Muppet mania: Sesame Street’s most-loved characters

Muppet mania: Sesame Street’s most-loved characters

As Sesame Street turns 50, we take a look at the American and Arab versions of the world's favorite muppets.

  1. Elmo/ Elmo
    Elmo/ Elmo
    Elmo, who had the same name in “Iftah Ya Simsim,” is the sweet red monster who hosts the last segment of the show.
  2. Cookie Monster/ Kaaky
    Cookie Monster/ Kaaky
    He was best known for his voracious appetite and his famous phrases: “Me want cookie!” and “Om nom nom nom.” “Iftah Ya Simsim’s” Cookie Monster was Kaaky.
  3. Grover/ Gargur
    Grover/ Gargur
    The blue monster is cute, lovable and furry. Gargur was Grover’s Arabic counterpart.
  4. Big Bird/ Melsoon
    Big Bird/ Melsoon
    The tall bright yellow canary, named Melsoon in “Iftah Ya Simsim,” can roller skate, ice skate, dance, swim, sing and write poetry!
  5. Abby Cadabby/ Shabra Qamra
    Abby Cadabby/ Shabra Qamra
    The 4-year-old character was added to the show in 2006 when she moved into the neighborhood. Abby is Shabra Qamra in the Arabic show.
  6. Count Von Count/ Mohsy Al-Addad
    Count Von Count/ Mohsy Al-Addad
    Count von Count, or Mohsy Al-Addad, is a mysterious but friendly vampire-like muppet.
  7. Bert and Ernie/ Badr and Anees
    Bert and Ernie/ Badr and Anees
    Bert is the short-tempered muppet who always tries to talk Ernie out of his hare-brained ideas. The pair were Badr and Anees in “Iftah Ya Simsim.”