|
Ernie
and Bert travel the world in a one-hour prime-time special
Concept based
on Global Grover segments with live segments
in South America and South Africa
Courtesy
of Sesame Workshop
February
6, 2005
Sesame
Street residents Bert and Ernie are about to embark on one of their most
important missions ever, in a one-hour, prime-time, comedy-adventure special
to be co-produced by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization,
and National Geographic Television & Film’s Kids’ Programming and Production
unit. Designed to excite kids and families about their world, the project
was announced today by Donna Friedman Meir, president, Kids’ Programming
and Production for NGT&F, and Karen Gruenberg, executive vice president,
content, for Sesame Workshop.
Developed for a family audience, the special will
star Bert and Ernie in a rollicking on-the-road adventure that finds the
pair on several continents, celebrating the unique cultures they experience
along the way. The special will build on the popular Sesame Street
segment “Global Grover,” which supports Sesame Workshop’s cultural diversity
initiative, and will capitalize on both organizations’ amazing resources
and global reach. The special will include on-location shoots in South America
and South Africa, with a targeted premiere date during the fourth quarter
of 2005 and a home video to follow. NGT&F’s Kids’ Group and Sesame Workshop
are currently exploring broadcast outlets for the one-hour program in the
U.S. and abroad.
“National Geographic
has an unequaled history of introducing people of all ages to the world
beyond their door,” said Gruenberg. “We look forward to collaborating
on a unique program that will invite children and families on a global
adventure that celebrates cultural diversity and builds geographic literacy.
Sesame Workshop has a long history of providing content towards creating
a global community.”
“We
are thrilled to be working with two of the most beloved characters in
children’s entertainment and one of the most respected producers of quality
children’s programming,” said Friedman Meir. “This special marks the first
collaboration between two complimentary creative entities and two of the
most trusted brands in family media and entertainment.”
Based
in Los Angeles, Kids’ Programming and Production is an independent production
entity of NGT&F. Established in 2003, NGT&F’s Kids’ group brings the renowned
National Geographic brand to children’s entertainment through the development
and production of quality animated and live-action, entertainment-driven
programming that excites kids to explore their world. NGT&F’s Kids’ group
will work with all major broadcast outlets in the United States and abroad.

MORE
SESAME NEWS
• Sesame's 40th Anniversary DVD set coming November 10
• Sesame responds to economic challenges with a new special
• "Follow that Bird" onto 25th Anniversary DVD
• Sesame Street visits Scrubs on January 27
• "Street Gang" book and CD set debut
• Sesame Street Season 39 begins August 11
• Ernie and Bert's "Count on Sports" DVD
• Kermit Love dies at 91
|