'Sesame Street' Marks 56 Years With New Season! Here's What To Expect As 'Elmo' Returns On Netflix

Netflix has officially obtained the rights to everyone's favourite show, 'Sesame Street'. Find out what's new, and what stays the same with the show.

Did you know that your favourite childhood show, Sesame Street, has finally made its comeback? The show officially premiered on Monday, November 10, on Netflix, exactly 56 years after originally launched. In this season, you can expect to meet your beloved characters like 'Big Bird', 'Cookie Monster', 'Abby Cadabby', and 'Oscar the Grouch', among others. Available to audiences worldwide, Sesame Street will release four episodes at across three volumes.

While the show is nostalgic to many of us, Netflix has reimagined it to make it more engaging for viewers. The runtime for each episode has also increased from 9 minutes to 11 minutes for main story, along with additional segments, that may include both old and new ones. According to the show's head writer, Halcyon Person, the two extra minutes, which might not seem like much at first glance, will allow them to include a song in each episode which they know that their audience will definitely love. 

What makes Sesame Street the perfect choice for children today?

For those who have children, the show promises to be both interactive and visually engaging. It will also teach children things like compassion, kindness, and social problem-solving, all of which are necessary for them to become good adults. Sal Perez, the executive producer of Sesame Street, was quoted as saying in a statement:

"Season 56 reimagines Sesame Street, inviting children into the action and bringing them hand-in-hand through high-stakes stories, powerful learning moments, and laugh-out-loud surprises. And, as always, Sesame Street’s curriculum is designed to meet children’s most pressing needs — so our focus this season is on kindness and compassion, something we can all use more of today.”

The biggest changes in Netflix's reimagination of Sesame Street 

Unlike its previous versions, the 56th season of Sesame Street will focus on considerably fewer characters such as, 'Elmo', 'Cookie Monster', 'Grover', and 'Abby'. On why these specific characters were chosen, head writer, Halcyon Person, clarifies that these characters are the ones who really represent a fun and exciting cross-section of what makes their characters so 'lovely'. Be it solving problems together or going through hard things, the different characters work together harmoniously, giving the show a unique touch. Other characters, such as, 'Rosita', 'Big Bird', and the 'Count', will also appear on the show, although comparatively less than the others.

It has also been revealed that the show's classic magazine structure will change and take on a more narrative-driven approach. This will be among the most significant changes made to the show since 2016, when it was shortened from one-hour episodes to half-hour episodes. Streaming in up to 30 languages, the Netflix show will also lean into breaking the 4th wall as the characters talk directly to the audience. At the beginning of this season's premiere, 'Elmo' can be seen greeting the viewers, telling them how happy he is to see them. Quoting Halcyon Person:

“There is an opportunity to really create a social and emotional bond between the character on screen and the child watching at home. And that comes from feeling like you are the character’s best friend and confidant. What we wanted to do this season was make it feel like Elmo can turn to you and say, ‘I’m feeling really frustrated. I’m feeling really upset, I’m feeling this really big feeling, and I can tell you, because I trust you, you’re my bestie."

Viewers can also expect a new animated segment on the show, titled Tales from the 123. This will take them inside the building that the characters reside in for the very first time. Apart from this, the show also has incredibly immersive animation, which kids are sure to enjoy, such as 'Elmo' blasting off into space in his race car. The animation magic does not stop here, as a new overlay animation will also be introduced. For example, when 'Grover shouts', 'Elmo's' stomach growls, or 'Cookie Monster' sees a treat. Alongside this new segment, the classic fan-favourite segments are also set to return, including 'Elmo's World', 'Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck', and so on. Regarding the animation, Halcyon Person says:

“They are just pops of fun, visual excitement across the episode. It’s a really exciting new tool. It’s something we talked a lot about in the writer’s room, that it was almost like a visual score. It wasn’t ever going to compete with our storytelling or our incredible puppet performances, but it was also a great way to just underscore everything that was happening on screen. For children in this age group, the visual is so important. You have to say it and see it. An animation is just another tool in our toolbelt to help kids really see what we’re talking about, make it really visually interesting and engaging and exciting.”

Which famous celebrities will make a guest appearance on Sesame Street?

One tradition that Netflix's Sesame Street has thankfully chosen to continue is bringing celebrity guests on the show. This makes the show not only enjoyable for children but also appealing to adults who are their fans and are looking to revisit their childhood with the show. The list of iconic celebrities includes the likes of Grammy award-winning artist, Miley Cyrus, and NASCAR champion, Bubba Wallace.

Do you prefer Netflix's reimagination of Sesame Street to its OG counterpart? Let us know.

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