Your Thoughts: Play With Me Sesame Season 2

[Phillip Chapman]

The second season of Play With Me Sesame begins tomorrow, Saturday June 7th on Noggin. Play With Me Sesame airs twice daily at 7:00 am central (8:00 am eastern) and 10 am central (11:00 am eastern). Sesame Workshop's Tiny Planets with Bing and Bong also airs right before the 7:00 airing of Play With Me Sesame.

Let us know what you think of the new episodes. One of the highlights of season 1 was the inclusion of many classic skits in each episode. Hopefully this will continue with season 2.

123 Sesame Street (reruns since 1999) also airs at 4:00 am, 8:00 am, and 11:30 am on Noggin.

Here is some more info on Play With Me Sesame season 2...

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2003/052303.shtml

Set your VCR's and let us know what you think!

[ssetta]

Well, I watched it this morning at 8, and it had quite a few old clips. It had Kermit trying to talk about happy and sad, and Elmo got sad when Kermit didn't have time to play with him. It also had the "Hair Brush" song sung by the Cereal Girl. It also had a very old Bert & Ernie sketch where Ernie wanted to be a doctor.

[Soo!-per Grover]

Hey! I watched it at 11. Glad I didn't get up early to watch it at 8, because it sounds like it was the same.

Did anyone notice anything different about Ernie? :p ;)

[Cheebo]

Originally posted by Soo!-per Grover

Did anyone notice anything different about Ernie? :p ;)
Yea! Who was that doing Ernie's voice? It was not Steve Whitmere, who ever it was it was a terrible job. Ernie sounded very monotone not at all like how Steve & Jim played him. Anyone know why Ernie was like that?

[WiGgY]

Somebody else has started doing Ernie's voice? What? Why?

[Cheebo]

Originally posted by WiGgY
Somebody else has started doing Ernie's voice? What? Why?
I havent the slightest clue. Isn't there some one here who works at Sesame Workshop or something right? Maybe he would know why their is a new preformer.

[ssetta]

I did notice that. I thought it sounded like Matt Vogel. But I could not stand it.

[Soo!-per Grover]

Nope, John Tartaglia performed Ernie as you can see in the credits.

I'm surprised y'all didn't notice Ernie's voice in the PWMS ads they've been airing for weeks now. No one did, so he can't be TOO bad, huh?

I think he does a good job. Any new performer of a voice takes some getting used to listening to. No one can be a spot-on match.

[ssetta]

That's true. I mean, in the early 90s, when I first heard Steve Whitmire, I couldn't stand it. Same with David Rudman's Cookie Monster, and even Matt Vogel's Big Bird. Eric Jacobson does an okay job, but not as bad as David Rudman. He sounds more like Baby Bear with a sore throat.

[Cheebo]

Originally posted by ssetta
He sounds more like Baby Bear with a sore throat.
Really? I feel Rudman does a wonderful Cookie. Also Soo!-per Grover do you know if Steve will be doing Ernie in later episodes?

[Cheebo]

Just saw the second episode. No Steve. :(

[Soo!-per Grover]

Oh no no. John did all of season 2. There aren't any episodes really. They're called play patterns. They are custom mixed for each day, so it's never the same episode twice. And all of Season 2 has been filmed and is in-the-can.

[The Count]

You know, I thought that Ernie's voice sounded a little off in the 1 ad for PWMS Season 2 I saw. But then again, since it was just 1 advert for the new season, I thought I was misstaken. Saw the second episode today and I have to agree that I'm not sure about this new voice for Ernie. It sounds half OK, but then it also sounds somewhat odd when you hear it. It sounded almost OK when he lowered his voice to sing a lullaby for Ernestine at the end of the episode. Hopefully Steve will come back and voice Ernie again in future episodes or later seasons of the show. Hope this helps and have a good afternoon.

[Wozza Fraggle]

So what was Steve doing ??


I cant believe Ernie of all Jims Muppets has been passed to someone else.

[ssetta]

Also, on today's show, I saw a very old Bert & Ernie sketch that I had never seen before! If any of you saw it, it was "Ernie and The Magic Chain."

[WiGgY]

Is it possible for someone to get a sound bite of the alternate Ernie? I don't get Noggin.

And this was just one of those things right? Steve is still Ernie's regular performer?

[Soo!-per Grover]

Originally posted by WiGgY
Steve is still Ernie's regular performer?

That is correct.

[Erine81981]

Ok let me get this strat? You mean there already showing season 2? I didn't know I thought it was later this month. I knew they had switched the date but didn't know it already stated. I wish I would have know this. What episode are they on? like #

[Phillip Chapman]

The third episode of the second season will air tomorrow (Monday). Seventeen episodes are in season 2.

[Erine81981]

Do they reshow them any other time? I know they will when they reair them.

[Soo!-per Grover]

Phillip, where did you hear there were only 17 episodes?

There are no concrete episodes of PWMS, they shuffle the segments around every day. Unless maybe things have changed this season. Hmmmm.

[The Count]

Erine81981, Play With Me Sesame Season 2 airs on Noggin at 8:00 AM and again at 11:00 AM EST. Hope this helps and have a good day.

[Phillip Chapman]

Originally posted by Soo!-per Grover
Phillip, where did you hear there were only 17 episodes?

This article references that 17 episodes are in the second season.

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2003/052303.shtml

[ssetta]

I think they need more episodes, but it's nice to know they still use old clips.

[Traveling Matt]

Can someone please get a sound file so we can hear this different Ernie? Please :)

- Billy :cool:

[ssetta]

I didn't see the show that aired today, but on yesterday's show, they had Grover's CLASSIC demonstration of Near and Far, and "Cookie's Poem" with Cookie and Howie. It was on the album "C Is For Cookie," but I had never before seen the segment, or Howie. I wouldn't of thought he was a rabbit, but on the record, I could hear a boinging sound, so Howie had to be something unusual.

[lw72]

The first thing that stood out in the promos for the new season was Ernie's voice. "Who IS that?" was all I could say. I hoped that it was just my imagination, but day after day the little ones watch the new episodes and no Steve Whitmire. He did an amazing job and is missed. When's he coming back? Sorry to complain about Ernie's current performer, but he just doesn't compare.

It's great to see new material. It's practically the same format, but we had the old ones memorized, it seems, from repetition. My 2 year old and 1 year old watch in amazement.

[ssetta]

There was another one on today. It was that old song "I Love A March" by Bert. It was on a record, but I never knew it was ever on the show!

There was another one that was on last week with Kermit playing an imagination game in a park, and there were 2 other kids playing in the background.

[jake]

I can not stand the new Ernie voice!! The voice even makes the Play with me song sound off. I was worried when I saw the commercial before the season started. I taped some of the last season so we watch the old ones a lot. Any hope that the old voice will reappear? Also, does it look like Prairie Dawn got a face lift?!?

[D'Snowth]

That's true. I mean, in the early 90s, when I first heard Steve Whitmire, I couldn't stand it. Same with David Rudman's Cookie Monster, and even Matt Vogel's Big Bird. Eric Jacobson does an okay job, but not as bad as David Rudman. He sounds more like Baby Bear with a sore throat.

I agree, alot of Muppets have new voices that drive me bonkers. Ernie sounds all, slow and retarted. Cookie Monster, does sound like Baby Bear with a sore throat. Grover sounds like Cookie Monster trying to imatate Elmo. Bert sounds like Kermit also trying to sound like Elmo. Big Bird sounds like a hobo.

Also, does it look like Prairie Dawn had a face lift?
Her new puppet is freaky looking. As anyone noticed that Ernie kinda looks different too? Particularly his left ear looks like someone put it in a permanent twist.

[The Count]

OK, I got a few questions for whoever can answer them...

1 What does everybody mean by that Prairie got a "facelift"? If you can, please describe what Prairie Dawn looks like now.
2 Did Bert's voice change over to Grover's when Bert introduces the online oatmeal art and says "Artistic and Nutritious!"?
3 What's the name of the worm character who sang the song about being a bookworm? If you can, please describe what this character looks like.
4 What's the name of the baby rock and roll band who sang the song about "Moving On"? If you can, please describe what this character looks like.
Thanks for your help and have a good day.

[D'Snowth]

Here's some answers for you Count.
1. It's hard to explain. She just looks...well...different now! All I know is they probably made a new puppet because the old one might of gotten too old or something like that...I don't know.
2. Yes!
3. Bookworm?
4. Not sure, all I remember is the announcer saying they were from "Move-ville" The character was a purple puppet that works like the Count (without hand-rods) with brown long hair, sunglasses, a red and yellow striped shirt, and a black vest.

[The Count]

Thanks for your help. The "Bookworm" song was from yesterday's d-Down dance, ending with an Up-and-Down goodbye.

As for the singers of the song "Movin' On," I think the lead singer was voiced by Richard Hunt and I thought the announcer said the band's name was "Movin'" but I wasn't sure and thought about getting a concrete answer. If you can help me out with either of these, it's much appreciated. Thanks and have a good day.episode where Grover did a sort of Up-an

[Ryan]

OK, I got a few questions for whoever can answer them...

1 What does everybody mean by that Prairie got a "facelift"? If you can, please describe what Prairie Dawn looks like now.

They put more foam in Prarie's head, so it looks a little blown up. Freaky.

[ssetta]

The worm song is called "I'm A Bookworm, Baby", it's from Season 23, and it was written by Christopher Cerf and Belinda Ward. The group name was called The Bookworms, and the lead singer was voiced by Ivy Austin.

[The Count]

Thanks ssetta, knew I could count on you! Now then, what about this other rock and roll band that appeared at the baby nursery? The band sang a song about "Movin' On" and the lead singer I think was voiced by Richard Hunt. You can find a descript of what he looks like in the post above by Courage Baggy. Thanks for your help and have a good day.

[ssetta]

The band name was "Movin'", the song was called "Movin' On", it's from Season 19, and it only ever aired in 2 shows: 2436 and 2410. It was written by Joe Raposo and Emily Kingsley (I think). And the lead singer most definitely was voiced by Richard Hunt. And it was killed in 1988 by Lisa Simon.

[The Count]

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Thanks for coming through yet again ssetta! Both The Bookworms and Movin' have been added to the listing and you'll see them there in the next update of the list posted here on the forums.

BTW: What do you mean when you said that this song was "killed"?
Thanks for all your help and have a great night.

[ssetta]

When I mean that the song was "killed," that means that it will no longer be used on Sesame Street. It doesn't have anything to do with Noggin, Play With Me Sesame, or any foreign production. It only has to do with it being used on the original Sesame Street series. Now with this particular song, I don't know why it was killed. Maybe they didn't like the curriculum or something, I don't know.

[The Count]

Thank you for the info as I get new info on old sketches. Now I wanted to ask you about a sketch seen by fellow SS compiler, Tommy, who runs the SS Encyclopedia website. He said that he saw a sketch where the Count goes on vacation and says good-bye to his family including his mother, father, brother, and sister. My memory seems to recall the character of the Count's mother from a sketch where she was trying to put him to sleep in his baby crib. But my question is... do the characters of the Count's father, brother and sister actually exist? And have they been seen on Sesame Street here in the states? And if so, do these four members of the Count's family have individual names or were they just refered to as his relatives?
Thanks for your help and have a good night.

[jeffkjoe]

Good show!

[pixiesuit]

I just started watching PWMS, and the muppets look so different!!! Their colors are brighter, and the texture of their "skin" is all smooth. What I loved about the muppets of olde, was their kinda fuzzy skin. You cold see all the little fibers and even little sparklies. Now, they look too, oh I don't know, SMOOTH, I guess. Oh, and by the way......Bert's eyebrow is all wrong, and his shirt stripes are different colors. I also remember Prairie Dawn to be much tinier. Oh, well.....we must accept change, but can't help but to pine away for the good ole days.

[KVR'sMommy]

About Play With Me Sesame Season 2: Ernie is all wrong (as are Grover and Cookie), Prairie Dawn looks like she got hit by a truck, and the whole show lacks the energy present in Season 1. My 17 month-old son is definitely not as interested. I turned it on briefly this morning to see Prairie Dawn and Grover arguing, then this bunny came on and Kyle was terrified of it! I actually taped a bunch of season 1 after seeing the commercial for season 2, and I'm very happy I did. My boy watches it every morning after breakfast. Steve- I implore you to return!

I hope these feedback sessions work. I've actually been looking for other people's opinions on season 2 for a while, glad I found the right place. Does anyone know why Steve Whitmire left? And why Eric Jacobson left? I know some do not have a very high opinion of him, but he was pretty good too- not perfect, but good. He did that exasperated fall backwards very well!

Thanx!

[Splurge]

Hi, folks!

I don't have Noggin and haven't seen the 2nd Season of Play with Me Sesame. How many episodes are set for this season in total and how many have aired so far?

[Secret Squirrel]

"Does anyone know why Steve Whitmire left? And why Eric Jacobson left?"

Steve was unavailable for a period, so John Tartaglia stepped in. Eric Jacobson never went anywhere.

secret squirrel

[ssetta]

I took a look at Noggin's schedule, and, Oh, NO!!! Now PWMS is being decreased from twice a day to only once. From now on, it will only be on at 8 am Eastern. So now they have both 123 SS and PWMS only on once a day (not counting the 5 am et airing of 123 SS, because that's not really part of Noggin). They really don't like Sesame Street. They're not even owned by Sesame Workshop anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if they did away with it completely pretty soon.

[Phillip Chapman]

New episodes of Play With Me Sesame will be produced for at least two more seasons.

[KVR'sMommy]

Does anyone know if Whitmire will return? I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[ssetta]

Then why do they keep decreasing the airing of it?

Ok, in place of the second PWMS is now yet another airing of Franklin. So now that's on 3 times a day, instead of 2. Do we really need that? Same with the second 123 SS. It's replaced by Connie the Cow, and a 3rd airing of Maisy! It's obvious that they like those kinds of shows, and not Sesame Street. :(

[Smy Guiley]

Then why do they keep decreasing the airing of it?

Ok, in place of the second PWMS is now yet another airing of Franklin. So now that's on 3 times a day, instead of 2. Do we really need that? Same with the second 123 SS. It's replaced by Connie the Cow, and a 3rd airing of Maisy! It's obvious that they like those kinds of shows, and not Sesame Street. :(
It's a shame to see their airtime being cut so drastically. However, we don't get Noggin in Canada AT ALL, so everyone watching should feel lucky (and be taping it for the rest of us!) My little girl is not terribly interested in Franklin, either, and she's just starting to ask to watch Sesame by name! I can't let one of her favourites go off into oblivion! The show was very beneficial to me and I believe it is helping her as well.

[Dantecat]

Does The Third Season of Play With Me Sesame starting on April This Year Phillip?Please let me know anybody Because I like to see more old rare Muppet skits I like to record. :D

[ssetta]

How do you know there'll even me a 3rd season? They really don't like SS anymore over at Noggin.

[Soo!-per Grover]

Yeah, PWMS has sadly been cancelled. As you might know from the tell-tale "We used to show PWMS 4X a day, but now we have it on only once, at 8AM." @_@ That rots, doesn't it? :grouchy:

[Dantecat]

They might have another season. We have to see what's happening.

[KTFARI]

:mad: So angry they cancelled PWMS it was my daughters favorite show. She does not like Franklin!!!! Does anyone have any idea where else she can watch PWMS???? Are there videos??? :grouchy:

[The Count]

OK, a few things I'd like cleared up.
1 Is Phillip correct when he says that there'll be at least two more seasons of PWMS?
2 Who said the show was cancelled and where's the news article confirming its cancellation?
3 And is Su...perGrover an exec in charge of programming over at Noggin?
How can we help you convince the others on that board to bring back the classic greatness of a true landmark in American television?
Thanks and have a good day.

[ssetta]

1. I believe Phillip is correct.
2. I never actually heard this, it just seems that way, since they keep decreasing the airing of it. That's exactly what they did with SSU.
3. Su-Per Grover is not in charge of programming. :crazy:

[jake]

I am starting to wonder why I pay for Noggin. My son LOVES Play with me Sesame. At first it was on 3 times every day and now once. Connie the Cow, Franklin, these shows are awful! Do they care what the viewer wants? Can Sesame Workshop put Play with Me Sesame on another channel? It seems that Sesame Street is not on any channel as much as it used to be..at least in the Boston area. Is there someone we can contact??

[ssetta]

You can contact Meeri Park Cunniff, the Director of Programming for Noggin. Their number is (212) 654-7077. I think that's the number, but I'm not sure. But then again, she isn't all that nice. I called her awhile back to ask why they were taking off all the old shows, such as Sesame Street Unpaved, and the 123 Sesame Street shows from Season 25, and all the old programming they had on Noggin. She could understand that I was upset, but there was nothing they could do. She says that they don't make Noggin for us classic Sesame fans, they make it for preschoolers, and that a majority of their audience really likes the new Noggin. And also, Noggin isn't even owned by Sesame Workshop anymore, it's completely owned by Nickelodeon and Viacom. So apparently, it wouldn't make much sense for them to air it anymore. I bet that by next year, they will have no Sesame Workshop programming at all.

[Drtooth]

My question... does anyone even WATCH Noggin? Do they really care what the ratings are? D list candy coloered kiddy shows like Maisy the overhyped ugly poorly drawn/written Kid's book the sereis don't really seem very priority. And all th "N" programming is the same outdated Clarissa is a Pain to all type shows from the 90's.

[ssetta]

Actually, no. They actually have new programming now. But a lot of it does NOT belong in "The N" in my opinion. I mean, look at Real Access! It's like a spin-off show on Access Hollywood about celebrities?? Come on, I don't think that's very educational. Do you?

But unfortunately, they don't want old programming, they want new programming. See, I think they had the old programming in the beginning, such as Sesame Street Unpaved, The Electric Company, and 3-2-1 Contact, mostly because they needed to fill the space. And they don't need any of that stuff anymore, because they have new shows.

[The Count]

Quick character question!

There was a segment demonstrating "next to" with Elmo, then Telly, then Rosita, then Herry, then a Honker, then Ingrid and Humphrey, and lastly Zoe.
My question is this... what was the name of the Honker that Herry said? Was it "Alfonz"? If so, is this the correct spelling? And what did that Honker look like?
Thanks and have a good day.

[MuppetDude]

Quick character question!

There was a segment demonstrating "next to" with Elmo, then Telly, then Rosita, then Herry, then a Honker, then Ingrid and Humphrey, and lastly Zoe.
My question is this... what was the name of the Honker that Herry said? Was it "Alfonz"? If so, is this the correct spelling? And what did that Honker look like?
Thanks and have a good day.

The Honker was the green one with blue hair. Not sure about the name, though. I know it sounds almost exactly the way you said it, but not sure on how it's spelled. It could be "Alphonse".

[KTFARI]

insead of PWMS every day last week it aired every other day and had a Franklin movie on for 2 hours at a time on the opposite days.
Can you tell me which episode is the Mahna Mahna clip on???

[ssetta]

See, there aren't really any actual episodes. It's all computer-generated. Like it varies and varies and varies. So there isn't really any way to tell.