Muppetology 101: Identifying International Sesame

Mitchell Stein - Since it's start in 1969, Sesame Street has reached billions of viewers and has broadcasted in over 120 countries. In order to reach each and every child in every part of the world, Sesame Workshop has started over 20 different international Sesame Street spinoff series. In this article, we'll showcase just a few of the many international shows, and their differences from the original U.S. version.

Plaza Sesamo - Mexico, Peurto Rico
Plaza Sesamo is the Latin- American production of Sesame Street. It features a mixed cast of Panamanian, Argentinian, and Latin- Americans. The series began on April 3, 1995 and has been running ever since. The show's cast includes Abelardo Montoya, (Plaza Sesamo's version of Big Bird), Bodoque (a version of Oscar the Grouch), Lola, Pancho, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Ernie and Bert.

Sesamestrasse - Germany
Sesamestasse first aired in Germany on January 8, 1973. It is currently in it's 39th season. The cast includes, Ernie and Bert, Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, and a new cast consisting of Samson, Tiffy, Finchin, Buh, Feli Fliu, Rumpel the Grouch and his worm Gustav (version of Slimey).

Ruchov Sumsum - Israel
Along with Israel's other Sesame-inspired show, Shalom Sesame,Ruchov Sumsum was founded in 1983, starting with characters like Kippod Ben Kippod and Moishe Offnik, the Israeli character counterparts to Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. The show also features American based characters, Grover, Elmo, and Ernie and Bert.

Sesame Park - Canada
Sesame Park was the Canadian counterpart of Sesame Street and aired from 1996 until 2002 on CBC, but Sesame Park has a much larger history dating back to several five minute segments featured on Sesame Street Canada. The shows cast are exclusively brand-new characters including Chaos, Basil, Louis, Katie, and Dodi.

That's all for now! We'll feature some more unique international soon! Class dismissed.






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