Review: Elmo’s Playdate

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It’s not everyday you get to see Sesame Street in prime time. The Muppets? Sure. But, certainly not Sesame Street. However, Elmo’s Playdate is a meta-level special that in it’s delivery puts itself into that rare area of children’s television that needs to go there. I recall Mr. Rogers having to explain topics like assassination and I couldn’t help but wonder that this Sesame Street special, with it’s focus on washing hands, staying home, and using video conferencing to have fun with your friends, is going to have the same profound impact when we look back on this COVID-19 epidemic in say a CNN special or something.

During the course of the episode we get a pretty good helping of special guest characters from Sesame Street and a few live-action guests that kinda ruins a lot of it. Elmo is the host of the evening while Gonzo gives adults that “ok boomer” bit for those needing extra help in figuring out Zoom. Then live-action guests like Anne Hathaway, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Taye Diggs, and others show up which ruins any chance of seeing more notable Sesame Street pals like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Donald Grump, or even one of the throwback hosts of the show. I have no idea why those people were invited because nobody was tuning in for them in the first place.

That said, Elmo’s Playdate is a satisfying way to remind everyone that WarnerMedia’s HBO MAX will have a bunch of Sesame Street on there, and if we get more original updates like this that feature truly important lessons rather than lame attempts at celebrities promoting movies, then I’m all for it. Make a date to play with Elmo.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.