Life Kit 'We Wanted To Show Children Real Life': Sesame Street's Sonia Manzano
May 31, 2019
Sonia Manzano, known as Maria on Sesame Street for 44 seasons, shares her incredible journey on the show and reflects on how her character mirrored her own milestones, like marriage and motherhood. She discusses the emotional impact of Mr. Hooper’s death and the challenges of addressing loss with children. Sonia also highlights the show's evolution, focusing on the incorporation of Latino culture through authenticity and humor, making it a cherished, inclusive experience for generations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Will Lee's Legacy
- Sonia Manzano fondly remembers Will Lee, Mr. Hooper, as a devoted actor and activist.
- Lee was also James Earl Jones's acting teacher and shared stories about the McCarthy era.
Sesame Street's Realism
- Sesame Street aimed to portray real life, even difficult topics like death.
- Producer Dulcy Singer insisted on addressing Mr. Hooper's death directly, despite initial concerns.
Talking to Kids About Death
- Be honest with children, even about difficult topics like death.
- Honesty comforts children more than euphemisms, echoing Fred Rogers' advice.