Cookie Monster Learns About The ‘F-Word’ On ‘Sesame Street’

It seems Cookie Monster has finally learned the meaning of the F-Word.

No, not that one. Emmy-award-winning “Ted Lasso” star Brett Goldstein appeared on “Sesame Street” to teach Cookie Monster all about the other F-Word, which is more suitable for “Sesame Street” audiences.

There are plenty of F-words that Cookie Monster could have learned about in the long-running children’s program, but Goldstein decided to teach Cookie Monster about fairness when they touched on the letter F in their “Word of the Day” series.

Goldstein and Tamir are baking cookies together when Tamir announces that it’s time for the Word of the Day, featuring the letter F. Goldstein quips, “Oooh, I love the letter F.”

However, he’s quick to explain that “Fairness is when each of us gets what we need,” just as Cookie Monster emerges to say that he has a desperate need for – what else? – cookies.

The conversation turns to the group’s upcoming soccer game and Goldstein literally growls at Cookie Monster when he suggests that he’s the best player. Goldstein’s episode will appear during the upcoming 53rd season of “Sesame Street,” which will be available to stream on HBO Max. Entertainment Weekly also shared a clip of their encounter, which can be seen here.

Last November, “Sesame Street” announced that it would introduce its first-ever Korean puppet in the show's long history: Ji-Young. The Korean-American puppet made her debut on Thursday, November 25, during a special show titled “See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special.”

The special featured numerous celebrity guests, including Naomi Osaka, Padma Lakshmi, and Simu Liu all coming together to celebrate diversity.

The 7-year-old puppet’s name has two meanings. “Ji” means smart or wise, whereas “Young” translates to “courageous and strong.” However, “ji” also can mean “sesame” which makes the name extremely appropriate for the show.

In addition to enjoying playing guitar and soccer, Ji-Young will also share with her new friends some of her Korean heritage, including her favorite food: a chewy rice cake called tteokbokki.

The increased diversity on “Sesame Street” is a result of the Sesame Workshop’s “Coming Together” initiative, which was started in 2020. Not only have they pledged to increase diversity for viewers on-screen, but they have pledged to increase diversity behind the camera as well.

In a statement, executive vice president of creative and production for the workshop, Kay Wilson Stallings, announced that “Today, we uphold [Sesame Workshop’s] mission by empowering children and families of all races, ethnicities, and cultures to value their unique identities.”

She added that last year's Thanksgiving Day special “continues ‘Sesame Street’s’ proud legacy of representation with an engaging story that encourages empathy and acceptance.”

“Sesame Street” is now available to stream on HBO Max and PBS Kids.