PERFORMER | Odín Dupeyrón 1993-2009 |
Alfonso Soto 2010-present | |
DEBUT | 1993 |
DESIGN | Ed Christie designer |
Rollie Krewson builder |
Pancho Contreras is a monster-like character on Plaza Sésamo, the Mexican co-production of Sesame Street.
He appears in the Street segments of the show, assorted inserts, and also has his own segment, "Pancho Visión". Pancho has a strong obsession with his favorite food, onions (much to the disgust to the other Plaza citizens). Much like Telly Monster, his favorite shape is the triangle. He is also a skilled cello player, and has a pet elephant named Elefancio.
An animated version of Pancho can be seen in the background of all of the 2011 safety PSAs starring Grover.
Following the end of production of the traditional Plaza Sésamo series, Pancho ceased to appear in any follow-up productions, such as Sesame Amigos and Sésamo (unlike Lola). In 2022, he returned to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary with a video reuiniting him and Lola. Pancho has since appeared in Shorts for Plaza Sésamo's official YouTube channel, interacting for the first time with characters like Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster.
Sesame Workshop description[]
Pancho Contreras (Pancho) is a furry blue character with yellow eyes and big brown eyebrows who enjoys being different. Pancho likes traveling, playing the cello, and participating in anything extreme: sports, music, games, singing, and eating. He frequently says: "I’m very busy because I’m very busy. I don’t have time." He is fond of his collection of triangles and other unusual objects, but truly adores his pet Elefancio (an elephant’s trunk). Pancho is a little egocentric, and he doesn’t like to lose. Pancho has a strong sense of pride and self-esteem. He knows how to read and write and also knows that Abelardo admires him greatly. He loves the attention because at heart he is insecure and very sensitive. Birthday: June 6
Notes[]
- Despite his Grouch-like expression, it is never stated what species Pancho is, though his design would suggest he leans toward more monster than Grouch given his non-scuzzy fur and generally pleasant attitude towards his neighbors. However, he has been identified specifically as a Grouch on a few occasions: in issue 270 of Sesame Street Magazine (December 1997/January 1998), Pancho shows up at the Grouch Party in his own trash can, along with Rumpel and Moishe Oofnik. In the October 2004 issue, he attends the Grouch Reunion in the Pullout Poster. Oscar made a passing reference to Pancho as a friend of his in Episode 3646. In 2024, the official Plaza Sésamo YouTube channel uploaded a short called "Cómo ser un gruñón según Pancho Contreras" (which translates as "How to be a Grouch according to Pancho Contreras"), in which Pancho proudly explains what makes a perfect Grouch (YouTube).