Sesame Street is coming back in style for its 55th season, featuring guest appearances from musicians like Renée Rapp, Noah Kahan, SZA, Samara Joy, and Chris Stapleton. New episodes are set to debut every Thursday on Max, beginning on January 16.
The newest season will feature Renée Rapp hitting the world-famous block as Elmo learns to do “volcano breaths” to control his anger. The whole season will focus on emotional health. The “Snow Angel” season will be the season’s first guest.
Kahan will be returning to The Street after making his first appearance in 2024. Last year, he stopped by the show to help Elmo and friends celebrate “The Season of the Sticks.”
“New episodes of Sesame Street will help young viewers understand and express their feelings, learn new mindfulness practices, and as always, have a blast with their favorite furry and funny friends,” executive producer Sal Perez says in a press statement, per Variety.
“Whether it’s taking a volcano breath when angry, learning to give yourself a hug when frustrated, or wiggling it out when disappointed, we are empowering children with the strategies to help build resiliency and the foundational skills for emotional well-being.”
Adds Sesame Workshop’s Senior Vice President of Curriculum & Content Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, “Focusing on emotion awareness and social connection skills, children will learn that all feelings are important and that we all experience big feelings, as well as how to navigate social scenarios with friends, families, and the wider community.”
Of course, Rapp in particular is no stranger to the television cameras, having appeared full-time for two seasons of Max’s The Sex Lives Of College Girls. She also performed on Saturday Night Live in 2024, and in the film version of the Broadway musical adaptation of Mean Girls.
Stapleton also has some relevant experience in this arena, having performed in The Muppets Mayhem in 2023 and even showing up for an episode of Game Of Thrones. Joy, likewise, has appeared on screen before, joining the cast of the Apple TV+/A24 film Sharper, performing as a singer. Kahan also appeared as a musical guest on SNL in 2023, performing “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk.”
Visit Max for more information on the 55th season of Sesame Street.
