"Muppets In Moscow reveals how-in between bombings and political chaos in 1990s Moscow-a team of Russian and American artists, producers, educators, writers, and puppeteers overcame their many differences to create an unprecedented hit in a post-communist era"-- Between bombings and political chaos in 1990s Moscow, a team of Russian and American artists, producers, educators, writers, and puppeteers overcame their many differences to create an unprecedented hit in a post-communist era: Ulitsa Sezam, the Russian co-production of Sesame Street. She observes how, despite sharing common goals, cultural clashes colored nearly every aspect of the production. The result is an invaluable perspective on Russia's diverse people, their culture, and their complicated relationship with the West. -- Provided by publisher. Adapted from jacket

Introduction -- Dead bodies and deals. Back in [the USSR] Russia ; My introduction to Sesame Street ; Russian media isn't the safest place right now ; The oligarchs and the Muppets ; No gangsters for Sezam Street ; We don't want your moppets ; Irina, the golden goose -- Creating the show. Is "R" for Rachmaninoff or rock 'n' roll? ; Just when you think it can't get any worse ; Boot camp with Sergeant Elmo ; The grandmaster in Moscow ; Big Bird's bible ; An angel descends ; B is for blacklist ; Stealing Elmo ; Will Sesame Street save the day? ; The scriptwriters and Groucho Marxism ; A rusty car in every neighborhood ; Sad songs from the mouths of babes ; Elmo says "good night" in Russian ; A forest sprite takes flight ; Moppets in Amerika -- Birthing the babies. Ulitsa Sezam's Neighborhood ; Will work for bananas! ; Finish lines in quicksand ; Birth of an angel and a broadcaster ; Lighting up screens across the former USSR -- Epilogue -- Postscript.