America's favorite address has something in common with Monty Python, Woodstock, Jennifer Aniston and Jay-Z.

They all turn 40 in 2009.

But if you check out Sesame Street, there's no midlife crisis there at all. In fact, it still acts like a preschooler.

And that's the way it's supposed to be. "Sesame Street," which debuted on Nov. 10, 1969, has more than 4,000 episodes under its belt and is the longest-running children's television series.

The idea for "Sesame Street" was hatched at a dinner party in 1966 hosted by its future co-creator, Joan Ganz Cooney.

Two years later, with $8 million in grants from Carnegie, the Ford Foundation and the federal government, Cooney formed the Children's Television Workshop (now the nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop).

The show, which mixed Muppets, live action and animation, was a hit with preschoolers and their families.

By its 10th anniversary in 1979, 9 million American children under age 6 were watching "Sesame Street" daily, according to New York Magazine.

Now, about 8 million people in the United States tune in each week, according to muppetnewsflash.com.

The show is aired in more than 140 countries (including locally on SCETV at 10 a.m. weekdays) and as of last year, had received 118 Emmy Awards, more than any other television series.

Over the years, it has stayed relevant to children by exploring topics such as relationships and school readiness, and by making structural changes to better fit the times.

In fact, some of the earlier seasons, now available on DVD, come with a disclaimer that they are "intended for grown-ups and may not suit the needs of today's preschool child."

Like recent seasons that have focused on specific topics, this season also will have a focus: nature. The Muppets will spend the season encouraging stewardship of the environment through hands-on activities in the outdoors in a two-year initiative called "My World is Green & Growing."

Since it debuted, celebrities have been an integral part of the show. This season will be no exception, with lots of stars set to appear, including first lady Michelle Obama, who visits "Sesame Street" to plant vegetable seeds with Elmo and several young flesh-and-blood gardeners.

Other celebrity visitors this season include actor Jake Gyllenhaal, "Today" show host Meredith Vieira, former New York Giants football player Tiki Barber, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon, comedian Ricky Gervais, and actors Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler and Sarah Jessica Parker. In addition, 26 new words will be introduced in the Word on the Street segments featuring explanations and definitions by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Julianna Margulies, Hugh Jackman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adrian Grenier and Eva Longoria.

The anniversary also will be celebrated with new books, DVDs, toys and other events in the New York area.

'Sesame Street' trivia

--Big Bird, Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Oscar, Grover and Cookie Monster were all original characters (nymag.com).

--The first episode was sponsored by the letters W, S and E and the numbers 2 and 3. (nymag.com).

--Big Bird was on the cover of Time magazine on Nov. 23, 1970 (Time.com).

--Big Bird is an 8-foot-2-inch Golden Condor (Sesamestreet.org).

--The left-side door in the front of 123 Sesame Street has never been opened (imdb.com).

--Oscar the Grouch's fur was orange in the first season. In Pakistan, Oscar is Akhtar, and he lives in an oil barrel. In Turkey, he is Kirpik and lives in a basket (cnn.com).

--In 2004, Cookie Monster revealed that his name is Sid. (imdb.com).

--Elmo first appeared on "Sesame Street" in 1979, though he was known simply as Little Monster until 1980-81 (sesamestreet.org).

--In August 1970, "Rubber Duckie" by Ernie (Jim Henson) made the Billboard Top 40 chart for pop/rock and stayed on for seven weeks, peaking at No. 16 (rubaduck.com).

--The four people who were on the show originally were Bob, Gordon, Susan and Mr. Hooper. Actors Bob McGrath (Bob) and Loretta Long (Susan) originated and still play their characters. Roscoe Orman is the third person to play Gordon. Mr. Hooper (Will Lee) died in 1982. His death was dealt with on the show (sesamestreet.org).

Brenda Rindge can be reached at 937-5713 or brindge@postandcourier.com.