The New Season of Sesame Street May Be the Geekiest Yet

Sesame Street is back tomorrow, September 16, for an incredible 44th season. This year the focus is on Cookie Monster and his new segment, “Cookie’s Crumby Pictures,” where he learns about self-regulation, such as practicing self-control and not eating all of the delicious cookies before dinner.

In a web chat this week that I had the pleasure to join in, Cookie said that his secret is practicing patience. “Sometimes when me see cookie, me kind of get a little crazy and lose control. So me try to keep self control. Me take like, deep breaths and calm me body.” The blue monster also shared another tip: Pretend that the cookie is something unappealing. “Maybe a stinky fish,” suggested Cookie Monster. “Then me not eat me cookie. Me just use me imagination.”

Geek god Tom Hiddleston stopped by the Street for a quick lesson along the same theme, talking to Cookie about delayed gratification in a recent preview.

Tom Hiddleston isn’t the only geek icon making an appearance on Sesame Street this year. During the new season, parents will find themselves glued to the TV along with their preschoolers as celebrities near and dear to geek hearts like Star Trek‘s John Cho, Superman Henry Cavill, The Avengers‘ Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Michelle Gellar, The Big Bang Theory‘s Kunal Nayyar, and Game of Thrones‘ Lena Heady all stop in for the Word on the Street.

Another Game of Thrones favorite, Peter Dinklage, stars as Simon (of the game “Simon Says”) to help Telly learn to relax and listen.

The new season of Sesame Street also introduces a new neighbor, Armando, portrayed by Ismael Cruz Córdova. Along with self-regulation, season 44 will focus on Hispanic heritage, as Armando and his friends on Sesame Street sing new songs and teach lessons about the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.

Sesame Street kicks off the new season on Monday. Check your local PBS listings for air times.