Tango, a white-and-brown puppy, will be joining Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and the rest of the Muppet gang this summer on Sesame Street.
Kay Wilson Stallings, the executive vice president of creative and production at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” believes its launch of a new character would explore the special bond of children and pets.
A live-action muppet and animated version of Tango will appear on “Sesame Street” in the 52nd season, which debuts this fall on HBO Max and streams on PBS KIDS in 2022. Watch this video from USNews.com:
On Aug. 5, HBO reveals the pup in an animated special titled “Furry Friends Forever: Elmo Gets a Puppy.” In fact, he already has a goldfish named Dorothy that he has been taking care of for several years.
Wilson Stallings said that he has done a good job taking care of his goldfish. Taking care of Dorothy has been a success for him, and this would be a great step in his growth and learning.
A pet was planned for Sesame Street before pet adoptions soared during the pandemic. The intent of Tango is to model pet care and feeding for age-appropriate children.
Although some families decided to adopt a pet for comfort and joy. The decision was made to bring in a new pet character. Coincidentally, it is precisely at the right time.
Elmo’s adoption of Tango will help children understand how to love and care for their pets and will mirror the experiences they’re having at home.
A lot of thought has gone into Tango, including internal discussions about her appearance and gender. Despite the fact that she lives with a longhaired dachshund, Wilson Stallings set aside her own preferences for the good of the cause.
She explained that the best way to make sure she’d be able to appeal to many kids and families was to make her a mixed breed. It is possible for her to be a little of anything. Everyone with a pet could find something familiar in Tango.
During the animated and song-filled film, Grover and Elmo find a friendly but sad, stray puppy sitting inside a cardboard box during a playdate. Besides loving music and dancing, she also enjoys scratches under her chin. It’s no surprise that even Oscar the Grouch says she’s a “cute, adorable little fluffball.”
Grover tells Elmo that when approaching a dog, he must be quiet. Then let the dog sniff the back of his hand. “This is how doggies get to know you. Or, should I say, nose you,” says Grover.
It then dawns on the fuzzy monsters that the puppy is homeless.
To locate her a new home, they decide that a local pet fair is the best option. Grover tells the puppy, “We will find you the home you deserve“. She also loves dancing ballroom, so they named her after the dance.
Watch the puppy’s introduction with Elmo here:
She is then offered dog treats along the way. And is cleaned off in a magical bubble bath (“It was fun to get dirty/Now hooray for getting clean!”). The songs are by Paul Buckley.
A realization dawns on Elmo as they find the pet fair empty. Elmo says, “I know where Tango’s home might be.” Grover asks, “Where?” Then, Elmo answers, “With Elmo.” But first, he needs permission from his parents.
Elmo guarantees to feed, play with, bathe, and walk Tango. “We don’t need a per fair/To know we’re a great pair,” he sings.
Tango will remain a puppy, just as Elmo will always be 3 1/2.
However, Wilson Stallings expects her to become a successful recurring character, maybe even starring in her own show one day.
Currently, “Sesame Street” is focusing on Tango’s relationship with Elmo as she gets to know the other characters. But if there are stories to tell or educational reasons to do so, Tango will get her own show.
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