Plaza Sésamo

Plaza Sésamo is the original Latin American co-production of Sesame Street. The series was discontinued in 2016 and all material produced for the Latin American market was rebranded simply as Sésamo until 2022, when it was reverted back into its original name.
Premiering in November 1972 and co-produced with Televisa, the series initially featured a mixed cast of Panamanian, Argentine, and mostly Mexican performers, featured "neutral Spanish", and was meant for kids up to 8 years old. It aired at 2:30 pm on Canal 2. As the years progressed, the series more explicitly reflected Mexico, where the show is shot; in addition to airing in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America, the series debuted on PBS on April 3, 1995, broadcast primarily in Southwest markets on Saturday mornings. The program is also seen on UniMás. It is the only Sesame Street co-production that can be widely seen in the United States.
Abelardo Montoya once visited his cousin Big Bird on Sesame Street in the US in an episode that aired on Cinco de Mayo.
The series was a regional semi-finalist for the 2006 International Emmy Awards, up against 5, Rue Sésame, another co-production of Sesame Street.
A number of episodes from season 9 are available for purchase from The iTunes Store.
==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.
==History==
:For a list of episodes see Plaza Sesamo Episodes.
===Test pilot: 1971===
The idea of Plaza Sésamo came when several government representatives and Latin American teachers asked the Children's Television Workshop for permission to dub Sesame Street into the Spanish language. Refusing the offer under the impression that the American-based characters of the show would not work as well in a foreign environment, the CTW instead decided to assist in creating a Latin-based version of the show. 
Developed by 11 consultants and psychologists across South America, a test pilot was filmed in the summer of 1971. It was shown to forty-eight different Latin American consultants and tested on children in the fall of 1971. This initial pilot featured a bird counterpart to Big Bird, rather than the reptilian one who would follow. The cast included Carlos Ancira as shopkeeper Don Ramón, Juan Ángel Martínez as mechanic Gonzalo, Luisa Huertas as nurse Rosita, and Dunia Zaldívar as Maria Luisa. They continued in these roles for the 1972 series.
Roughly 50% of the content that made up the pilot was content previously run on Sesame Street and dubbed, a trend that would follow into the show itself.
A few scenes from the test pilot were also broadcast on Dutch television in 1972, following an episode from the original American production, similarly to demonstrate how Sesame Street could also be adapted for the Netherlands.
===First run: 1972-1973===
In revising the show for air, Abelardo was redesigned as a Latin-themed reptillian creature to add to the nationalized appeal, and Paco, a parrot, was added to fill a role similar to that of Oscar the Grouch. Of the content that was tested, musical-based content such as the Jazz Numbers failed to appeal to children, and were dropped in the final show. 
The series debuted in November of 1972 in Puerto Rico, January 8, 1973 in Mexico and throughout spring 1973 in the majority of Latin America.Christian Science Monitor: "Spanish "Sesame Street" a Hit in Latin America" The cast consisted of Mexican performers and featured "neutral Spanish." Four human characters occupied Plaza Sésamo; Don Ramon, the shopkeeper; Gonzalo; Rosita; and Maria Luisa. The setting was a plaza that resembled a typical city block in Central or South America with a center fountain, benches, vacant lot with playground equipment, houses, a combination grocery store-cafe, and a mechanic's repair shop.The Telegraph: "In Review: Sesame South of the Border" The curriculum for this season was to teach whole "slight words" that children can learn through repetition and memorization. The show also taught children about hygiene and the importance of cleanliness.The Palm Beach Post: "Around the World, Kids Love Sesame Street" The overall pace of the show was slower than that of Sesame Street to allot for the length of Spanish words and slower pace of life in Latin American countries.
===First revamping: 1975===
A second season of 260 episodes, officially named Plaza Sésamo II in-house, debuted on February 2, 1975. The show was heavily re-tooled to have a stronger Latin curriculum and episodes focused on issues afflicting Latin American society, including gastroenteritis. Alongside a small facelift to the plaza set and a revision to the puppet characters' designs, the cast of human characters was replaced and recast, adding an Argentinian actress and a Panamanian actor to diversify the makeup of the cast, bringing the total of the human cast from four to six.The Telegraph: "In Review: Sesame South of the Border"
===Second revamping: 1981===
thumb|300px|Title card from the 80s
thumb|300px|TV Guide ad from 1984.
The series was revamped for a third season in 1981. In this incarnation, Abelardo and Paco were replaced by Montoya, a big parrot, and a brown grouch named Bodoque. While the first era lasted for two differentiated seasons, this revamp only lasted one.
In 1985, an earthquake in Mexico City caused a 10-ton antenna to collapse into Televisa's south tower, in the process destroying masters for many shows including Plaza Sésamo's first 3 seasons.
In 1993, the first series of Plaza Sésamo videos were released, featuring new stories with Montoya and Bodoque.
===Third revamping: 1995-2001===
During this time, Bodoque was taken out of the show and replaced by two new characters: Lola, an energetic female monster who speaks in the third person, and Pancho Contreras, a blue monster who's always busy. Montoya was also renamed Abelardo (but he kept the name Montoya for his surname) and his personality became more playful and childlike.
New cast members were also added, some of which continue to appear to this day, including Don Boni and La Abuela. It was also during this period that the new Anything Muppet-type characters, the Multimuppet and Multimonstruo were added, allowing many new recurring characters.
This version also added the current Plaza Sesamo theme which would be modified in later seasons.
==="Mercado" era: 2005-2016===
 
thumb|right|300px|The show's opening since 2005.
During the planning for new episodes of the show in 2003, the researchers of Latin America felt the set could use a re-vamping so it could be something all kids in Latin America could relate to.Sesame Workshop The set designers created a set based on a mercado, small marketplaces that are plentiful in Latin America. The new set also used bright vivid colors like typical mercados and bright lights to reflect the bright, Mexican sun. The set debuted in season 9 in 2005.
Season 9 also brought new recurring segments used at the program's start or end. "Lola Aventuras" was introduced as a way to encourage girls to be active and productive (as well as attracting a male audience also). Other sketches include "Hazlo Tu Mismo" and "Los Monstruos También Lloran, which spoofs Telenovelas with celebrity guests. As well, a new opening theme was produced, featuring the main Muppet characters (as well as Elmo and Grover) in an animated environment, discovering the letters that spell "Plaza Sesamo".
In 2006, season 10 of the show debuted. The season focused on healthy habits, featuring various plots about food and exercise. Many episodes also ended with a special message from a celebrity and one of the Muppet characters about exercise, eating healthy and other health-related tips. Introduced this season was a family from Argentina that moved to the plaza. However, they debuted late in the season and did not appear after the season.
In 2008, the series celebrated its 35th anniversary. Season 11 debuted that year in March. During this season, several changes were made, including new actors to play La Abuela and Daniela. As well, a new Lavender Multimuppet as added to the cast. Abby Cadabby also was added to the show, appearing at the start of some episodes in three-part sketches where she performs a magic trick with an ordinary object. Two new recurring segments debuted also: A brief segment that is shown shortly after the first scene where one of the main Muppet characters introduces the letter of the day, and "Pancho Visión", a daily segment in which Pancho Contreras presents a film about his friends all over the world.
Season 12 of the show debuted in October 2009 with the main curriculum of ecology. A new actor for Manuel appears.
The mercado was again revamped in season 13 (which debuted in late September 2010), and new Muppet character Gaby was added.
In 2011, Season 14 debuted in August and featured Elmo as a new character on the plaza and a new Muppet character, Camilo, who is in a wheelchair.Cronica: Plaza Sesamo begins new season Javier Williams, producer of the broadcast, says about the new muppet character, "We made it important that working with this Telethon, from the ages of 3 or 4 years will leave a small message that no matter where a child is in a wheelchair, is still like any other." New cast members were also added including Rafael and Natalia, the first Argentinean couple.La Capital: For Televisa was a great choice The curriculum will focus on diversity of places, customs, and conditions. Guest Stars include Maite Perroni from RBD and Juanes who will appeared in a "Word of the Day" segment.starMedia: Juanes promotes diversity
2012 celebrates the 40th anniversary of the show.
For Season 15, 52 episodes debut in December 2013, the street scenes move to RCN Colombia. The new Muppets were "tech-savvy friends" Chip (owner of Café Clic) and Gina, and human cast additions were Luisa and Martin. In addition to the existing health, diversity, and literacy themes, the season added a focus on math.
==Cast==
Muppet Cast in the 70s:
:Abelardo (first Abelardo): Justo Martinez
:Paco: Justo Martinez
Muppet Cast in the 80s:
:Montoya (early Abelardo): Alberto Estrella
:Bodoque: Jaime Vega
Muppet Cast 2005:
:Abelardo: Eugenio Bartilotti, Héctor Loeza
:Lola: Rocío Lara
:Pancho: Odín Dupeyrón, Marypaz García (assist)
:Elefancio: Itzel Tapia, Marcia Coutiño (2005)
:Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): Alejandro Abaroa, Santiago Alonso, Alejandro Benítez, Raul Buendia, Igor Cruz, Eduardo De Juanbelz, Flavio Ruiz, Carlos Martello
Muppet Cast 2009:
:Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): Liz Serrano, Enrique Madrid, Alicia Paola Sanchez, Leticia Amezcua, Gerardo Zardain
Muppet Cast 2010:
:Pancho: Alfonso Soto, Maripaz García (assist)
:Gaby: Verenice Callejo
:Other Muppets and Monsters ("Multimuppet y Multimonstruo"): José Luis Arévalo, Carlos Marttelo, Eduardo de Juanbelz
Muppet Cast 2011:
:Elmo: Carlos Marttelo
:Gaby: Verenice Callejo
:Camilo: Diego Monsiváis
:Modesto Microfono: José Luis Arévalo
:Mano de Pancho: Gabriel Guzmán
:Multimuppet: Diego Medel
Muppet Cast 2013:
:Chip: Verenice Callejo
:Gina: Héctor Loboguerrero
:Mano de Pancho: Magda Solano
Human Cast in 1975:The Telegraph: "In Review: "Sesame South of the Border"
:Toño, the mechanic: Mauricio Herrera
:Alicia, public health nurse/wife of Toño: Irene de Bari
:Carlos the truck driver: Tony Díaz
:José the storekeeper: Jorge Arvizu
:Mercedes the student/shop assistant: Xochiti Vigil
:Fernando the airline pilot: Fernando Balzaretti
Human Cast in the 80s:
:Teresa: Romelia Agüero
:Sandra: Ana Silvia Garza
:Sebastián: Jaime Garza
:Miguel: Alejandro Ibarra
:Fernando: Justo Martínez
:Ana: Rocío Ortíz
:Don Goyo: Raúl Rossi
:Pepe: Salvador Sánchez
:Paula: Rosalía Valdés
Human Cast now:
:La Abuela: Dacia González, Evita Muñoz, Beatriz Aguirre
:Don Boni: Héctor del Puerto, Édgar Vivar, Sergio Corona
:Carmen: María Del Sol
:Gertrudis: Socorro Bonilla, Leonorilda Ochoa
:Pablo: Ariel López Padilla, Benjamín Rivero
:María: Ilse María Olivo Schweinfurth, Paty Díaz, Silvia Lomelí Osorio, M'Balia Marichal Ibar, Mariana Sánchez Williams
:Susana: Lorena Martínez, Yolanda Ventura, Liza Echeverría, Mariana Garza
:Juan: Alberto Mayagoitía, Raúl Magaña
:Neftalí: Héctor Hernández, Pedro Romo
:Daniela: María Fernanda Urdapilleta, Mariana Botas, Paula Gutiérrez
:Manuel: Manuel Bermúdez, Charlie Santana, Alan Sánchez, Santiago Hernández
:Toño: Isaac Castro
:Romina: Anahí Sánchez
:Doña Mati: Veronika Con K
:Rafael: Mirko Ruggiero
:Natalia: Vanina Mirki Gianbattistelli
:Luisa: Estefanía Piñeres
:Martin: Nicolás Salazar
:Baruch Mardonado Karime Hernández
==Spanish Voices==
:Bert (Beto): Jorge Arvizu (original), José Antonio Macías (current)
:Ernie (Enrique): Jaime Vega (original), Rene Garcia (current)
:Cookie Monster (Lucas): Jorge Arvizu (original), Rene Garcia (current)
:Grover (Archibaldo): Jose María Iglesias (original), Alejandro Mayen (second voice), Ricardo Mendoza (current voice)
:Elmo: Eduardo Garza (1996-ca.2006), Igor Cruz (ca. 2006-2011), Carlos Martello (2011 onward)
:Big Bird: Eduardo Garza
:Abby Cadabby: Liliana Barba (official voice), María Fernanda Morales (occasional voice), Marina Huerta
:Prairie Dawn (Aurora):
:Zoe: Pilar Escandon (official voice), Marina Huerta (occasional voice)
:Oscar: Alejandro Mayen (original), Ricardo Mendoza (current)
:Rosita: Laura Torres
:Snuffy: Eduardo Borja
:The Count (Conde Contar): Jaime Vega (original voice), Martin Soto (1990s-2000s), Carlos Torres (current voice)
:Kermit the Frog (La Rana Rene): Salvador Nájar
:Baby Bear (Bebe Oso): Ricardo Mendoza (oficial voice), Carlos Iñigo (occasional voice)
:Roxie Marie: Marina Huerta
:Telly: José Antonio Macías
==Credits==
:Senior Producer: Ginger Brown
:Line Producer: Salvador Perez
:Associate Producer: Magaly Villacorta Faria
:Executive Producer: Rosy Ocampo
:Associate Producers: Eduardo Meza, Alfredo Gonzáles, Fernández
:Music Coordinator: Alejandro Abaroa
:Theme song ("Entrada a Plaza Sésamo") by Walterio Pesqueira
==Animation Credits==
:Animation Director: Oscar González Loyo (1996-2000)
:Art Director: Oscar González Guerrero (1996-2000)
:Head Writer: Susana Romero (1996-2000)
==Gallery==
Plazasesamo1.jpg
Plazasesamo2.jpg
Plazasesamo3.jpg
Plazasesamo4.jpg
==Sources==
==See also==
*Plaza Sésamo Sketches
*Plaza Sésamo Merchandise
==External links==
*Official site
__NOWYSIWYG__
Category:International Sesame Street Shows
Category:Plaza Sésamo