S1:E1 “Jimmy Fallon/Kasey Musgraves” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Series premiere. Before bedtime, Elmo takes on the extra special role of talk show host! And for his very first episode, Elmo welcomes guests Jimmy Fallon and Kasey Musgraves, who sings a Sesame Street classic. Premieres May 27.

S1:E2 “Jonas Brothers” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

The Jonas Brothers drop by Elmo’s show to compete in a “Silly Freeze Dance” contest and share a song about brushing those pearly whites. Abby Cadabby’s magical fix causes havoc in the control room for Bert and Ernie. Premieres May 27.

S1:E3 “John Mulaney/Lil Nas X” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo looks inside some awesome goody bags before challenging guest John Mulaney to a nail-biting tricycle race and duetting with Lil Nas X. Ernie leads a baaa-ckstage tour right in the middle of the show, and Cookie Monster gets a special visitor. Premieres May 27.

S1:E4 “Batman/Pentatonix” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Batman is in the house to play a game of “Beach Ball Ballyhoo” with Elmo. In search of the perfect bedtime story, Elmo welcomes acapella group Pentatonix, who performs a mashup of lullabies. Rosita looks for three sheep so she can tell her favorite sleepy time tale. Premieres June 4.

S1:E5 “Nature Nick/Jordin Sparks” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Trainer Nature Nick brings some animal friends on-set to help teach Elmo about nocturnal creatures. Jordin Sparks sings one of her favorite childhood songs and shares the thing she loves most about nighttime. Correspondent Grover takes to Sesame Street to investigate whether or not it’s night. Premieres June 11. 

S1:E6 “Miles Brown/Joyous String Ensemble” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo faces off in a game of “Nursery Rhyme Rap Battle” with Miles Brown, and the Joyous String Ensemble drop by, in their PJs, to play a medley of familiar tunes. Cookie babysits his little niece, who runs loose around the studio before her bedtime. Premieres June 18.

S1:E7 “Blake Lively/Dan + Shay” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo and Cookie talk weird dreams before Blake Lively returns to Sesame Street for a game of “Cookie Monster Says.” Dan + Shay perform their own take on “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon.” Oscar the Grouch prepares to finally get his chance in the spotlight for “Trash Talk.” Premieres June 25.

S1:E8 “John Oliver/Sofia Carson/Kwame Alexander” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo finds out what animal John Oliver would be, and the two compete in the world’s slowest and most dramatic race. Sofia Carson joins the slow-mo fun with a lovely lullaby, and Kwame Alexander recites an impromptu poem about – who else – Elmo! Premieres July 2.

S1:E9 “Hoda Kotb/Ben Platt” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo does some hard-hitting journalism to learn about Hoda Kotb’s morning routine before challenging her to a game of “Hot Potato.” Ben Platt treats Cookie to a song about his very favorite thing. Grover offers his expertise on how to pack Elmo’s backpack for school. Premieres July 9.

S1:E10 “Mykal-Michelle Harris/Jonathan Van Ness/H.E.R.” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Elmo brings in “monster makeover specialist” Jonathan Van Ness to unleash the gorgeous monster inside Sesame Streeter Alan, before Elmo and Cookie unveil hair and makeup transformations of their own. Mykal-Michelle Harris gives hosting a whirl and faces off with Elmo in a “No Laugh Challenge,” and H.E.R. performs a song about her beautiful, versatile hair. Premieres July 16.

S1:E11 “Andy Cohen/Josh Groban” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

It’s time for Elmo’s show, but his first guest, Grover is nowhere to be found! Not to worry, Andy Cohen steps in to do his best impression of the MIA monster, while Josh Groban takes Oscar’s lead in singing a “trashy” refrain. Premieres July 23.

S1:E12 “Olivia Wilde/Sara Bareilles” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

The Count helps Elmo keep an eye on the clock in preparation for jammie time. Elmo welcomes Olivia Wilde for a game of “Teddy Bear Dress Up.” Musical guest Sara Bareilles brings out two of her besties – plus an extra special Sesame Street friend – to help her perform her very own version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Premieres July 30.

S1:E13 “Jason Sudeikis/Ciara” – Written by Benjamin Lehmann; Directed by Ken Scarborough

Season finale. Elmo isn’t shy about an important part of his bedtime routine: potty time! After he challenges Jason Sudeikis to a round of the “Silly Dance Game,” Ciara stops by to share an inspiring musical message. Meanwhile, Grover shakes things up as he plays usher. Premieres August 6.