SESAME STREET SEASON 47 EPISODES
ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS Debuts Nov. 25 | SESAME STREET Kicks Off Season 47 Jan. 7
SESAME STREET has been educating and entertaining kids, helping them grow smarter, stronger and kinder, for more than four decades. Now, just in time for the holiday season, the fun-filled extended special ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS debuts FRIDAY, NOV. 25 (7:00–8:00 p.m. ET/PT), while the new season of SESAME STREET launches SATURDAY, JAN. 7 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT), on HBO.
ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS opens with the lyrical number “Holiday Lights,” a musical glimpse into the homes of Sesame Street families celebrating winter holidays, and unfolds into a fanciful bedtime story that brings the past alive. After a day of holiday fun, while being tucked into bed on Christmas Eve, Elmo asks, “Why do we leave cookies out for Santa?”
As his father spins a tale about a dreary Sesame Street of yesteryear, a place so unfriendly not even Santa Claus would visit, viewers are transported to a period-perfect 19th-century city neighborhood, with characters in authentic hand-sewn costumes, but marked by unkindness and a serious lack of holiday spirit. Luckily, Elmo’s great-great-great-grandmonster moves into the neighborhood with the best of intentions and endless good will, gradually winning over the unhappy citizens and bringing kindness and cheer to Sesame Street once and for all.
In addition to familiar Sesame Street denizens — Elmo, Grover, Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster and The Count — ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS features special guest appearances by Zosia Mamet (HBO’s “Girls”); six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (HBO’s “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”); and Jim Gaffigan (“The Jim Gaffigan Show”).
HBO Family playdates: Nov. 26 (6:00 p.m.) and 28 (8:00 a.m.), and Dec. 2 (8:00 a.m.)
ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals. Nonsubscribers will be able to sample the special for free during a two-week window, Dec. 12–26, via participating affiliates.
On Saturday, Jan. 7, SESAME STREET kicks off its new season on HBO with a reimagined “Elmo’s World” segment, where lessons are taught through pre-school relevant topics, films and interactive thinking games. Kids accompany Elmo and his friend Smartie, an animated cell phone and learning tool, as Elmo uses his imagination to dive into the topic of the day. Tony winner Bill Irwin returns as Mr. Noodle, who brings along new family members, played by Tony and Grammy winner Daveed Diggs (Broadway’s “Hamilton”) and comedian Daniel Koren.
SESAME STREET’s new kindness curriculum is woven throughout the upcoming season, with a new “kindness cam” segment, where kids point out the kindness moment from the episode, reinforcing learning. A recent study released by Sesame Workshop revealed that nearly three-quarters of parents and almost four-fifths of teachers say they “often” worry that the world is an unkind place for children, and a majority believe that people generally don’t go out of their way to help others. SESAME STREET addresses these concerns by modeling positive interactions and illustrating how to be caring and compassionate citizens. Along with lessons of kindness throughout the season, the curriculum will be the centerpiece of a multi-city pop-up kindness tour that will launch in January to engage with communities at local libraries and other regional sites.
The new season of SESAME STREET features an array of high-profile guests, including singer-songwriter Sia; R&B singer Jason Derulo; James Corden, host of “The Late Late Show”; pop singer Tori Kelly; Anthony Mackie (“Avengers: Age of Ultron”); and the country band Little Big Town.
New episodes will debut Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. (ET/PT), followed by a repeat episode at 9:30 a.m., with simultaneous presentation on HBO Latino in Spanish. New and past seasons of SESAME STREET air daily on HBO Family at 8:00 a.m., as well as on HBO On Demand and affiliate portals. Library episodes are available for streaming on HBO NOW and HBO GO.
January’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 1: “Be Kind to Your Worm”
Debut: SATURDAY, JAN. 7 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Oscar participates in Be Kind to Your Worm Day activities.
Season 47, Episode 2: “The Kindness Kid”
Debut: SATURDAY, JAN. 14 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
The Kindness Kid (Zachary Levi) visits Sesame Street to spread kindness.
Season 47, Episode 3: “Abby Helps Clear Things Up”
Debut: SATURDAY, JAN. 21 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Abby helps Prince Charming calm down at the eye doctor’s office.
Season 47, Episode 4: “Super Sitters”
Debut: SATURDAY, JAN. 28 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Grover and Cookie Monster help Chris babysit and learn how to take care of a baby.
February’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 5: “Having a Ball”
Debut: SATURDAY, FEB. 4 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
When Saul the Ball is disappointed that he can’t play ball with Elmo and Rosita inside the house, they help him use his imagination to play other games.
Season 47, Episode 6: “Elmo’s Sweet Ride”
Debut: SATURDAY, FEB. 11 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Elmo shares his scooter with Zoe and learns how to be patient and wait for his turn while she practices and learns how to ride.
Season 47, Episode 7: “Dress Up”
Debut: SATURDAY, FEB. 18 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Abby and Elmo play dress up and pretend to be different people, like bike repair assistants to help Nina fix Rosita’s bike.
Season 47, Episode 8: “Lifting Snuffy”
Debut: SATURDAY, FEB. 25 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Zoe choreographs a ballet and the dancers have to work together to figure out how to make Snuffy fly through the air. Guest star: Jason Derulo.
March’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 9: “Norbert’s Birthday”
Debut: SATURDAY, MARCH 4 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Rosita, Zoe and Grover give Norbert the Robot a surprise birthday party to show how much they care about him.
Season 47, Episode 10: “Elmo Comes Clean”
Debut: SATURDAY, MARCH 11 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Elmo keeps hiding from Nina because he wants more play time before his bath, but Ernie helps him realize that he can play in the bathtub, too.
Season 47, Episode 11: “Baby Bear Learns About Bees”
Debut: SATURDAY, MARCH 18 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Baby Bear is afraid of bees — until Abby shows him and Chris just how amazing they really are.
Season 47, Episode 12: “Big Bird’s Song”
Debut: SATURDAY, MARCH 25 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Abby and Elmo help Big Bird calm down so he won’t be nervous singing on the show “The Squawk.” Guest star: Sia.
April’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 13: “Get Ready for Today”
Debut: SATURDAY, APRIL 1 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Elmo and Abby help Crystal the Ball come up with a morning routine so that she can be ready to go out and play.
Season 47, Episode 14: “Painting with Cookie Monster”
Debut: SATURDAY, APRIL 8 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Cookie Monster learns how to control himself from eating his own paintings.
Season 47, Episode 15: “Meet Julia”
Debut: MONDAY, APRIL 10 (8:00–8:30 a.m.)
Big Bird finds Elmo and Abby playing with Julia, a new friend on Sesame Street. Big Bird notices that Julia plays a little bit differently than the others and Alan helps him understand that Julia has autism. Big Bird learns that kids with autism sometimes do things in a different way, but they share many things in common with all kids — like wanting to have fun and be loved. Julia and the Sesame friends invent a new game called “boing tag,” and then all come together to dance and sing, celebrating the amazing in all kids.
Season 47, Episode 16: “Make Your Garden Grow”
Debut: SATURDAY, APRIL 22 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Elmo has made sure his apple tree has good soil, water and sunshine, but he still needs to learn how to be patient and wait for it to grow.
Season 47, Episode 17: “Bike Show with a Beat”
Debut: SATURDAY, APRIL 29 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Nina and her friends turn bike parts into musical instruments to help them make music and attract customers to her new bike shop. Guest star: Little Big Town.
May’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 18: “Counting Hats”
Debut: SATURDAY, MAY 6 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Elmo and Zoe compete to see who can wear the most hats.
Season 47, Episode 19: “House of Worm”
Debut: SATURDAY, MAY 13 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Abby helps Turner the worm build a place that feels like home.
Season 47, Episode 20: “Wild Animals Stop for Lunch”
Debut: SATURDAY, MAY 20 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Snuffy helps out at Hooper’s Store when zoo animals come for brunch, but has to find a way to remember everyone’s order. Guest star: Audra McDonald.
Season 47, Episode 21: “Sheep in a Jet Pack”
Debut: SATURDAY, MAY 27 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
When Ovejita flies up high after putting on a jetpack, Abby and Nina must figure out how to get her back down.
June’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 22: “Rocking Rollie”
Debut: SATURDAY, JUNE 3 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Rosita and Zoe build a baby-rocking machine.
Season 47, Episode 23: “Elmo and Rosita’s Rainbow Search”
Debut: SATURDAY, JUNE 10 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Elmo sees a rainbow, but it disappears before Rosita can see it. Rosita, who has never seen a rainbow, becomes determined to see one. Guest: OK Go.
Season 47, Episode 24: “Father’s Day”
Debut: SATURDAY, JUNE 17 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
On Father’s Day, Rosita’s friends help her make a video message so that she can tell her dad how much she loves him. Guest: James Corden.
Season 47, Episode 25: “The Recycling Fairy”
Debut: SATURDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Redusa the Recycling Fairy visits Sesame Street and helps everyone recycle their trash into something new to keep the Earth clean and beautiful.
July’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 26: “The Camouflage Game”
Debut: SATURDAY, JULY 1 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Elmo, Rosita and Chris try to find six camouflaged things on Sesame Street so they can join the Camouflage Club. Guest: Kyra Sedgwick.
Season 47, Episode 27: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Debut: SATURDAY, JULY 8 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Elmo doesn’t give up and keeps practicing until he can play the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on his piano. Guest: 5th Harmony.
Season 47, Episode 28: “Bert and Ernie Make a Movie”
Debut: SATURDAY, JULY 15 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Ernie and Elmo help Bert tap into his imagination as he acts out different scenes for a movie.
Season 47, Episode 29: “Big Bird’s Big Move”
Debut: SATURDAY, JULY 22 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Freddy Flapman, real estate agent to birds, tries to convince Big Bird to migrate away from Sesame Street. Guest: Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Season 47, Episode 30: “Battle of the Chefs”
Debut: SATURDAY, JULY 29 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Chris and Elmo help Alan compete in challenges to become the “Cast Iron Cook.” Guests: Jason Schwartzman, Anthony Mackie.
August’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 31: “Hello Rudy”
Debut: SATURDAY, AUG. 5 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Abby is excited to meet her new stepbrother, Rudy, for the first time. Rosita and Elmo help Abby look out for him so that she can see Rudy as soon as he gets to Sesame Street.
Season 47, Episode 32: “Rudy Lets Loose”
Debut: SATURDAY, AUG. 12 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
Abby and Rosita help watch Grover’s dogs, but Rudy scares the animals when he tries to pet them. Rudy uses Abby’s wand and turns himself into a dog so that the dogs will be friends with him.
Season 47, Episode 33: “Hide and Seek Rudy”
Debut: SATURDAY, AUG. 19 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
After Rudy uses Abby’s wand to find the best hiding spot, and accidentally turns himself into a banana, she becomes worried when she can’t find him.
Season 47, Episode 34: “The Four Sneezons”
Debut: SATURDAY, AUG. 26 (9:00–9:30 a.m.)
When Grover wishes he didn’t have a cold in the fall, Rudy uses Abby’s wand to change the season. Now, every time Grover sneezes, the seasons keep changing.
September’s episodes:
Season 47, Episode 35: “The Snazzy Society”
Debut: SATURDAY, SEPT. 2 (9:00–9:30 a.m. ET/PT)
When Segi becomes upset after reading a book about her favorite character, Mando, Chris and Leela help her see that being brown is snazzy. Guest star: Lupita Nyong’o.
The show is also available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.
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