Todor Zhivkov to 1988, Bulgaria won an unprecedented 153 Olympic medals and numerous European and world competitions in sports as diverse as volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics and wrestling. Dissent was punished under Zhivkov's rule. The CSS was a feared tool of control, and overt opposition largely stayed underground until the late 1980s. In 1978, the Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated in London by an agent who stabbed him with an umbrella tip which implanted a very small ricin ball. According to former KGB general Oleg Kalugin, this was requested by Zhivkov and either performed by the KGB or it assisted the CSS;
A Special Sesame Street Christmas losing to "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street". Both specials are now available on DVD. A Special Sesame Street Christmas A Special Sesame Street Christmas is a 1978 CBS Christmas special, made the same year as the better-known "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street". The special was first broadcast on Friday, December 8, 1978, at 8 PM ET on CBS, pre-empting "Wonder Woman" that week. Starring Leslie Uggams. The special features only three of the "Sesame Street" Muppets: Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, and Barkley the dog. Barkley is played by gymnast Toby Towson. The puppet used for the special was different