The children’s favourite Sesame Street on Sunday became the first TV programme to receive Kennedy Center Honors – and its magic conjured some much needed bipartisan accord in Washington.

Performers and producers of the series and their puppets wore single yellow feathers in memory of Caroll Spinney, who brought the popular characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life. Spinney died on Sunday aged 85.

That Sesame Street deserved recognition at America’s most prestigious performing arts awards was one thing that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and members of both parties could be seen applauding.

“I love Sesame Street,” Betsy DeVos, the education secretary, told the Guardian. “I was a bit too old for it when it started but my children have spent many ho