US interrogators are using Western children's tunes and heavy metal music to break the will of Iraqi prisoners.

The series which started as a way of teaching children their ABCs is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

It's been 30 years since Kermit the Frog and Big Bird first sang their way into the hearts of TV-viewing kids. Back then, "Sesame Street" could only be seen on PBS in the United States. It's now an institution in 140 countries.

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Discusses paralysed visual artist Chuck Close's three appearances on Sesame Street segments, showing his photo realistic portraits, all made up out of rows or globule shapes. Discusses Sesame Street's aim in the 32nd season to help youngsters understand the creative process. Lists special guests and various episode descriptions.

A critical review of the gradual changing of Sesame Street throughout years, focusing in on the massive changes of season 33.

An interview with Grover, regarding his long career, and his world travels, starting in season 34.

Parody news story on how two video game characters visited the show to save children from the dark forces aligned with The Shadows.

Various reviews of a comprehensive guide book to the show.

About an interactive exhibit in Rochester, New York.

The pioneering PBS children's show Sesame Street, which is in its 35th season, has substantially reduced its writing staff and will only create 26 new episodes this year. The cuts come as PBS faces increased competition for preschoolers' attention from fare on cable TV and video. Jon Kalish reports. [4:27 Realaudio broadcast]

NPR's Tavis Smiley talks with Kevin Clash, puppeteer and the voice of the popular Sesame Street character Elmo, about his career working with puppets and the 35th anniversary of Sesame Street. [9:09 streaming audio broadcast.]

At eight-foot-two, he's easily the biggest star in children's television. But it's a small world inside the costume of Sesame Street's Big Bird. Caroll Spinney, who also performs Oscar the Grouch, discusses the evolution of Big Bird with NPR's Bob Edwards. See a video clip of Spinney's characters.

NPR's Linda Wertheimer speaks with Christopher Cerf, who has written songs for Sesame Street for over 30 years, and is most recently the co-editor of the Iraq War Reader, about a new tactic used by the United States military on Iraqi prisoners of war. U.S. Psy Ops is playing heavy metal music and songs from the children's programs Sesame Street and Barney for extended periods in order to persuade the prisoners to reveal secret information. [4:25 Realaudio broadcast]

Remembrance of the creator of Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and the bathtime classic, "Rubber Ducky." Jeffrey Moss, longtime Sesame Street collaborator, died this week at the age of 56. Jon Kalish has an appreciation. [2:43 Realaudio broadcast]

Moss was one of the original creators and writers of Sesame Street. Moss created Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch, and wrote such songs as 'Rubber Ducky' and 'People in Your Neighborhood.' He won 14 Emmys, four Grammys and an Academy Award nomination for his work on Sesame Street and with the Muppets. Moss was also the author of books for children, including Hieronymus White: A Bird Who Believed That He Always Was Right. He died in 1998 at the age of 56. [20:26 Realaudio broadcast]

As the 30th anniversary of the famed children's program approaches, Weekend Edition popular culture commentator Steven Stark looks at its longevity. [2:43 Realaudio broadcast]

William Galison is one of the world's leading harmonica players. He is heard on the theme of the children's TV show Sesame Street, and has also worked on a number of movie soundtracks. Now Galison is teaming with jazz singer Madi Peyroux on a recording entitled Got You On My Mind, to be released in February. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Galison about the album, his career, and how he got involved with Sesame Street. [9:18 Realaudio broadcast]

Discusses the 35th anniversary season with pointers to new and updated segments plus some celebrity video clips from the season's premiere episode.

Talks about Laura Bush's guest appearance, and the then upcoming 34th season of the show.