Plaza Sésamo



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, featured "neutral Spanish", and was meant for kids up to 8 years old. It aired at 2:30 pm on Canal 2. As the years progressed, the series more explicitly reflected Mexico, where the show is shot; in addition to airing in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America, the series debuted on PBS on April 3, 1995, broadcast primarily in Southwest markets on Saturday mornings. The program is also seen on UniMás. It is the only Sesame Street co-production that can be widely seen in the United States.

Abelardo once visited his cousin Big Bird on Sesame Street in the US in an episode that aired on Cinco de Mayo.

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

Episodes from 1997 to 2006 have been available on PBS Kids Sprout's on-demand service. A number of episodes from season 9 are available for purchase from The iTunes Store. Addtionally, episodes from Season 9 up to 12 are available on Hulu.

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.''

History

 * For a list of episodes see Plaza Sesamo Episodes.

Debut Era: 1972-1973
The series debuted in November of 1972. The cast consisted of Panamanian, Argentinian, and mostly Mexican performers and featured "neutral Spanish." The original series also featured two Muppet characters, Abelardo and a small grouchy green parrot called Paco. The set of the street was turn into a plaza that would be a typical city block in Central or South America with a center fountain, benches, vacant lot with playground equipment, houses, a combination grocery store-cafe, and mechanic's repair shop. The curriculum for this season was to teach whole "slight words" that children can learn through repetition and memorization. The show also taught children about hygiene and the importance of cleanliness.

First revamping: 1981
The series was re-vamped in the early 80's. The improved series got rid of the early resident Muppet and replaced them with Montoya (Parrot) and a brown grouch named Bodoque. While the first era lasted for two seasons, this era only lasted for only one season. In 1993, the first series of Plaza Sésamo videos were released, featruing new stories with Montoya and Bodoque.

Second Revamping: 1995-2001
During this time, Bodoque was taken out of the show and in his place were two new characters, Lola, an energetic female monster who (like Elmo) speaks in the third person, and Pancho Contreras, a grouchy monster who's always busy. Montoya was also renamed Abelardo (But, he kept the name Montoya for his last name) and his dopey personality became more playful and childlike.

New cast members were also added, some of which continue to appear to this day, including Don Boni and La Abuela. It was also during this period that the new Anything Muppet-type characters, the Multimuppet and Multimonstruo were added, allowing many new recurring characters.

This version also added the current Plaza Sesamo tema which would be modified in later seasons.

"Mercado" Era: 2005-present
During the planning for new episodes of the show in 2003, the researchers of Latin America felt the set could use a re-vamping. They felt the set should be something all kids in Latin America could relate to. So, the set designers created a set based on a mercado, small marketplaces that are plentiful in Latin America. The new set also used bright vivid colors like typical mercados and bright lights to reflect the bright, Mexican sun. The set debuted in season 9 in 2005.

Season 9 also brought new recurring segments used at the program's start or end. "Lola Aventuras" was introduced as a way to encourage girls to be active and productive (as well as attracting a male audience also). Other sketches include "Hazlo Tu Mismo" and "Los Monstruos También Lloran, which spoofs Telenovas with celebrity guests. As well, a new opening theme was produced, featuring the main Muppet characters (as well as Elmo and Grover) in an animated environment, discovering the letters that spell "Plaza Sesamo".

In 2006, season 10 of the show debuted. The season focused on healthy habits, featuring various plots about food and exercise. Many episodes also ended with a special message from a celebrity and one of the Muppet characters about exercise, eating healthy and other health-related tips. Introduced this season was a family from Argentina that moved to the plaza. However, they debuted late in the season and did not appear after the season.

In 2008, the series celebrated its 35th anniversary. Season 11 debuted that year in March. During this season, several changes were made, including new actors to play La Abuela and Daniela. As well, a new Lavender Multimuppet as added to the cast. Abby Cadabby also was added to the show, appearing at the start of some episodes in three-part sketches where she performs a magic trick with an ordinary object. Two new recurring segments debuted also: A brief segment that is shown shortly after the first scene where one of the main Muppet characters introduces the letter of the day, and "Pancho Visión", a daily segment in which Pancho Contreas presents a film about his friends all over the world.

Season 12 of the show debuted in October 2009 with the main curriculum of ecology. . A new actor for Manuel appears.

The mercado was again revamped in season 13 (which debuted in late September 2010), and new Muppet character Gaby was added.

In 2011, Season 14 debuted in August and featured Elmo as a new character on the plaza and a new Muppet character, Camilo, who is in a wheelchair. Javier Williams, producer of the broadcast, says about the new muppet character, "We made it important that working with this Telethon, from the ages of 3 or 4 years will leave a small message that no matter where a child is in a wheelchair, is still like any other." New cast members were also added including Rafel and Natalia, the first Argentinean couple. The curriculum will focus on diversity of places, customs, and conditions. Guest Stars include Maite Perroni from RBD and Juanes who will appeared in a "Word of the Day" segment.

2012 celebrates the 40th anniversary of the show.

For Season 15, 52 new episodes debuting in December 2013, the street scenes move to RCN Colombia. The new Muppets are "tech-savvy friends" Chip (owner of Café Clic) and Gina, and human cast additions were Luisa and Martin. In addition to the existing health, diversity, and literacy themes, the season added a focus on math.

Cast
Muppet Cast in the 70s:
 * Abelardo (first Abelardo): Justo Martinez
 * Paco: Justo Martinez

Muppet Cast in the 80s:
 * Montoya (early Abelardo): Alberto Estrella
 * Bodoque: Jaime Vega

Muppet Cast 2005:
 * Abelardo: Eugenio Bartilotti, Héctor Loeza
 * Lola: Rocío Lara
 * Pancho: Odín Dupeyrón, Marypaz García (assist)
 * Elefancio: Itzel Tapia, Marcia Coutiño (2005)
 * Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): Alejandro Abaroa, Santiago Alonso, Alejandro Benítez, Raul Buendia, Igor Cruz, Eduardo De Juanbelz, Flavio Ruiz, Carlos Martello

Muppet Cast 2009:
 * Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): Liz Serrano, Enrique Madrid, Alicia Paola Sanchez, Leticia Amezcua, Gerardo Zardain

Muppet Cast 2010:
 * Pancho: Alfonso Soto, Marypaz García (assist)
 * Gaby: Verenice Callejo
 * Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): José Luis Arévalo, Carlos Marttelo, Eduardo de Juanbelz

Muppet Cast 2011:
 * Elmo: Carlos Marttelo
 * Gaby: Verenice Callejo
 * Camilo: Diego Monsiváis
 * Modesto Microfono: José Luis Arévalo
 * Mano de Pancho: Gabriel Guzman
 * Multimuppet: Diego Medel

Human Cast in the 70s:
 * Tono, the mechanic: Maurico Herrera
 * Alicia, public health nurse/wife of Tono: Irene de Bari
 * Carlos
 * José the storekeeper: Jorge Arvizu
 * Mercedes the student/shop assistant: Xochiti Vigil
 * Fernando the airline pilot: Fernando Balzaretti
 * Tony Diaz - Truck driver

Human Cast in the 80s:
 * Teresa: Romelia Aguero
 * Sandra: Ana Silvia Garza
 * Sebastian: Jaime Garza
 * Miguel: Alejandro Ibarra
 * Fernando: Justo Martinez
 * Ana: Rocio Ortiz
 * Goyo: Raoul Rossi
 * Pepe: Salvador Sanchez
 * Paula: Rosalia Valdez

Human Cast now:
 * La Abuela: Evita Muñoz, Beatriz Aguirre
 * Don Boni: Edgar Vivar, Sergio Corona
 * Carmen: María Del Sol
 * Gertrudis: Socorro Bonilla, Leonorilda Ochoa
 * Pablo: Ariel López Padilla, Benjamin Rivero
 * Maria: Paty Díaz, M'Balia Marichal Ibar, Mariana Sánchez Williams
 * Susana: Liza Echeverria, Mariana Garza
 * Juan: Alberto Mayagoitia, Raúl Magaña
 * Neftalí: Héctor Hernández, Pedro Romo
 * Daniela: Maria Fernanda Urdapilleta, Mariana Botas, Paula Gutiérrez
 * Manuel: Manuel Bermudez, Charlie Santana, Alan Sanchez, Santiago Hernández
 * ToNo: Isaac Castro
 * Romina: Anahí Sánchez
 * Dona Mati: Veronika Con K
 * Rafel: Mirko Ruggiero
 * Natalia: Vanina Mirki Gianbattistelli
 * Baruch Mardonado Karime Hernandez

Spanish Voices

 * Bert (Beto): Jorge Arvizu (original), José Antonio Macías (current)
 * Ernie (Enrique): Jaime Vega (original), Rene Garcia (current)
 * Cookie Monster (Lucas): Jorge Arvizu (original), Rene Garcia (current)
 * Elmo: Eduardo Garza (1996-ca.2006), Igor Cruz (ca. 2006-2011), Carlos Martello (2011 onward)
 * Big Bird: Eduardo Garza
 * Zoe: Pilar Escandon (official voice), Marina Huerta (occasional voice)
 * Oscar: Alejandro Mayen (original), Ricardo Mendoza (current)
 * Rosita: Laura Torres
 * Grover (Archibaldo): Jose María Iglesias (original), Alejandro Mayen (second voice), Ricardo Mendoza (current voice)
 * Snuffy: Eduardo Borja
 * The Count (Conde Contar): Jaime Vega (original voice), Martin Soto (1990s-2000's), Carlos Torres (current voice)
 * Kermit the Frog (La Rana Rene): Salvador Nájar
 * Baby Bear (Bebe Oso): Ricardo Mendoza (oficial voice), Carlos Iñigo (occasional voice)
 * Roxie Marie: Marina Huerta
 * Abby Cadabby: Liliana Barba (official voice), María Fernanda Morales (occasional voice), Marina Huerta
 * Telly: José Antonio Macías

Credits

 * Senior Producer: Ginger Brown
 * Line Producer: Salvador Perez
 * Associate Producer: Magaly Villacorta Faria
 * Executive Producer: Rosy Ocampo
 * Associate Producers: Eduardo Meza, Alfredo Gonzáles, Fernández
 * Music Coordinator: Alejandro Abaroa
 * Theme song ("Entrada a Plaza Sésamo") by Walterio Pesqueira

Animation Credits

 * Animation Director: Oscar González Loyo (1996-2000)
 * Art Director: Oscar González Guerrero (1996-2000)
 * Head Writer: Susana Romero (1996-2000)