Sesame Street Pilot Episodes

Before Sesame Street began regular production, five test pilots were produced and shown to children. In these pilots, the Muppets were kept separate from the street and human cast. Jim Henson was involved in material shot on July 9-18, 1969.Jim Henson's Red Book, 7/9-18/1969 - Tape CTW - Sesame Street. Pilot shows
One recurring series of sketches that appears in these pilots is "The Man from Alphabet." These segments didn't test well, and never appeared on the show as broadcast.
Celebrities appearing in the pilots include James Earl Jones, Carol Burnett, magician James Randi, and the singing group Listen, My Brother. Batman and Superman also make appearances, in animated form.
Among the topics taught in the test pilots include the numbers 2 and 3 and the letters D, W, and R.
Audience testing revealed that kids were more interested in the Muppet and animated segments than in the street segments.Sesame Street Unpaved, David Borgenicht, Hyperion Books, 1998. Because of this, it was decided to have the Muppets appear on the street along with the human cast.
According to Street Gang, it had not been established that Gordon and Susan were a married couple, prompting Joan Ganz Cooney to address her creative team she otherwise allowed great latitude:
==Episode List==
* Sesame Street Test Show 1
* Sesame Street Test Show 2
* Sesame Street Test Show 3
* Sesame Street Test Show 4
* Sesame Street Test Show 5
==Cast==
;Muppets:
:Ernie, Bert, Kermit the Frog, proto-Cookie Monster, Anything Muppets
;Human Cast:
:Bob, Gordon, Susan, Mr. Hooper, Buddy and Jim
;Muppet Performers
:Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Danny Seagren
;Cast
:Will Lee, Loretta Long, Bob McGrath, Garrett Saunders, Brandon Maggart, James Catusi
;Guest Stars
:Batman, Carol Burnett, James Earl Jones, Listen My Brother, Gary Owens, James Randi, Superman
==Gallery==
Henson ernie 1969.jpg|behind the scenes with Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Danny Seagren as the Muppets
SSBehindthescenesBorkenDtv.jpg
99eda94c461ab70f4df3bce9064616f2.jpg
SSPilot-BertErnie-WhatnotTV.jpg
Cooney-berternie.jpg|Joan Ganz Cooney intermingling with Ernie and Bert
Hooper-pilots.jpg|Mr. Hooper at his store during taping of the pilot episodes ()
==Sources==
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Category:Pilots and Pitches
Category:Unfinished Sesame Street Projects