Sesame Street said goodbye to one of its masterminds and kicks off an all-star season featuring Jennifer Garner, Amy Poehler and Jude Law! The kids will be staring at Elmo, but moms and dads may get a bigger kick out of this year’s celeb lineup that also features Colin Farrell, Ryan Reynolds and Zoe Saldana.
Sesame Street is mourning the loss of Dr. Gerry Lesser, the man who shaped the award-winning show and its groundbreaking curriculum. He died at the age of 84 on September 23, leaving behind a legacy that includes teaching three-year-olds to read and beloved characters like Oscar the Grouch.
Just a week after this loss, Sesame Street launched its 41st season. The star-studded year is sure to bring some cheer to the Street, while honoring Lesser’s great mind.
The new season premiered already, so you can already catch clips of Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler (photo below), funnywoman Wanda Sykes, The Closer‘s chief Kyra Sedgwick, big screen star Jason Bateman and rapper Rev Run on the Sesame Street website.
Other big names on this year’s Sesame Street roster include Jude Law, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell and Ryan Reynolds.
Primetime soap fans will get a kick out of seeing new sides of Brothers and Sisters mom Rachel Griffiths; Grey’s Anatomy doc Ellen Pompeo; Private Practice hunk Taye Diggs and his Broadway and Glee starring wife Idina Menzel; and twins mommy Rebecca Romijn.
NCIS: LA agent Chris O’Donnell and thenew Law & Order: LA DA Terrence Howard will investigate life on Sesame Street.
Modern Family mom and dad Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell are also on the roster. Other funny folks include Wanda Sykes, Anna Faris and everyone’s fave Big Bang Theory geek, Jim Parsons.
NLF players Reggie Bush and LaDainian Tomlinson will get in on the action and from the reality TV circuit, there’s foodie Alton Brown, former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, The Views‘ Sherri Shepherd, NBC’s Today‘s Natalie Morales and The Insider‘s Samantha Harris.
Music makers making a visit include Will.i.am, Usher and Michael McKean.
Katy Perry was set to be on the big New Year’s episode, but as everyone knows by now, she was booted from the schedule due to her controversial outfit.
There are also some fun plays on our fave adult entertainment this year, including the parodies True Mud, ala HBO’s True Blood and The Furry Four ala The Fantastic Four, not to mention last week’s A Team parody with Reynolds and Ironing Monster, ala Iron Man.
As the new Sesame Street season gets into full swing and celebs take to the screen to educate a new set of minds, SheKnows sends out a big thank you to Dr. Gerry Lesser. May he rest in peace.
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