As a writer on the musical revue "A, My Name Is Alice," he befriended cast member Alaina Reed, who had also been cast as Olivia on "Sesame Street." Saltzman began working for "Sesame Street" in 1984, where he was a writer for 15 years. He created the Muppet character of Plácido Flamingo for season 18, and wrote more than 50 songs, including the lyrics for "Caribbean Amphibian" and "I've Got a New Way to Walk." He also created the character The Sublime Miss M, a take on Bette Midler. He has seven Emmy Awards.