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]

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]

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] The season concluded the series, with no renewal announced as of 2023, completing a three-season arc dedicated to empowering children through creative problem-solving.^[57]

Helpsters Help You (2020)

Helpsters Help You is a six-episode miniseries spin-off from the Helpsters series, released on Apple TV+ beginning April 23, 2020, to support children and families navigating the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns.^[58] Produced rapidly by Sesame Workshop, the shorts emphasize at-home learning and emotional well-being through simple problem-solving activities, such as adapting routines and maintaining connections with others.^[59] The format departs from the main series by having characters like Cody directly address the audience with practical, uplifting advice tailored to pandemic realities, including handwashing, virtual interactions, and coping with disrupted plans.^[60] This timely initiative served as an accessible resource for preschoolers, promoting resilience and creativity amid global uncertainty, and was made available for free streaming to broaden its reach during the crisis.^[61]

Episodes

The miniseries consists of the following episodes, each approximately 3-5 minutes long and released weekly:

• When Plans Change (April 23, 2020): Cody demonstrates how to adapt when outdoor plans, like visiting a favorite park tree, are canceled due to closures, encouraging viewers to create indoor alternatives.
• Honorary Helpster (April 30, 2020): Cody explains how to enlist family members as "honorary Helpsters" to collaborate on home tasks and build teamwork.
• Scavenger Hunt (May 7, 2020): Viewers are guided through a virtual scavenger hunt with friends to foster fun and connection while physically apart.^[62]
• Bright Smiles & Hand Waves (May 14, 2020): The episode highlights safe greetings like smiling and waving, alongside proper handwashing techniques to promote hygiene and positivity.
• How to Be Together (May 21, 2020): Cody shares ideas for staying emotionally close with loved ones through video calls and shared activities despite distance.
• Thank You (May 28, 2020): Focusing on gratitude, the finale encourages expressing appreciation for helpers like family and essential workers during tough times.

Release

Premiere and broadcast

Helpsters premiered globally on Apple TV+ on November 1, 2019, as one of the streaming service's launch titles, with all 13 episodes of the first season released simultaneously.^[10] The series was positioned as a key family-oriented offering in Apple TV+'s initial lineup, featuring promotional trailers and teasers released in September 2019 to highlight its educational content for preschoolers.^[63][64] The second season followed a similar binge-release model but in two parts, with the first installment dropping on October 16, 2020, and the second on March 5, 2021.^[65][66] Season 3 was also split, premiering its first part on May 27, 2022, and concluding with additional episodes on January 6, 2023.^[56][6] A spin-off short-form series, Helpsters Help You, was released on April 23, 2020, providing bite-sized problem-solving content amid the COVID-19 pandemic.^[58][67] As an Apple TV+ exclusive, Helpsters has never aired on traditional television networks, relying entirely on the platform's subscription-based streaming model for distribution and viewership.^[6] Apple integrated the series into broader marketing campaigns for its family programming, including TV spots and social media promotions emphasizing its Sesame Workshop roots and interactive learning approach.^[68][69]

Distribution and availability

Helpsters is exclusively available via subscription to Apple TV+, an ad-free streaming service launched in 2019. The series streams in over 100 countries and territories where Apple TV+ is offered, including regions across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.^[70] To support global audiences, Helpsters features dubbed audio in several languages, such as English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Danish, and Norwegian, alongside English subtitles in many markets.^[71] No physical home media releases, including DVD or Blu-ray editions, have been produced for the series.^[1] Promotional digital clips and trailers from Helpsters are shared on YouTube and the official Sesame Workshop website to engage families and highlight problem-solving themes.^[4] Localization efforts include audio dubs adapted for international viewers, handled through partnerships with regional distributors, though no full co-productions or cultural adaptations beyond dubbing have been announced.^[72] As of November 2025, all three seasons and the companion special Helpsters Help You remain fully available for streaming on Apple TV+, with no content removals or licensing changes reported.^[3]

Reception

Critical response

Helpsters received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its engaging puppetry and relatable problem-solving lessons designed for preschool audiences. The show's vibrant monster characters, brought to life by veteran Sesame Workshop puppeteers, were highlighted for their colorful and warm presentation, blending live-action elements with high-quality puppetry that appeals to young viewers.^[28][5] Common Sense Media commended the series for promoting strong critical-thinking skills through joyful, teamwork-oriented scenarios that teach planning, troubleshooting, and celebration of success, rating it highly for its educational value.^[5] Critics also noted some limitations in the show's format, describing it as formulaic with predictable structures—typically involving a problem presentation, collaborative planning, and a celebratory song—which could feel repetitive for adult viewers or older preschoolers seeking more depth.^[73][28] For instance, while effective for toddlers, some reviews suggested it might appear too simplistic compared to more action-oriented shows like PAW Patrol for children approaching school age.^[28] On IMDb, the series holds a user rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 268 reviews, reflecting a mixed but leaning positive audience response that appreciates its endearing characters and subtle adult humor.^[1] Audience feedback emphasized the show's suitability for family viewing, with parents noting its resonance during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, where themes of patience, helping others, and collaborative problem-solving provided comforting, educational content for quarantined households.^[1] Reviewers often compared Helpsters to Sesame Street, crediting its shared Sesame Workshop roots for a similar charm and warmth through monster ensembles and guest stars, but positioning it as a modern streaming adaptation focused on executive function skills rather than a direct successor.^[73][28] On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 earned an 80% critics' score from five reviews and a 100% audience score, underscoring its appeal as a clever, puppet-driven entry in preschool programming.^[10]

Accolades

In 2020, Helpsters received five nominations at the 47th Daytime Emmy Awards. These included Outstanding Preschool Children's Series for its overall production by executive producers Tim McKeon and Kay Wilson Stallings; Outstanding Writing for a Children's or Young Adult Program for head writer Tim McKeon; Outstanding Single Camera Editing; Outstanding Costume Design/Styling; and Outstanding Special Effects Costume, Makeup and Hairstyling.^[74] The series did not secure any wins. The series also earned a Parents' Choice Gold Award in 2020 for its educational television content, an accolade commonly bestowed on Sesame Workshop productions for fostering creativity and learning in young audiences. This recognition highlighted Helpsters' engaging use of puppets to teach real-world skills like planning and perseverance.^[75] In 2021, at the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards, Helpsters received four additional nominations, including Outstanding Preschool Children's Series.^[76] In 2023, following the release of its third season, the series earned nominations at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Preschool Series and Writing for a Preschool or Children's Live Action Program, though it won none.^[77] These honors reflected its sustained impact in preschool educational programming.