When the Soviet Union fell, the US poured billions into Russia to help its transition into Western-style democracy.
But how could the free-market and capitalist values be sold to ordinary Russians who'd spent decades living by communist doctrine?
The answer - according to American politicians - was to be found in the beloved children's TV show, Sesame Street. But the process of getting Ulitsa Sezam, as it was called in Russia, off the ground was anything but straightforward.
There was trouble with financing and finding a broadcaster, assassinations, an armed takeover of their offices - and the kidnapping of Elmo.
The Muppet-style puppets didn't go down so well at first - and the initial storylines were a bit grim - D for Depression anyone? Yet Ulitsa Sezam went on to become a major hit and aired for over a decade.
Natasha Lance Rogoff was its executive producer and has written a book about her experience called Muppets in Moscow: The unexpected crazy true story of making Sesame Street in Russia.
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