Sign-In
Cart
Sesame Street, Palestine: Taking Sesame Street to the children of Palestine: Daoud Kuttab's personal story
Paperback
Political BiographiesTelevision
ISBN13: 9781629332499
Publisher: BearManor Media
Published: Mar 12 2018
Pages: 120
Weight: 0.38
Height: 0.25 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Big Birds are rare in Palestine.
Daoud Kuttab knows. The ups and downs of producing a world-famous children's program quickly escalated into more than just teaching Elmo to speak Arabic like the new Palestinian characters, Kareem and Hanin. The executive producer of the Palestinian version of Sesame Street endured working under Israeli occupation, navigating through checkpoints and M15s, arrest, and personal tragedy. Animating hand puppets against a backdrop of the turbulent Palestinian-Israeli peace process drew him into exciting, tense times that made Cookie Monster's search for sweets seem like child's play.
After a surprise phone call from Children's Television Workshop, Daoud took the chance of lifetime to create a Palestinian coproduction of Sesame Street. From finding actors and puppeteers in a country starved of training to dealing with a community that considered the production too provocative, the early days were less than easy. A controversial crossover segment, where Palestinians and Israelis meet on screen on the same street, only added to the tension. Unable to film in Ramallah, the whole production--including Daoud's son and star of the show, Bishara--traveled with the Palestinian-made set to TV studios in Tel Aviv. They even had to smuggle in the lead puppeteer, Fadi al Ghol. Yet, days after the first episode aired, Daoud was arrested.
Journey into his unusual world, where the signing of the Oslo Accords, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Hollywood star Richard Gere, and the King of Jordan played important roles. Not even Kermit could have imagined this unique, exciting, and undeniably fascinating expansion of America's most enduring children's show into a new world bound by the West Bank desert, politics, media, and money.
Illustrated. Available in print and audiobook editions.
About the author: Daoud Kuttab, a Palestinian award-winning journalist and television producer from Jerusalem, co-produced Palestinian Diaries, Icarus Films that has become the best chronicle of the Palestinian intifada. He is a former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, columnist for Al-Monitor, and reporter for Arab News. He established the Institute of Modern Media at Al Quds University and was the first Palestinian to interview an Israeli Prime Minister for the leading Al Quds daily in June 1993. He writes regularly in major publications, such as the Washington Post, New York Times, and Jordan Times, and often contributes to Project Syndicate. He established the Arab world's first internet radio AmmanNet, and is the founder and director of Community Media Network in Amman. As a leading activist for press freedom in the Arab world, he was the first Arab to be elected to the Vienna-based International Press Institute, where he holds the portfolio of press freedom.
1 different editions
Also available
Also in
Television
The Official Sherlock Puzzle Book: Are You as Smart as Sherlock Holmes? (Sherlock Holmes Puzzle, Detective Gifts, Mystery Gifts)
Maslanka, Chris
Tribe, Steve
Paperback
Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation
Napier, S.
Paperback
I'll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1 (the Annotated Scripts)
Tierney, Jacob
Hardcover
Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life: Stories from an Accidental Career on Cleveland Tv--And More!
Rinaldi, John
Paperback
Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life
Sioux, Nia
Hardcover
Screenwriter's Bible, 7th Edition: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script
Trottier, David
Paperback
The Tribe and I Have Spoken: The Definitive (Unofficial) Lore and Legacy from the Game's Smartest Surviving Loser
Cesternino, Rob
Kavutskiy, Alex
Hardcover
Parks and Rec: The Underdog TV Show That Lit'rally Inspired a Vision for a Better America
Keishin Armstrong, Jennifer
Hardcover
A Place Both Wonderful and Strange: The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks
Meslow, Scott
Hardcover
The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco
Bucco, Artie
Rucker, Allen
Scicolone, Michele
Hardcover
Don't Buy What I'm Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole, Fat Self
Chekowsky, Lu
Hardcover
Scriptnotes: A Book about Screenwriting and Things That Are Interesting to Screenwriters
August, John
Mazin, Craig
Hardcover
Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend
Malkoff, Mark
Hardcover
Heroes' Feast (Dungeons & Dragons): The Official D&d Cookbook
Witwer, Michael
Newman, Kyle
Peterson, Jon
Hardcover
Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook: Delicious Homestyle Recipes from Character and Real-Life Chef Gabriel Gator Guilbeau
Guilbeau, Gabriel Gator
Hardcover
Andy's Bravo Scrapbook: Twenty Years Behind the Scenes of the Real Housewives and the Bravoverse
Cohen, Andy
Hardcover
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Paperback
Book Meets World: The Definitive Inside Story of the Hit Sitcom Boy Meets World
Friedle, Will
Fishel, Danielle
Strong, Rider
Hardcover
Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas
Druckman, Charlotte
Sen, Mayukh
Paperback
The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After
Laplaca, Julie
Paperback
Sookie's Recipe Book: Gilmore Girls: An Official Cookbook
Ostow, Micol
Craig, Elena
Fish, Elizabeth
Hardcover
Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role
Critical Role
Szewczyk, Jesse
Marsham, Liz
Hardcover
I Am the Night: The Ultimate Unauthorized History of Batman: The Animated Series
Dockery, Daniel
Hardcover
No Lessons Learned: The Making of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Told by Larry David and the Cast and Crew
Ali, Lorraine
HBO
Hardcover
Save the Cat!(r) Writes for TV: The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need
Nash, Jamie
Paperback
Star Wars: Galactic Drinks: From Mandalorian Mocktails to Cantina Cafs, Captivating Beverages Inspired by a Galaxy Far, Far Away!
Sumerak, Marc
Fujikawa, Jenn
Hardcover
Supernatural: The Official Cookbook: Burgers, Pies, and Other Bites from the Road
Tremaine, Julie
Hardcover
The Dunder Mifflin Employee Manual: How to Succeed in Work--And Life--According to the Office
Baumgartner, Brian
Silverman, Ben
Lieberstein, Warren
Hardcover
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
Arngrim, Alison
Paperback
Gilmore Girls: The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge: The Official Guide to All the Books
Berlin, Erika
Hardcover
The Structure of Story: How to Write Great Stories by Focusing on What Really Matters
Hartmann, Ross
Paperback
Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw's-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy
Radloff, Jessica
Hardcover
Survivor Legends: The Players Who Changed the Game (Unofficial & Unauthorized)
Merchant, Shaan
Hardcover
This Book Is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling
Greenberg, Keith Elliot
Hardcover
The Golden Girls Cookbook: More Than 90 Delectable Recipes from Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia
Styler, Christopher
Hardcover
The Witcher Official Cookbook: Provisions, Fare, and Culinary Tales from Travels Across the Continent
Sarna, Anita
Krupecka, Karolina
Hardcover
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All
Moennig, Kate
Hailey, Leisha
Paperback
Cinematic Immunity: An Oral History of New York Filmmaking as Told by the Crews That Got the Shot
Nirenberg, Michael Lee
Paperback
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All
Hailey, Leisha
Moennig, Kate
Hardcover
Doctor Who: 1,001 Nights in Time and Space: Folktales Rescued from Around the Whoniverse
Official Doctor Who Licensed
Cole, Steve
Magrs, Paul
Hardcover
Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing
Walter, Richard
Paperback
Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-The-Scenes Companion
McIntyre, Gina
Hardcover
My Friend Johnny: The Last 20 Years of a Beautiful Life with Johnny Carson and Friends
Smith, Howard
Hardcover
Stupid Tv, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of the Simpsons Changed Television-And America-Forever
Siegel, Alan
Hardcover
The Crafter's Kitchen: An Official Minecraft Cookbook for Young Chefs and Their Families
Davidson, Danica
Berne, Emma Carlson
Mojang Ab
Hardcover
Reality TV for Snobs: Everything You Need to Know about the Shows You're Too Intellectual to Watch
Barthwell, Ali
Paperback
Midsomer Murders Location Guide: Discover the Villages, Pubs and Churches Behind the Hit TV Series
Hopkinson, Frank
Paperback
What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy Ofservice
McCormack, Mary
Fitzgerald, Melissa
Hardcover
The Golden Girls Cookbook: Cheesecakes and Cocktails!: Desserts and Drinks to Enjoy on the Lanai with Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia
Styler, Christopher
Hardcover
Do What You're Gonna Do: The Definitive Oral History of Breaking Bad
Norris, Dean
Layden, Joe
Hardcover
I Blame Television: Essays on the Pop Culture that Raised, Ruined, and Enraptured Me
Teets, Elizabeth
Paperback
The Official Wednesday Cookbook: The Woefully Weird Recipes of Nevermore Academy
Melendez, Jarrett
Mancusi, Mari
Hardcover
En Vivo Desde América: Cómo La TV Latina Conquistó Estados Unidos. Premio Publishers Weekly Booklife 2026
Marín, Javier
Paperback
Gilmore Girls Life Lessons: The Official Guide to Love, Friendship, and Coffee
Ulster, Laurie
Hardcover
Goodnight, John Boy: A Celebration of an American Family and the Values That Have Sustained Us Through Good Times and Bad
Giffin, Ralph
Hamner, Earl
Paperback
The Official Bridgerton Guide to Entertaining: How to Cook, Host, and Toast Like a Member of the Ton: A Cookbook
Timberlake, Emily
Hardcover
Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for the Simpsons
Reiss, Mike
Klickstein, Mathew
Paperback
Fallout: The Official Drinks Book: Post-Apocalyptic Potations for Every Wastelander
Kwong, Erin
Reeder, Cassandra
Hardcover
Lost (and Found) in Space 2: Blast Off into the Expanded Edition
Cartwright, Angela
Mumy, Bill
Hardcover
The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook: Teatime Drinks, Scones, Savories & Sweets
Downton Abbey
Hardcover
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Hardcover
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Cookbook: Official Recipes from the Outer Reaches of the Galaxy
Sumerak, Marc
Fujikawa, Jenn
Hardcover