Sesame Street’s New Season Features SZA, Renee Rapp, Noah Kahan, More

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Few television shows can boast the legendary history of musical guests that Sesame Street has, having showcased artists such as Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Erykah Badu, the Fugees, Patti Labelle, R.E.M., and even had One Direction and Smokey Robinson sing odes to the letter U (“What Makes You Useful” and “U Really Got a Hold on Me”). Additionally, opera singer Marilyn Horne performed an operatic rendition of “C Is for Cookie,” among other notable performances.

In its 55th season, the show commences on Max on January 16, featuring Renee Rapp, followed by SZA, Noah Kahan, Michael B. Jordan, Samara Joy, Chris Stapleton, Jonathan Van Ness, and Billie Jean King. These guests will be appearing in songs and various segments. The detailed schedule is provided below; new episodes are released every Thursday. This season will become accessible on local PBS stations nationwide and the free PBS Kids Video app in Fall 2025.

As per the news, the theme for Season 55’s lessons will be centered around children’s emotional health. This means teaching them practical techniques to understand and manage strong emotions using enjoyable, humorous, recognizable, and interactive tales.

In the upcoming seasons of Sesame Street, young viewers will learn how to express their emotions effectively, discover new mindfulness techniques, and continue enjoying the company of their beloved furry and funny characters,” shared Sal Perez, the show’s executive producer. “We are teaching children strategies like taking a calming breath when upset, self-hugging when feeling frustrated, or shaking off disappointment by wiggling, thereby equipping them with tools to foster resilience and establish essential skills for emotional wellness.

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop’s Senior Vice President of Curriculum & Content, stated that this year’s program for promoting emotional well-being was created due to the rising mental health issues among children worldwide. The curriculum emphasizes teaching children about understanding emotions and building social relationships skills. It aims to help kids recognize that all feelings matter, including big ones, and demonstrates ways to handle various social situations with friends, family, and the broader community.

Episode highlights include: “Beachball Bop” (January 16th), in which Elmo learns a calming technique called volcano breaths after becoming angry; “Abby Learns About Kindness” (April 10th), where Abby discovers the importance of self-compassion to manage frustration, with the assistance of her friends; “Happy Bert Day” (July 24th), in which Ernie is eager to throw a boisterous birthday party for Bert, but Bert prefers a quiet celebration with puzzles. Can deep breathing exercises help them both find peace?; and “Cookie Monster’s New School Jitters” (September 4th), where Cookie Monster seeks assistance from his friends as he grapples with anxiety about attending a new cooking school.

Sesame Street is underwritten in part by Beaches Resorts and Google.  

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2025-01-09 20:22