Meet Sesame Street's Global Cast of Characters
Over the course of the 40 years that the program has been on the air, Sesame Street has spawned versions in countries around the world
- By Abby Callard
- Smithsonian.com, November 06, 2009
1 of 17
| Next »»
(Sesame Workshop)
Abelardo- Mexico Plaza Sésamo
The American version of Sesame Street turns 40 years old this year, but Sesame Workshop currently co-produces local shows in 18 countries, each with their own, unique and culturally specific characters. Mexico’s Plaza Sésamo, which currently airs in 34 countries, was one of the first co-productions the company undertook in 1972. Abelardo is a giant parrot and Big Bird’ cousin. Just like his American counterpart, Abelardo is a full-body puppet, which means a person operates his movements from inside the costume, unlike the puppet-style muppets. Abelardo is the developmental age of a preschooler, slightly younger than his American cousin.
1 of 17
| Next »»
Comments (7)
How old are big bird , Ernie , cookie monster, & Elmo ! When was the show 1st aired ! Year! Was it 1953-1956 -or 1958! Thank you!!
Posted by Estella Butler on October 4,2012 | 05:25 PM
hi can you tell me who the green guy with the orange nose an orange hair, an wareing a ball cap
Posted by george miller on February 7,2012 | 05:58 PM
I applaud the longevity and quality of Sesame Street and its multi-cultural offspring. Far from being a "time waster," Sesame Street has grown with the times to address many issues important to young minds. Children are complex individuals but are able to identify with the broader personalities of the Muppet cast, including Big Bird's naiveté and Cookie Monster's obsessive nature. The global cast only enriches the positive elements that have been part of the show since the very beginning.
Posted by Eric Sweetman on May 19,2010 | 08:30 PM
I've always been a huge fan of Abelardo when I was a kid. I've always been a fan of Sesame Street and I'm really happy to know more now about their global cast.
Sarah Hashim
Posted by Sarah Hashim on May 3,2010 | 08:39 PM
I just met a... girl? who looks just like Abelardo!
Posted by Rochi on November 27,2009 | 09:54 PM
Are Zeliboba's eyebrows on loan from Leonid Brezhnev?
Posted by kel on November 10,2009 | 10:44 PM
On November 10th, less than a week after Big Bird's birthday (November 4), the Sesame Street 40th anniversary season will begin. Why we're wasting valuable time on the birthday of a large yellow puppet is beyond me, but it was given the royal treatment, and Big Bird's Birthday was featured by a caricature of the big yellow avian/humanoid on the front page of Google. It was indeed a Sesame Street Anniversary, as the show has been on the air for 40 years. Generations were raised on it, and rearing their own with the show, with that big goofy bird and his imaginary friend. Ironically, he has not begun to gray at all. Well, congrats for Big Bird's Birthday, and evidently the show still gets ratings good enough for money now every year to keep going.
http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/11/04/big-birds-birthday-marks-sesame-street-anniversary/
Posted by Stephanie D on November 10,2009 | 04:35 AM