Series synopsis
Sesame Street is an American kids comedy television series that premiered on PBS on November 10, 1969. It was created by Lloyd Morrisett, Joan Ganz Cooney, Jim Henson. It stars Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Sonia Manzano and Bob McGrath.
On a special inner city street, the inhabitants—human and muppet—teach preschoolers basic educational and social concepts using comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
Premise
On a special inner city street, the inhabitants—human and muppet—teach preschoolers basic educational and social concepts using comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
Premise: Kindness is in the air.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Frank Oz as Bert
- Jerry Nelson as Aloysius Snuffleupagus
- Sonia Manzano as Maria Figueroa Rodriguez
- Bob McGrath as Bob Jackson
- Roscoe Orman as Gordon Robinson
- Loretta Long as Susan Robinson
- Emilio Delgado as Luis Rodriguez
- Richard Hunt
Supporting cast
- Fran Brill as Zoe/Prairie Dawn (voice)
- Caroll Spinney as Big Bird
- Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Muppet
- Kevin Clash as Elmo/Hoots the Owl/Baby Natasha (voice)
- Martin P. Robinson as Telly Monster/Aloysius Snuffleupagus/Irvine/Slimey (voice)
- Dave Goelz
- Eric Jacobson
- Jim Henson
- Linda Bove as Linda
- Pam Arciero
- Joey Mazzarino as Stinky
- David Rudman as Cookie Monster / Two-Headed Monster
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 20 seasons with 2152 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 126 | November 17, 2012 | |
| Season 1 | 130 | November 10, 1969 | May 8, 1970 |
| Season 2 | 145 | November 9, 1970 | May 28, 1971 |
| Season 3 | 130 | November 8, 1971 | May 5, 1972 |
| Season 4 | 130 | November 27, 1972 | May 25, 1973 |
| Season 5 | 130 | November 19, 1973 | May 17, 1974 |
| Season 6 | 130 | November 4, 1974 | May 2, 1975 |
| Season 7 | 130 | December 1, 1975 | May 28, 1976 |
| Season 8 | 130 | November 29, 1976 | May 27, 1977 |
| Season 9 | 65 | November 28, 1977 | May 26, 1978 |
| Season 10 | 130 | November 27, 1978 | May 25, 1979 |
| Season 11 | 130 | November 26, 1979 | May 23, 1980 |
| Season 12 | 130 | November 24, 1980 | May 22, 1981 |
| Season 13 | 31 | November 23, 1981 | May 21, 1982 |
| Season 14 | 31 | November 22, 1982 | May 20, 1983 |
| Season 15 | 130 | November 21, 1983 | May 18, 1984 |
| Season 16 | 130 | November 19, 1984 | May 17, 1985 |
| Season 17 | 130 | November 18, 1985 | May 16, 1986 |
| Season 18 | 31 | November 17, 1986 | May 15, 1987 |
| Season 19 | 33 | November 16, 1987 | May 13, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Letter of the Month Club Telly Monster couldn't be more excited about his new Letter of the Month Club membership, and soon Vinnie the Delivery Guy is at the door with the letter A. Then a B arrives, followed by C, and D--and best of all, every letter comes with sound! The only problem is that the letters are taking over Hooper's store and Telly will have to choose between his letters and his friends. |
|
| 2 |
Do The Alphabet When Baby Bear must learn his alphabet in one day, Big Bird patiently takes him under his wing in Do the Alphabet. Only "The Method," (a hilarious combination of dance, song, visualization, and group therapy) can help Baby Bear on such short notice. |
|
| 3 |
Let's Make Music Telly learns that music can be made from many different things, as the members of Stomp! make music all along Sesame Street with different every day objects. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gordon Introduces Sally to Sesame Street (0001) In the first episode of Sesame Street, Gordon takes a girl named Sally on a tour of Sesame Street, introducing her (and the viewers) to the various characters on the show. On the street, Sally meets the human cast -- Gordon, Susan, Bob and Mr. Hooper -- as well as two Muppet characters, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. |
November 10, 1969 |
| 2 |
Oscar Decides to Leave Sesame Street (0002) Oscar decides to leave Sesame Street. Sponsors: E, S, W, 2, 3 |
November 11, 1969 |
| 3 |
A Cold Day on Sesame Street (0003) Big Bird makes a sweater for Susan. Sponsors: E, S, W, 2, 3 |
November 12, 1969 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 131 Season 2 premiere: Big Bird sings "Everyone Makes Mistakes"; Oscar's grandmother visits. Sponsors: J, 2 |
November 9, 1970 |
| 2 | Episode 132 | November 10, 1970 |
| 3 | Episode 133 | November 11, 1970 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 276 Season 3 premiere: New cast members are introduced; Big Bird meets Mr. Snuffleupagus. |
November 8, 1971 |
| 2 | Episode 277 | November 9, 1971 |
| 3 | Episode 278 | November 10, 1971 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 406 Season 4 premiere: Gordon and Susan meet Sam the Robot, Mr. Snuffleupagus plays "London Bridge" with the kids. Sponsors: D, 2 |
November 27, 1972 |
| 2 | Episode 407 | November 28, 1972 |
| 3 | Episode 408 | November 29, 1972 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Just Another Quiet Day on Sesame Street (0536) 5th season premiere. Sponsors: D, 2 |
November 19, 1973 |
| 2 |
Episode 537 Sam the Robot demonstrates next and away from. Sponsors: D, W, 3 |
November 20, 1973 |
| 3 |
Episode 538 Sponsors: E, W, 4 |
November 21, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 666 Season premiere; the Count counts streetlights. Sponsors: E, 2 |
November 4, 1974 |
| 2 | Episode 667 | November 5, 1974 |
| 3 | Episode 668 | November 6, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Headline Howie Gets the Scoop on Snuffy (0796) Headline Howie gets the scoop on Snuffy. Sponsors: P, 2 |
December 1, 1975 |
| 2 | Big Bird Runs for President (0797) | December 2, 1975 |
| 3 | Episode 798 | December 3, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 926 Mr. Hooper celebrates the 25th anniversary of his store. (season premiere) Sponsored by I, 2. |
November 29, 1976 |
| 2 | Episode 927 | November 30, 1976 |
| 3 | Episode 928 | December 1, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1056 Season 9 premiere: Bert leads a marching band; Oscar has a cooking show; Grover drives Gordon's car. Sponsored by H, 2. |
November 28, 1977 |
| 2 | Episode 1057 | November 29, 1977 |
| 3 | Episode 1058 | November 30, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1186 The Count counts hellos from everyone on Sesame Street, and the gang decides what to name the large Muppet dog: Barkley or Woof-Woof? Sponsored by D, 2. |
November 27, 1978 |
| 2 |
Episode 1187 Bob and Big Bird try to train Barkley. Sponsored by D, R, 3. |
November 28, 1978 |
| 3 |
Episode 1188 Sponsored by R, T, 4. |
November 29, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1316 | November 26, 1979 |
| 2 | Episode 1317 | November 27, 1979 |
| 3 | Episode 1318 | November 28, 1979 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1446 Big Bird goes to school |
November 24, 1980 |
| 2 | Episode 1447 | November 25, 1980 |
| 3 | Episode 1448 | November 26, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1576 | November 23, 1981 |
| 2 | Episode 1577 | November 24, 1981 |
| 3 | Episode 1578 | November 25, 1981 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1706 | November 22, 1982 |
| 2 |
Episode 1707 Big Bird at Camp, part 2 |
November 23, 1982 |
| 3 |
Episode 1708 Big Bird at Camp, part 3 |
November 24, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gordon and Snuffy run in the NYC Marathon Big Bird helps Snuffleupagus train for the NYC Marathon while the Sesame Street crew cheers on Gordon. Despite Snuffy's repeated tardiness at every checkpoint, Big Bird patiently waits for his friend to finish the race, even sleeping in the park overnight. Gordon and Susan eventually return to help push their car home as thanks for Big Bird's loyalty. Sponsors: K, 2 |
November 21, 1983 |
| 2 |
Big Bird can't get back to sleep Big Bird wakes from a nightmare and struggles to fall back asleep despite help from Maria, Susan, and the Honkers. Maria falls asleep mid-relaxation advice while Susan's bedtime stories don't help, but the Honkers' rendition of "Brahms' Lullaby" finally gets Big Bird to sleep. Sponsors: C, K, 3 |
November 22, 1983 |
| 3 |
Episode 1838 The cast sings about circles while Forgetful Jones accidentally buys basketball sneakers instead of horseshoes for Buster the Horse. Big Bird performs a poem about the letter S with kids acting out related words, though Mr. Snuffleupagus doesn't appear in time for the conclusion. Sponsors: S, W, 4 |
November 23, 1983 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The adults begin to believe that Snuffy is real Big Bird challenges the adults' skepticism about Mr. Snuffleupagus by passionately explaining the difference between what's real and imaginary. Gordon, Maria, and Linda come to his defense, while other adults remain unconvinced. Maria visits Big Bird's nest and brings back a note from Snuffy, proving his existence to believers and skeptics alike. Sponsors: A, 2 |
November 19, 1984 |
| 2 |
Two-Headed Monster at the library At the library, the Two-Headed Monster struggles with choosing books since each head has different tastes. During story time, the heads pick opposing sides in Jack and the Beanstalk—one rooting for Jack, the other for the giant. The surprising happy ending where Jack invites the giant for lunch satisfies both heads equally. Sponsors: A, B, 3 |
November 20, 1984 |
| 3 |
David meets Crystal Strong-willed Crystal stands up to David when he assumes she can't handle her heavy backpack, proving she's stronger than he is. Big Bird plays a prank on the adults by getting them to listen for nonexistent sounds at his nest door. Gordon struggles to hit the right note for a community center performance while Oscar sarcastically encourages his failures. Sponsors: B, C, 4 |
November 21, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The adults on Sesame Street finally meet Mr. Snuffleupagus Big Bird reveals to Snuffy that something special is going to happen today: all his grown-up friends will finally get to meet his best friend face-to-face! Big Bird explains how tired he is of hearing everyone humor him about his "imaginary friend." Sponsors: J, S, 6 |
November 18, 1985 |
| 2 |
Snuffy befriends Maria In the early morning, Snuffy stops by Big Bird's nest, unable to sleep from the thrill of meeting everyone yesterday. A thought then occurs to him - he wonders if it really happened, or if he just imagined it. Sponsors: E, H, 7 |
November 19, 1985 |
| 3 |
Snuffy plays the harpmonica Snuffy wants to introduce Big Bird, Maria, Bob, Luis and Gordon to his new friend, but isn't sure how to do it since he just recently became friends with the grown-ups himself. Bob witnesses Snuffy playing a Snuffleupagus instrument called the "harpmonica." Sponsors: E, Q, 8 |
November 20, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 2226 | November 17, 1986 |
| 2 | Episode 2227 | November 18, 1986 |
| 3 | Episode 2228 | November 19, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 540 | November 16, 1987 |
| 2 | Episode 541 | November 17, 1987 |
| 3 | Episode 542 | November 18, 1987 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 10, 1969 |
| Last aired | April 13, 2026 |
| Runtime | 54 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Schedule | Monday |