Longest-running children oriented show 'Sesame Street' will make a major comeback this January, in time for its 46th season. HBO, the home to hit series which are less child friendly like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Sex and the City' will add the kid show to their list of shows.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the show which first aired in 1969, will run an initial 5-season as announced last summer. The classic will have a few changes and will be filled with celebrities to make it more enticing for today's modern generation and era.
We will still see the characters we have loved since our own childhood, such as Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster. But the show is also introducing a new friend named Nina, played by actress Suki Lopez. Her character is a bilingual Hispanic woman who works at the Laundromat and bike store. Nina's wit, pure heart and charm will help the community of Sesame Street solve their daily troubles, according to HBO's press release. This is the series' attempt to provide a perfect role model to its target audience which is preschoolers.
Aside from a new character, there will also be changes as a way to revamp the show. Instead of the usual 60-minute episodes, it will only get 30-minute airtime. There will also be additional segments like Smart Cookies where Cookie Monster tries to combat a villain named 'The Crumb,' while he battles his own urge to eat cookies. In addition, the set has gone through some changes too. Elmo now resides in 123 Sesame St. Brownstone; Cookie Monster can now be seen above the Hooper's store, and Oscar the Grouch is now 'greener' as he can now be spotted in recycling bins.
The 'new' Sesame Street will premiere on January 16, at 9 a.m. Famous guests like Gwen Stefani, Pharell, Nick Jonas and Ne-Yo are expected to appear on the show's debut on its new home.