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LA Times, Twitter

Three Longtime Cast Members Are Out as ‘Sesame Street’ Retools

Jul 28, 2016  •  Post A Comment

With children’s television staple “Sesame Street” retooling as it readies to make the transition to a shorter program running on HBO, three veteran cast members of the show are out.

The Los Angeles Times reports that original cast member Bob McGrath, 84, and longtime cast members Emilio Delgado, who plays Luis, and Roscoe Orman, who plays Gordon, have been let go by the show.

McGrath reportedly said during a panel appearance earlier this month: “They let all of the original cast members go, with the exception of Alan Muraoka — who is probably 20 years younger than the rest of us — and Chris Knowings, who is also young.”

“Sesame Street” issued a statement today on Twitter making it clear that HBO was not involved in the decision to make cast changes. You can read the statement below.

“All the departing actors have served as foundational characters in the show, in some cases since its inception,” The Times notes. “Orman, though the third actor to portray Gordon Robinson, played the role for more than 40 years after taking over the part in 1973, while Delgado joined the show as Luis.”

McGrath was with the show when it premiered in 1969, and has been a singer on some of its iconic songs, such as “The People in Your Neighborhood.”

sesame street-twitter statement“Sesame Street” statement released today on Twitter

One Comment

  1. Saw the headline and thought: Uh-Oh, there goes Bert, Ernie and Big Bird…

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