Muppets in Moscow: The Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia
Feb 1, 2023
43:02
auto_awesome Snipd AI
Award-winning TV producer Natasha Lance Rogoff shares the challenges and triumphs of bringing Sesame Street to Russian children post-Soviet era. Discusses creating unique Slavic puppets and music for the show, navigating cultural intricacies, and the potential return in a post-Putin era.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Bringing Sesame Street to Russia faced cultural resistance but resulted in Slavic-style Muppets blending tradition and modern storytelling.
Music choices on the Russian Sesame Street reflected cultural clashes, balancing classical pieces with contemporary rock influences.
Deep dives
Challenges Bringing Sesame Street to Russia
Bringing Sesame Street to Russia amidst a post-Soviet Union era presented significant challenges. Natasha Lance Rogoff, tasked with leading the team, faced resistance due to differences in cultural perceptions, with some viewing American Muppets as incompatible with Russian tradition. Overcoming hurdles, including finding suitable broadcasters and sponsors, proved complex in a volatile Russian media landscape.
Cultural Adjustments and Artistic Decisions
The creative team in Russia initially resisted American Muppets, preferring traditional wooden puppets. Negotiations led to the conception of Slavic-style Muppets, blending Russian folklore with modern storytelling. Musical decisions also reflected cultural clashes; while a music director favored classical pieces, efforts to include contemporary rock influences enriched the show's sound and resonated with Russian audiences.
Promoting Values Through Broadcasting
Sesame Street in Russia aimed to promote inclusive values, facing debates on representation and societal change. Discussions on disability representation and inclusivity reflected deeper societal transitions post-Soviet collapse. Natasha shared emotional moments during curriculum seminars, highlighting evolving perspectives on diversity and societal norms.
Impact and Legacy of Ulytsa Sazam
The premiere of Ulytsa Sazam marked a milestone in Russian children's programming, resonating across a broad segment of the former Soviet Union. Despite challenges and risks, the show became a decade-long success, influencing a generation of viewers with its values of inclusivity and community-building. Natasha expresses pride in the enduring impact of the show, fostering positive values in turbulent socio-political landscapes.
Between 1993 and 1997 Natasha Lance Rogoff, award-winning television producer and filmmaker, was the executive producer of Ulitsa Sezam, the Russian adaptation of Sesame Street. She joins us on Intelligence Squared to tell the extraordinary story of her determination to bring entertainment and democratic values to Russian children amid a backdrop of bombings, assassinations and a military pressure. Drawing on her new book, Muppets in Moscow, she shares her unique perspective of Russia’s people, their culture and their complicated relationship with the West. Hosting this discussion is Carl Miller, Research Director at the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think tank, Demos.
...
Did you know that Intelligence Squared offers way more than podcasts? We’ve just launched a new online streaming platform Intelligence Squared+ and we’d love you to give it a go.
It’s packed with more than 20 years’ worth of video debates and conversations on the world’s hottest topics. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch back on-demand totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into for just £14.99 a month. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today.