Sesame Street

Sesame Street

Louise Gold featured as a puppeteer in the early 1990s, from around 1991 to 1995, more or less (see note below), produced by The Children’s Television Workshop, taped at Teletape Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York. Probably Seasons 23 (episodes 2876 to 3005), Season 24 (episodes 3006 to 3135), and Season 25 (episodes 3136 to 3265), and possibly Season 26 (episodes 3166 to 3395), and Season 27 (episodes 3396 to 3525).

In the early 1990s Sesame Street, shortly after the sad loss of The Master (Jim Henson); acquired a temporary addition to it’s puppeteering team in the form of “The English Muppet” Louise Gold.

Note, it does not seem to be quite clear exactly when Ms Gold was working on Sesame Street, most sources and people seem to suggest it was from 1991 for two or three seasons, perhaps 23, 24, and 25. However, a newspaper interview in Leicester towards the end of 1994 specifically mentions Ms Gold as delaying a stint on Sesame Street in order that she could spend the 1994 Christmas season appearing on stage in a production of Calamity Jane.

Please note that this page is not meant to be in any way a comprehensive reflection of Sesame Street as a whole (there are several other sites on the web to do that), or even in the early 1990s. It is purely an attempt to detail those sketches on which Ms Gold performed, and who else worked on those sketches.

Cast (During the Early 1990s only)

Puppeteers (The dates indicate when a particular puppeteer worked on Sesame Street, if known)

Pam Arciero

Camille Bonora (1985-1997)

Fran Brill – as: The Countess’s Mother, Praire Dawn, and other assorted characters

Lisa Buckley (1970-92)

Julianne Buescher (1991)

Tyler Bunch (199? to 200? – uncredited)

Kevin Clash – Boy at Lunchtime,

R. Bruce Connelly (1990-)

Alice Dinnean Vernon (1993-2002)

Dave Goelz (occasionally 1992-93)

Louise Gold – as: A Bookworm, Charming, A Diva, The Countess (von Backwards), Ethel Mermaid, Frazzle’s Mom, A Girl Who Needs Help, Louisey, The Princess With The Pea, Prunella The Grouch, Renata Scottie Dog The Loudest Singer In The World, and other assorted characters

John Kennedy (199? to 2001)

Peter Linz (1993 – 1999)

Rick Lyon – A Bookworm’s tail assistant, Al (of Alphabet Garage)’s righthand

Noel MacNeal (1986-)

Jim Martin (1986-)

Joey Mazzarino (1991-)

Kathryn Mullen (Early 1980s, and Early 1990s)

Jerry Nelson – as: Al of Al’s Alphabet Garage, The Count, Frazzle, Herry Monster, Phil Harmonic and other assorted characters

Carmen Osbahr (1991-)

Frank Oz (1969 to 2000)

Marty P Robinson (197?-)

David Rudman (1985-)

Judy Sladky (1986-2001)

Carroll Spinney – as Big Bird, Oscar The Grouch, and other assorted characters

Steve Whitmire (1993-2002)

Bryant Young (1971-)

Regular Live Actors

Savion Glover – as Savion

Sonia Manzano – as Maria

Also:

Roscoe Orman – as Gordon Robinson

Loretta Long – as Susan Robinson

Emilio Delgado – as Luis

Ruth Buzzi – as Ruthie

Alison Bartlett – as Gina Jefferson

Linda Bove – as Linda

Bob McGrath – as Bob Johnson

Annette Calud – as Celina

David L. Smyrl – as Mr Handford

Cameo Role Actors

Louise Gold – as Bootsy The Lost Kitten’s Owner.

Production Team

Executive Producer – Dulcy Singer

Coordinating Producer – Arlene Sherman

Associate Producers – Karin Young Shiel, and, Carol D. Meyers

Producer – Lisa Simon

Assistant To Producers – Danette DeSena

Directed by – Lisa Simon, and, Jon Stone

Head Writer – Norman Stiles

Writers – Sara Crompton, Judy Freudberg, Tony Geiss, Ian Ellis James, Emily Perl Kingsley, David Korr, Cathi Rosenberg-Turow, Mark Saltzman, Nancy Sans, Luis Santerio, Josh Selig, Jon Stone, and, Belinda Ward

Muppet Co-Ordinator – Kevin Clash

Music Coordinator – Danny Epstein

Associate Music Director – Dave Conner

Production Supervisor – Frieda Lipp

Editing Supervisor – Robert J. Emerick

Associate Directors – Cher Jung, and, Diane P. Mitchell

Production Designer – Victor Di Napoli

Costume Designers – Bill Kellard, and, Terry Robertson

Graphic Designer – Mike Pantuso

Set Decorator – Nat Mongioi

Art Director – Bob Phillips

Production Stage Managers – Ric E. Anderson, Chet O’Brien, and, Chuck Raymond

Stage Manager – Chuck Raymond, and, Rose Riggins

Curriculum Coordinator – Diane P. Mitchell

Production Assistants – Leslie Brothers, Tim Carter, Christine Ferraro, Gabrielle Howard, Cher Jung, Ruth Luwisch, Carol-Lynn Parente, and, Nina Shelton

Script Coordinator – Thelma Moses

Children’s Casting – Kim J. Wilson

Unit Manager – Eleanor McIntosh

Technical Director - Ralph Mensch

Lighting Director – Bill Berner

Sound Effects – Dick Maitland

Audio – Blake Norton, and, Tim Lester

Video - Dick Sens

Cameras – Frank Biondo, and, Dave Driscoll

Videotape Editor – Evamarie Keller, Linda M. Long, and, John R. Tierney

Electronic Maintenance – Rolf Wahl

Make-Up - Lee Halls

Hair Stylist – Karen Specht

Wardrobe – Colleen Roe

Vice President, Production Research – Bettina Peel

Assistant Vice President Production Research – Valeria Lovelace, Phd

Vice President for Research – Keith W. Miekle Phd

Chairman Board Of Advisors – Gerald S. Lesser Phd

Vice President for Production – Franklin Getchell

Facilities by – Unitel Video Inc

The lists below are incomplete. If anyone can help with any further information on the gaps please contact the webmaster

Sesame Street Songs And Sketches Involving Louise Gold (this list Is Incomplete)

Songs And Sketches Definitely Involving Louise Gold

Al’s Alphabet Repair: Non-Jumping J – featuring Jerry Nelson (assisted by Rick Lyon) as Al, and, Louise Gold as the Lady J Owner (1991) {performers for this skit according to RL}

Monsterpiece Theatre Presents: Anyone’s Nose (a parody of the title song from Anything Goes) – starring Louise Gold, with Jerry Nelson (as Herry Monster), Kevin Clash (as Elmo), and, Marty Robinson (as Telly) as her backing singers.

The Ballad Of The Sad Cafe – including Louise Gold (singer of 2^nd of 3 verses) {She is credited on the Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown album, and it sounds likely}

Fairy Tales Today: The Princess And The Pea – starring Fran Brill as Prarie Dawn, and, Louise Gold as The Princess {it’s in her resume}

I Am Chicken – starring Louise Gold as a Chicken (1991) {credited on the Born To Add album, sounds likely too}

I Can Sing Anything When I Sing With You – starring Louise Gold as Louisey and Jerry Nelson as Herry Monster (1992) {Confirmed RL, it was written for them}

I Get A Kick Out Of U – starring Louise Gold as Ethel Mermaid (1991) {It’s totally obvious, and anyway it’s in her resume}

Nestrapolitan Opera Presents: Charmin’ – starring Louise Gold as Charmin’ (singing about the joys of a fax machine!), with Jerry Nelson as Phil Haromic

Prunella The Grouch Visits (in Episode 3119) – starring Carroll Spinney as Oscar and Louise Gold as Prunella (Oscar’s British cousin)

Episode 3120: Sally Messy Yuckyael - Louise Gold did a cameo acting appearance as Bootsy The Kitten’s owner: Apparently she also puppeteered Sally Messy Yuckyael

Songs And Sketches Louise Gold May Have Puppeteered On (There is some debate about these ones)

A Song For Two Will Make Us One – starring Louise Gold as a Girl Who Needs Help and Jerry Nelson as Herry Monster

A Tall Tale – starring Kevin Clash as Elmo, Jerry Nelson as Noel Cowherd, and, Fran Brill as Polly Darton, with Louise Gold as one of the background puppeteers/backing vocalists

Biff Gets His Thumb Caught In A Bowling Ball – starring Jerry Nelson as Biff, with Louise Gold as Celeste (Biff’s wife)

Frazzle Goes To The Dentist – starring Jerry Nelson as Frazzle, and, Louise Gold as Frazzle’s Mom, with David Rudman as The Dentist {Seems very likely given the cockney accent}

I Could Have Counted All Night – starring Louise Gold as The Countess, Jerry Nelson as The Count, with Fran Brill as The Countess’s Mother {The album The Count’s Countdown credits Louise Gold as singing The Countess, however, Muppet fan TW says this is a mistake and that Julianne Buescher puppeteered it with Fran Brill’s vocals. The puppetry just can’t be Ms Gold’s – but the concensus among the puppeteers is that she probably sang it on the album).

I’m A Bookworm Baby – (According to RL) Louise Gold (assisted by Rick Lyon) puppeteered a Bookworm number, RL reckons it could have been this one. {Other internet sources credit Ivy Austen as the Lead Singer, and your webmaster watched the number and concluded it isn’t LG’s singing, even if could her puppeteering. Muppet Fan TW is sure it’s LG’s puppeteerings}

The Job Song - This was mistakenly identified by a Muppet fan as one of Louise Gold’s, but to those familiar with her puppetry is CLEARLY IS NOT.

Monsterpiece Theatre Presents: Inside And Outside (a parody of Tonight from West Side Story) – starring Louise Gold and Jerry Nelson with two other puppeteers as cats.

Near And Far – starring Louise Gold (Muppet fan TW says this starred Louise Gold and Marty Robinson)

Nestrapolitan Opera Presents: A Diva Singing/Rehearsing The Alphabet (1991) – starring Louise Gold as A Diva {according to Muppet Wiki}

Some Enchanted Lunchtime – starring Kevin Clash and Louise Gold {Both your webmaster and Muppet Fan TW reckon it’s Louise Gold’s puppetry and voice}

Something Always Comes Between Us {some Muppet fans seem to think Louise Gold and Jerry Nelson did it, some don’t. Your webmaster thinks its possible but isn’t sure. while RL reckons it is probably Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Marty Robinson}

There’s Nothing We Women Can’t Be {Tiny Dancer’s website seems to think Louise Gold was one of the women, however it DEFINTITLY IS NOT, because the song was done in 1974 nearly 20 years before Louise Gold’s stint on Sesame Street}

Wouldn’t It Be Yucky (a parody of Wouldn’t It Be Luverly) – sung by Louise Gold as Prunella The Grouch and, Caroll Spinney as Oscar The Grouch. (According to Muppet Wiki)

Louise Gold’s Sesame Street Characters (this list is probably incomplete)

Definite

A Bookworm (with Rick Lyon as her assistant puppeteer) {Well she definitely did a bookworm, RL}

A Chicken

One of the Ballad Singers (in The Ballad Of The Sad Cafe)

Charming – an opera star who loves her fax machine

Ethel Mermaid – ostensibly a parody of Ethel Merman, but in fact she was not dissimilar to a certain notable West End actress sometimes described as “An English Ethel Merman”’s, when performing a Merman role.

J Owner (who’s J won’t Jump)

Louisey – an orange-haired muppet who is clearly named after Louise Gold herself, as she and Jerry Nelson can sing anything when they sing together.

The Princess (in The Princess And The Pea)

Prunella The Grouch (Oscar’s British cousin)

Renata Scottie Dog (The Most Famous Dog Opera Singer In The World)

Diva LaDiva (The Loudest Singer In The World) – well what else would you have a very loud singing-puppeteer do?

Possible

A Diva (who rehearses the alphabet)

A Girl Who Needs Help (to sing a great song for two people)

Anyone’s Nose Singer (a loud singer who sings Anyone’s Nose)

Celeste (Biff’s wife – when Biff gets his thumb caught in a bowling ball)

The Countess (probably Countess von Backwards in I Could Have Counted All Night, she can’t have puppeteered it, but did she sing it? – the consunsus among the puppeteers is that she probably sang it, at least on the album)

Frazzle’s Mother – when Frazzle goes to the dentist.

Roxanne (Cyranose DeBergerac’s beau)

Sally Messy Yuckyael (a grouchy chat-show host in the episode of the same title)

For a fuller account and reviews of many of the Sesame Street sketches listed above (including notes on the evidence as to who may or may not have performed on them), please click here.

As a Sesame Street puppeteer Louise Gold has sung on several Sesame Street albums.

Pam Arcerio, Camille Bonora, Fran Brill, Kevin Clash, Louise Gold, Peter Linz, Rick Lyon, Noel MacNeil, Jim Martin, Joey Mazzarino, Jerry Nelson, Carman Osbahr, Frank Oz, and, Marty P. Robinson’s Sesame Street recording credits include Born To Add, for which Norman Stiles, Tony Geiss, and, Cathi Rosenberg-Turrow wrote material; and on which Danny Epstein, Dave Conner, and, Ruth Luwisch also worked.

Pam Arcerio, Fran Brill, Kevin Clash, Louise Gold, Jim Martin, Joey Mazzarino, Jerry Nelson, Carman Osbahr, Frank Oz, Marty P. Robinson, David Rudman, Caroll Spinney’s Sesame Street recording credits include Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown, for which Norman Stiles, Tony Geiss, David Korr, and, Josh Selig wrote material; and on which Danny Epstein, and, Dave Conner also worked.

Pam Arcerio, Camille Bonora, Fran Brill, Kevin Clash, Louise Gold, Peter Linz, Rick Lyon, Noel MacNeil, Jim Martin, Joey Mazzario, Jerry Nelson, Marty P. Robinson’s Sesame Street recording credits may include The Count’s Coutndown, for which Norman Stiles, Tony Geiss, Emily Pearl Kingsley, and, Belinda Ward wrote material; and on which Danny Epstein, and, Dave Conner also worked. However, there has been some debate as to whether Louise Gold sang on this album, although she is listed in the sleeve notes. See list of possible songs and sketches above.

In addition, besides performing I Get A Kick Out Of U on Sesame Street, Louise Gold has sung that song in her singer-actresses’s guise in Anything Goes (Stage Show), and indeed recorded it on Anything Goes (Recording) – Website Recommended Album. Indeed her recording of the proper version of that song can also be found on: Cole Porter – Night And Day, The Best Of Broadway Musicals, The Greatest Musicals Of The 20^th Century, and, The Great Musicals – Glamour And Majesty; and an excerpt is included on The History Of The Musical.

Besides possibly performing I Could Have Counted All Night, and Wouldn’t It Be Yucky on Sesame Street, Louise Gold had previously played a servant in a production of My Fair Lady.

Pam Arcerio, Camille Bonora, Fran Brill, Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Marty P. Robinson, David Rudman, Caroll Spinney, and, Steve Whitmire had previously been among the Muppeteers who took part in Jim Henson’s Memorial Service; as did the writer Jon Stone.

Camille Bonora, Kevin Clash, Louise Gold, Marty P. Robinson, David Rudman, and, Steve Whitmire had previously puppeteered on The Tale Of The Bunny Picnic.

Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, David Rudman, and, Steve Whitmire had previously puppeteered on Labyrinth.

Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer on Muppet Treasure Island.

Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, and, Steve Whitmire’s recording credits include Muppet Music Sampler, and, Muppet Music Mix.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, and, Steve Whitmire had been among the eight main puppeteers on The Muppet Show; As such their recording credits include: The Muppet Show Music Album, The Great Muppet Caper (Soundtrack album); John Denver And The Muppets A Christmas Together, John Denver & The Muppets Merry Christmas 45RPM, Muppet Hits 1, Muppet Hits 2, Christmas For Kids, John Denver Christmas, and, Music Mayhem And More; They also puppeteered together on The Muppets Go To The Movies; and featured on the documentary Of Muppets And Men.

As major puppeteers from The Muppet Show, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold had appeared on The Royal Variety Performance (1977); their recording credits include The Muppet Show Music Hall, The Muppet Show 2, For What It’s Worth, and, Jim Henson Present’s Silly Songs.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Caroll Spinney, and, Steve Whitmire had previously puppeteered on The Great Muppet Caper. Their recording credits include Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, and, Steve Whitmire had previously puppeteered on The Dark Crystal, which Jerry Nelson did voice-work on.

Jerry Nelson, and, Dave Goelz did voices for the international Fraggle Rock, on which Louise Gold puppeteered.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, David Rudman, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer on The Muppet Christmas Carol; they also sang on it’s soundtrack, The Muppet Christmas Carol (Soundtrack Album).

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Secret Life Of Toys.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz made an appearance as a guest puppeteer.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, John Kennedy, Jerry Nelson, David Rudman, and, Steve Whitmire’s recording credits include A Green And Red Christmas.

Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and, Steve Whitmire had previously appeared in “a burlesque show with some of the Muppet-company”.

Louise Gold, and, Jerry Nelson’s recording credits include Jerome Kern – The First 100 Years.

Louise Gold, and, Marty P Robinson had previously puppeteered on Spitting Image.

Critics Comments

Links about Sesame Street

Children’s Television Workshop, Sesame Street site: http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/

Tibby’s Bowl/ Muppet Central Interview with Louise Gold (needless to say Sesame Street is mentioned in the interview – in particular the characters of Renata Scottie Dog, and, Ethel Mermaid) http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/gold.shtml

Tiny Dancer’s Sesame Street Site: http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_Dancer/sesame1.html (see also: http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_Dancer/chicken.html , http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_Dancer/getakick.html , http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_Dancer/enchant.html , and possibly: , http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_Dancer/callingu.html )

Muppet Wiki: Sesame Street Index: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Sesame_Street Season’s index: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Sesame_Street_Seasons, and pages for :

Particular Characters: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Sesame_Street_Characters , http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Ethel_Mermaid , http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Prunella_the_Grouch , http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Countess_von_Backwards , http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Anyone%27s_Nose_singer

And Ms Gold’s cameo acting appearance: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_3120 , http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Miscellaneous_Cameos , and, http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Louise3120.jpg

Wikipedia’s list of Sesame Street Puppeteers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sesame_Street_puppeteers (credits Louise Gold as puppeteering 1990 to 1992, it seems that may not be entirely correct)

TV.Com’s page for the programme: http://www.tv.com/sesame-street/show/887/cast.html

A Fanpage All About Sesame Street: http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/tvo2/sesamestreet.html

Muppet Central Thread: http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=19304

Boober’s Sesame Street Database: http://boobergorg.tripod.com/ (well that was the link given on the Muppet Central Thread), it should actually be: http://boobergorg.tripod.com/sketchindex.html

Punch And Jewlry’s List (the original internet guide for Muppet productions): http://www.punchandjewelry.com/legacy/sueguide.txt

Rick Lyon’s Sesame Street Page: http://www.lyonpuppets.com/sesame.html

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