UNC alum promotes book on Sesame Street

Like many parents" Michael Davis read to his daughters every night before they went to bed. But when Davis read a ""Sesame Street"" story book it became a show"" complete with puppets and impersonations.

""I love those characters and I love trying to do their voices"" said Davis, 56, a 1974 UNC alum who lives in Pennsylvania.

Davis' daughters are now too old for story time, but his love for Sesame Street"" remains the same.

In December"" Davis published ""Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street."" As the reviews pour in"" Davis is promoting his book and collecting readers' stories about their love for ""Sesame Street.""

In 2004" while working for TV Guide" Davis was assigned to write a piece about the 35th anniversary of ""Sesame Street."" When he began his research" he said he realized that no single complete history of the show existed. Davis wanted to fill that void" his wife Debra said.

So he set out to write the most detailed history possible.

""I just got so hooked"" Davis said. The details of the book are what I think make it compelling.""

During four years of research — including two years he funded himself — Davis conducted more than 200 interviews.

""That was his life"" his daughter, Tyler, said.

Davis learned things few people knew about the children's show.

The thing that surprised me the most was that ‘Sesame Street' almost went away in the 1970s"" Davis said. Early in the show's history it faced a funding crisis, he said.

Davis also got to talk to people — and puppets — that few have met.

On his final day of reporting, Davis interviewed his favorite character from the show, Grover.

He seems so real that the puppeteer just vanishes from view" Davis said.

The book has been well-received.

What's refreshing is how he does not run away from conflicts that sometimes occurred behind the scenes" said actor and director Frank Oz on the book's Web site. Oz was the original performer of many of the show's beloved characters.

Now Davis is using the growing popularity of his book to collect readers' stories about what Sesame Street"" means to them.

""I've received the coolest collection of letters"" Davis said.

Although Davis will continue to collect readers' stories, he said he is done writing books about puppets.

I want each of my books to be different"" Davis said.

And Davis has a wealth of experiences — he was Daily Tar Heel sports editor, moderated panels at Comic-Con and was on a Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"" episode.

""I want to keep it fresh and I want to challenge myself"" Davis said.

But Davis will always know how to get back to where the air is sweet, he said — back to Sesame Street.""



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