| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| HTA ID | HTA-0435 |
| Title | Sesame Street Episode — Rock Climbing Feature |
| Date | July 1979 |
| Date Confidence | High — references 10th anniversary of Moon landing (July 1969), Max Robinson at ABC |
| Program | PM Magazine |
| Station | WDVM-TV Channel 9, Washington DC |
| Duration | ~24:08 |
| Format | Full episode — includes rock climbing feature + closing with next week's preview |
This file contains a full PM Magazine episode segment. The main feature is rock climbing at Yosemite with legendary climber Ray Jardine — inventor of the "Friend" climbing protection device. Henry and cameraman Bert Arnowitz are lowered over the edge of a cliff face (30-foot drop to a narrow ledge, then 3,500 feet down to the Merced River Gorge) to film Jardine climbing. Jardine discusses the ethics of "clean climbing" — using only hands and feet, placing protection but not altering the rock.
The episode closes with Henry on the "Sesame Street" set (the PM Magazine set with puppet Barclay), previewing next week's shows including:
- Max Robinson returning to Channel 9 (America's first regularly scheduled Black network anchorman)
- George Hamilton in "Love at First Bite"
- Tex Cobb (boxer who beat up John Voight in "The Champ")
- Herman's Hermits comeback
- 10th anniversary of the Moon landing
- Bill Emerton, 59-year-old marathon man (140,000 miles run)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| People | Ray Jardine (rock climber, inventor of "Friends"), Bert Arnowitz (cameraman), Barclay (puppet co-host), Max Robinson (mentioned), George Hamilton (mentioned), Tex Cobb (mentioned), Bill Emerton (mentioned) |
| Locations | Yosemite National Park — Merced River Gorge, El Capitan area |
| Subjects | Rock climbing, extreme sports, climbing technology, clean climbing ethics |
| Themes | Risk and control, physical challenge, beauty in danger, ethical sport |
| Keywords | rock climbing, Yosemite, Ray Jardine, Friends (climbing device), clean climbing, Merced River |
| Career Period | PM Magazine, WDVM Channel 9 (1979–1984) |
"If you're not scared, you're not having fun."
"Falling and failing are the same. It's an ethical challenge — you attempt to climb as cleanly as possible, as beautifully, as elegantly as possible, with as much style."
"A sports journalist once observed that most rock climbers do not believe their sport is dangerous — they believe they control the degree of risk."
"I must admit, I couldn't believe I was really doing it when I walked backward off the rock."
The rock climbing feature is one of Henry's most visually spectacular adventure pieces — filming at Yosemite with a 3,500-foot drop, capturing Ray Jardine (a genuine legend in climbing history who revolutionized the sport with his "Friend" device). Henry's willingness to be lowered over the cliff face to film demonstrates his commitment to participatory journalism at its most extreme. Jardine's philosophy — "clean climbing" as ethical and aesthetic pursuit — gives the piece intellectual depth beyond mere spectacle.
The closing preview segment is historically valuable: it references Max Robinson's visit to Channel 9 (his former station) after becoming ABC's anchor, dating this precisely to mid-1979.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Theme | Extreme sports / adventure — connects to Ice Climbing (HTA-0430), Wing Walking (HTA-0345), Spelunking (HTA-0402) |
| Person | Max Robinson — connects to That's News To Me (HTA-0393) |
| Person | Bert Arnowitz (cameraman) — appears in multiple pieces |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Source File | HN_43 Sesame St.txt |
| Video File | HN_43 Sesame St.mp4 |
| Source Location | PM MAGAZINE folder |
| Video Analysis Status | PENDING — Dropbox URL access issue |
| Reel Assessment | HIGH REEL CANDIDATE — Yosemite footage with Ray Jardine is historically significant (he's a climbing legend). The visuals of a 3,500-foot drop are spectacular. Henry being lowered over the cliff is peak participatory journalism. |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Review Date | 2026-07-06 |
| Source File | HN_43 Sesame St.mp4 |
| Source Location | Dropbox / PM MAGAZINE folder |
| Duration (confirmed) | ~24 minutes (full episode) |
| Video Quality | Good |
Full PM Magazine episode. Henry's main feature is a behind-the-scenes visit to the Sesame Street set recreated at the Smithsonian, focusing on cast member Bob McGrath. Henry interacts with Big Bird (startled at 1:45), children interview cameraman Rick Armstrong (7:08), and Henry wrestles with Barkley during credits (24:10–24:35).
| Timestamp | Content |
|---|---|
| 0:00–9:17 | Main feature: Sesame Street / Bob McGrath profile |
| 9:42–10:01 | Introduces "Departments" segments next to Big Bird |
| 15:13–15:19 | Teases rock climbing segment |
| 15:50–16:05 | Introduces Yosemite rock climbing feature |
| 21:35–21:50 | Concludes rock climbing segment |
| 22:15–24:10 | Full show closing with next-episode preview |
| 24:10–24:35 | Credits — wrestling with Barkley |
Ron Atarian (Home/plants), Dr. Gabe Mirkin (Health/pollution), Linda Harris (Leisure/Grand Canyon), Steve Fox (Yosemite rock climbing).
Henry hosts the full episode — opening, main feature, all transitions, closing. In the Sesame Street feature, he interacts with Big Bird, interviews Bob McGrath, and lets children interview his cameraman. The credits show him wrestling with Barkley (the Sesame Street dog).
Being startled by Big Bird (1:45), a girl tricking Bob McGrath (2:07), kids interviewing cameraman Rick Armstrong (7:08), and the mannequin/Barkley attack (8:46) show Henry's comfort with children and puppets. The credits wrestling with Barkley is a playful touch that breaks the fourth wall.
"We'll see you then. Good night." (show closing)