Play with Me Sesame
Encyclopedia
Play with Me Sesame is a children's television series
spun off from Sesame Street
, featuring Sesame Street characters such as Bert, Ernie
, Grover
, and Prairie Dawn
. In the United States, from April 1, 2002 until September 2, 2007, the show has aired on the Nickelodeon-owned preschooler television station Nick Jr.
Play with Me Sesame moved to PBS Kids Sprout
as of September 10, 2007, however, Sprout showed 26 new episodes, and all 52 episodes of both season 1 and season 2.
The first two seasons were produced for Noggin, and both contained 26 episodes, respectively. The third and final season was produced solely by Sesame Workshop
for PBS Kids Sprout in 2007 (although it did mention Nick-Digital
in the credits) with 26 episodes.
, Play With Me Sesame aired on Playhouse Disney UK
. It showcases old and new Muppet (and sometimes film) clips from Sesame Street, with new linking segments featuring Grover, Prairie Dawn, Bert, and Ernie. The show also includes cameos by Zoe and Ernie's niece Ernestine. The show also features two British Muppets, Kit and Domby, who live in a castle on top of a hill. They spend most of their time in the castle kitchen, bedroom and living room (very similar to Ernie and Bert sketches). Kit has an English accent and Domby has a Scottish accent. They sometimes visit schools and playgroups to sing or talk with the children.
on TG4
, in Irish
, as Tar ag Spraoi Sesame
. This version was shown from 2004 right up until May 2007, when it was decided to withdraw of the UK and some other countries.
in Asia
in Fall 2003, the Prairie Dawn segments were cut for time.
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
spun off from Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
, featuring Sesame Street characters such as Bert, Ernie
Ernie
Ernie is a fictional character, a Muppet on the Public Broadcasting Service's long-running children's television show, Sesame Street. He and his roommate Bert form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve troublemaker and Bert the world-weary foil...
, Grover
Grover
Grover is a Muppet character on the popular television show Sesame Street. Self-described as lovable, cute and furry, he is a monster who almost never uses contractions when speaking or singing....
, and Prairie Dawn
Prairie Dawn
Prairie Dawn is a fictional character, a rather mature seven-year-old Muppet girl on the children's television program Sesame Street. She is similar in appearance to a character from the Anything Muppets. She is famous for writing school pageants for her friends, mostly Ernie and Bert, Herry,...
. In the United States, from April 1, 2002 until September 2, 2007, the show has aired on the Nickelodeon-owned preschooler television station Nick Jr.
Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. was a programming block on the Nickelodeon television channel, seen on Nickelodeon weekday mornings. It was aimed at a preschool-age audience ages 6 and under. On September 28, 2009, Nick Jr. became its own official channel, replacing Noggin...
Play with Me Sesame moved to PBS Kids Sprout
PBS KIDS Sprout
PBS Kids Sprout is a U.S. digital cable television channel, video-on-demand service, and website providing PBS Kids shows and original programming for preschoolers and their families...
as of September 10, 2007, however, Sprout showed 26 new episodes, and all 52 episodes of both season 1 and season 2.
The first two seasons were produced for Noggin, and both contained 26 episodes, respectively. The third and final season was produced solely by Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop , is a Worldwide American non-profit organization behind the production of several educational children's programs that have run on public broadcasting around the world...
for PBS Kids Sprout in 2007 (although it did mention Nick-Digital
Nickelodeon Creative Labs
Nickelodeon Creative Advertising is an American animation studio. The studio, which opened in 1998, created many content for Nickelodeon and Nicktoons Network.-History:...
in the credits) with 26 episodes.
Theme music
The theme song for the show is a remix of the classic Sesame Street song Somebody Come and Play, sung by Bert, Ernie, Grover, and Prairie Dawn.Segments
Play with Me Sesame features many different segments, such as:- Ernie Says: A game similar to "Simon Says," except the title is different. Ernie always manages to annoy Bert in this segment. For example, one time he asked Bert to help him hold an enormous piece of cheese, which he said was an "important part of the game." To Bert's anger, he says that "you can stop playing Ernie Says." He later points out that he just wants to have a snack, as he gets hungry after playing Ernie Says. Unlike Simon Says, where one cannot do something Simon does not say to do, every phrase in Ernie Says begins with "Ernie says..."
- Prairie Dawn's Art Class: A segment where Prairie Dawn showcases drawings made by kids.
- Prairie Dawn's Music Class: Beginning in season 3, Prairie Dawn would trade her art segment for one oriented around music.
- Kit and Domby's Art Class: A segment aired in the UK versions of Play with Me Sesame where Kit and Domby showcase art that has been sent in.
- Bert's Computer: Bert plays a game on the computer such as "Oatmeal Art," "Pigeon Patterns," and "Perfect Pair." Sometimes Ernie plays a game on the computer game called "Ducks in a Row."
- Move and Groove with Grover: The child dances along to a video. Grover often interrupts to point out some things and to tell the child more. Other times, he sings basic songs such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
- End Segment: A short and final game of Ernie Says is played. The first statement is usually "Ernie says, say goodbye..." The special circumstance in which the characters say goodbye ties in to the theme. For example, Ernie says to say goodbye while wiping windshield wipers in the car-themed episode.
Muppet Performers
- Fran BrillFran BrillFrances Joan "Fran" Brill , is an American actress and puppeteer, best known for her roles on Sesame Street.Brill was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Linette and Joseph M. Brill. Her father was a physician...
as Betty LouBetty LouBetty Lou may refer to:*Betty Lou Beets , murderer executed in Texas*Betty Lou Gerson , American actress*Betty Lou Holland , American actress*Betty Lou Keim , American actress...
, Prairie DawnPrairie DawnPrairie Dawn is a fictional character, a rather mature seven-year-old Muppet girl on the children's television program Sesame Street. She is similar in appearance to a character from the Anything Muppets. She is famous for writing school pageants for her friends, mostly Ernie and Bert, Herry,...
, and ZoeZoe (Sesame Street)Zoe is a 3-year-old, orange female monster on Sesame Street, performed by Fran Brill. She was designed in her color to complement her best friend Elmo, who was gaining popularity at her introduction in 1993.... - Kevin ClashKevin ClashKevin Jeffrey Clash is an American puppeteer and voice actor whose characters include Elmo, Baby Sinclair, Clifford, Splinter and Hoots the Owl...
as Elmo - Eric JacobsonEric JacobsonEric Jacobson is a puppeteer and Muppet performer, who has been the primary replacement puppeteer for Frank Oz's characters since 2001.-Career:...
as Bert and GroverGroverGrover is a Muppet character on the popular television show Sesame Street. Self-described as lovable, cute and furry, he is a monster who almost never uses contractions when speaking or singing.... - David RudmanDavid RudmanDavid Rudman is a puppeteer, voice actor and producer, best known as a performer of many of Sesame Street's Muppets. He originated the role of Baby Bear, and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work replacing Frank Oz in the role of Cookie Monster...
as Cookie MonsterCookie MonsterCookie Monster is a Muppet on the children's television show Sesame Street. He is best known for his voracious appetite and his famous eating phrases: "Me want cookie!", "Me eat cookie!", and "Om nom nom nom" . He often eats anything and everything, including danishes, donuts, lettuce, apples,...
(Season 2) - Martin P. RobinsonMartin P. RobinsonMartin P. Robinson is a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company. He originally built, designed, and performed the puppets for Little Shop of Horrors. He is perhaps best known for his work on Sesame Street. He has performed the characters of Telly Monster, Slimey the Worm, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Tony...
as Telly Monster - John TartagliaJohn TartagliaJohn Nicholas Tartaglia is an American singer, actor, dancer, puppeteer.Tartaglia was born in Maple Shade, New Jersey, U.S.. He joined Sesame Street's puppetry team at the age of 16 part-time, performing as a right hand and many minor characters, including Phoebe and being the backup for Kevin...
as Ernie (Season 2) - Steve WhitmireSteve WhitmireSteven Whitmire is an American puppeteer who works for The Jim Henson Company, Sesame Workshop and Disney's The Muppets Studio. He has been the performer of two signature Muppets - Kermit the Frog and Sesame Street's Ernie - since the death of their creator and original performer, Jim Henson, in...
as Ernie (Seasons 1 and 3) - Richard CoombsRichard CoombsRichard Coombs is a puppeteer from England, who has worked extensively on many British television shows, feature films, commercials & music videos. In 1987 & 1988, he worked on the ITV Saturday morning children's show, Get Fresh, where he operated the puppet, Gilbert the Alien, alongside fellow...
as Domby (UK version) - Andy HeathAndy Heath (puppeteer)Andy Heath is a British television puppeteer most noted for working as the head puppeteer for the BBC Three situation comedy Mongrels, where he controls the main character, Nelson the metrosexual fox.. He also puppeteered Hacker T...
as Kit (UK version)
Play With Me Sesame UK
In the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Play With Me Sesame aired on Playhouse Disney UK
Disney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
. It showcases old and new Muppet (and sometimes film) clips from Sesame Street, with new linking segments featuring Grover, Prairie Dawn, Bert, and Ernie. The show also includes cameos by Zoe and Ernie's niece Ernestine. The show also features two British Muppets, Kit and Domby, who live in a castle on top of a hill. They spend most of their time in the castle kitchen, bedroom and living room (very similar to Ernie and Bert sketches). Kit has an English accent and Domby has a Scottish accent. They sometimes visit schools and playgroups to sing or talk with the children.
Tar ag Spraoi Sesame
In IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
, in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, as Tar ag Spraoi Sesame
Tar ag Spraoi Sesame
Tar ag Spraoi Sesame, initially referred to as Spraoi Liomsa Sesame, is an Irish language dub of Play With Me Sesame, that began airing in Ireland on 3 November 2007...
. This version was shown from 2004 right up until May 2007, when it was decided to withdraw of the UK and some other countries.
Asia
When Play with Me Sesame aired on the Hallmark ChannelUniversal Channel
Universal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by Universal Networks International, a division of NBCUniversal and available on satellite and cable platforms...
in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
in Fall 2003, the Prairie Dawn segments were cut for time.
Funding
- Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(2002–2004) - The Children's PlaceThe Children's PlaceThe Children’s Place is an American specialty retailer of children’s apparel and accessories founded in 1969. They became publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange in 1997 under the ticker symbol PLCE...
(2002–2004) - Juicy JuiceJuicy JuiceJuicy Juice is a brand of juices and juice concentrates geared toward children and sold in the United States by Nestlé using the slogan "The very best juice for the very best kids." Prior to March 2006, it was known as Libby's Juicy Juice and was formerly owned by the Libby's Canned Food Company,...
(2002–2004) - Chuck E. Cheese (2002–2004)
- Corporation for Public BroadcastingCorporation for Public BroadcastingThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
(2002–2004) - Viewers Like You (2002–2004)