It took genius to blend the qualities Henson did, and the resulting ability not to get too stuck in sentimentality was a comedic superpower.<p>The OP points out how some of the older Sesame Street monsters have an edgy quality to balance their cuddliness. That was distinctive of Henson. His regional TV commercials from the 1950s already showed something similar: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=3929121" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=3929121</a>.