Sesame Workshop and AmeriChoice Launch Healthy Habits Project
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, and AmeriChoice, a UnitedHealth Group company that provides health benefits for state and public programs, have partnered to develop a bilingual education outreach program aimed at helping low-income families make afforable, healthy food choices. The program will include bilingual (English and Spanish) Healthy Habits kits with an original DVD starring the Sesame Street Muppets and a documentary of families using healthy eating strategies.
The kits will also include child-friendly recipes, activity cards and a parent/caregiver guide with information about healthful eating and ways to make nutritional and economical food choices for the entire family. AmeriChoice will also send Healthy Habits for Life messages and information to low-income and vulnerable populations in public sector health care programs via the Web, physician mailings, and member mailings and newsletters that will go to 3 million members.
Rosita and Elmo are returning from the grocery store with healthy food in the image above.
Sesame Street has launched an app that lets you make monsters on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Sesame Street's Elmo's Monster Maker can be purchased on iTunes for $3.99. It looks like a virtual Muppet whatnot factory. Elmo explains how it works. Take a look:
Elmo and Grover of "Sesame Street" visited Detroit where they were given the key to the city by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. The presentation took place during a visit to the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Thursday was also declared "Sesame Street Live Day" in Detroit. Take a looK:
Ricky Gervais Sings Elmo to Sleep With Celebrity Lullaby
Comedian Ricky Gervais sings a lullaby for fuzzy little Elmo because he is having trouble sleeping. Unfortunately, for Elmo the lullaby Ricky sings about the letter "N" does not help make him calm and sleepy. Take a look:
Video: Jake Gyllenhaal Explains What it Means to Separate....From an Octopus
In possibly one of the worst timed featurettes ever, Jake Gyllenhaal stopped by Sesame Street to explain the meaning of the word "separate." Given all the rumor swirling around his and Reese Witherspoon's relationship all we could think was "Awkward!" But really he's just focusing on the fact that he has an octopus on his head that he really needs to remove. Take a look:
Sesame Street's Grover was in Washington D.C. Tuesday to address the National Press Club. Grover says he is 40 in "monster years." He also talked about meeting First Lady Michelle Obama. He says she is a "lovely lady" and she is "very tall." Take a look:
Hasbro, Inc. has won a ten year contract to manufacture and market the toys for all the Sesame Street characters. The contract for the last ten years was held by Mattel, Inc.
The new products from Hasbro's Playskool division will be based on Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and other mainstays of the television program, according to a statement today. The line of toys and games by Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based Hasbro will be available in stores starting 2011.
Fisher Price, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., the world's biggest toymaker, owned the rights for the last 10 years, said Sherrie Westin, chief marketing officer of Sesame Workshop. The switch was made because Hasbro has the right strategy to develop a year-round business, Westin said. More Sesame Street toys will be sold throughout the year going forward, she said.
"Our approach to the consumer is to deliver products throughout the year, not just in the fourth quarter," John Frascotti, chief marketing officer of Hasbro, said.
Ouch! Hasbro just couldn't resist slapping Mattel when it's down. Mattel could not be reached for comment about losing the huge Sesame Street deal.
Sesame Street is celebrating its 40th anniversary today. The PBS show has not stopped since it begain in 1969. New York City declared today "Sesame Street Day" and held a temporary street naming near Lincoln Center.
The show touches on current issues but stays away from ones that may be too frightening for children. For example, National Geographicreports that Sesame Street is going green with its 40th season but is staying away from issues like global warming and deforestation. Produdcers believe these issues are "too scary" for young children.
John Belmont for the AP says that studies have shown kids who grow up watching the program are bigger readers than kids who miss out. Take a look:
Google's Sesame Street Doodles Continue with The Count
Google has been running Sesame Street Google Doodles for the past several days. Today, Google is featuring The Count. They have also featured Big Bird, Cookie Monster and other Sesame Street characters. You can get a shirt with The Count Google Doodle on it at the Sesame Street store free with the purchase of any Sesame Street 40th anniversary items - see here. Unfortunately, the don't appear to be selling the shirts individually, but maybe they will later.
Google Celebrates Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary
Google has a new doodle today to celebrate Sesame Street's 40th anniversary. Google's Sesame Street doodle does not look the same in every country. Big Bird legs help make the "l" in Google in the U.S. version. The Next Web posted some Google Doodles from other countries.
The Sesame Street store has a 40th anniversary section. You can find 40th anniversary books and DVDs. There's also a 40th Anniversary Corduroy Elmo. The store even carries a shirt with the Big Bird Google doodle. The shirt comes free with every 40th Anniversary item purchased.
American Apparel Partners With Sesame Street For T-Shirt Line
American Apparel has partnered with Sesame Street for a limited edition line of t-shirts, which commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. The t-shirts feature Jim Henson's characters printed as their original line drawings. The drawings were translated into line illustrations and printed on bright colored American Apparel t-shirts. The first four prints selected span the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's, and include character art and a picture of most of the cast.
The line will be released this month and sold in 25 American Apparel stores worldwide, including locations in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Berlin, as well as online at americanapparel.net.
"We sat down and went through eight discs of artwork from the Sesame Street archive and picked the ones we responded to the most. It took almost two months, but the end result is a cast of characters and images that bring a modern feel to Sesame Street and a heritage to American Apparel," said Carolina Crespo, a graphic designer at American Apparel.
Harper's Bazaar Puts Fashion Designers on Sesame Street
Harper's Bazaar has seven photos of fashion designers, muppets and models together on Sesame Street. What a fabulous idea. The designers in the photo series include Diane von Furstenberg (pictured above with Big Bird), Vera Wang, Derek Lam, Francisco Costa, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
First Lady Michelle Obama visited Sesame Street to talk about eating right, exercising regularly and being a healthy and positive role model for children. In the clip below, Michelle Obama told Elmo that during her stay in Sesame Street she wants to eat a healthy lunch at Mr. Hooper's store, rest on a park bench and read a book and take a healthy walk around Sesame Street. Elmo is very excited and eager to do everything the First Lady wants to do. Take a look:
Michelle Obama visited New York City for the first time in her official capacity as First Lady. She had a busy schedule, appearing on Sesame Street, addressing the U.N. workers and speaking at the Time magazine gala to celebrate the 100 Most Influential People Issue. Take a look:
Paul Rudd is dressed up as the Earth in this clip for Sesame Street that stars Elmo and another muppet. It's a pretty catch tune. The clip is from a Sesame Street DVD called Sesame Street: Being Green. Take a look:
