Sesame Street
TIM ROBBINS: Putting Kids First
Hollywood actor, director, and dad, Tim Robbins is no stranger to Sesame
Street. The star has graced the show's urban set on three occasions. In 1990
he performed in Prairie Dawn's seasons pageant and he and Elmo taught
preschoolers about surprises. This season he rents a room at the Furry Arms
hotel in a segment that aired on May 5 and will air again on November 6.
Despite the Muppet-size accommodations, the 6-foot 4-inch 37-year-old actor
says he had a great time taping the show.
Robbins first became acquainted with the Muppet gang during his babysitting
days. Now, as a dad, he's begun watching the show all over again. "What's
always attracted me to Sesame Street is that it's a safe zone on television
for kids," he says. "It's also a multiracial experience that's reflective of
the country I know and love." Asked why he decided to appear on the show,
Robbins gives three reasons: his children, Eva, Jack Henry, and Miles. Not
only do his kids love the show, but two of them have even shared the Sesame
Street spotlight with their dad. In 1990 Eva, then five years old, appeared
at the end of the Prairie Dawn segment. This season five-year-old Miles taped
three segments with Baby Bear, which will air throughout the season. (Robbins
confesses that Elmo is his favorite Muppet. "I think he's really got his
finger on the pulse!")
But appearing on Sesame Street isn't Robbins's only perk as a parent. "The
best part about it is having the opportunity to play with toys!" The actor
and director also confessed to what baffles him the most about fatherhood:
"Putting the toys together on Christmas morning." All kidding aside, being a
dad, even a Sesame Street dad, isn't all fun and games. "It's hard work,"
Robbins admits. "When you become a parent, you have to stop thinking of
yourself as the center of your world. From then on, the children take
priority."
