Barrio Sésamo

Barrio Sésamo (Sesame District or Sesame Neighborhood) was the Spanish version of the popular U.S. children's program Sesame Street. The show premiered in 1979. It was formed for locally produced segments alternated with a dubbed version of the American program, in which many characters had Spanish names.

1970s

The show originally aired in Spain in the late 1970s, as a dubbed version of the American Sesame Street. In December 1978, Children's Television Workshop (CTW) began the show and created their own characters — Caponata, an orange, purple and yellow bird with curly pink hair (a full-body Muppet and counterpart to Big Bird) and Perezgil, a green snail with glasses (this character is permanently set on a wall) — while retaining the American characters (Ernie and Bert, Kermit, Grover, etc.) for inserts. The original show wasn't successful, and it was cancelled in May 1980.

1980s

From 1981 to 1983, a different children's program on Spanish television, La Cometa Blanca, included some sketches from Sesame Street. This program was directed by Muppet fan Lolo Rico and featured some actors who would later appear in Barrio Sésamo, mainly Mari Luz Olier, Alfonso Vallejo and the child-actress Ruth Gabriel (then known as Ruth Abellán).

The Sesame Street sketches were successful with their young audience, and a Spanish-language Sesame Street was given another chance in 1983. Only José Riesgo as Julián returned from the first season. Caponata and Perezjil were replaced by two new Muppets. The main character was Espinete, a large pink hedgehog that replaced Caponata. Like Caponata, Espinete was a full-body Muppet and was the most important character on the show, played by Chelo Vivares. He became famous for sleeping in pajamas in spite of being "naked" the rest of the day. Some of the friends of Espinete were:

• Don Pimpón (Alfonso Vallejo): Another full-body Muppet. This farmer was an undetermined brown being, similar to a Sesame Street monster.
• Chema (Juan Sánchez): The baker of Barrio Sésamo.
• Ana (Isabel Castro): The young friend of everybody.
• Don Julián (José Riesgo): The old owner of a mobile news stand.
• Matilde (Mari Luz Olier) and Antonio (José Enrique Camacho): married owners of an horchata shop
• Roberto (Roberto Mayor) and Ruth (Ruth Gabriel, as Ruth Abellán): Matilde and Antonio's children

The show finished around August 1986 and was replaced by Los Mundos de Yupi, a similar TV program featuring three extraterrestrial characters.

List of 1980s series episodes

• "La bicicleta" (6- 4-1983)
• "Vamos a jugar" (7-4-1983) (7-11-1983)
• "Dietética sana" (8-4-1983) (19-12-1983)
• "El invento de Don Pimpón" (13-4-1983) (23-11-1983)
• "Las cosquillas" (15-4-1983) (22-11-1983)
• "El cubo" (20-4-1983)(20-12-1983)
• "Fiesta de piñata" (21-4-1983)
• "Hay que divertirse" (22-4-1983) (14-11-1983)
• "La tortuga" (2-5-1983)
• "Los mayores saben jugar" (3-5-1983)(2-9-1983)
• "El plátano" (4-5-1983)(5-8-1983)
• "El cumpleaños de Teresa" (5-5-1983)
• "El juego" (6-5-1983)(9-2-1984)
• "La familia Pelaez" (9-5-1983) (30-11-1983)
• "La vaca" (10-5-1983)
• "Los cubiertos" (11-5-1983) (1-8-1983) (30-1-1984)
• "Socorro" (12-5-1983)
• "Singular persecución" (13-5-1983) (7-12-1983)
• "La familia Ortiz" (18-5-1983) (14-12-1983)
• "Los sacos" (19-5-1983) (22-2-1984)(20-5-1987)
• "La electricidad" (20-5-1983) (2-8-1983) (1-2-1984) (11-5-1987)
• "El teatro" (25-5-1983) (25-7-1983)(11-1-1984) (2-7-1987)
• "Inventando juegos" (19-7-1983)(21-12-1983)
• "La imprenta de patata" (20-7-1983)(26-12-1983)
• "Don Pimpón tiene calor" (21-7-1983)(9-1-1984)
• "Singular persecución" (22-7-1983)(4-1-1984)
• "La huerta de Julian" (27-7-1983) (18-1-1984) (7-7-1987)
• "Viendo la televisión" (28-7-1983)
• "Los gorros" (29-7-1983)
• "El extranjero" (3-8-1983)
• "La higiene del cuerpo" (4-8-1983) (6-2-1986)
• "La bolera" (18-8-1983)
• "Una tarde en casa" (30-8-1983) (22-2-1984)
• "El enfado de Espinete" (31-8-1983)
• "Los faroles" (1-9-1983)
• "La cuerda" (20-10-1983)
• "Bromas" (25-10-1983) (28-12-1983)
• "El cohete de Espinete" (1-11-1983)
• "La puerta" (2-11-1983)
• "Verdad o mentira" (3-11-1983) (12-4-1984)
• "El cuadro de Espinete" (4-11-1983) (26-4-1984)
• "Son como niños" (8-11-1983) (11-4-1984)
• "El día de la compra" (11-11-1983) (18-5-1984)
• "La máquina" (16-11-1983)
• "El mensaje secreto" (18-11-1983)
• "El encantador de serpientes" (25-11-1983)
• "Jugando al circo" (29-11-1983) (22-5-1984)
• "La caseta" (28-11-1983)
• "Espinete de La Mancha" (2-12-1983) (21-5-1984)
• "El sillin nuevo" (5-12-1983)
• "La película de Espinete" (8-12-1983) (27-4-1984)
• "Espinete tiene hipo" (12-12-1983)
• "La taquilla" (13-12-1983)
• "El muñeco mecánico" (22-12-1983) (21-5-1984)
• "Espinete y el bosque" (31-1-1984) (12-6-1984)
• "La viejecita simpática" (16-2-1984)
• "El gato" (20-2-1984)
• "Jugando con palabras" (23-2-1984) (11-6-1984)
• "El mural" (29-2-1984)
• "Personajes famosos" (1-3-1984)
• "La pelota se pincha" (5-3-1984)
• "Mi zapato" (7-3-1984)
• "Profesiones" (8-3-1984)
• "Majo,Mimo,mago" (14-3-1984) (28-6-1984) (20-7-1987)
• "El chatarrero" (15-3-1984) (26-6-1984)
• "La riña de Espinete" (19-3-1984) (8-7-1984)
• "Las bromas de Don Pimpón" (21-3-1984) (27-6-1984)
• "La cometa" (29-3-1984)
• "El sillon" (5-4-1984) (19-6-1984)
• "Conozcamos a los animales" (10-4-1984)
• "Que desbarajuste" (19-4-1984) (24-11-1987)
• "Circuitos y Espinete" (20-4-1984)
• "Qué cisco de circo" (8-6-1984)
• "Espinete y el arbol del tesoro" (1-10-1984)
• "Noche de reyes" (4-1-1985)
• "La bola" (1-7-1985)
• "Pregunta y acierta" (26-3-1986)
• "Máquina de disfraces" (7-4-1986) (19-11-1986)
• "Espinete lobo de mar" (14-4-1986) (13-11-1986) (1-2-1988)
• "El globo de Espinete" (1-5-1986) (5-4-1988)
• "La curiosidad de Espinete" (13-5-1986) (30-9-1986)
• "Concurso de disfraces" (19-6-1986) (18-12-1986) (18-2-1988)
• "Gambas con gabardina" (24-6-1896)
• "Abrete Sésamo" (25-6-1986) (18-12-1986) (14-3-1988)
• "La naranjada" (2-10-1986) (5-11-1986) (14-4-1988)
• "Espinete domador" (8-10-1986) (4-12-1986) (25-1-1988)
• "El mundo del reves y Espinete" (14-10-1986) (16-12-1986) (7-3-1988)
• "El viaje de Espinete" (3-11-1986)
• "Espinete bebé" (17-11-1986) (28-1-1988)
• "No te manches" (26-11-1986) (28-3-1988)
• "El hermano de Espinete" (9-12-1986) (11-2-1988)
• "Espinete Superstar" (19-12-1986) (30-3-1988)
• "El show de Barrio Sésamo" (1-1-1987)
• "La inauguración" (8-1-1987)
• "El guaperas" (13-1-1987)
• "El vendedor ambulante" (11-2-1987)
• "Visto y no visto" (13-2-1987)
• "Los trogloditas" (19-2-1987)
• "Llama que te llama" (23-2-1987)
• "Los trogloditas atacan de nuevo" (9-3-1987)
• "La banda y Espinete" (3-7-1987)
• "El balón de Espinete" (1-10-1987)
• "Espinete y el buzón" (5-10-1987)
• "Los trucos de Espinete" (16-11-1987)
• "El trabalenguas" (26-11-1987)
• "Vivan los novios,Espinete" (1-12-1987)
• "El tren de Espinete" (2-12-1987)
• "Las palabras" (3-12-1987)
• "Especiál navidad" (24-12-1987)
• "Especial reyes" (5-1-1988)
• "Espival de Sesamot" (6-1-1988)
• "La amiga de Espinete" (7-1-1988)
• "El hipnotizador y Espinete" (12-1-1988)
• "Los sombreros" (13-1-1988)
• "La bruja Piruja" (19-1-1988)
• "El reloj de cuco" (20-1-1988)
• "Don Pimpón y los piratas" (26-1-1988)
• "El maharaja de Kapuratala" (27-1-1988)
• "Ojo, mancha" (2-2-1988)
• "Mama Momias" (3-2-1988)
• "Espinete guardia urbano" (4-2-1988)
• "El armario de luna" (9-2-1988)
• "Gran jefe indio" (10-2-1988)
• "El doctor Herborin" (16-2-1988)
• "Espinete escayolado" (17-2-1988)
• "Camúflate Espinete" (23-2-1988)
• "Arroz para todos" (24-2-1988)
• "El mono titiritero" (25-2-1988)
• "El médico y Espinete" (2-3-1988)
• "El hombre del maletin" (3-3-1988)
• "El zoo de Espinete" (4-3-1988)
• "Espinete quiere ser camarero" (8-3-1988)
• "La máquina de los disfraces" (9-3-1988)
• "Voy a navegar" (10-3-1988)
• "Las pesas" (15-3-1988)
• "Un día tranquilo" (16-3-1988)
• "Con tenedor y cuchara" (17-3-1988)
• "El grillo" (22-3-1988)
• "Problemas con la decoración" (23-2-1988)
• "Palomitas de maíz" (24-32-1988)
• "Espinete y su grupete" (29-3-1988)
• "La visita del medico" (30-3-1988)
• "Bebe nuevo" (6-4-1988)
• "Los sonámbulos" (7-4-1988)
• "Las pintadas" (12-4-1998)
• "Misterio en el bazar" (13-4-1988)

English translation of episode list

• "Cycling" (6 - 4-1983)
• "Let's play" (04/07/1983) (07/11/1983)
• "Healthy Diet" (8-4-1983) (19-12-1983)
• "The invention of Don Pimpón" (13-4-1983) (23-11-1983)
• "Tickling" (15-4-1983) (22-11-1983)
• "The Cube" (20-4-1983) (20-12-1983)
• "Piñata Party" (21-4-1983)
• "You have to have fun" (22-4-1983) (14-11-1983)
• "Tortoise" (02/05/1983)
• "Seniors can play" (3-5-1983) (2-9-1983)
• "The banana" (4-5-1983) (5-8-1983)
• "Teresa's Birthday" (05.05.1983)
• "The Game" (06/05/1983) (09/02/1984)
• "The Pelaez family" (9-5-1983) (30-11-1983)
• "The Cow" (10-5-1983)
• "The covered" (11-5-1983) (1-8-1983) (30-1-1984)
• "Relief" (12-5-1983)
• "Singular persecution" (13-5-1983) (7-12-1983)
• "The Ortiz family" (18-5-1983) (14-12-1983)
• "Bags" (19-5-1983) (22-2-1984) (20-5-1987)
• "Electricity" (20-5-1983) (2-8-1983) (1-2-1984) (11-5-1987)
• "Theatre" (25-5-1983) (25-7-1983) (11-1-1984) (02/07/1987)
• "Inventing games" (19-7-1983) (21-12-1983)
• "The potato printing" (20-7-1983) (26-12-1983)
• "Don Pimpón is hot" (21-7-1983) (09/01/1984)
• "Singular persecution" (22-7-1983) (01/04/1984)
• "Julian's garden" (27-7-1983) (18-1-1984) (07/07/1987)
• "Watching TV" (28-7-1983)
• "The Hat" (29-7-1983)
• "The Stranger" (08/03/1983)
• "The hygiene of the body" (08/04/1983) (02/06/1986)
• "The bowling" (18-8-1983)
• "One evening at home" (30-8-1983) (22-2-1984)
• "The anger of Espinete" (31-8-1983)
• "Lanterns" (01/09/1983)
• "Rope" (20-10-1983)
• "Jokes" (25-10-1983) (28-12-1983)
• "The rocket Espinete" (1-11-1983)
• "The Door" (2-11-1983)
• "True or false" (3-11-1983) (12-4-1984)
• "The Espinete box" (4-11-1983) (26-4-1984)
• "They are like children" (8-11-1983) (11-4-1984)
• "The day of purchase" (11-11-1983) (18-5-1984)
• "The machine" (16-11-1983)
• "The secret message" (18-11-1983)
• "The Snake Charmer" (25-11-1983)
• "Fun at the Circus" (29-11-1983) (22-5-1984)
• "The house" (28-11-1983)
• "Espinete of La Mancha" (2-12-1983) (21-5-1984)
• "The new saddle" (5-12-1983)
• "The film Espinete" (8-12-1983) (27-4-1984)
• "Espinete hiccups" (12-12-1983)
• "The box office" (13-12-1983)
• "The mechanical doll" (22-12-1983) (21-5-1984)
• "Espinete and forest" (31-1-1984) (12-6-1984)
• "The nice old lady" (16-2-1984)
• "The Cat" (20-2-1984)
• "Playing with Words" (23-2-1984) (11-6-1984)
• "The Mural" (29-2-1984)
• "Famous People" (03/01/1984)
• "The ball is punctured" (03/05/1984)
• "My shoe" (07/03/1984)
• "Professions" (03/08/1984)
• "Majo, mime, magician" (14-3-1984) (28-6-1984) (20-7-1987)
• "The Junk" (15-3-1984) (26-6-1984)
• "The quarrel Espinete" (19-3-1984) (08/07/1984)
• "The banter of Don Pimpón" (21-3-1984) (27-6-1984)
• "The Kite" (29-3-1984)
• "The chair" (5-4-1984) (19-6-1984)
• "Meet the Animals" (10-4-1984)
• "That mess" (19-4-1984) (24-11-1987)
• "Circuits and Espinete" (20-4-1984)
• "What circus cisco" (06/08/1984)
• "Espinete and treasure tree" (1-10-1984)
• "Twelfth Night" (01.04.1985)
• "The Ball" (01/07/1985)
• "Question and improvement" (26-3-1986)
• "Costume Machine" (7-4-1986) (19-11-1986)
• "Espinete Sea Wolf" (14-4-1986) (13-11-1986) (02/01/1988)
• "The balloon Espinete" (1-5-1986) (5-4-1988)
• "The curiosity of Espinete" (13-5-1986) (30-9-1986)
• "Costume Contest" (19-6-1986) (18-12-1986) (18-2-1988)
• "Prawns with raincoat" (24-6-1896)
• "Open Sesame" (25-6-1986) (18-12-1986) (14-3-1988)
• "The orange" (2-10-1986) (5-11-1986) (14-4-1988)
• "Espinete tamer" (8-10-1986) (4-12-1986) (25-1-1988)
• "The world upside and Espinete" (14-10-1986) (16-12-1986) (07/03/1988)
• "The journey of Espinete" (3-11-1986)
• "Espinete Baby" (17-11-1986) (28-1-1988)
• "Do not manches" (26-11-1986) (28-3-1988)
• "Espinete's brother" (9-12-1986) (11-2-1988)
• "Espinete Superstar" (19-12-1986) (30-3-1988)
• "The show Sesame Street" (01/01/1987)
• "Opening" (01/08/1987)
• "The spunky" (13-1-1987)
• "The Peddler" (11-2-1987)
• "Seen and Unseen" (13-2-1987)
• "The troglodytes" (19-2-1987)
• "Call calling you" (23-2-1987)
• "The troglodytes attack again" (03/09/1987)
• "The band and Espinete" (07/03/1987)
• "The ball Espinete" (1-10-1987)
• "Espinete and mailbox" (5-10-1987)
• "Espinete tricks" (16-11-1987)
• "The twister" (26-11-1987)
• "Night of the Hunter, Espinete" (1-12-1987)
• The train Espinete" (2-12-1987)
• "Words" (3-12-1987)
• "Christmas Special" (24-12-1987)
• "Special kings" (01/05/1988)
• "Espival of Sesamot" (06.01.1988)
• "Espinete's friend" (01/07/1988)
• "The hypnotist and Espinete" (12-1-1988)
• "Hats" (13-1-1988)
• "The witch Piruja" (19-1-1988)
• "The Cuckoo Clock" (20-1-1988)
• "Don Pimpón and the Pirates" (26-1-1988)
• "The Maharaja of Kapuratala" (27-1-1988)
• "Eye, blemish" (02/02/1988)
• "Mama Mummies" (03/02/1988)
• "Espinete traffic cop" (02/04/1988)
• "The cabinet Moon" (09/02/1988)
• "Great Indian Chief" (10-2-1988)
• "Dr. Herborin" (16-2-1988)
• "Espinete plaster" (17-2-1988)
• "Camúflate Espinete" (23-2-1988)
• "Rice for all" (24-2-1988)
• "The monkey puppet" (25-2-1988)
• "The doctor and Espinete" (03/02/1988)
• "The briefcase man" (03/03/1988)
• "Espinete Zoo" (04/03/1988)
• "Espinete want to be a waiter" (03/08/1988)
• "The costumes machine" (03/09/1988)
• "I'll sail" (10-3-1988)
• "Weights" (15-3-1988)
• "A quiet day" (16-3-1988)
• "With fork and spoon" (17-3-1988)
• "Cricket" (22-3-1988)
• "Problems with the decor" (23-2-1988)
• "Popcorn" (24-32-1988)
• "Espinete and grupete" (29-3-1988)
• "The visit of the doctor" (30-3-1988)
• "New Baby" (04/06/1988)
• "The Sleepwalkers" (04/07/1988)
• "The graffiti" (12-4-1998)
• "Mystery in the bazaar" (13-4-1988)

1980s series DVDs

"Pack barrio Sésamo: Espinete y Don Pimpón" (10 DVD pack with 40 episodes, Region 2)

1990s

In 1996, the show returned with more new characters: Bluki (a blue full-body catlike Muppet), Vera (a yellow monster), Bubo (an owl) and Gaspar (a human Muppet). Additional characters that made occasional appearances included a wild monster with red fur and a healthy appetite — portraying a role similar to Cookie Monster's — and a tan anything Muppet that could be turned into characters (such as a baby, a girl friend of Vera's, a clumsy man with a moustache, or a pig).

The show's directors were:

• Enrique Nicanor
• Antonio Torets
• Jose María Vidal (co-director)

External links

• Barrio Sésamo on Muppet Wiki
• Barrio Sésamo at IMDb