Sesame Street

Jon Hamm on Sesame Street
Elmo

Sneak a Peek: Jon Hamm on Sesame Street

In case Mad Men's Jon Hamm couldn't be more of a draw, now he's appealing to a kiddie audience as well.
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In case Mad Men's Jon Hamm couldn't be more of a draw, now he's appealing to a kiddie audience as well. Check out Hamm's appearance alongside Elmo on Sesame Street, as he introduces the word "sculpture" to everyone's favorite red, furry friend. While his Mad Men character, Don Draper, may not be the most admirable parental role model, we applaud the actor's approachability in his Sesame Street segment. Enjoy (and swoon)!

Melissa McCarthy on Sesame Street
celebrity moms

Sneak Peek: Melissa McCarthy to Dance Her Way Down Sesame Street

In our book, Melissa McCarthy can do no wrong.
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In our book, Melissa McCarthy can do no wrong. The scene-stealing star of Bridesmaids and Identity Thief has made us laugh so hard, we've actually cried, but now she's taking on a role geared toward a much younger audience than usual. The funny lady and mom-of-two — Vivian, 5, Georgette, 3 — is joining a long list of celebs who've visited Sesame Street to help introduce a new vocabulary word. Joining Elmo (and a penguin), Melissa will appear on the March 21 show to explain the word choreographer. Take a peek at the segment — we dare you not to laugh!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Sesame Street
Link Time

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Takes a Trip to Sesame Street

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Sesame Street's Downton Abbey Parody
Video

Watch Sesame Street Spoof Downton Abbey in a Hilarious New Video

Leave it to Sesame Street to transform Mama's favorite cult show into a hysterical skit for toddlers just learning their ABCs.
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Leave it to Sesame Street to transform Mama's favorite cult show into a hysterical skit for toddlers just learning their ABCs. To kick off the show's 43rd season on Feb. 4, two Muppets transform into Downton Abbey's Violet Crawley and Charles Carsongain — complete with English accents and period costumes — in a parody skit called "Upside Downton Abbey." The puppets try their hands at eating traditional British foods like tea and crumpets, but keep dropping everything, leading the colorful Dowager Countess to exclaim, "Well, of course everything is upside down. This is Upside Downton Abbey!”

Sesame Street has a long history of spoofing popular culture to capture the attention of both tots and their parents. Among our favorite recent parodies are "True Mud," a take on True Blood, and Cookie Monster's perfectly toddler-friendly "Share It Maybe," a fun rewrite of "Call Me Maybe". Take a look at how they turn things right side up, and be sure to tune in to the 43rd season of the legendary show, which will also feature visits from Kristen Bell, Jon Hamm, Melissa McCarthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dax Shepard, and more.

Best Toddler Toys 2012
Best of 2012

Best of 2012: What Was Your Favorite Toddler Toy of the Year?

Toddlers love their toys — at least for a few minutes at a time.
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Toddlers love their toys — at least for a few minutes at a time. That's why having a variety of colorful, interactive playthings for your little explorer is key, and why we're constantly on the lookout for the next great toy to add to your tot's collection. This year saw newcomers from heavyweights like Disney, Sesame Street, and Radio Flyer, along with a new, updated LeapPad (were you able to score one in time for the holidays?). Weigh in on your favorite new toy of 2012 below!

(Top Row: Fisher-Price Jake and the Never Land Pirates' Musical Pirate Ship Bucky , Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace, B. Woofer Guitar; Middle Row: Flying Super Grover 2.0, LeapPad2 Explorer, Minnie Mouse Bow-Tique Flipping Fun Kitchen; Bottom Row: Doc McStuffins Time For Your Check-Up Doll, Radio Flyer Spin N Saucer)

Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash Accused of Relationship With Teen
Poll

Elmo's Puppeteer Accused of Having Inappropriate Underage Relationship

Elmo's World was turned on its head this morning, as Kevin Clash, the voice behind the beloved Sesame Street monster, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
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Elmo's World was turned on its head this morning, as Kevin Clash, the voice behind the beloved Sesame Street monster, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old boy. The puppeteer is currently taking a forced leave of absence from the iconic show.

The Emmy-winning creator of the show's most popular character denies any wrongdoing, saying, "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not." Meanwhile, Clash's accuser, who is now 23, has hired the same attorneys used by one of the victims in the Jerry Sandusky case.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind the show, is standing behind its star employee, stating that they've met with the accuser and find his claims to be unsubstantiated, but that Clash "exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding Internet usage and he was disciplined." They went on to say that "Elmo is bigger than any one person and will continue to be an integral part of Sesame Street to engage, educate and inspire children around the world, as it has for 40 years."

The allegations are certainly disturbing, but will they affect your decision to let your kids watch the show?

Cookie Monster "Call Me Maybe" Parody
Video

Cookie Monster Spoofs "Call Me Maybe" in Hilarious New Video

Oh Sesame Street, we love you so!
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Oh Sesame Street, we love you so! "Call Me Maybe" is the bona-fide hit of the Summer with everyone from Justin Bieber to Katy Perry parodying it. The latest fan of Carly Rae Jepsen's catchy tune is none other than Cookie Monster, who has modified the lyrics to the perfectly toddler-friend "Share It Maybe." He's also added his own dance squad to the video. Check it out — we dare you to keep a still face while watching everyone's favorite blue monster learn about the concept of sharing!

Party Ideas For a Sesame Street-Themed Birthday Party
Editor's Pick

Sunny Days: How to Throw a Sesame Street-Themed Birthday

This post is brought to you by the letter 'P' — as in party!
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This post is brought to you by the letter 'P' — as in party! For over four decades, Sesame Street has been providing children with education through entertainment and humor. We don't know what exactly it is that makes the Sesame Street gang so appealing, but we do know one thing for sure — kids love them!

So if your little one is part of a new generation of fans, a Sesame Street-themed party is a great idea for your tot's next birthday. Click through to check out some creative ideas on how to throw your very own bash!

Sesame Street Birthday Invitation Party Decorations: Sesame Street Pom Poms Sesame Street Party Hats Sesame Street Birthday Cake Sesame Street Cupcake Toppers Sesame Street Favor Bags Sesame Street Cookies
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Best New Baby Toys of 2011
kid gear

Best of 2011: What Was Your Favorite New Baby Toy?

Lots of new toys for baby hit stores this year — did any of them make it to your little one's toy box?
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Best New Baby Toys 2011
Lots of new toys for baby hit stores this year — did any of them make it to your little one's toy box? Eco-conscious new mamas loved the new Plan Toys' Baby Activity Gym ($60) and the P'kolino Fishing Hole Size Sorter ($25). Little tykes were delighted by the Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Zig the Big Rig ($30), while pint-sized Sesame Street fans went ga-ga for Let's Rock Elmo ($49) and Count and Crunch Cookie Monster ($23)! So which new baby toy did your little one love the most? Let us know or add another toy in the comments.

Bert and Ernie on Tom Tom Navigation System
Sesame Street

Bert and Ernie Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street and Everywhere Else

Guess who knows how to get to Sesame Street?
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Guess who knows how to get to Sesame Street? Given Bert and Ernie's new job, it's a safe bet that they know their way around town. The Sesame Street duo are the latest to lend their voices to TomTom navigation system, making a traffic jam a lot more fun for everyone in the car.

For $13, parents can download the popular characters' voices to help them navigate their way anywhere from grandma's house to the local gymnastics class, adding a lil humor to the ride, such as, "U-turn ahead, Bert. Just me turn? All of us Bert." Take a look at a clip of the characters trying to record for the system and tell us, are they a fun distraction for antsy passengers or a headache waiting to happen for mom?