When Sesame Street officially made the move to HBO in 2016, the long-running children’s series added a new character and tweaked the format slightly, but not much else has changed. However, its proximity to the premium cable channel’s decidedly non-kid-friendly programming has made for some interesting bedfellows in the years since. For example, for the show’s new respect campaign, they enlisted cast members from Game of Thrones and Westworld. No, really… they did.
For the former, a heavily armored Elmo of House Sesame Street interrupts a decidedly less-violent-than-usual squabble between siblings Tyrion and Cersei Lannister in order to teach them about the wonder of respect. “Elmo thinks that you two need to respect each other,” the puppet says despite Cersei’s tutting. “When Elmo has a problem with his friends, like Abby or Cookie Monster, Elmo doesn’t get upset. Elmo listens and learns from what they have to say.”
Ever the tactician, Tyrion seems quite agreeable (but cautious) about the prospect of listening to his sister. Cersei, meanwhile, appears less inclined to go along with Elmo’s advice, but toasts the affair with an obviously non-alcoholic beverage.
As for Sesame Street‘s visit to Westworld, that short video finds Cookie Monster interrupting another tense philosophical debate between Bernard and Dolores when the latter says the word “delights.” Why? Because he’s Cookie Monster, of course, so he thinks the increasingly self-aware host is talking about some tasty treats. Apparently, he left from the nearby park “Sesameworld” in order to find cookies, but he “got lost down here.” Cue the gratuitous cookie-eating montage.
