Photos: What I learned on the set of 'Sesame Street'

Whitney Matheson

USA TODAY

Yep, I can tell you how to get to 'Sesame Street'; it's in Astoria, N.Y.

Where would I be without Big Bird, Grover, Bert and Ernie?

OK, so perhaps I still would've learned to share, count and be kind without those guys. But, like millions of others, I'm fully aware of the positive impact Sesame Street had on my young brain. So imagine my excitement when I was able to visit the set of the long-running series.

Several months ago I watched the children's program film an episode for its 45th season (holy moly), which debuts Sept. 15. To my delight, the ep I witnessed revolved around "Numeric Con," a number-themed Comic-Con spoof featuring such geek-inspired characters as "Doctor Two," "Cap-ten Kirk," "Fiverine" and the "Green Fournet."

Next season's special guests include Zach Galifianakis, Jonah Hill, Mindy Kaling, Lupita Nyong'o and first lady Michelle Obama. While we're waiting for it to arrive, below are a few things I learned from spending a day on Sesame Street:

1. It's shot steps away from Orange Is the New Black.Sesame Street is filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios, home to several movies and TV shows. On the day I visited, Nurse Jackie also was shooting — I saw a few folks rush by in scrubs — but I thought it was particularly hilarious that OITNB films there as well. Ah, to be a fly on the wall when Elmo and Big Boo share an elevator ...

2. The set is super-tiny. Most TV sets are smaller than one would expect, but I was surprised by the intimacy of Sesame Street. The layout uses virtually every inch of space. What's crazy is I was told the show used to shoot on an even smaller set, and the current one is considered rather roomy.

This photo was snapped on the set of 'Sesame Street' the day the 'Numeric Con' episode was shot.

3. There's magic in the details. The art department really works overtime on this show, even putting effort into details that rarely show up on camera. In Hooper's Store, I noticed every product on the shelves is customized. Even a stack newspapers has clever fake headlines ("Mayor to seek tax on air. Balloons outraged!"), which were mainly designed to amuse the crew.

A shot of products in Hooper's Store on the set of 'Sesame Street.'

A stack of fake newspapers on the set of 'Sesame Street.'

4. Puppets have their own touch-up team. While someone is on hand to powder human cast members' noses, the set also includes a table for puppet costuming, props and repair. After all, they're the real stars here.

A costumer works on a puppet's wardrobe on the set of 'Sesame Street.'

5. Some props have been around forever ... I was surprised to learn that several puppets and props have been around for decades; this makes me appreciate recent episodes even more. At one point, I noticed a familiar blue puppet. "Where have I seen him before?" I asked. "Probably from the 'Grover the Waiter' sketches," I was told. Whoa.

6. ... And some crew members have, too.Frank Biando has been the camera operator on Sesame Street since the show's first episode in 1969. And while that's spectacular, many crew members have been with the show since the '70s and '80s because, as a writer told me, "It's a job you never want to leave." (Writer Annie Evans and puppeteer Martin Robinson even met and got married on the set.)

7. Puppeteers also do the voices. This is probably common knowledge for many adult viewers, but I was struck by just how much talent it takes to simultaneously commandeer a puppet and voice it. On top of this, many puppeteers (like Eric Jacobson) voice more than one character.

8. Extras include regular kids and pros. Depending on what the role calls for, Sesame Street will cast professional child actors or bring in (very lucky) "regular" kids. A big reason for using professionals is that, like most TV shows, shooting can take a long time and be very repetitive. I'm sure my younger self couldn't handle it, nor could my adult self, for that matter.

9. Oscar's trash can is a popular destination. One thing Sesame Street visitors love to do is stick their heads inside for a photo op. I couldn't resist!

It's hard to be a grouch when you're hanging out in Oscar's trashcan.

10. Everyone cheers before a take. This is one of several things I witnessed that's unique to Sesame Street. If the adult and young actors look like they're in a good mood, it's probably because they really are. I heard many whoops and rounds of applause during my time there. It seems fitting, especially since my 22-month-old daughter often reacts the same way when she watches.

I hang out on the set with 'Sesame Street' resident Abby Cadabby, voiced by puppeteer Leslie Carrara-Rudolph.

Note: Sesame Street's new season starts Sept. 15, with a special half-hour "bonus" show kicking off Sept. 1 on PBS Kids.

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