CNN’s eight-part documentary series The Seventies kicks off on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET with an episode about TV from the era. Television Gets Real explores how shows like MASH, All in the Family, The Jeffersons and Roots changed the landscape of the medium.
Most CNN shows will be doing something related to the 70s leading up to the premiere, but the highlight of the network’s promos will easily be Don Lemon‘s exclusive interviews with Abby Cadabby, the Cookie Monster, Count von Count and Elmo from Sesame Street.
“I walked onto the set and immediately became 6-years-old again – as did everyone on our crew. Sesame Street is magical and real all at the same time. I could totally live there,” Lemon told TVNewser before asking, “think Cookie Monster needs a roommate?”
The premiere episode features commentary from TV titans Tom Hanks, Garry Marshall, Norman Lear, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, Valerie Harper, and LeVar Burton among many others.
Good luck topping this, Hanks: