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CinderElmo
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CinderElmo
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CinderElmo
DVD cover
Written byTony Geiss
Directed byBruce Leddy
StarringKathy Najimy
Oliver Platt
French Stewart
Keri Russell
Kevin Clash
Music byMichael Tavera
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJill Danton
EditorNorman Hollyn
Running time65 minutes
Production companyChildren's Television Workshop
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseDecember 6, 1999 (1999-12-06)

CinderElmo is a 65-minute television film that aired on Fox in the United States on December 6, 1999, loosely based on the fairy tale Cinderella. It was released on VHS and DVD in North America on February 29, 2000.

The special was sponsored by Kmart department stores, during the holiday season, "where, no doubt, much Elmo merchandise is on display."[1]

This was the last major primetime special for Sesame Street until Elmo's Christmas Countdown in 2007.[2]

Plot

[edit]

In the Kingdom of Sesame, there is a little red monster named CinderElmo who lives with his wicked Stepmother, his Stepbrothers Telly Monster and Baby Bear, Zoe and the household dog and mice. His stepfamily has received invitations to the Princess' Ball, which leaves CinderElmo to do all the house chores.

Meanwhile, the King's town crier, Grover, reminds King Fred that Princess Charming has until midnight to find someone to marry or lose the kingdom altogether. The King decides to invite every man and monster in the kingdom. Shortly the word is sent out around the kingdom.

The Stepmother teaches her sons a new dance in preparation for the ball. Baker Cookie Monster arrives as a General Invitation Deliverer and gives CinderElmo an invitation to the ball, but the Stepmother won't permit him. When the horse and carriage arrive, she locks CinderElmo and his friends up in the house. When CinderElmo wishes upon a falling star, his Fairy Godperson comes and encourages CinderElmo to come up with some plan and "so something" to make his dreams come true. After CinderElmo has a wash, Fairy Godperson provides him and Zoe with smart clothes, turns the dog into a handsome prince, turns the dog bowl into a carriage, and the mice into horses. CinderElmo has limited time till midnight to make the best of what Fairy Godperson granted him.

CinderElmo, Zoe and Prince make it to the ball. The Stepbrothers perform the dance their mother taught them and the Princess Charming joins them. Everyone else joins in the dance except CinderElmo who gets caught in the Herald's cloak. Princess Charming finds Prince and asks him to find CinderElmo, the only one who took her fancy. While Princess Charming turns down the marriage proposals of the Stepbrothers, CinderElmo and Zoe sneak past the Stepmother in a suit of armor to attend the last dance before midnight. The suit of armor tumbles and crashes, but Princess Charming gives CinderElmo the dance of his dreams. Before he can introduce himself, CinderElmo has seconds before the midnight deadline and runs off with his friends back home as the magic wears off, changing Elmo, Zoe and Prince back to normal and leaving only a shoe behind, but Princess Charming manages to make her choice of man to marry. Now all the royal family has to do is find the one whose foot fits the shoe in order to find the princess's beloved.

After many unsuccessful tries, the royal family head to the Stepmother's house. The shoe will not fit either of the Stepbrothers. Princess Charming recognizes CinderElmo when he comes, but CinderElmo thinks he is too young to marry. Now the King has the option to change the law that legalizes marriage between the princess and CinderElmo. The Fairy Godperson changes Prince back to a human. Prince and the Princess take a liking to each other. The royal family invites everyone to come to the palace leaving the Stepmother and mice behind.

Cast

[edit]

Muppet performers

[edit]

Additional Muppets performed by Pam Arciero, Eric Jacobson, John Kennedy, Michael Lisa, Rick Lyon, Jim Martin, James Andrew Stone, John Tartaglia, and Matt Vogel.

Critical reception

[edit]

Ron Wertheimer, writing in The New York Times, concluded that "CinderElmo has one quality that's glaringly unexpected in production with the Children's Television Workshop imprimatur. It's condescending." Additionally, "The colorful show does display a few flashes of wit. But you'll find the magic sold out."[3]

In the New York Daily News, David Bianculli called it "an enjoyable treat for the whole family, at a time when such offerings are becoming increasingly rare in prime time".[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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CinderElmo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
CinderElmo is a 65-minute American television special produced by Children's Television Workshop, featuring characters from the educational children's series , that premiered on the network on December 6, 1999. The special is a loose adaptation of the classic , reimagined through the perspective of the young Muppet character , who portrays the titular CinderElmo—a hardworking, optimistic red monster living in servitude to his cruel . With a runtime of approximately 45 minutes for the core story (extended to 65 minutes including credits and features), it blends live-action human performers with puppetry, musical numbers, and humor tailored for preschool audiences, emphasizing themes of kindness, perseverance, and self-belief. In the story, set in the whimsical "Land of Sesame," CinderElmo resides with his wicked Stepmother (played by ) and her bumbling stepbrothers, Telly Monster and Baby Bear, who force him to handle all household chores while they prepare for a grand ball hosted by Princess Charming (). Desperate to attend the event, CinderElmo receives magical assistance from the Fairy Godperson, portrayed by , who transforms a , mice, and other everyday items—including his Prince into a human prince ()—into a coach, steeds, and elegant attire, complete with Elmo's iconic fuzzy red fur preserved under a shimmering gown. The special also features familiar Muppets such as Zoe as a fellow servant, , , , and , alongside original songs written by to enhance the fairy-tale narrative. Directed by Bruce Leddy and written by , CinderElmo was executive produced by Nancy Kanter and co-executive produced by , who also provided the voice and for . The production was one of the early primetime specials for Sesame Street characters on a major broadcast network. It earned positive reviews for its engaging mix of and live action, though some critics noted its brevity and predictable plot. The special was released on and DVD by Wonder in 2000.

Production

Development

In the late 1990s, Children's Television Workshop (CTW) conceived CinderElmo as a primetime holiday special to leverage the surging popularity of , the fuzzy red Muppet who had become the most prominent Sesame Street character since , bolstered by his own line of toys and books. The project was announced in September 1999, positioning as the in a family-oriented production aimed at preschool audiences during the holiday season. CTW selected the classic Cinderella fairy tale for parody, adapting its core narrative into a Muppet-integrated story set in the Land of Sesame that emphasized uplifting themes of pursuing dreams through effort and positivity, aligning with Sesame Street's educational focus on preschooler-friendly values. The workshop hired Tony Geiss, a longtime Sesame Street writer and songwriter known for his contributions to the series' scripts and specials, to pen the adaptation and ensure seamless integration of Muppet characters with the fairy tale elements. Pre-production planning culminated in a decision to broadcast the one-off special on , departing from Sesame Street's traditional affiliation in favor of a commercial network, with sponsorship from department stores to tie into holiday merchandising opportunities. Development had begun earlier in the decade's final years, leading to the special's premiere on December 6, 1999.

Filming and crew

The special was directed by Bruce Leddy, a comedy writer and director with extensive experience in children's television programming. Production was overseen by Jill Danton as producer, operating under the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), the organization that produced prior to its rebranding as in 2000; executive producers included , Nancy Kanter, and Karin Young Shiel, providing oversight aligned with CTW's educational mission. Filming took place primarily at in , , where studio sets accommodated the Muppet puppetry sequences central to the story. The special was taped in July 1999. The 65-minute runtime integrated live-action scenes with human , intricate for character interactions. Key crew contributions included cinematography by James Jansen, who captured the vibrant, child-friendly visuals; production design by Victor DiNapoli and set decoration by Evelyn Sakash, which adapted classic aesthetics—like ornate ballrooms and humble kitchens—into the colorful, whimsical style of . by Norman Hollyn was completed by late 1999 to meet the December airdate.

Plot

In the Land of Sesame, the optimistic young monster CinderElmo lives in servitude to his cruel and her bumbling stepbrothers, Telly Monster and Baby Bear, who force him to perform endless household chores while they idle about. CinderElmo dreams of attending the grand ball for Charming's 18th birthday, where she must select a husband by to preserve her family's rule over the kingdom, per an ancient law. Invitations are distributed to all eligible bachelors in the land, exciting the residents of . The and her sons prepare eagerly, practicing a silly new dance they believe will impress the , while forbidding the dirty and underdressed CinderElmo from joining them. As they depart and lock him inside, CinderElmo laments his fate until the Godperson appears, encouraging him that dreams require action. With a wave of magic, the Godperson transforms a into a coach, mice into horses, Prince the Dog (disguised as a ) into a , and outfits CinderElmo in elegant attire over his fuzzy red fur—complete with —warning that the spell will break at . At the ball, hosted by the Princess, King, and Queen, Telly and Baby Bear perform their comedic routine, but it is CinderElmo's arrival that captivates the Princess. They share a joyful dance amid musical numbers and festivities, with familiar Sesame Street characters like Zoe, Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Kermit the Frog adding to the whimsical atmosphere. As midnight strikes, CinderElmo flees, leaving one glass slipper behind. The next day, royal heralds search the land for the slipper's owner. Upon trying it on CinderElmo, the Princess recognizes him and invites him to live in the palace, where kindness and perseverance triumph over adversity in a heartwarming resolution.

Cast and characters

Human performers

Kathy Najimy played the wicked Stepmother, portraying a comically tyrannical figure who relegates Elmo to menial chores while favoring her own children. By 1999, Najimy was recognized for her comedic background, having starred in films such as Sister Act (1992) and Hocus Pocus (1993), and as Olive Massery on the NBC sitcom Veronica's Closet (1997–2000). Oliver Platt portrayed the Fairy Godperson (also known as Frank), delivering whimsical magic through physical comedy and bumbling antics to aid . In 1999, Platt was established as a , with notable supporting roles in films like A Time to Kill (1996), (1998), and (1999). Keri Russell appeared as Princess Charming, emphasizing grace and determination in her quest to find a suitable partner at her 18th birthday ball. By 1999, Russell was a rising star, having gained prominence as Felicity Porter on the WB series Felicity (1998–2002), for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama in January 1999. French Stewart played Prince the Dog in human form, adding humorous animal-human duality as a canine transformed into a princely escort who struggles with his instincts. In 1999, Stewart was best known for his role as the dimwitted alien on the sitcom (1996–2001), showcasing his skills.

Muppet performers

The Muppet performers for CinderElmo provided the puppeteering and voice work essential to animating the in this 1999 special. delivered the central performance as , reimagined as CinderElmo, using his signature high-pitched voice and dynamic physicality to convey the character's wide-eyed innocence and emotional resilience through scenes of hardship and transformation. Clash's embodiment of Elmo's vulnerability and joy formed the emotional core of the production, drawing on his established expertise in the role since 1984. Supporting performers included Fran Brill as Zoe, whose expressive puppetry highlighted the character's supportive friendship with Elmo during key ensemble moments. Martin P. Robinson handled Telly Monster, bringing anxious energy to the narrative's group dynamics, while David Rudman portrayed Baby Bear with nuanced warmth in his interactions. Steve Whitmire performed Ernie and alternated on Grover with Clash, employing coordinated right-hand techniques for fluid movements in dialogue-heavy scenes; Frank Oz provided the voice for Grover, dubbing over the on-set puppetry for authenticity. Additional puppeteers such as (various roles including the ), ( in brief appearances), (Bert and others), and (supporting ) contributed to the special's lively background, using multi-performer setups for complex group sequences like the royal ball to achieve synchronized actions and interactions among the puppets. These ensemble efforts relied on traditional Muppet techniques, including live-hand manipulation and precise timing, to integrate seamlessly with the human cast.

Music

The music for CinderElmo was composed by Tony Geiss, who also wrote the lyrics for the original songs featured in the special. The soundtrack was released on CD and cassette by Sony Wonder in 2000, containing the songs from the special along with additional tracks.

Soundtrack track listing

The following table lists the tracks from the CinderElmo soundtrack album:
No.TitlePerformersLength
1"The Dusting Song"Baby Bear, Elmo, Mice, Stepmother, Telly, Zoe2:38
2"Find-a-Husband Ball"Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover, Prairie Dawn, Rosita2:12
3"Everybody's Doin' This Dance"Baby Bear, Elmo, Stepmother, Telly2:25
4"If Elmo Could Go to the Ball"Elmo, Zoe2:10
5"Do Something"Elmo, Fairy Godperson, Zoe2:45
6"Everybody's Doin' This Dance (Reprise)"Sesame Street Cast1:50
7"The Story of CinderElmo (Spoken Word)"Bob9:45
8"Hey, CinderElmo"Bob2:20
9"All You Need Is You"Elmo2:30
10"Imagination Song"Bert, Big Bird, Ernie, Grover, Herbert Birdsfoot, Oscar the Grouch, Prairie Dawn2:03
The total length of the album is approximately 35 minutes. Tracks 1–6 are original to the special, while tracks 7–10 are bonus content.

Release

Broadcast

CinderElmo premiered on the network in the United States on December 6, 1999, airing as a one-hour primetime holiday special from 8:00 to 9:00 PM ET/PT. The broadcast was sponsored by department stores and targeted family audiences during the season, capitalizing on the popularity of merchandise. The special drew an audience of approximately 6.9 million viewers, which was considered strong for children's programming at the time. It received occasional re-airs on cable networks geared toward families, including a holiday showing on Fox Family on December 22, 2000, at 3:00 p.m. ET. These broadcasts continued sporadically through the 2000s on channels such as Fox Family (later rebranded as ABC Family), before shifting primarily to home media and streaming platforms around 2007. International airings were limited to select markets.

Home media

CinderElmo was initially released on in both and DVD formats by Wonder, the licensee for Children's Television Workshop, on February 29, 2000. The DVD edition included bonus features such as footage and cast interviews. A DVD followed in 2010, maintaining the fullscreen format and 2.0 Stereo audio. Digital downloads became available in the 2010s through platforms like and Amazon. As of 2025, the special is offered for rent or purchase on , , and at Home, but is not available for free streaming on major services such as Max or .

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, CinderElmo received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its charm and educational elements contrasted by criticisms of its commercial tone and predictability. On , the special holds a rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 276 user votes as of 2025, reflecting a generally moderate reception among viewers. Ron Wertheimer of critiqued the production as condescending to its young audience, noting that it possessed "one quality that's glaringly unexpected in production with the Children's Television Workshop ," while also highlighting its overly commercial nature and the unease of the human actors. In contrast, David Bianculli of the praised it as "an enjoyable treat for the whole family, at a time when such offerings are becoming increasingly rare in ," emphasizing its pitch-perfect appeal and the enduring charm of . A on Muppet Central highlighted the solid human performances, particularly Keri Russell's portrayal of the as sweet and compassionate, though it noted mixed suitability for pacing among non-preschool audiences due to the special's focus on younger viewers. Common themes across reviews included strengths in conveying educational morals through Elmo's appeal and ' whimsical energy, alongside weaknesses such as a predictable plot structure inherent to the adaptation and prominent tied to merchandising.

Accolades and legacy

CinderElmo earned a at the 52nd in 2000 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs, credited to director Bruce Leddy. The special did not win the award, and no major or other significant nominations were recorded for the production. The special marked a key moment in 's expansion into commercial network programming during the late , coinciding with the surge in Elmo-related that revitalized the franchise's financial standing. toys and related products generated substantial revenue, helping offset declining public funding and enabling broader media ventures like primetime specials. CinderElmo exemplified this commercialization trend, as one of the last major productions under the Children's Television Workshop banner before its rebranding to in June 2000, which reflected the organization's shift toward global outreach and diversified initiatives beyond traditional television. In terms of lasting impact, CinderElmo served as the final major primetime network special for until Elmo's Christmas Countdown aired on ABC in 2007. It contributed to elevating Elmo's profile in holiday-season programming, building on his growing popularity to bridge educational content with mainstream entertainment appeal.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/plotsummary/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/fullcredits/
  4. https://muppetcentral.com/news/1999/092899.shtml
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/06/arts/television-review-cinderella-meets-the-muppets-a-tale-of-the-market.html
  6. https://variety.com/2011/scene/news/tony-geiss-sesame-street-screenwriter-dies-at-86-1118031153/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496417/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/fullcredits
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/companycredits/
  10. https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/CinderElmo
  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001562/
  12. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/najimy-kathy-1957
  13. https://muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/tv-film/cinderelmo.shtml
  14. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001624/
  15. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/oliver_platt
  16. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005392/
  17. https://www.lyonpuppets.com/cinderelmo.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829390/
  19. https://dubdb.fandom.com/wiki/CinderElmo
  20. https://www.watchmode.com/movie/sesame-street-cinderelmo/cast-crew
  21. https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/CinderElmo_(soundtrack)
  22. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-08-mn-41647-story.html
  23. https://www.deseret.com/2000/11/23/19540233/the-annual-deseret-news-christmas-tv-specials-list-dec-18-dec-25/
  24. https://www.amazon.com/CinderElmo-Jill-Danton/dp/0738921483
  25. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/sesame-street-cinderelmo
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218892/ratings/
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20110429024018/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1999/12/06/1999-12-06_it_s_a_pitch-perfect__goodni.html
  28. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000212/2000/1/
  29. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/cinderelmo/2000550627/
  30. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67101/how-tickle-me-elmo-saved-sesame-street
  31. https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/1573
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