this pivotal moment shaped the Telly Monster we know and love today. Without this substitution, Telly’s character development might have taken a different trajectory, or he might not have become the prominent character he is now. It even prompts speculation about whether footage of the original, more TV-fixated Telly would have ever surfaced in retrospective specials like “40 Years of Sunny Days” or included in episode releases, had he not evolved into a major character.
The urgency to film the episode on that specific day likely stemmed from budgetary considerations. Having cast and crew already on set meant that rescheduling would incur additional costs. Since Brian Meehl was reportedly present as the sole puppeteer that day, it suggests pre-existing plans for him to contribute segments. This context makes the decision to reshape Telly and proceed with filming under Meehl’s performance seem like a pragmatic solution.
Further insights from Brian Meehl reveal that after the initial concept for Telly was phased out, the puppet was briefly utilized as a generic monster, even appearing as the Two-Headed Monster’s mother. This “utility monster” phase was short-lived before Meehl infused the character with his now-signature personality. It’s believed this transformation largely occurred around season eleven, with Telly solidifying his position as a major character by season twelve. A season 12 press release even refers to him as a “new character,” which, while potentially referring to his elevated status, adds another layer to the narrative of his evolution. It’s unlikely that Telly’s segment in episode 1446, for example, was originally conceived for Big Bird, especially considering the next episode prominently featured Telly alongside other Muppets and performers beyond just Brian Meehl, who attributes getting the role to being the only available performer that day.
Pinpointing the exact episode where Meehl’s portrayal of Telly first aired remains a challenge. Unless comprehensive access to Sesame Street episodes from seasons 10 and 11 becomes available, or detailed episode guides surface, the precise moment of this character shift might remain elusive. Perhaps Brian Meehl himself retains a memory of this landmark episode. Until then, the early days of Telly Monster on Sesame Street remain a fascinating area of speculation and exploration for fans of the show.
