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? ; 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.