Sésamo is the Brazilian version of the popular American educational children's show, Sesame Street.
Originally airing in Brazil to critical acclaim from 1972 to 1977, São Paulo based Brazilian broadcaster TV Cultura and Sesame Workshop (the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop) returned the show to Brazilian airwaves with a new Sésamo branded block of programming in October 2007.
Assisting in the format change was José Bonifácio Coutinho Nogueira, who had previously worked with TV Cultura.
In December 2016, TV Cultura has been renewed by "Sésamo", Rather than a full co-production, the series featured stars by Elmo, Grover, Come-Come (Cookie Monster), Abby Cadabby and Bel (the only carryover from Vila Sésamo) in framing scenes.
On October 5, 2019, Garibaldo (Big Bird), Come Come (Cookie Monster), Elmo and Abby Cadabby appeared in the SBT TV studio's park in Brazil to film a hidden camera prank directed by Jefferson Candido insert for the famous Brazilian show Programa Silvio Santos, following the American event known as 50 Years and Counting.
For this prank, a whole farm was created in the style of the former show with live animals, hiding places for the cameras and a new nest for Garibaldo (Big Bird).
At the end of the day, every child got an Elmo or Cookie plush as a souvenir after they bid farewell to the Muppets.
Despite having been off the air for over three decades, nostalgia for Vila Sésamo amongst adults who grew up with the show is high.
In June 2020, the series returned when SKY Play aired the half-hour special Elmo's Playdate – produced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.