Play with Me Sesame

Play with Me Sesame
Genre	Children's television series
Opening theme	"Play with Me Sesame"
Ending theme	"Play with Me Sesame (reprise)"
Language(s)	English
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	78
Production
Running time	24 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Nick Jr. (2002-2007) PBS Kids (2002–2004) PBS Kids Sprout (2007-present)
Original run	April 2002 – September 2007

Play with Me Sesame is a children's television series spun off from Sesame Street, featuring Sesame Street characters such as Bert, Ernie, Grover, and Prairie Dawn. In the United States, from April 1, 2002 until September 2, 2007, the show has aired on the Nickelodeon-owned preschooler television station Nick Jr. Play with Me Sesame moved to PBS Kids Sprout as of September 10, 2007, however, Sprout showed 26 new episodes, and all 52 episodes of both season 1 and season 2.

The first two seasons were produced for Noggin, and both contained 26 episodes, respectively. The third and final season was produced solely by Sesame Workshop for PBS Kids Sprout in 2007 (although it did mention Nick-Digital in the credits) with 26 episodes.

Theme music

The theme song for the show is a remix of the classic Sesame Street song Somebody Come and Play, sung by Bert, Ernie, Grover, and Prairie Dawn.

Segments

Play with Me Sesame features many different segments, such as:

• Ernie Says: A game similar to "Simon Says," except the title is different. Ernie always manages to annoy Bert in this segment. For example, one time he asked Bert to help him hold an enormous piece of cheese, which he said was an "important part of the game." To Bert's anger, he says that "you can stop playing Ernie Says." He later points out that he just wants to have a snack, as he gets hungry after playing Ernie Says. Unlike Simon Says, where one cannot do something Simon does not say to do, every phrase in Ernie Says begins with "Ernie says..."
• Prairie Dawn's Art Class: A segment where Prairie Dawn showcases drawings made by kids.
• Prairie Dawn's Music Class: Beginning in season 3, Prairie Dawn would trade her art segment for one oriented around music.
• Kit and Domby's Art Class: A segment aired in the UK versions of Play with Me Sesame where Kit and Domby showcase art that has been sent in.
• Bert's Computer: Bert plays a game on the computer such as "Oatmeal Art," "Pigeon Patterns," and "Perfect Pair." Sometimes Ernie plays a game on the computer game called "Ducks in a Row."
• Move and Groove with Grover: The child dances along to a video. Grover often interrupts to point out some things and to tell the child more. Other times, he sings basic songs such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
• End Segment: A short and final game of Ernie Says is played. The first statement is usually "Ernie says, say goodbye..." The special circumstance in which the characters say goodbye ties in to the theme. For example, Ernie says to say goodbye while wiping windshield wipers in the car-themed episode.

Cast

Muppet Performers

• Fran Brill as Betty Lou, Prairie Dawn, and Zoe
• Kevin Clash as Elmo
• Eric Jacobson as Bert and Grover
• David Rudman as Cookie Monster (Season 2)
• Martin P. Robinson as Telly Monster
• John Tartaglia as Ernie (Season 2)
• Steve Whitmire as Ernie (Seasons 1 and 3)
• Richard Coombs as Domby (UK version)
• Andy Heath as Kit (UK version)

International

Play With Me Sesame UK

In the United Kingdom, Play With Me Sesame aired on Playhouse Disney UK. It showcases old and new Muppet (and sometimes film) clips from Sesame Street, with new linking segments featuring Grover, Prairie Dawn, Bert, and Ernie. The show also includes cameos by Zoe and Ernie's niece Ernestine. The show also features two British Muppets, Kit and Domby, who live in a castle on top of a hill. They spend most of their time in the castle kitchen, bedroom and living room (very similar to Ernie and Bert sketches). Kit has an English accent and Domby has a Scottish accent. They sometimes visit schools and playgroups to sing or talk with the children.

Tar ag Spraoi Sesame

In Ireland on TG4, in Irish, as Tar ag Spraoi Sesame. This version was shown from 2004 right up until May 2007, when it was decided to withdraw of the UK and some other countries.

Asia

When Play with Me Sesame aired on the Hallmark Channel in Asia in Fall 2003, the Prairie Dawn segments were cut for time.

Denmark

In Denmark, the show was included as its own segment on Sesamgade.

Funding

• Macy's (2002–2004)
• The Children's Place (2002–2004)
• Juicy Juice (2002–2004)
• Chuck E. Cheese (2002–2004)
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting (2002–2004)
• Viewers Like You (2002–2004)

External links

• Play With Me Sesame webpage at TreehouseTV.com