Plaza Sésamo

First aired	1972
Last aired
Network	Various
Seasons	11
No. of episodes	990

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The current title card.

Title card from the 80's

Plaza Sésamo title card from 2000.

Abelardo, Pancho and Lola from Mexico.

Plaza Sésamo in the early years.

TV Guide ad from 1984.

Plaza Sésamo is the Latin American co-production of Sesame Street. Premiering in November 1972 and co-produced with Televisa, the series initially featured a mixed cast of Panamanian, Argentinian, and mostly Mexican performers, and featured "neutral Spanish." It aired at 2:30 pm on Canal 2. And was meant for kids until 8 years old. As the years progressed, the series more explicitly reflected Mexico, where the show is shot; in addition to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico, the series debuted on PBS on April 3, 1995, broadcast primarily in Southwest markets on weekends. The program is also seen on Telefutura. It is the only Sesame Street co-production that can be widely seen in the United States.

The local Muppets are a giant parrot named Abelardo Montoya, a blue Grouch named Pancho Contreras, and a small pink monster called Lola. There are also some Multimuppet inhabitants on the street and some monsters.

Abelardo once visited his cousin Big Bird on Sesame Street in the USA.

Prior to the current cast, an assortment of Muppets were used on the show. The original cast from 1972 was led by a dragon named Abelardo and a small grouchy green parrot called Paco.

In 1981, they changed the characters, as Montoya (Parrot) and a brown grouch named Bodoque came to live on the street. In 1995, they changed Montoya's name to Abelardo and Bodoque left the series as other, more colorful puppets joined the show.

The series was a regional semi-finalist for the 2006 International Emmy Awards, up against 5, Rue Sésame, another co-production of Sesame Street.

In 2008, Plaza Sésamo turned 35 years old and its 11th season started airing on March 21 of that year, focusing on literacy, introducing a new word in each episode. Season 12 is set to air in September 2009, with the focus being on ecology.^[1]

Several episodes from 1997 can be viewed on PBS Kids Sprout's on-demand service and episodes from Season 9 are in iTunes for $1.99.

Sesame Workshop description

Plaza Sésamo premiered in Mexico and Latin America in 1972. The acclaimed Spanish-language television series for preschool children depicts a colorful neighborhood, the Plaza, which is home to a mix of families, children, and Muppets. Like its counterpart, Sesame Street, the show intertwines animation, live action films, studio segments and original music videos that teach basic literacy and numeracy and help children gain a better understanding of the world around them. In 2003, Plaza Sésamo celebrated its 30th anniversary. Three decades after launching in Mexico and Latin America the series continues to educate and delight children through its television broadcast and in other media, including; books, videos, toys, and a Plaza Sésamo theme park in Monterrey, Mexico.

In 2006, the first of three exciting new seasons of Plaza Sésamo will air on Televisa, Discovery Kids Latin America, Univision Puerto Rico, and TeleFutura. Additionally, Sesame Workshop will distribute the show throughout the Latin American marketplace and the US Hispanic marketplace. The new episodes of Plaza Sésamo will see the return of Abelardo, Lola, and Pancho, as well as favorites Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. Regional live action films, produced by local producers from throughout Latin America, will highlight the rich cultural diversity of the region. In addition, ten new 60-minute Plaza Sésamo home video titles, including a holiday special, will be produced along with seasons 9, 10 and 11.