TV Review: Elmo's Christmas Countdown
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that young
Sesame Street fans will no doubt love this holiday
special's story and age-appropriate pacing, while parents will
appreciate the collective talent of the musical guests. Though
there are few overt learning opportunities here, it's a
worry-free way to enjoy some family-friendly holiday TV time
with your kids.
Families can talk about the holidays and the spirit of giving. Which characters help Stiller and Elmo recover the lost boxes? Did they ask for anything in return? Why not? Why does it make them feel so good to help out? Kids: How do you help your friends and family? Do people make more of an effort to help others during the holidays? Why? How does it feel to give someone a gift? How else can you show someone you care?
Common Sense Media Review
In ELMO'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN, the loss of a traditional
magical object could spell disaster for the upcoming holiday,
so it's up to Elmo and his friends to recover to pieces and
save Christmas for everyone.
The trouble starts when the 10 numbered boxes that make up Stiller the Elf's (voiced by Ben Stiller) tree-shaped Christmas Counter-Downer -- which ticks off time before the holiday arrives -- are scattered, and he all but gives up hope of the holiday coming at all. But for Elmo ( Kevin Clash), nothing is impossible.
With the help of his fairy-in-training sidekick, Abby Cadabby ( Leslie Carrara), Elmo sets out to recover the boxes and reassemble the Counter-Downer so Christmas can come on schedule. Luckily for him, many of his Sesame Street friends are happy to pitch in on the quest as well. Plus, special guests like Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Crow, Anne Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, and Jamie Foxx stop by to help out with the festivities (each box reveals a holiday surprise that showcases their various talents).
While there's little outright educational quality to Elmo's Christmas Countdown, it's still a great choice to cuddle up in front of with your kids over the holidays. With fun original songs and memorable new spins on classic holiday tunes, it's sure to put kids in the Christmas spirit. And for grown-ups, cameos from personalities like newsman Charles Gibson and Sopranos stars Steve Schirippa and Tony Sirico -- whose participate in a chuckle-worthy live-action scene starring roomies Ernie and Bert -- make it more fun than the average preschool show.
Other great holiday choices for young viewers include A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Muppet Family Christmas . Sesame fans can also check out Sesame Street: Ready for School and Play with Me Sesame .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
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