This may take Count von Count a while, but it's A-OK—Sesame Street marks its 40th anniversary today.
The PBS stalwart debuted on Nov. 10, 1969, and, after more than 21 million minutes aired, 122 Emmys and a Lifetime Achievement award, has managed to stay relevant—and sometimes controversial (remember that Bert-Bin Laden hookup?).
Cookie Monster, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and friends will be celebrating in style with Michelle Obama and the letter H.
The first lady's appearance presumably won't be ticking off right-wingers—unless they're offended by vegetable gardens and Big Bird's measuring stick.
"Are you part bird?" the fine-feathered one asks her. "You and I are both really tall."
Cameron Diaz also stops by to help Grover explain the importance of trees.
A new DVD retrospective, Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days, also hits shelves today. It features more than six hours of memorable moments—including the death of Mr. Hooper and Ernie singing "Rubber Duckie"—as well as several of its celebrity guests, from Robert De Niro and Alicia Keys to Lena Horne and Mister Rogers.
We wish to tip our hats to the Sesame Workshop, and sing along with Bert and Ernie…
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Something tells us all the party people of Party Pics: New York would love to celebrate with the Sesame Street residents!