Sesamstraat
Dutch adaptation of Sesame Street for children aged 3–7.
Sesamstraat is the Dutch take on the American series Sesame Street, aimed at children aged 3 to 7. It once aired in Flanders too. Among all uninterrupted foreign adaptations of the show, it ranks as the second longest-running, trailing only Sesamstraße.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Educational
- sketch comedy
- puppet show
- animation
- Based on
- Sesame Street
- Country
- Netherlands (1976–2019); Belgium (1976–1983)
- Language
- Dutch
- Company
- NOS; Sesame Workshop
- Channel
- NOS (1976–1995)
- NPS (1995–2010)
- NTR (2010–2019)
- First aired
- 4 January 1976
- Last aired
- 2019
Facts from the source article.
History
Before Sesamstraat officially launched in 1976, a pilot called Sesamplein aired in 1974. The show was a joint Dutch and Belgian effort, starting with just one half-hour episode each week, of which only twelve minutes featured the Dutch cast. At first, only two Muppets and three live actors appeared: Piet Hendriks, who ran a hobby workshop and drove a camper for live trips; Sien Diels, who owned a grocery store where sharing news was as important as selling goods; and Annet van Heusden, who played a kindergarten teacher. The first season was filmed on location in a town split between the Netherlands and Belgium, airing Sunday afternoons. For the second season, a realistic town square was built in the studio, later becoming a more colorful, abstract set with Pino's nest, Sien's store, a workshop, two houses, an apartment building, a trailer, and a treehouse. In 1978, the show shifted to a daily fifteen-minute format airing around dinnertime. Special episodes include the 2500th episode and an annual Sinterklaas special. The 25th anniversary brought Dutch celebrity guests. On 7 January 2000, Prime Minister Wim Kok read the bedtime story "Er staat een olifantje in het gras..." to the Muppets. Other notable story readers include Freek de Jonge, Ruud Gullit, André van Duin, Mary Dresselhuys, Hans Dagelet, Kees van Kooten, Brigitte Kaandorp, Sonja Barend, and Janine Kastelijn. In 1992, a thirty-minute film, Sesamstraat en Melkweg, was made for the Artis Zoo Planetarium in Amsterdam.
Characters
Pino is a giant blue bird whose design closely resembles that of Big Bird, his cousin. He is approximately four years old, a little younger than Tommie and Ieniemienie, and is shy, sensitive, and sometimes clumsy in his childish naivety. Pino likes to play with Purk and is known for his funny laugh and catchphrase "Echt waar?!" ("Really?!"). He has had many performers: Dirk Grijspeirt (1976), Theo Joling (1977), Bert Plagman (1979), Erik J. Meijer (1980), Leo Dijkgraaf (1984), and since 1991 Renée Menschaar, the first woman to play the character. Tommie is a six-year-old dog who is clever, energetic, and creative. He can write a few words, including his own name, and is known for exclamations like "Poe hee!" and "Hatseflats!". In the 2005/2006 season he got his own racing car. The first Tommie puppet was made from an old fur coat by producer Ton Hasebos and originally walked on all fours. His look evolved from a teddy bear-like creature to a more doglike animal; the design introduced in 1981 was created by The Jim Henson Company. Tommie's performers have included Stef van der Linden (1976), Martin Pragt (1978), and Bert Plagman (1979). Renée Menschaar and Judith Broersen both started their Sesamstraat careers as Tommie's right hand; currently Daphne Zandberg performs that role. Ieniemienie is a six-year-old mouse, the oldest of the group, very clever and smart-alecky, sometimes bossy. Her best friend is Tommie, and she often hangs out with Pino. She is known for her giggle and signature movements such as scrunching her nose when angry or raising her shoulders when confused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which network aired Sesamstraat?
Sesamstraat aired on NOS (1976–1995), NPS (1995–2010) and NTR (2010–2019).
When did Sesamstraat end?
Sesamstraat last aired in 2019.
More in Television Series with Live Action and Animation
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