By Kathy Blumenstock
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Seasame Street unfolds its 39th season strictly by the numbers.

With a brand-new resident and a roster of big-name visitors, the iconic series will focus on "math from a literacy perspective, where we tie math words into our vocabulary," said Carol-Lynn Parente, the show's executive producer.

The focus on mathematics includes a laundromat on set as "a fun addition that will have lots of cool math words to offer," Parente said. The laundromat also serves as a workplace for Leela, whom the series bills as its first Indian American regular.

This season features other new segments shot on location ("Murray Has a Little Lamb," starring a sheep that speaks only Spanish) and in Claymation ("Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures").

Celebrity guests this season include actors Jessica Alba and Kim Cattrall, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, supermodel Heidi Klum and journalist Brian Williams. Also paying a visit: the Redskins' Jason Taylor.

Celebrities "grew up with the show and have their own wonderful memories to share," Parente said. "Jack Black came with his son. Sandra Oh was like a 5-year-old -- so happy to see that stoop she remembered."

When singer Feist stopped by, "she talked about how she and her brother made their own puppets, and her love of puppeteering," Parente said.

SESAME STREET

Weekdays 9:30 a.m. on PBS 22; 10 a.m. on PBS 26