About
"Joe Raposo's description of everything we do was, 'we don't play down to kids. We just have a very short audience.'"
In his 75-minute interview, Danny Epstein (1925-2010) talks about his 35-year association with Sesame Street as manager of the show's music services department. Epstein, a founding member of the series creative team, speaks of his service to the show, which began under the guiding force of composer Joe Raposo. Epstein discusses his early years deciding on a musical career, and tells of his pre-Sesame Street association with Joe Raposo and Jim Henson. He details several production aspects of the series' initial five pilots and describes how during the early years of the show he was told to "keep his day job" since the series' future was uncertain. Epstein talks about the research that went into the show, the so-called "Madison Avenue format" of 30 and 60-second pieces, and the relationship between the research and music departments. He explains the stories behind several of the most well-known songs on the show, including the series' theme song, "Bein' Green," "Sing," and "Rubber Duckie." Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 20, 2004 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Danny Epstein on the Sesame Street hit song "Rubber Duckie"
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on Joe Raposo writing the Sesame Street hit song "Sing"
Danny Epstein on the Sesame Street hit song "People In Your Neighborhood"
Danny Epstein on the legacy of Sesame Street
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his early interest in music and attending Juilliard; on playing in Broadway symphonies
On his early memories of television; on meeting Joe Raposo and Jim Henson and playing music for Henson's television appearances and commercials
On the five pilot programs and original plan for Sesame Street; on changes to the original set
On joining the NBC house band; on being in the NBC studio when man walked on the moon
On the beginning of his association with Sesame Street; on Joe Raposo and his musical style
On the theme song to Sesame Street
Chapter 2
On the theme song to Sesame Street, contd.; on his responsibilities on the show; on the musical talents of the cast
On the process for creating songs for Sesame Street; on "Being Green," "Sing," and other Sesame Street hit songs; on union negotiations
On music/songs that were rejected on Sesame Street; on working with the characters/cast members and guest stars
Chapter 3
On performing at The Hollywood Bowl
On the music catalog from Sesame Street; on the popularity of the song "Sing" from Sesame Street; on how the program has changed over the years
On working with Joan Ganz Cooney; on the success and legacy of Sesame Street
On the music he listens to; on advice to aspiring music professionals who want to work in television
Shows
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Danny Epstein on he and Joe Raposo playing music for Jim Henson on his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Danny Epstein on winning Emmys for Music Direction for Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street, contd.
Danny Epstein on his responsibilities on Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the musical talent of the Sesame Street cast
Danny Epstein on the process for creating songs for Sesame Street (and the creation of "Being Green," "Sing," "Rubber Duckie" and other hit songs)
Danny Epstein on popular songs from Sesame Street ("Doin' The Pigeon," "People In Your Neighborhood," "One of These Things," "Monster In the Mirror")
Danny Epstein on music/songs that were rejected on Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on working with guest stars on Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the five pilot programs and original plan for Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the beginning of his association with Sesame Street and the research that went into creating Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on popular music of the day influencing the music on Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the library of music from Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on how Sesame Street has changed over the years
Danny Epstein on winning Emmys for Music Direction for Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the success of Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on the legacy of Sesame Street
Topics
Advice
Danny Epstein on advice to aspiring music professionals who want to work in television
Emmy Awards
Danny Epstein on winning Emmys for Music Direction for Sesame Street
Historic Events and Social Change
Danny Epstein on being in the NBC studio when man walked on the moon
Moon Landing
Danny Epstein on being in the NBC studio when man walked on the moon
Pop Culture
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street, contd.
Danny Epstein on the Sesame Street hit song "Rubber Duckie"
Danny Epstein on Joe Raposo writing the Sesame Street hit song "Sing"
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street
Television Industry
Danny Epstein on advice to aspiring music professionals who want to work in television
TV Theme Songs
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street, contd.
Danny Epstein on the theme song to Sesame Street
Genres
Children's Programming
Danny Epstein on the hit songs of Sesame Street and working with the cast
Danny Epstein on the beginning of his association with Sesame Street and the research that went into creating Sesame Street; on the music on the show
Danny Epstein on the success and legacy of Sesame Street
Commercials
Danny Epstein on he and Joe Raposo playing music for Jim Henson for his commercial appearances
People
Kevin Clash
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Kevin Clash
Joan Ganz Cooney
Danny Epstein on working with Joan Ganz Cooney
Jim Henson
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Jim Henson
Danny Epstein on he and Joe Raposo meeting Jim Henson and playing music for Henson's television appearances and commercials
Loretta Long
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Loretta Long
Bob McGrath
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Bob McGrath
Frank Oz
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Frank Oz
Joe Raposo
Danny Epstein on the process for creating songs for Sesame Street
Danny Epstein on meeting Joe Raposo
Danny Epstein on Joe Raposo and his musical style
Danny Epstein on the popularity of the song "Sing" from Sesame Street
Caroll Spinney
Danny Epstein on working with the characters/cast members of Sesame Street - Carroll Spinney
Jon Stone
Danny Epstein on meeting soon-to-be Sesame Street producer Jon Stone