Can you believe it? On November 10, 2009, forty years to the day since the original broadcast of SESAME STREET on PBS, Big Bird and all his friends will return to the stoop of 123 Sesame for this landmark birthday. With four decades under our wings of educating preschoolers, not to mention molding and influencing pop culture around the globe, SESAME STREET is proud to celebrate this incredible milestone.
This season, the longest running children's series, continues to concentrate on the needs of children with a new nature-focused curriculum, "My World is Green and Growing," designed to create a love and understanding of the natural world. Caregivers and kids will notice an all new show open and close as well as a new "block" format hosted by Word on the Street Muppet, Murray, from real-world locations. In addition, resident fairy-in-training, Abby Cadabby, takes on a brand new look in the CGI animated segment Abby's Flying Fairy School which aims to boost preschoolers' critical thinking skills.
As always, new episodes will feature well-known celebrity guests including: Oscar nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Today Show host Meredith Vieira, former New York Giants football player Tiki Barber, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Late Night host Jimmy Fallon, comedian Ricky Gervais, and actors Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler and Sarah Jessica Parker. New music meets the classic Sesame style with Grammy nominee Jason Mraz performing alongside Elmo and friends the appropriately rhymed song "Outdoors" to his chart-topping hit-tune "I'm Yours." In addition, 26 new words will be introduced in the Word on the Street segments featuring explanations and definitions by celebrities like: Cameron Diaz, Julianna Marguiles, Hugh Jackman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adrian Grenier, Eva Longoria, and of course, all the SESAME STREET Muppet friends.
The celebration doesn't stop there. Get nostalgic with a commemorative two-disc compilation DVD, SESAME STREET: 40 Years of Sunny Days. In addition, a fully illustrated coffee-table book entitled A Celebration: 40 Years of Life on the Street will also be available November 10th.
You are invited to strap on your dancing shoes with Zoe, give a tickle to Elmo and share a birdseed milkshake with Big Bird as SESAME STREET celebrates 40 years of making the world a little brighter. We'll do our best to keep Oscar in his can.
-PBS-
For additional information, artwork, or if you would like to set up an interview please contact:
Ellen Lewis
Sesame Workshop
212-875-6396
ellen.lewis@sesameworkshop.org
Alicia Durand
Sesame Workshop
212-875-6223
alicia.durand@sesameworkshop.org
Philip Toscano
Sesame Workshop
212-875-6687
philip.toscano@sesameworkshop.org
www.pbs.org/pressroom