1, 2, 3 longtime cast members will remain on show, Sesame Street says

Sesame Street says beloved characters Bob, Gordon and Luis aren't going away.

The children's show said that actor Bob McGrath, part of the original cast in 1969, and Emilio Delgado, who plays Luis the handyman, last performed in episodes taped in 2013.

Roscoe Orman, who has played original character Gordon since 1974, filmed new appearances for the current season of the show, which, beginning this year, is airing on HBO as well as on PBS.

McGrath, 84, said earlier this month during a Q&A session at Florida Supercon that since the move to HBO, "They let all of the original cast members go."

He noted, however, that LorettaLong, who has played Susan since the show's debut in 1969,will also remain with the show.

"As of this season, I have completed my 45th season this year. And the show has gone under a major turnaround, going from an hour to a half-hour.HBO has gotten involved also," McGrath said.

McGrath's comments were shared this week by The Muppet Cast, a site and podcast dedicated to the work of Jim Henson and the Muppets.

Veteran actors

McGrath the familiar voice ofsongs such asPeople in My Neighbourhood andOne of These Thingsis Not Like the Other has appearedonSesame Street since itsdebut in 1969.

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Delgado, 76, joined the show in 1971 as Fix-It Shop owner Luis. Orman, 72, joined the program as school teacher Gordon in 1974.

In a statement posted to social media on Thursday, the non-profit group that produces the beloved series called McGrath, Delgado and Orman "a beloved part of the Sesame family," but noted that the show is "constantly evolving" and, as a result, "our cast has changed over the years."

A spokeswoman for Sesame Workshop told The Associated Press that all three would continue to appear on the show.

She also said that HBO has nothing to do with the production of the show aresponse to criticism of the show's newest broadcasting partner.

InAugust 2015, after years of financial challenges, Sesame Workshop announced a five-year partnership with thepremium cable channel, onethat would provide "critical funding" to continue production of Sesame Street as well as keep it on PBS, its traditional home.

As part of the deal which came into place for the premiere of the show's 46th season this past January new episodes of Sesame Street debut on HBO exclusively and move to PBS and its member stations nine months later.