Loretta Long

Performer

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her one-and-a-half-hour Archive interview, Loretta Long talks about her role as "Susan" on the classic children's series Sesame Street, which she had played continuously for the entire 35-year run of the show up to the time of the interview. Long describes her early years growing up on a farm and having aspirations for a life in show business. She talks about entering the work force as a substitute teacher while she auditioned for acting parts in New York City. She briefly describes her early work in local television, including Soul!, an African-American variety series she co-hosted, which indirectly led her to Sesame Street. Regarding Sesame Street, she vividly describes her audition (during which she sang, "I'm a Little Teapot") and talks about the earliest years of the series. She describes the ethnic diversity of Sesame Street and the role of the National Association of Woman (NOW) in getting more attention placed on her character. Finally, Long speaks about pursuing her PhD in Education, while still appearing on the show. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 21, 2004 at the Sesame Workshop in New York, New York.

"'Sesame Street' wasn't Dick and Jane's old neighborhood with the picket fence. That intrigued me."

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On her early life and influences; on the first time she saw television, and early shows she watched; on her experience as a grade school teacher

On auditioning for Bob Fosse to be in "Sweet Charity"; on appearing in some commercials and on her debut in the variety series Soul!

On how she came to be cast as "Susan" on Sesame Street; on how she came to be cast as "Susan" on Sesame Street; on her parents reaction to her taking a job on Sesame Street

Chapter 2

On PBS' coverage around the country at the time Sesame Street started, and on spreading the word about the show; on the first few days of filming Sesame Street, and on cast members Will Lee as "Mr. Hooper", Bob McGrath as "Bob", and Matt Robinson as "Gordon"; on her character, "Susan," on Sesame Street

On Roscoe Orman taking over the character of "Gordon," and on the adoption storyline on Sesame Street; on the Sesame Street episode "Farewell, Mr. Hooper"; on working with The Muppets on Sesame Street, and on working with "Big Bird" specifically

On working with Jim Henson as "Kermit", and on working with various other of the Muppets; on pursuing her doctorate while still appearing on Sesame Street

Chapter 3

On the curriculum goals of Sesame Street, on the diversity of the cast, and on how the show impacts viewers; on the various issues that Sesame Street has taken on over the years, and on the cultural impact of the show; on the directors of Sesame Street, and on the special guest stars

On guest-starring on shows other than Sesame Street, and appearing on talk shows like The Dick Cavett Show; on how Sesame Street has changed since she began

On the importance that she keep working on Sesame Street, and her then-current outside projects; on the power of television, and on the impact that her character of "Susan" on Sesame Street has had on black television characters; on advice to aspiring actors, and how she'd like to be remembered

Shows

Dick Cavett Show, The

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Loretta Long on guest-starring on shows other than Sesame Street, and appearing on talk shows like The Dick Cavett Show

03:08

Sesame Street

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Loretta Long on how she came to be cast as "Susan" on Sesame Street