Plaza Sésamo

Plazasesamotitlecard — *Plaza Sésamo* title card from 2000.

Plazasesamo — Abelardo, Pancho and Lola from Mexico.

1972 — *Plaza Sésamo* in the early years.

Plaza Sésamo is Mexico's co-production of Sesame Street. The show currently airs on weekends on some American PBS stations.

It stars a giant parrot named Abelardo, a blue Grouch named Pancho Contreras, and a small pink monster called Lola. There are also some Anything Muppet 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 the 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.

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.