Sesame Street Season 54 Launches Thursday, November 9 on MAX!

Sesame Street's 54th season premieres November 9 on MAX. 

Check out the press release touting the season below:

(October 17, 2023 – New York, N.Y.) – Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind decades of award-winning engaging educational media content, today announced Sesame Street’s 54th season will debut on Thursday, November 9 on Max. Episodes of the iconic children’s series, 35 in all, will release every Thursday. The season will stream on PBS KIDS in Fall 2024. 

“With so many unique stories to tell, Sesame Street will build upon last season’s joyful self and belonging content that resonated deeply with children and their families and will continue to do so by honoring, reflecting, and celebrating our diverse world,” said Sal Perez, Executive Producer, Sesame Street. “Season 54 will inspire children to be proud of who they are and connect with their community. At the core of the show, our furry and funny Sesame Street friends welcome children to play, laugh, and celebrate who they are with us.” 

Through fun, uplifting stories with beloved friends, children will learn to feel confident and find oy in connecting with and learning about others, celebrating differences, and embracing similarities in their neighborhood.

“This season’s stories act as mirrors that reflect the lives of children and their families, as windows that offer them views to see and learn about others, and as sliding doors which invite children to participate in new experiences with their Sesame Street friends,” said Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop’s Senior Vice President of Curriculum & Content. “These child-relevant stories help children develop a healthy sense of self and belonging, and learn to treat each other with kindness, fairness, and respect.” 

The characters and children of Sesame Street explore concepts and language that celebrate themselves, their friends and families, and the wider community, providing content for every young viewer to connect with. 

Feature episodes include: The Sign Language ABC’S (Thursday,April 11, 2024) in which Elmo learns that sign language has an alphabet too, and this gives him a great idea to celebrate Alphabet Day by singing the ABC song while his friend Mathis, who is deaf, signs the alphabet using American Sign Language; Proud of My Name (Thursday, November 23, 2023) where Rosita feels frustrated when her basketball coach shortens her name and her friends Elmo and Gabrielle encourage her to tell the coach that she wants to be called “Rosita” as she is proud of her name; Brave Bessie by Brave Gabrielle (Thursday, May 23, 2024) where Gabrielle puts on a show to tell her friends about Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman who used her courage to learn to fly an airplane; The Oct-Dough-Pus (November 16, 2023) in which Grover and his friend the octopus learn that families all over the world make bread in different kinds of ways, shapes, and sizes; Sesame Street Song Day (January 18, 2024) where Mia learns how to sing “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” in Spanish with help from her friends Nina, Rosita, and Lalo; and Tamir Learns Tagalog (May 16, 2024) where Tamir learns to say a few words in Tagalog to have something to say to his favorite comic book artist, whose family is Filipino, and make him feel welcome. 

Additionally, a variety of cultural celebrations will be showcased throughout the season with episodes such as Sesame Street’s Lunar New Year Celebration (Thursday, February 8, 2024) and Shabbat Shalom! (Thursday, April 25, 2024). 

Celebrity and special guests Ariana DeBose (Thursday, November 9), Quinta Brunson (Thursday, January 4), Brandi Carlile (Thursday, March 7), Kal Penn (Thursday, March 14), Eugene Cordero (Thursday, May 16), and Dan Levy (Thursday, June 13) join for Street Stories, songs, and other segments. 

Also, everyone’s favorite furry friends Elmo and Tango are back for the annual airing of the new family holiday classic, The Nutcracker: Starring Elmo and Tango, which airs December 2 on PBS Kids and will also be available on Max. An original take on a classic Christmas tale, this festive animated feature is a celebration of the greatest gift of all: friendship. 

Plus, this year Sesame Street’s Elmo, Tango, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch leave the neighborhood on a mission to help others in three brand new specials focusing on giving back to the community. With celebrity friends Eddie Jackson, Sunny Anderson, and Jasmine Roth, each unscripted special features the Sesame Street crew teaming up to create fun and surprising solutions to everyday obstacles. Grover, Bert, Abby Cadabby, Gabrielle, and more also join in on the fun. Cookie Monster’s Bake Sale (premiered Aug. 10): Oscar’s Handmade Halloween (premiered Oct. 5): Elmo and Tango Holiday Helpers (premieres Dec. 7) are on Max. 

Below you can watch the Sesame Street season 54th sizzle reel:

Sesame Street continues to be available on PBS stations and streams on PBS KIDS. 

Sesame Street is the flagship series in Sesame Workshop’s growing slate of shows, which includes the CGI-animated Sesame Street spinoff Mecha Builders; The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo; Esme & Roy; Ghostwriter; Helpsters; and docuseries Through Our Eyes, as well as year round Sesame Street and Sesame Studios digital shorts, stories, specials, and songs.

Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit harnessing the power of education, media, and research to support children in over 150 countries and empower each generation to build a better world. 

Barrels of Fun Labyrinth Pinball Machine!

Barrels of Fun has created an official Labyrinth themed pinball machine. 

Before we show how cool it is be forewarned, only 1,100 of the game are being made and it starts at $10,600! 

They first teased the game last week with this trailer:

 

The backglass features artwork of Jareth holding a crystal ball with Toby and some of the goblins inside by Nate Hallinan.

.While the speakers have a labyrinth design. 

The outside of the machine features artwork of the goblins and others characters.

While the game itself features artwork and 3D sculptures of the Wiseman, Ludo, Ello Worm, and the Fireyes.

There are also a few additional features that can be added, and sold separately including a three goblin topper:

An alternate, "Should You Need Us" Mirrored Back Glass by Johnny Bergeron:

 

and a Nipper Shooter Rod:  

Below is the spec sheet for the game:

And the official description:

Venture into the fantasy world by visionary Jim Henson’s, Labyrinth. This cult classic from the 80s, featuring the iconic David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, who has captured the imaginations of many.

Embark on this pinball adventure, as you encounter a cast of characters, including Hoggle, Sir Didymus, and Ludo, who can become your loyal companions “Should you need them” and prove invaluable allies as you navigate the labyrinth filled with outrageous creatures and unknown dangers.

Your ultimate goal is to reach the castle beyond the Goblin City, where Jareth awaits. You’ll face numerous challenges and obstacles. These challenges will involve solving riddles, and the ever-shifting paths of the labyrinth, and outsmarting cunning adversaries. Each successful conquest will earn you an Orb, which is essential for progressing deeper into the labyrinth.

The journey through the Labyrinth is not only a test of wit and courage but is your own adventure. A world where fantasy and reality intertwine, where your determination and resourcefulness are your greatest assets. With your newfound friends and the Orb’s power, you can inch closer to your goal and confront the enigmatic Goblin King.

Entering the fantastical collectible pinball world of “Labyrinth”, limited to just 1,100 games worldwide, promises to be an enchanting and unique experience. Where the magic of Jim Henson’s visionary world meets the tactile and immersive thrill of pinball gameplay. Each flip of the flippers, bump of the ball, will transport you into the heart of the Labyrinth.

Immerse yourself in the iconic scenes and Music from the movie, reliving key moments and challenges from the film. Complete with interactive features and toys that will transport you to the world of Labyrinth while appreciating the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating this limited collectible.

So, for those lucky enough to acquire one of these 1,100 units, may your adventure through the “Labyrinth” pinball world be a one-of-a-kind experience, filled with the same wonder and excitement that the movie brought to fans for decades.

Features: 

• Sculpted Goblin King Castle

• Sculpted Goblin City and Hidden Ludo Toy

• Goblin city, magnet Diverter

• Goblin Gate Fork Trap

• Humongous Smart Drop Target

• Sculpted Humongous toy guard

• Goblin Gate Spinner

• Brick Keeper lift ramp and hidden home (scoop). Beware the Brick Keeper’s and their tricks

• Begger Magnet

• Bog Scoop

• Helping hands scoop

• Sir Didymus staff Up post. Befriend Sir Didymus and allow him to save your ball.

• 3 ramps, goblin city wireform, metal right return ramp and wireform, and middle ramp

• Two firey appearing toys

• Sculpted Ello Worm Toy

• Ello Appearing Post

• Sculpted doors with knockers scene

• Physical Ball Path Diverter

• Sculpted Wise Man and Smart Drop Target. Complete his quests for special awards.

• Wireform Skill Ramp with multiple Skill Shots

• Mirror plastics

• 14.9 LCD backboard for a true expanded world under glass

• Playfield art by Johnny Bergeron aka Johnny Crap

• Backglass featuring the goblin king himself, David Bowie by Nate Hallinan, or Mirrored “should you need us” alternative Backglass by Johnny Bergeron.

• Powder coat pinball trim

• Matching powder-coat LCD speaker panel with 15.6 LCD with labyrinth laser-cut speaker vents.

• Light-up speakers

• Crystal ball flipper buttons

• Fanless power Supply

• FAST Pinball controller System

As previously stated, only 1,100 of these are being made and the standard version costs $10,600.

The Goblin Topper Accessory: $950.00

Pric

The Alternate Gold Mirrored Backglass: $299

Nipper Shooter Rod: $129

For a grand total of $11,978

You can pre-order it with down payment of $1,000 from Barrels of Fun.

Barrels of Fun has six distributors so far – King Pin Games in Wisconsin, CoinTaker in Pennsylvania, Flip N Out Pinball in Indiana, FUN! in north Texas, Joystix in south Texas and Mr Pinball in Australia.

Muppet Stuff Video: Toy Fair 2023!

If you saw our post from last week, you saw many of the new and upcoming Henson-related items coming out.

Now, join me as I go to Toy Fair and search for them!

Be sure to check out more videos on our Youtube Channel.

New Disneyland Kermit Items!

Disneyland released a selection of new Kermit themed items.

There's a hoodie:

 backpack:

Crocs:

and a carabiner:

I particular like the new hang tags featuring the new Muppet logo and Kermit's face. 

These were spotted at Disney California Adventure at the Elias & Co. and Dress Shops. No word yet if they're coming to Walt Disney World, but I would think the would. 

We've gotten word that even more items in the collection will be released October 20th.

Thanks to Lorna Mitchell for the heads up. 

Muppets Mayhem Soundtrack Walmart Exclusive Picture Disc!

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem's first album came out earlier this summer in both a regular and Target exclusive. Did you wonder why it wasn't also available at Walmart?

Well we did, and now we know why. Walmart just announced they're going to have their own exclusive picture disc feature the band.

Walmart's listing has conflicted dates for it's release. It'll either be released as part of their Collector Con new releases on 10/13 beginning at 7am PST or on 10/27.

UPDATE:

You can pre-order it now at Walmart. 

Loungefly TruffleShuffle Exclusive Labyrinth Worn Backpack!

ello!.... Loungefly has released a new limited edition bag based on the "ello worm" from Labyrinth. 

We're so excited to bring you this worldwide exclusive Labyrinth Worm bag created in conjunction with our friends at Loungefly. Although he's one of the smallest characters from the epic 80's movie, the long loved Cockney maze creature has a big place in all fans hearts so what better pay to pay tribute than by keeping him on your back at all times.

The bag features the worms face and torso on the front with his signature three puffs of hair on top. 

On the back is an image of the worm inside a tea cup with an embroidered print of his iconic quote from the movie, "Ello!", "Come inside and have a nice cuppa tea'."

The inside features a pattern of Labyrinth characters with the worm surrounded by the heads of Jareth, Ludo, and Sir Didymus.

While the zipper handle is a tea cup and saucer that says "Meet the Missus."

• Made from premium faux saffiano leather
• Features applique, embroidered and printed details topped off with 3d hair and a cup of tea metal zipper charm
• Measures W: 23cm x H:27cm x D:11.5cm (approx)
• Exterior side pouch pockets and zipped front pocket
• Adjustable padded shoulder straps and hanging loop
• Interior lined with matching themed fabric
• Finished with the signature Labyrinth Loungefly metal badge
• Vegan friendly

Loungefly's Labyrinth Worm Cosplay Mini Backpack is a worldwide TruffleShuffle exclusive.

It's available now and can be ordered here.

Toy Fair 2023!

After a two year hiatus, we once again scoured Toy Fair for all the Henson related merchandise we could find. 

Our first stop was Gund, who all their latest plush on display. 

Many of which are the same or similar to previous releases.

They have the exclusive plush rights for characters like Tamir, Gabriella, and Ji-Young.

Small plush books and Tango plush

 Checkup Playsets featuring bags in the shapes of Cookies Monster & Elmo.

New this year is Dance and Play Elmo and Tango Animated Plush:

NECA has new Chia Pet featuring Oscar the Grouch 

Their Kidrobot line showed off the upcoming large Fozzie plush 

plush hangers of Gonzo,

Fozzie, 

and Kermit.

Phunny plush of Kemit, Fozzie, ansd Miss Piggy.

Cookie Monster Interactive Plush Snack Bag

and their Dinosaurs Baby Sinclair Phunny plush. 

Speaking of Dinosaurs, NECA showed off their upcoming Earl and Baby ultimate action figures. 

The details and accessories are incredible. 

Even the boxes are are designed to fit with the characters, 

they're even made by the "WeSaySo" company!

The back highlights the many poses and expressions possible. 

Our contact told us that Earl and Baby are just the first in plan of many Dinosaurs figures. 

They also have a line of iridescent character banks. So far two Muppets are part of the line, Kermit, 

 

and Cookie Monster. 

We got out first look at Funko Games' forthcoming The Muppet Christmas Carol: Spirit of Giving Card game.

UK company Erik, has plans to bring their formally UK exclusives to the US. The line includes Cookie Monster and Elmo ceramic bowls, water bottles, 

furry notebooks, 

Fury bags,

fuzzy pencil cases, 

and a bookend featuring 123 Sesame and Hooper's Store.

Fun.com's Elope brand has a line of "jawesome" Muppet costumes featuring Animal, Miss Piggy, and Kermit. 

Their Kermit costume hadn't arrived yet, so they showed me it from their catalog. 

Sun-staches is continuing their line of Sesame Street sunglass.

Alliance, Weta's exclusive distributor, had some of the Labyrinth and Dark Crystal Mini Epic figure on display, 

As well as their Labyrinth and Dark Crystal statues.

Just Play was recently named Sesame Street's master toy licensee, and their booth had a recreation of Seame stoop for photo ops with Elmo.

 and a 20ft Elmo plush 

to promote their upcoming Elmo Slide animated plush. 

They also had a large display touting their Disney Doorables line of blind box figures, 

and a new line of glow-in-the dark Muppet Doorables will be out in November. 

 In Kidz has multicultural Sesame Street Cookie Kits coming out. 

The kit is designed to teach kids about foods from around the world as well as inclusion of different cultures.  

tonies, a "screen-free listening experience" that plays stories, songs, and more with the help of character figures has a few Henson-related items in their line. 

Including Sesame Street's Elmo and Cookie Monster, 

and Word Party's Lulu Panda and Kip Wallaby. 

When each figure is placed on the base, it accesses songs and stories unique to that character. 

These are starting to appear in stores like Target, with Walmart announced as a new retail partner. 

While no new products were on display, Bendon said they have plans to continue producing Sesame Street items,

Orange Onions has a few Sesame "Snugibles", a hoodie that folds into a pouch to become a pillow, plush, or blankets and vice versa.

Kidz Toyz has assortment of Sesame musical toys, a holiday-themed train and more.

Cuteez has new line of soft Sesame Street items coming in 2024. 

Super Impulse's PopTaters line of Mr. Potato head mashups has Bert and Ernie potato heads that come with  Bernice and Rubber Duckie. 

MGA wasn't at the show, but their distributor was and although no Fraggles were on display, the rep we spoke to was very happy with presentation MGA gave at their own event touting the upcoming line. They did however, have this Little Tikes, Elmo Story Dream Machine 

Singing Machine has a new line of Sesame Street karaoke machines.

including a line of plush karaoke that double as backpacks,

Verdes showcased their wide section of Sesame rubber playsets and toys. 

Green Toys doesn't have plans to expand their Sesame offering this year, but does have plans to expand the line in 2024-2025. 

Kidrageous! has the Sesame license for oversized Sesame plush and they had a 80inch Cookie Monster plush on display. 

Diamond Select showed off their Uncle Deadly and Pepe action figures, though no release date was mentioned. 

Super 7 showed off their large Sesame Street action figures of the Count and Super Grover. No word yet on more Muppets being released in their Muppet and ReAction figure lines.

Precious Moments had a wide variety range of Sesame street items. There's figurines holding Elmo and Cookie Monster dolls,

musical boxes, a calendar display, Ernie and Oscar snow globes,

a school bus picture frame

and a set of keychains on display still in the production phase. 

Speaking of items still in development, Flexfigs will soon a series of bendable figures for both the Muppets and Sesame Street. Only Kermit and Elmo were on display,

but box art showed that Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie,

Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Oscar are also planned.

Shire Post Mint showed off a handful of collectible Labyrinth coins and charms. They also have a flipping coin (with each side noted as heads or tails) featuring the Fierys on the way. 

We spotted the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem walk around characters - which were made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. 

And, speaking of the Henson Company, we also ran into Michael Polis, the former Home Entertainment Director for the Henson Company.

He's now working at Atomic Toy Box putting together large scale action figures and accessories based on Caption Action. 

He's also working on new web series called Window Ghost. 

Master Pieces had a large display of Sesame Street games and puzzles including a 1,000 piece puzzle with images throughout Sesame Street‘s history.

Last but not least Monogram had the surprise of the show. Not only do they have an Elmo bank on the way, 

but they al0s have a line of blind bag Sesame Street keychains coming early next year, 

as well as another line blind bag Sesame Street plush keychains,

and a line of Muppet blind bag keychains coming this November that includes Janice, Rizzo, and Pepe.

Below is a look at the artwork used for the line. 

Monogram also recently released the 46(?!?) series of Disney Pride blind bag keychains

that features Miss Piggy as the chaser!

On the way out Toy Fair had a section of items they thought were going to be "Hot" this holiday season, 

Which included Just Play's Elmo Slide. 

Well that's going to do it for for Toy Fair 2023. All in it seems Muppet fans have a lot to look forward to next year and beyond. 

Shout out to our friends at Toughpigs.com for spotting a few things we missed. 

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We also shot a video of the show for our YouTube channel, so be sure to catch that when it's released.