‘Sesame Street’ returns for a new season with a focus on emotional well-being
Almost everybody knows the way to “Sesame Street.”
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that a timeless childhood gem, which first graced our screens back in 1969, is set to kick off its 55th season on Max this Thursday. This new chapter unfolds at a pivotal juncture for “Sesame Street,” having been unveiled mere weeks following the announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery that they would not be renewing their distribution contract with Sesame Workshop, the creative minds behind the show. While episodes will still be available on the streaming platform until 2027, Season 55 will air on PBS this autumn.
Regardless of any forthcoming alterations, the primary goal of the show – to instruct and captivate its youthful viewers – stays consistent.
On ‘Sesame Street,’ we take great care to produce content that feels vital and timely,” explains executive producer Sal Perez.
Hollywood Inc.
About a decade past, HBO provided a lifeline to Sesame Street, funding the creation of fresh episodes. However, Warner Bros. Discovery has recently announced that they will no longer be providing financial support for new episodes starting from this current season.
This upcoming season of the preschool program emphasizes a focus on emotional well-being. It aims to provide young learners with the necessary skills to express and identify their feelings, as well as strategies for managing these emotions effectively.
The subject matter might strike a chord with younger audiences in Los Angeles, given the city’s recent struggle with catastrophic wildfires that have left numerous families displaced, homeless, or mourning their loved ones. (Sesame Workshop offers a website with guidance on discussing emergencies with children and preparing for them.)
This year’s storyline will offer a fresh perspective on everyone’s favorite, cuddly Elmo from Sesame Street. Known for his playful and child-like nature, this time around, Elmo will display a variety of emotions that we haven’t seen before.
According to Perez, Elmo serves as a bridge to our viewers in many aspects. Children experience various feelings, ranging from cheerful to upset or annoyed. In this new season, we delve into these emotions, not avoiding them.
Perez explains that it’s all about portraying characters who serve as relatable models, demonstrating how to handle and express “genuine feelings” effectively.
In the first episode of the new season, I found myself fuming when Rosita’s beach ball accidentally knocked over my carefully constructed block tower. I let out a roar and expressed my frustration to her, wishing we hadn’t played that game with the beach ball in the first place. Suddenly, a puppet resembling a volcano appeared, guiding me through deep, rumbling breaths much like a volcano erupts. The wise puppet informed the little red monster (me) that when one is angry, it’s as if molten lava is boiling within, offering a unique and engaging way to understand and manage my feelings.
Perez explains that the recurring volcano puppet is designed to create lasting impressions in a child’s mind,” or simply, “Perez points out that the volcano puppet, appearing multiple times during the season, is intended to leave a strong impact on children.
Climate & Environment
It’s clear that our world is evolving rapidly, so it’s logical for the minds behind “Sesame Street” to focus on educating children about how to navigate this new reality.
Elmo might have shown more emotion than ever before, as suggested by Perez. He comments, ‘It seems we’re eliciting feelings from him in certain aspects,’ followed by a chuckle. However, he clarifies, ‘I don’t want to claim this is the first time he’s ever been upset. We’re all aware of how Elmo feels about Rocco.’
This season, we’ll see various scenarios like Bert feeling upset because Ernie throws a noisy party he dislikes, Rudy feeling let down when he can’t attend Fairy Camp with his step-sibling, Cookie Monster exhibiting anxiousness on the first day of cooking school, and Abby getting aggravated as she finds it challenging to grasp tap dancing. The episodes aim to help kids understand and accept a variety of emotions they might experience themselves.
Perez explained that they were mindful about the words they chose, “We’ve noticed some typical phrases people might use when someone is sharing their problems. A common response is, ‘Oh, it’s alright.’ However, we aim to avoid such language because it doesn’t fully acknowledge a person’s feelings. Instead, we want to show children how to validate others’ emotions.
Similar to past seasons, various popular figures are set to visit the residents of Sesame Street. In the first episode, Reneé Rapp sings about the importance of expressing emotions honestly (“feelings are real, so let them show”). Further episodes will feature a variety of current stars: Michael B. Jordan, Noah Kahan, Samara Joy, Jonathan Van Ness, Billie Jean King, and Chris Stapleton. Jordan, who was once a guest on the show himself, will take part in a segment about Kwanzaa. Kahan will perform a song encouraging self-kindness and also participated in a social media segment with a puppet, reminiscent of his hit “Stick Season.
As a movie critic, I’m thrilled to share that this upcoming season introduces an intriguing addition: “Mecha Builders,” animated STEM-themed shorts starring robotic versions of beloved characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby. In an effort to offer fresh perspectives and explore possibilities beyond live-action, the creative team behind this show has ingeniously transformed these characters into mecha counterparts, expanding their playground significantly.
In the premiere episode, our trio embarks on an educational journey, employing a megaphone to delve into the fascinating world of sound propagation. Another segment finds them tackling the practical problem of using a net to prevent a soccer ball from escaping. This innovative approach to learning through entertainment is bound to captivate both young and old audiences alike.
Television
For the first time, PBS is launching an animated kids’ show featuring a main character who is neurodiverse, premiering this Thursday.
The future plans for “Sesame Street” distribution beyond the expiration of the contract with Warner Bros are yet undisclosed. Perez hints that we may learn more details about it in a short while.
Currently, the creators behind “Sesame Street” are hard at work on Season 56. In the upcoming season, viewers can expect to see some alterations, with a stronger emphasis on key characters such as Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster, and Grover.
In Season 56, [we’re considering] which characters we’d like to make more consistent within our stories, he explains. “However, these characters aren’t being phased out. You can expect to see Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, as well as everyone else in the neighborhood, appearing in various forms and contexts.
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2025-01-16 14:45