‘Sesame Street’ Debuts in Afghanistan

Muppets are definitely having a moment. 

First, Jim Henson‘s creations got their big-screen revival in The Muppets movie, and now, the beloved Sesame Street characters have found a new home: in Afghanistan. 

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Titled Baghch-e-Simsim (Sesame Garden), which made its television debut Thursday, is locally-produced, but features the popular American television characters, Elmo, Big Bird and Grover.  

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Some of the other show stalwarts, Oscar the Grouch and The Count, had to be cut for cultural reasons. 

“Millions of American children and children around the world have enjoyed growing up watching and learning from this show,” said U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker in a statement. “The United States is proud to have partnered with the Afghan Ministry of Education and members of the Afghan media to help bring this educational programming to Afghanistan.”

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Sesame Street has other co-productions around the world, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Mexico and Russia. 

The show will run on the country’s TOLO TV and LEMAR TV stations.