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Film 2001 50 min

Elmo's Magic Cookbook

FamilyComedy

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Synopsis

A magic cookbook in an attic — CGI-animated, puppy-like in temperament — leads Elmo, Telly, and two kids to accidentally summon Jean the Genie. Jean can produce raw ingredients on demand, including a handful of wisecracking puppet ones with strong opinions, but the actual cooking falls to the group. Chef Emeril Lagasse and Broadway star Heather Headley stop by for pizza and Vietnamese summer rolls, anchoring the idea that unfamiliar foods are worth attempting.

Context & Trivia

This "Sesame Street" special was released direct-to-video in 2001 and later aired on the Food Network on April 15, 2001. The production focuses on teaching children how easy it is to cook, with an emphasis on safety and trying new foods. The video was promoted by a guest appearance by Elmo on the show "Cooking Live". The main puppet characters are Elmo, performed by Kevin Clash, and Telly, performed by Martin P. Robinson. Stephanie D'Abruzzo performs Jean the Genie. Other puppeteers include Jerry Nelson, David Rudman, Matt Vogel (who performs Glass of Water), John Tartaglia (who performs Tomato), Lara MacLean, Rick Lyon, and Frank Oz. The ingredients that appear in the kitchen are sentient Muppets, who crack one-liners and demand recognition, adding a comedic and educational element to the cooking process.

Puppeteers

Kevin Clash, Martin P. Robinson, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jerry Nelson, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, John Tartaglia, Lara MacLean, Rick Lyon, Frank Oz

Voices

Kevin Clash, Martin P. Robinson, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jerry Nelson, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, John Tartaglia, Lara MacLean, Rick Lyon, Frank Oz

Puppet design

Caroly Wilcox

Puppet companies

Sesame Workshop · The Jim Henson Company

Puppet building

Stephen Rotondaro · Carol Binion · Fred Buchholz · Michelle Hickey · Michael Schupbach · Erin Slattery

Direction

Ted May, Lisa Simon, Jon Stone

Writing

Joseph Mazzarino, Sara Compton, G. Ross Parker

Cast

Heather Headley, Aleisha Allen, Emeril Lagasse, Alan Muraoka, Kevin Clash, Martin P. Robinson

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