In the new series of 75 episodes many of the old characters have gone including Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, who has been replaced by Nac. Alongside Elmo, who is still in the show, we are greeted by several new characters, including Nac, the huge yellow creature with a trumpet nose, who will be the mascot for the TV station; Griotte, a young girl in a wheelchair, who actively participates in the fun and gives a positive image of disabled children; Juliette, a student who works in the kiosk selling real French newspapers and magazines; and Baya, the baker, who, although her origins are not mentioned, appears to be Arabic. The scene is set against a background of tall graffiti-ridden buildings and blue sky, with the bakery, a greengrocers and a market. Now French children could really imagine being there.
The French series will also bring new merchandise onto the market. France 5's commercial division, France Télévision Distribution, have already signed four licensees, including Mattel, for products and as the show becomes more popular, they want to extend licensing to healthy food chains. They highlighted the fact that fast-food chains would not be considered as they want to promote healthy eating among the youngsters.
Sesame Street is now shown in over 120 countries world-wide, of which about 25 have their own specially adapted versions and although the French used to watch the original American version in the 1970s and 80s, developed in 1968 by non-profit educational organisation, Sesame Workshop, it was decided high time to make it more appropriate for French children.
Sesame Street returned to French television screens on 22nd October but the address has changed from ‘1, rue Sésame' to ‘5, rue Sésame'. This time adapted to suit its French audience by the film and television producer Georges Campana for the production company Expand-Drama and shown daily on France 5, the show now reflects French life, with the aim of encouraging children to respect differences, protect the environment, recycle rubbish and with an educational basis in line with the French national curriculum.
