Sesame Street Kicks-Off 40th Season on November 10th

On November 10, 2009, forty years to the day since its premiere broadcast, Sesame Street will kick-off its landmark 40th season on PBS. Big Bird, Oscar, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, the Count, Grover, Bert, Ernie, Snuffy, Telly, Rosita, Baby Bear, Zoe and the rest of the gang will return this season with a whole new set of adventures, lessons, songs, games and sketches. This season will concentrate on the needs of children with a special nature-focused curriculum, "My World is Green and Growing," designed to create a love and understanding of the natural world.

This fall viewers will notice an all new show open and close as well as a new 'block' format hosted by "Word on the Street" Muppet, Murray, from real-world locations. In addition, resident fairy-in-training, Abby Cadabby, takes on a brand new look in the CGI animated segment "Abby’s Flying Fairy School" which aims to boost preschoolers’ critical thinking skills.

As always, the new episodes will feature well-known celebrity guests including: Oscar nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Today Show host Meredith Vieira, former New York Giants football player Tiki Barber, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Late Night host Jimmy Fallon, comedian Ricky Gervais, and actors Paul Rudd, Judah Friedlander, Adam Sandler and Sarah Jessica Parker. New music meets the classic Sesame style with Grammy nominee Jason Mraz performing alongside Elmo and friends the appropriately rhymed song "Outdoors" to his hit-tune "I'm Yours." In addition, 26 new words will be introduced in the "Word on the Street" segments featuring explanations and definitions by celebrities like: Cameron Diaz, Julianna Marguiles, Hugh Jackman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adrian Grenier, Eva Longoria, and of course, the Sesame Street Muppets.

But the celebration doesn’t stop there! Fans will be able to get nostalgic with a commemorative two-disc compilation DVD, Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days. The DVD set includes classic clips from the past 40 years. In addition, a fully illustrated coffee-table book entitled A Celebration: 40 Years of Life on the Street will also be available November 10th.

So mark your calendars and be sure to tune in for the gigantic 40th season of Sesame Street. I will be sure to keep you updated as more details on the 40th season and anniversary celebration become available.