“Street” cred has taken on a whole new meaning, as the upcoming 39th season of Sesame Street is bursting at the seams with celebrity and musical guest spots that could make any Saturday Night Live booker weak in the knees.

Where celebs and musicians once begged agents to score them hosting or performing spots on the legendary sketch comedy show, they’re now pining to visit 123 Sesame Street to hang with Oscar, Big Bird, Snuffleupagus and Elmo instead.

Don’t believe me? Just look at the jam-packed guest list for next season. Randy Jackson, Kim Cattrall, Jenny McCarthy, Jessica Alba (who apparently also gets hit on by Muppets), David Beckham, Chandra Wilson, Molly Shannon, Jonah Hill, Heidi Klum, LL Cool J and even Nebraska indie band Tilly and the Wall are among the many upcoming guests.

“When did Sesame Street get so freakin’ cool?” I asked myself after learning all of Hollywood is hangin’ with Muppets. But then I realized that Sesame Street has always been this cool and hip. From Robert De Niro to Johnny Cash, celebrity and musical guest stars have been a part of the series since 1969 but next season is just out of control.

It makes me a little jealous that wee tater tots get to snuggle up in front of the tube to be educated by some of my favourite musicians and celebrities while we adults are stuck with the sporadic lineups on SNL.

I mean, come on! Show me a five-year-old who can appreciate the comic genius of Will Arnett when he appears next season as a magician, or a tyke who can attest to how hunky David Beckham is until he opens his mouth. They can’t. They’re less than three feet tall and eat paste, for God’s sake! So why waste the talent on a bunch of bed-wetters? It’s just another way Sesame Street gives a little shout-out to the parents who have to bear through hours of preschool programming – and that’s why the show is possibly the hippest on TV.

Not only will the kiddies be educated from the plethora of celebs next season, but they’ll also learn how to count to four from our country’s most beloved songstress Feist in the Aug. 11 season première, as her hit song “1234” is reworked to “1234 Monsters Crawling ‘Cross the Floor.”

Other TV actors will also join the packed guest list. Grey’s Anatomy’s Sandra Oh will chat with Cookie Monster as the Cookie Fairy, How I Met Your Mother funnyman Neil Patrick Harris will play the politically correct Fairy Shoe Person, and news anchor Brian Williams will appear as himself to report on “Mine-itis”, an epidemic of selfishness that has taken over 123 Sesame Street. Given this clever upcoming season, SNL’s Lorne Michaels better be taking some cues from the Henson Muppets.

And it’s not just TV celebrities who will be help teach the children of the world: the 39th season of Sesame Street also has a few TV parodies up its sleeve. The hit comedy 30 Rock will now be 30 Rocks with a little yellow lemon Muppet playing Tina Fey’s role as Liz Lemon. The wildly popular High School Musical will be parodied as Pre-School Musical (awwww!), and game show host Jeff Foxworthy will be played by a similar moustachioed Muppet named Jeff Boxworthy for the show Are You Smarter than an Egg Layer?

I wrote a column a few months back including a retrospective of some of my favourite musicians who’ve appeared on Sesame Street. These included Paul Simon, R.E.M., Stevie Wonder, the Pointer Sisters, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Smokey Robinson, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne.

I also noted some absolutely hilarious musical parodies, like the Beatles’ “Let it Be” reworked to “Letter B” and musical Muppets like Bruce Stringbean’s “Born to Add” or Mick Swagger and the Cobble Stones singing “I Can’t Get No (Co-operation).” Can it get much better than that? Hilarious.

Buuuut, fair readers, apparently I overlooked some very crucial musical guest spots and you all were quick to point out some of your favourites from past seasons. So here’s some of your favs to add to the many that have graced 123 Sesame Street. Enjoy!

READER RESPONSE
My personal favourite was the ensemble piece of the jazz song “You Gotta Put Down the Duckie.” I believe Paul Simon, Andrea Martin were two of the many celebrities involved. I also enjoyed Aerosmith’s version of “I love Trash.” Thanks for the walk down memory lane.  –Marj

Hey what about a good ole Canadian band???? Trooper... “Raise the letter L”...sung to the tune of “Raise a Little Hell.” Andrea Bocelli singing Elmo to sleep was beautiful, adorable and very memorable. One of the best performances by a guest ever on Sesame Street.  – Tara

You forgot Aaron Neville and Ernie singing “I don't want to live on the moon.” A personal favourite of mine, it at least deserves a mention under notable performances.  –Tammy

We just YouTubed for Sesame Street the other day for our kids and Patti LeBelle did an awesome version of the ABC's!  – Kira

Don’t forget “The ZZ Blues” ZZ Top parody!  – Chuck

I remember Alice Cooper on Sesame Street a couple times. He sang with the monsters “Welcome to my Nightmare.” 30 years later I still remember it well.  – Helen

None of us would be the same without Sesame Street. I think you missed Crystal Gayle. I remember her doing "Sing." Fun story!  – Stephanie

How can you omit Elton John's appearance? And Jimmy Buffett's? – Paul

The 39th season première of Sesame Street airs on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on PBS. Check local listings.

What are some of your favourite celebrity and musical who have appeared on Sesame Street? Email me at jessica.russell@tvguide.ca


SOUND BITES: A WEEKLY DIG THROUGH THE CHANNELS
Tues., Aug 5 – Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music (10 p.m. ET, PBS, check local listings)
Enjoy this classic 1969 documentary that captures that Man in Black at his peak with performances including a rare duet with Bob Dylan.

Tues., Aug 5 – Tom Jones performs on Canadian Idol (8 p.m. ET/PT, CTV)
Legendary singer Tom Jones will perform on the Idol stage before one singer is sent home.

Tues., Aug 5 – Spiritualized performs on Letteman (11:35 p.m. ET/PT, CBS)
British shoe-gaze band Spiritualized performs from their latest album Songs in A&E.

Wed., Aug 6 – Girlicious performs on Live@Much (6 p.m. ET, MuchMusic)
The reality star girl group Girlicious visits Much’s headquarters and sits down with VJ Matte Babel to discuss life after the reality show.

Wed., Aug 6 – Simple Plan Special (9 p.m. ET/PT, CBC)
George Stroumboulopoulos sits down with Simple Plan to discuss everything from their new music to their personal lives.

Thurs., Aug 7 – Battleground Earth: Ludacris Vs. Tommy Lee (8 p.m. ET/PT, TLC)
Hip-hop star Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and rocker Tommy Lee are challenged to help save the earth and embark on an eco-race full of green competitions in this new series.

Thurs., Aug 7 – Conor Oberst performs on Craig Ferguson (12:35 a.m. ET/PT, CBS)
Bright Eyes front man Conor Oberst performs from his latest self-titled solo album.

Sat., Aug 9 – Sufjan Stevens and Calexico performs on Austin City Limits (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings)
Indie rock sensation Sufjan Stevens plays from his orchestral folk album The Avalanche.

Sun., Aug 10 – Hear Our Song: The Life and Music of the Norwegian Glee Clubs of Winnipeg (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Bravo!)
Profiling Winnipeg’s Norwegian Glee Club, who have been performing for more than 60 years.

Mon., Aug 11 – American Mall musical (9 p.m. ET, MuchMusic)
Enjoy this teen musical comedy about the struggles of two young musicians starring Degrassi actress Nina Dobrev.

 

JESSICA’S JUKEBOX: FRESH TUNES YOU GOTTA HEAR
Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst (Merge)
This first solo album from Bright Eyes’ poster boy for troubled 20somethings, is an effort from a man still searching for unobtainable answers. This highly prolific troubadour returns to his earlier sounds, recording an album that is not over-thought or over-produced but instead is a loose, summery collection of reflective roadhouse ballads that touch on the dark undertones of Oberst’s psyche. Bright Eyes fans will be pleasantly satisfied with this feat indeed.
Recommended if you dig ... Death Cab For Cutie.

Johnny Osbourne – Truths and Rights Deluxe Edition (Studio One)
Johnny Osbourne is arguably the greatest reggae dancehall singer of all time and his pivotal album Truths and Rights, originally recorded in 1979, gets rightfully dusted off the shelves for a much-deserved re-release. Enjoy this stellar deluxe edition with 10 re-mastered tracks and six bonus ones including extended mixes and DJ versions.
Recommended if you dig ... Buju Banton.

Snailhouse – Lies on the Prize (Unfamiliar)
Wooden Stars singer Mark Feuerstack’s one-man-band’s sixth album possesses a bare-bones, stripped-down feeling despite the beautiful arrangements of steel guitars, horns and string orchestrations. This is perhaps because his honest, poetic lyricism and dark, brooding vocals completely captivates you as a listener, making the woven indie folk sounds just a vehicle for his vulnerable songs. This is the perfect disc to throw on a lazy afternoon.
Recommended if you dig ... Hayden or Elliot Smith.

Spirit of the West – Spirituality 1983-2008 (Rhino)
Spirit of the West is the quintessential Canadian band and after 25 years of making music, 12 albums and countless tours criss-crossing the country, the East Coast band – most known for their unofficial theme for university hangovers “Home For a Rest” – has put together this impressive double CD collection of their best work. Included favourite songs are “Save This House,” “The Old Sod” and “Political.” For anyone who doesn’t own any SOTW, this is a great option.

Other Fresh Picks...
Ratatat – LP3 (XL) Indie Electronic
Recommended if you dig ... Out Hud or !!!

Melanie Doane – A Thousand Nights (Maple Music) Adult Alternative
Recommended if you dig ... Sheryl Crow.

Crystal Shawanda – Dawn of a New Day (Sony BMG) Country
Recommended if you dig ... Carrie Underwood.

 

Jessica’s musical nerdiness started at a very young age thanks to Jem and the Holograms, CFNY’s Free At Last compilations and an early introduction to Nirvana. She has since developed a penchant for effeminate indie rock, soul/mod revivalists, Scandinavian singers and old school hip-hop.

After a stint as a music writer at Toronto’s acclaimed NOW magazine, Jessica now aims to make the couch potatoes of the world a little more music savvy in her column Telly Tunes.

 

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