The beloved children's show is kicking off its 55th season with a star-studded lineup of musicians, aiming to teach valuable life lessons through music.
This image released by Sesame Workshop shows actor-singer Renee Rapp with muppet characters Cookie Monster, from left, Elmo and Abby Cadabby on the set of ' Sesame Street .' (Richard Termine/Sesame Workshop via AP) The 55th season of the acclaimed family program features a star-studded lineup of musicians that would be the envy of any summer festival:The upcoming season will focus on lessons in emotional well-being. It debuts Jan. 16 on MAX with new episodes releasing every Thursday.
“Sesame Street” will also be available on PBS stations and to stream on PBS Kids in the fall. “There's a lot to learn from music — yeah, timing and harmonies and melody and different styles and different cultures,” the 3 1/2-year-old monster told The Associated Press. “It's really cool! We've got a lot of wonderful people come and do some music with us on ‘Sesame Street,' like Songs double as life lessons on “Sesame Street,” from an alt-R&B-pop track about gratitude with SZA to an acoustic number about feelings with Rapp. 'SZA is really cool — really talented. And ‘gratitude’ was a new word for Elmo, too. So, Elmo learned all about gratitude with SZA,” he said. 'Elmo was feeling really, really happy after his playdate with Miss Reneé. It was a really beautiful song. She's got a great voice and Elmo hopes she comes back soon.”“If the verse is an earworm, so is the chorus. Mostly in pop music, the chorus is the earworm, and the verses are just a bunch of jumble.” The difference, he explains, is that pop songs are about three and a half minutes long. Children's music is about a minute and a half. “You only have a very finite amount of time to do what you got to do.” Usually, writers on the show provide Sherman and his team of songwriters with a script and lyrics detailing the lesson of each episode, as well as the name of the musical guest. Then they get to work, composing music true to the genre and spirit of each artist.performing a foot-stomping folk song about music and feelings, Joy using jazz improvisation to teach a lesson in taking turns and a country ode to music and friends courtesy of Stapleton.really wanted to write his own song,” says Sherman, and so the pair hopped on a Zoom and wrote a song together, Stapleton with his guitar in tow, ideas flowing. “It was really one of the most surreal two-hour Zooms that I really ever had in my life.” Joy took a different approach. “Samara Joy insisted on singing live,' says Sherman. “It very rarely happens on ‘Sesame Street.’ I can only count, like, a few times. So, there was like back in the day, which is a classic. And there’s like Billy Joel, there’s John Legend, there’s a couple people that actually sing live. But Samara insisted on it.” Her reasoning was simple. 'She said, ‘Well, this whole episode is about improvisation and thinking on your toes. And so, if it’s prerecorded, that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to teach.’' If there is a theme that connects all these performances to one another, it's a spirit of connection. At least, that's Elmo's theory: “Elmo thinks that music brings people together, you know? And some people who like some things and some people who like other things can kind of come together because they like the same kind of music. And that's kind of cool!” “Sesame Street,” designed by education professionals and child psychologists, is shown in more than 150 countries, has won over 200 Emmys, 11 Grammys, two Peabody Awards and received a Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement, the first time a television program got the award. There've been no shortage of great musical guests across the show's five decade run. So, who would they like to see pay a visit in the future? “Mis
Sesame Street Music Education Children's Television Musical Guests
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Sesame Street' 55th season features SZA, Chris Stapleton and moreAppearing on “Sesame Street”? That’s the best idea. The 55th season of the acclaimed family program features a star-studded lineup of musicians that would be the envy of any summer festival. It includes SZA, Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan, Reneé Rapp and Samara Joy. Elmo says music brings people together.
Read more »
Sesame Street to Leave Max Streaming ServiceThe popular children's program 'Sesame Street' will end its run on Max, formerly HBO Max, after its 55th season. The decision reflects Max's shift in focus towards adult and family programming. 'Sesame Street' will continue to air on PBS and Sesame Workshop is seeking a new distribution partner.
Read more »
Nonprofit recruits 'Sesame Street' puppeteer and Broadway star to help girls dream big through musicThe group is dedicated to supporting girls of color in overcoming barriers.
Read more »
Sesame Street Looking For New Distribution Partner As Warner Bros. Opts To Not Renew DealSesame Street Bert and Ernie
Read more »
Elmo needs a new streaming home after Max drops Sesame StreetSesame Street’s new episodes currently air first on Max, but that deal with Warner Bros Discovery will expire soon.
Read more »
Sesame Street Looking for New Home After Warner Bros. Passes on Renewing the SeriesComic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books
Read more »