Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Thrill to 2,000 years of history beneath the streets of London. Discover ancient caves, Roman remains, mysterious rivers, gruesome plague pits, top-secret bunkers and more on SECRETS OF UNDERGROUND LONDON – Tuesday night at 9 on the Explorer Channel.

Congratulations to Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect). Dame Helen will be feted at next year’s Berlin International Film Festival where she will receive an honorary Golden Bear Award.

This Bird Has Flown

Very sad news. Caroll Spinney passed away Sunday in his Connecticut home. The beloved puppeteer will be best known for portraying Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for nearly fifty years on SESAME STREET. He was 85.

Spinney had a lifelong love of puppets and first met Jim Henson at a puppetry festival in 1962. He was with SESAME STREET from the very start and earned multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the celebrated children’s program. Spinney also received a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2006.

Although Caroll Spinney retired from SESAME STREET in October of last year, he left a legacy of laughter, love and life for generations of kids and adults.