October 16, 2019
Landmark season introduces a new child cast
member and confronts the stresses and pressures faced by today’s kids
Celebrity guests include Chrissy Teigen,
Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor, Misty Copeland, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, and
many more
(October 16, 2019 – New York, NY) – Sesame Street got
its start at the height of the civil rights movement and the war on poverty, in
answer to a simple but powerful question: could television help prepare less
advantaged children for school? In 1969, the show’s founders tapped
researchers, entertainers, and other visionaries to create a “street” like no
other, where colorful monsters, humans, and even grouches lived side by side.
Today, Sesame Workshop – the nonprofit organization behind the iconic show,
which has grown to reach kids and families in more than 150 countries and 70
languages – is proud to announce the start of Sesame Street’s landmark
50th season.
The new season begins with Sesame Street’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration, a star-studded primetime special that offers a
sweeping look at fifty years on the Street. Hosted by Joseph Gordon Levitt, the
special reimagines classic segments and songs like “People in Your
Neighborhood” and “It’s Not Easy Being Green” as the Sesame Street gang gets
ready for a big celebration. Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration includes
cameos from rarely-seen characters like Roosevelt Franklin and Kermit the Frog,
and visits from celebrity guests Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LaBelle, Elvis
Costello, Meghan Trainor, Sterling K. Brown, Norah Jones, Nile
Rodgers, and Itzhak Perlman.
Nearly every human cast member returns,
too: Bob McGrath (Bob), Sonia Manzano (Maria), Emilio
Delgado (Luis), Loretta Long (Susan), Roscoe Orman (Gordon), Linda Bove (Linda), Long (Susan), Roscoe Orman (Gordon),
Linda Linda Bove (Linda), Alison Bartlett (Gina), Nitya Vidyasagar (Leela), and Olamide Faison (Miles). Legendary
puppeteers Fran Brill and Caroll Spinney and current cast
members Alan Muraoka (Alan), Suki Lopez (Nina), and Chris Lawrence
Knowings (Chris) also appear in the special. Sesame Street’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration premieres on Saturday, November 9th on HBO and Sunday,
November 17th on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS 24/7
channel.
The first regular episode of the 50th season premieres
on Saturday, November 16 on HBO. This season’s celebrity guests
include: Chrissy Teigen; musicians Charlie Puth, Dave Grohl,
and Maren Morris; ballet dancer Misty Copeland; comedian Michael
Che; and Olympic athlete Chloe Kim. The season also introduces “Big Bird’s
Road Trip,” a special segment that tours the United States and beyond to find
out what kids love about where they live. In each installment, Big Bird meets
new friends – in person or via video chat – and learns all about their
families, interests, and neighborhoods. (Nine of these segments were filmed on
location during this summer’s “Sesame Street Road Trip.”)
“As we mark our 50th season, we want to remind families
everywhere of the timeless lessons Sesame Street has always taught,”
said Steve Youngwood, President of Media & Education and Chief
Operating Officer of Sesame Workshop. “Everyone, no matter where they are from,
is equally deserving of respect, opportunity, and joy.”
Later in the season, a new neighbor will come to Sesame
Street. Played by Violet Tinnirello, 8-year-old Charlotte – her friends
call her “Charlie” – is the first child to join the Sesame Street cast
in more than 20 years. Charlie is a military child who moves to the
neighborhood with her family, bringing viewers along for the ride as she
explores her new home for the first time.
“We can’t wait to share this season with families and fans
of all ages,” said Ben Lehmann, Executive Producer of Sesame Street.
“Even as we take time to look back and honor our history, we keep innovating to
bring today’s preschool kids something that’s tailored just for them – holding
on to all the fundamentals that make Sesame Street so magical.”
Sesame Street content continues to be available to PBS
KIDS viewers daily on local PBS stations, the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and
anytime via the free PBS KIDS Video app.
Funding for Sesame Street on
PBS is provided in part by Beaches Resorts, Blue Lizard, Chrysler Pacifica, and
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Funding for Sesame Street’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration on PBS is provided in part by Chrysler Pacifica
and Macy’s. Starting next year with Season 51, episodes of Sesame Street will
debut on forthcoming streaming service HBO Max before airing on PBS KIDS.
