Sesamstraat in Paradiso

Sesamstraat in Paradiso is a New Years Eve TV special from Sesamstraat, the Dutch co-production of Sesamstraat. It aired on New Years Eve 2000.

Sesamstraat in Paradiso features well known Dutch singers and musicians performing classic Sesamstraat songs in the nightclub Paradiso in Amsterdam, for an audience of children and parents. This live concert was the first in a line of special activities in honor of Sesamstraat's 25th anniversary in 2001.

The following songs were performed:


 * Sesamstraat Theme - Berget Lewis and her Gospel Train
 * Ik Verloor Mijn Koekie In De Disco (Me Lost Me Cookie At The Disco) - Berget Lewis
 * Troeteldier (Transylvanian Love Call) - Bennie Jolink and Ellen Ten Damme
 * Horlepiep (It's Zydeco) - Rowwen Hèze & Rini Dobbelaar
 * Ik Ben Mijn Lieve Hondje Kwijt (Has Anybody Seen My Dog) - Daniël Lohues & Rudeboy
 * Lam-ba-ba - Berget Lewis & Murth Mossel
 * Stinkie Stankie (Swamp Mushy Muddy) - Rick de Leeuw
 * Dood Zijn Duurt Zo Lang (Being Dead Takes So Long) - Maarten van Roozendaal & Egon Kracht
 * Pudding Met Vel - Rowwen Hèze
 * Heimwee (Homesick) - Ellen Ten Damme
 * M'n Bal Is Dood (My Ball Is Dead) - Henk Westbroek
 * Ik Ben Ik (I Am Me) - Bennie Jolink & Marcel de Groot
 * De Dingen Waar Je Van Houdt (But I Like You) - Paul Haenen and Wim T. Schippers
 * Feest (Party) - Frank Groothof and the Sesamstraat cast

The concert was hosted by Wim T. Schippers (who does Ernie's Dutch voice). The Dutch cast was featured in very brief scenes: Tommie tended the restroom, Ieniemienie sat at the makeup table and Pino let all the artists in at the stage door. Most of the Sesamstraat actors were sitting in the audience. They all joined in with Frank's party song at the end of the concert.

Sesamstraat in Paradiso can be considered one of the most PG-rated Sesamstraat productions: during the duet "Has Anybody Seen My Dog", rapper Rudeboy blurts out: "That's a f_ing cat, man!"

Wim T. Schippers and Paul Haenen sang "But I Like You" in Ernie and Bert's voices. Although they introduced themselves as people who "were good at impersonating Bert and Ernie", Wim T. Schippers later said he regret 'breaking the illusion' live on stage. When he was a celebrity guest in the 25th season, he did not do any voices, out of respect for Jim Henson.

Wim and Paul finally managed to improvise as Bert and Ernie with the actual puppets at a press conference in 2005, during the taping of Open Huis in Sesamstraat.