Before Fred Rogers and Jim Henson, there was Shari Lewis, a children’s television pioneer whose whimsical characters and ebullient spirit have guided generations of children as they came of age.
00:00What we want is to have an entertaining series with interesting characters that people like and care about. Thank you. You're welcome.
00:13In the early days of television, there really were no kid shows. And for Sherry to come along, have puppets, comedy, I just knew this was different.
00:23What's that? What's what? That thing. That's a camera.
00:27She made sure you wanted to love those characters.
00:32Sherry was able to speak to issues controversial for a woman in that era.
00:37You can't be the president. Why not? You're a girl.
00:40As a kid, if you saw Sherry Lewis on TV, you fell in love.
00:44It was so clear. I had found myself with Lamb Chop.
00:49After all, Lamb Chop, what am I without you? Nothing. I feel the same way about you.
00:54But there's only room for one son. And Lamb Chop became a big star.
01:03Mom wanted to be seen as more than a one trick pony. And the audience were like, that's nice. Where's Lamb Chop?
01:09Lamb Chop!
01:10But there was a time when people didn't watch Sherry Lewis.
01:13When my show was canceled, it was the only time I ever went to Lamb Chop and cried with her.
01:19Those years where she did not have a show, I think that was a very lonely, horrible time for her.
01:24She did whatever came up to rebuild her career. It was in her DNA.
01:29Are you alright?
01:32She was a fighter. And not getting it all gives you that fight.
01:37There were a lot of kids who had very unhappy childhoods. And their oasis was this loving adult who accepted you.
01:44No matter how little you are, you can still be a big help to a friend in need.
01:49You create confident and curious human beings by showing them how to do something and then applauding their success.
01:55I can, I can, I can, and I will. Okay, good.
02:01I was just having fun watching these brilliant characters teach me.
02:05I think it's called self-esteem and it is the most important lesson for children to get.
02:12And just remember to make yourself as good as you can be.
