Helpsters
Helpsters is an American educational children's television series created by Tim McKeon and produced by Sesame Workshop in association with Big Indie Pictures.[1][2] The show, which premiered on Apple TV+ on November 1, 2019, follows Cody and her team of vibrant monster friends—Scatter, Mr. Primm, and Heart—as they tackle everyday challenges for human and puppet clients, emphasizing problem-solving through planning, collaboration, and persistence.[3][4] Aimed at preschoolers aged 2–5, Helpsters promotes key cognitive and emotional skills, including critical thinking, sequencing, flexible problem-solving, and self-regulation, often incorporating pre-coding concepts like conditionals and experimentation in a fun, musical format.[4][5] Each episode features two self-contained stories where the Helpsters break down complex tasks into manageable steps, accompanied by original songs performed by guest artists such as Kassi Ashton and Talib Kweli.[4] The series draws from the educational legacy of Sesame Workshop, its producer, to empower young viewers to approach real-world problems with confidence and creativity.[6] Over its run, Helpsters consists of three seasons totaling 40 episodes, with the final season released in 2022–2023, and a spin-off short series titled Helpsters Help You (2020), created to support children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series concluded in 2023.[7][3][8] The puppet characters, designed by Monkey Boys Productions and Puppet Heap, are brought to life by performers including Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Cody, Tim Lagasse as Scatter, Martin P. Robinson as Mr. Primm, and Ingrid Hansen as Heart.[2][9] Critically, the show has been praised for its engaging approach to early learning, earning an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and high marks from child development experts for fostering resilience and teamwork.[10][5]Overview
Premise
Helpsters is an educational children's television series centered on a team of colorful monster puppets who run a help service in the whimsical setting of Helpster Town. The Helpsters assist customers—both monster and human—with everyday challenges, such as planning events or overcoming simple obstacles, by emphasizing planning, critical thinking, and teamwork to devise creative solutions.[6][4][9] At the heart of the team is Cody, a confident and enthusiastic leader who models the importance of creating a structured plan before acting, often using checklists to guide the process. This approach underscores the series' narrative setup, where problems are tackled methodically rather than impulsively.[4][6] A typical episode follows a consistent structure divided into two segments, each featuring a customer presenting a specific problem at the Helpsters' headquarters, the Helpster Help building. The team breaks the issue into sequential steps, encounters minor setbacks that require adaptation, and resolves it through collaboration, reinforcing the value of persistence and flexible problem-solving. The vibrant world of Helpster Town provides a playful backdrop, with various locations serving as stages for these interactive adventures.[1][9][4]Educational goals
Helpsters aligns with Sesame Workshop's mission to foster executive function skills in children aged 2-5, including planning, persistence, and adaptability, through engaging media that prepares young learners for real-life challenges.[11][4] The series emphasizes critical thinking and pre-coding concepts, teaching children to break down problems into manageable steps and find creative solutions.[4] Key pedagogical objectives focus on step-by-step problem-solving, understanding sequences, and basic coding logic, such as viewing algorithms as structured plans.[4] It also integrates social-emotional learning, promoting teamwork, collaboration, emotional regulation, and self-control to build resilience and interpersonal skills.[4] Concepts like "if-then" conditional logic and flexible thinking are introduced through the Helpsters' problem-solving process, encouraging viewers to experiment and adapt strategies.[4] Episodes are crafted around everyday real-world scenarios, such as organizing for school or helping a pet, to model positive behaviors and decision-making.[4] This curriculum development incorporates input from child psychologists, including oversight by Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, ensuring alignment with developmental needs.[12] Specific goals include motivating children to verbalize their plans aloud and adjust them when unexpected changes occur, reinforcing working memory and following directions.[4]Production
Development
Helpsters was created by Tim McKeon and produced by Sesame Workshop in collaboration with Big Indie Pictures as an original series for Apple TV+.[[13]](https://deadline.com/2019/03/sesame-street-appletv-series-helpsters-big-bird-cody-1202582271/) [[14]](https://www.bigindiepictures.com/projects/helpsters/) The series was announced on March 25, 2019, during Apple's "It's Showtime" event in Cupertino, California, where Sesame Street's Big Bird introduced the show's protagonist, Cody, to highlight its focus on problem-solving skills.[[13]](https://deadline.com/2019/03/sesame-street-appletv-series-helpsters-big-bird-cody-1202582271/) Drawing from the puppetry and educational traditions of Sesame Street, Helpsters was developed to address a notable gap in preschool streaming content by emphasizing executive functions, including planning, flexible thinking, persistence, and collaboration.[[4]](https://sesameworkshop.org/our-work/shows/helpsters/) These skills are presented through interactive scenarios that encourage children to break down challenges and experiment with solutions, building on Sesame Workshop's long-standing approach to fostering critical thinking in young audiences.[[4]](https://sesameworkshop.org/our-work/shows/helpsters/) The partnership between Sesame Workshop and Apple positioned Helpsters as a flagship children's program for the streaming service's debut, launching on November 1, 2019, with an initial order of 20 episodes for the first season to provide substantial content at rollout.[[13]](https://deadline.com/2019/03/sesame-street-appletv-series-helpsters-big-bird-cody-1202582271/) As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional education in 2020, the series adapted by producing the spin-off Helpsters Help You, a collection of free short-form episodes released weekly on Apple TV+ starting April 24, 2020, to support remote learning and emotional resilience for preschoolers and families.[[15]](https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/helpsters-help-you/)Casting and filming
The production of Helpsters relied on a team of seasoned puppeteers from Sesame Workshop to deliver authentic and engaging monster performances. Key performers included Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Cody, Ingrid Hansen as Heart, Jennifer Barnhart as Jackie, Tim Lagasse as Scatter, and Martin P. Robinson as Mr. Primm, all of whom brought extensive experience from Sesame Street and other puppet-based projects to ensure lively, interactive character work.[[1]](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10515488/) The puppets were designed and fabricated by Monkey Boys Productions, a New York-based studio specializing in practical effects for television. This team crafted vibrant, expressive monsters with detailed features to captivate young audiences, earning a nomination for the Children's & Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Puppet Design and Styling in 2023.[[16]](https://www.monkeyboysproductions.com/project/helpsters/) [[17]](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/childrens-family-emmys-2023-nominations-full-list-1235778198/) Filming took place primarily in New York City studios, with additional on-location shoots in parks across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens to incorporate real-world environments for the puppets' problem-solving scenarios. Practical sets were constructed to support dynamic puppet interactions, blending traditional puppetry with the show's educational focus. The series spanned three seasons—Season 1 with 14 episodes in 2019, Season 2 with 13 episodes in 2020, and Season 3 with 14 episodes in 2022—totaling 41 episodes, with production wrapping by early 2023 to align with Apple TV+ releases. Maintaining puppet integrity and performance consistency across this volume required meticulous coordination between the puppeteers and fabricators.[[18]](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/helpsters)Cast and characters
Main Helpsters
The main Helpsters consist of five colorful puppet monsters who collaborate as a team to tackle everyday challenges using foundational coding concepts like planning, sequencing, and debugging, with each member bringing distinct personality traits and roles to the group dynamic.[4][19] Cody, voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo, serves as the optimistic and enthusiastic leader of the Helpsters, often initiating problem-solving sessions with her signature rallying cry, "How can we help?" and maintaining a positive attitude that motivates the team to break down complex tasks into manageable steps.[4][19] Her role in team dynamics centers on orchestration, ensuring the group stays focused and collaborative while modeling leadership through clear communication and encouragement. As a vibrant green monster puppet with expressive features, Cody embodies energy and approachability, driving the team's adventures forward.[19] Mr. Primm, performed by Martin P. Robinson, is the sophisticated and well-dressed member of the group, characterized by his insistence on precision and correctness in every task, though he harbors a secret wild streak that occasionally leads to unexpected enthusiasm.[4][19] In the team's dynamics, he contributes by generating ideas rooted in structure and refinement, often refining plans to ensure they are executed properly, which balances the group's more impulsive tendencies. Visually, Mr. Primm appears as an elegant blue monster with a bowtie and formal attire, highlighting his polished demeanor.[19] Scatter, brought to life by Tim Lagasse, is the youngest and most innocent Helpster, known for his scatterbrained thought process that frequently results in humorous mishaps but also sparks creative, out-of-the-box solutions by connecting unexpected ideas.[4][19] He adds levity and innovation to the team dynamics, encouraging flexibility and experimentation during problem-solving, which helps the group overcome obstacles through unconventional approaches. As a small, purple monster puppet with wide eyes and a playful design, Scatter's visual style underscores his whimsical and endearing nature.[19] Heart, voiced by Ingrid Hansen, is the empathetic core of the team with the biggest heart among the Helpsters, a loveable and goofy orange monster who excels at following instructions precisely while prioritizing feelings and relationships to keep the group harmonious.[19][20] In team interactions, she acts as the emotional anchor and planner, ensuring steps are adhered to with care for everyone's well-being, which fosters trust and sequential progress in their collaborative efforts. Her large, car-sized puppet form in bright orange emphasizes her warm, approachable, and substantial presence.[20] Jackie, performed by Jennifer Barnhart, functions as the detail-oriented organizer and closest friend to the core team, providing essential extra support whenever needed and communicating through unique monster mumbles that only the other Helpsters can understand.[19] She enhances team dynamics by focusing on logistical details and follow-through, helping to implement plans with meticulous attention to ensure nothing is overlooked. Depicted as a helpful, multi-limbed monster puppet in earthy tones, Jackie's design reflects her supportive and hands-on role without overshadowing the primary group.[19]Recurring and guest characters
In addition to the core team of monster Helpsters, the series features a range of recurring puppet customers who embody diverse town residents seeking assistance with everyday, child-relatable challenges. These supporting puppets include Mechanic Mel, who requires help with repairs; Nurse Nina, facing issues in patient care; and Wizard Wallace, dealing with magical mishaps. Other examples encompass Pancake Flipping Pietro, a baker struggling with breakfast preparations; Scuba Skylar, an explorer navigating underwater adventures; and Mail Carrier Marty, tackling delivery dilemmas.[21] These characters appear across episodes to illustrate varied problems, from professional tasks like those of Supermarket Sue stocking shelves to personal hurdles faced by Knight Niko in quests, providing episodic diversity while highlighting themes of problem-solving and perseverance.[21] The show incorporates human child actors in select episodes to interact directly with the puppet Helpsters, demonstrating practical applications of coding concepts and teamwork in real-world scenarios. For instance, young performers portray customers or family members, bridging the fantastical puppet world with relatable human experiences to enhance viewer engagement.[5] Notable guest stars, often celebrities voicing special helpers or customers, add star power and fresh perspectives without overshadowing the main ensemble. Season 3 prominently features actors such as Bradley Cooper, assisting in a delivery-themed episode; and André De Shields, appearing as a wizardly figure.[22] Additional guests include John Oliver in a humorous helper role, Danielle Brooks as Donna the Dentist, and Japanese Breakfast performing in a music-focused story, each lending their talents to reinforce educational messages through entertainment.[23][24][25] These appearances promote variety and relatability, drawing in families while modeling collaboration between the Helpsters and external experts.Episodes
Season 1 (2019–2020)
Season 1 of Helpsters premiered with its first six episodes on November 1, 2019, coinciding with the launch of Apple TV+, followed by the remaining seven episodes on April 3, 2020.[26] This season introduces the core Helpsters team—Cody, Scatter, Heart, and Mr. Primm—as they assist a variety of colorful characters with everyday challenges, emphasizing foundational skills like planning, sequencing, and creative thinking.[5] Episodes feature simple, relatable scenarios such as organizing parties, locating lost items, or assembling puzzles, designed to model step-by-step problem-solving for preschool audiences.[27] The season establishes key themes of routine-building and perseverance through structured routines, where the Helpsters break down tasks into manageable steps, often incorporating songs and visual aids to reinforce concepts like order and preparation.[5] For instance, episodes highlight sequencing in activities like retracing steps to find misplaced objects or timing events to ensure punctuality, fostering early executive function skills without overwhelming young viewers.[27] These narratives align with the series' educational goals by demonstrating how breaking problems into parts leads to successful outcomes, using the Helpsters' enthusiastic teamwork as a model.[28] Upon its debut, Season 1 generated positive launch buzz for its engaging approach to teaching problem-solving, with critics noting its vibrant animation and relatable monster characters as effective tools for preschool learning.[28] Reviewers praised the season's ability to introduce coding-like logic through playful scenarios, earning an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on early critiques.[10]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazing Alie / Robbie & Rhonda Runner | November 1, 2019 | Alie prepares for a mountain climb by planning her gear and steps; siblings Robbie and Rhonda race to see who is fastest, learning about competition and timing.[29] |
| 2 | Dancer Dave / Astronaut Amrita | November 1, 2019 | Dave organizes a dance show with choreography and rehearsals; Amrita delivers a birthday present to her dad in space, figuring out the delivery sequence.[30] |
| 3 | Singing Starlett / Heart's Family Photo | November 1, 2019 | Starlett tries to get a good night's sleep before a big performance by establishing a bedtime routine; Heart arranges a family photo session with positioning and timing.[31] |
| 4 | Rita Reader / Cody Gets a Cold | November 1, 2019 | Rita searches for her missing favorite book using systematic clues; Cody recovers from a cold by following a step-by-step care plan.[32] |
| 5 | Musical Mabels / Barbara Birdwatcher | November 1, 2019 | The Mabel sisters create instruments for their band from household items; Barbara hunts for a rare bird by mapping out observation spots.[33] |
| 6 | Wayne of Wonder / Paleontologist Paloma | November 1, 2019 | Wayne practices magic tricks to become a magician, sequencing his performance; Paloma assembles a dinosaur fossil puzzle by matching pieces logically.[34] |
| 7 | Scatter / Sid Square | April 3, 2020 | Scatter learns to arrive on time for a show by creating a schedule; Sid plans a circle-themed party for his friend Cindy, selecting round decorations and activities.[35] |
| 8 | Frank the Flyer / Neighbor Nora | April 3, 2020 | Frank gets his kite to fly by troubleshooting wind and string issues; Nora navigates to her new apartment using directional maps and landmarks.[36] |
| 9 | Isaac & the Comet / Aaron’s Air Conditioner | April 3, 2020 | Isaac stays up to see a comet by planning his evening routine; Aaron fixes his broken air conditioner by identifying and repairing parts step by step.[37] |
| 10 | Chef Charlie / Fashion Fil | April 3, 2020 | Charlie gathers ingredients for a salad competition through organized shopping; Fil hosts an Earth Day party by planning eco-friendly games and invites.[38] |
| 11 | Basketball Brianna / Heart's Fish | April 3, 2020 | Brianna reinflates her flattened basketball bag for a game; Heart chooses and cares for a new pet fish by setting up its tank properly.[39] |
| 12 | Nina & Flynn’s Wedding / Fran & Pat’s Gift | April 3, 2020 | Nina and Flynn bake a wedding cake by following a recipe sequence; Fran and Pat craft a surprise gift through measured cutting and assembly.[40] |
| 13 | Mr. Primm’s Holiday / Marsha’s Marching Band | April 3, 2020 | Mr. Primm joins a missed holiday celebration by catching up on festivities; Marsha's band prepares to play at a game by rehearsing formations and music.[41] |
Season 2 (2020–2021)
The second season of Helpsters premiered on Apple TV+ on October 16, 2020, with its first eight episodes, followed by the remaining five episodes on March 5, 2021.[42] Consisting of 13 episodes, this season builds on the problem-solving foundations of Season 1 by focusing on adaptability, creativity, and resilience, featuring more collaborative narratives among the core Helpsters as they help clients with imaginative challenges like sailing adventures, Halloween planning, and building forts.[4] Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, the season's emphasis on overcoming setbacks and teamwork provided timely support for young viewers and families.[5] Episodes continue the format of two self-contained stories per installment, promoting trial-and-error, logical thinking, and group decision-making through fun, musical segments.[27]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazing Atticus / Sea Lovin' Sam | October 16, 2020 | Atticus surprises his daughter with a birthday gift; Sam helps Lars overcome his fear to go sailing.[43] |
| 2 | Ballerina Betsy / Pizza Pasquale | October 16, 2020 | Betsy retraces her steps to find her lost ballet shoes; Pasquale figures out how to serve pizza while his shop is being painted.[44] |
| 3 | Mini-Golf Mike / Helpsters Need Help | October 16, 2020 | Mike plans a mini-golf outing but can't find a course; the Helpsters get locked out of their shop and must problem-solve to get back in.[45] |
| 4 | Helpsters Halloween / Storyteller Sofia | October 16, 2020 | The Helpsters prepare for Halloween by planning costumes and treats; Sofia needs help creating a scary story.[46] |
| 5 | Billy Bug / Cody Rides a Bike | October 16, 2020 | Billy studies a cicada emerging from its shell; Cody learns to ride a bike to get to the Helpsters shop.[47] |
| 6 | Cookie Cornelius / Mr. Primm's Spoon Club | October 16, 2020 | Cornelius experiments to bake the perfect cookie; Mr. Primm organizes a Spoon Club meeting but forgets key details.[48] |
| 7 | Camping Cortez / Andrew & Dudley | October 16, 2020 | Cortez sets up camp during a rainstorm; Andrew and Dudley learn to appreciate their friendship differences.[49] |
| 8 | Lost Heart / Conductor Callie | October 16, 2020 | Heart gets lost in a faraway room in the shop; Conductor Callie wants to join a clown group but doesn't know how to start.[50] |
| 9 | Park Ranger Percy / Lizard Lizzy | March 5, 2021 | Percy opens his park but faces setup challenges; Lizzy needs a lizard sitter for her show.[51] |
| 10 | Hide and Seek Will / Beatrice Builds | March 5, 2021 | Will practices to get better at hide and seek; Beatrice learns techniques for building sandcastles.[52] |
| 11 | Piano Paul / Grandma Gracie | March 5, 2021 | Paul gets help reading sheet music for his piano performance; Grandma Gracie finds the perfect spot for lunch.[53] |
| 12 | Freeze Pop Felix / Bowling Babette | March 5, 2021 | Felix plans to distribute freeze pops at a picnic; Babette searches for a bowling alley.[54] |
| 13 | T-Ball Toni / Trophy Todd | March 5, 2021 | Toni recruits a player for her T-ball team; Todd searches for his lost trophy.[55] |
Season 3 (2022–2023)
Season 3 of Helpsters comprises 14 episodes released in batches on Apple TV+, marking the conclusion of the series. The first seven episodes premiered on May 27, 2022, while the remaining seven followed on January 6, 2023.[56][21] This season delves into advanced problem-solving, including environmental awareness through themes like weather, beach cleanups, and nature, while promoting empathy, long-term planning, and community. The Helpsters demonstrate growth in teamwork and foresight, building on previous seasons to encourage critical thinking in preschoolers.[6][4]| No. | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delivery Delia / Knight Niko | May 27, 2022 | Delia faces an impossible delivery challenge; Niko aims to win a tag game against Carla.[21] |
| 2 | Mail Carrier Marty / His Royal Primmness | May 27, 2022 | The Helpsters fix Marty's mailbag on his birthday; Mother Primm crowns Mr. Primm king for the day.[21] |
| 3 | Smoothie Samantha / Taxi Tina | May 27, 2022 | Samantha plans to open a smoothie shop; Tina finds an unattended ice cream cake.[21] |
| 4 | Cheerleader Chadwick & Chelsea / Heart’s Family Dinner | May 27, 2022 | Chadwick and Chelsea create a new cheer routine; Heart arranges a family dinner.[21] |
| 5 | Pancake Flipping Pietro / Scatter’s Band | May 27, 2022 | Pietro prepares pancakes for a crowd; Scatter assembles a band for a concert.[21] |
| 6 | Race Car Roxy / Helpsters Go to the Beach | May 27, 2022 | Roxy prepares for the Tiny Car Derby; the Helpsters plan a beach outing.[21] |
| 7 | Sporty Spencer / Giveaway Day | May 27, 2022 | Spencer tries to find a new sport; the Helpsters organize a shop giveaway.[21] |
| 8 | Birthday Performer Bart / Supermarket Sue | January 6, 2023 | Bart learns new party tricks for birthdays; Sue navigates a supermarket layout.[21] |
| 9 | Weather-Loving Winston / Veterinarians Vera and Vinnie | January 6, 2023 | Winston prepares a weather report; Vera and Vinnie collaborate on a vet task.[21] |
| 10 | Traveling Tracy / Inventor Ines | January 6, 2023 | Tracy plans a trip itinerary; Ines tests her invention.[21] |
| 11 | Scuba Skylar / Librarians Leroy, Lana, & Luke | January 6, 2023 | Skylar gears up for scuba diving; the librarians organize a story event.[21] |
| 12 | Mechanic Mel / Robby & Rhonda Run Again | January 6, 2023 | Mel repairs a broken toy; Robby and Rhonda prepare for a relay race.[21] |
| 13 | Wizard Wallace / Heart Goes to the Dentist | January 6, 2023 | Wallace brews a magic potion; the team helps Heart with a dental visit.[21] |
| 14 | Nurse Nina / Helpsters Hundredth Help | January 6, 2023 | Nina plans a patient surprise; the Helpsters celebrate their 100th help.[21] |