Typically, lessons about sportsmanship and support are celebrated and beloved by people who watch Sesame Street or follow Elmo on social media. However, now that the NBA Finals are airing on the 2026 TV schedule, people, and specifically Knicks fans, are not so supportive of Elmo’s encouraging message to both teams currently competing for the championship. In fact, one fan of the New York City-based team went really hard in the paint as they criticized the Sesame Street star’s polite comment.

Ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals (which aired on June 3 and the Knicks won by ten), Elmo took to X to post a nice message for the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Seemingly pledging neutrality and giving “I hope everyone has fun” energy, the Sesame Street character wrote:

Immediately, Elmo’s comments were flooded with fans who were as fed up as the red monster gets when his nemesis Rocco gets brought up. People were seriously upset with him, too, and made that very clear with their aggressive tweets. One message that stood out to me came from @esjesjesj, who wrote:

It’s canon that Sesame Street is in Manhattan, and midtown Manhattan is the Knicks' home base. Elmo is a local, and I do agree that he should root for his home team. Plus, this is the first time in a very long time that the team has made the finals, so the hype and passion are way higher than normal at the moment.

The comments on Elmo’s message made that clear too. In fact, these fans are locked in and ready for battle:

• NOT NOW ELMO -Wendy’s
• This isn’t the time for sportsmanship Elmo. These streets ain’t sesame -B-Lo Christ
• Elmo, you’re from the city. Pick a side man. -connor
• Elmo, my guy 😂 You’re literally red and furry from Sesame Street in the heart of NYC. The Knicks are down bad for decades this is your moment to finally pick a side, little buddy. We’ll forgive the neutrality if you rock the orange and blue tonight 🗽🔥 Knicks in 6, let’s go -MUYIWA
• Elmo, you're from NYC, little buddy. It's okay to root for the Knicks. -Charlotte Clymer

This reminds me of how fans roasted Ben Stiller for skipping a Knicks game to go to the Met Gala earlier this year. It also makes me wonder if Elmo will choose to support the Knicks. I have a feeling he’ll stay neutral and support both teams as they battle in the NBA Finals. However, it’s clear that Knicks fans will not be thrilled about it.

While Elmo might not pick a side, there are plenty of famous people who have proven their allegiance to the Knicks. Timothée Chalamet and his love for the team have gone viral on many occasions, and he and Kylie Jenner have been seen at multiple games during the playoffs. Plus, Spike Lee is maybe the biggest celebrity Knicks superfan of them all. So, it’s not like the team is lacking in support from famous folks.

However, it would be pretty cool if Elmo rooted for the team, especially since this is the first time the Knicks have made it to the finals since 1999, and they haven't won since 1973. But I won’t yell at him as these fans did. In the spirit of Sesame Street, I’ll kindly support Elmo in whatever he decides to do.

Now, to see the sporting event that has caused all this, you can catch Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

While many of the greatest theme park attractions of all time were original concepts, there’s no argument that today in the industry, IP is king. It’s not enough to have a great ride or show; you have to have a great franchise or brand to attach it to. Some companies, like Disney and Universal, have plenty of options to choose from. However, a recent lawsuit may result in SeaWorld losing a major IP for its parks, which could in turn make for a future opportunity for a company just getting into the themed entertainment space.

Sesame Workshop Is Suing SeaWorld To End Their Partnership

SeaWorld currently has the rights to Sesame Street through a licensing deal with its parent company, Sesame Workshop. Sesame Street characters can be found in SeaWorld parks, and the company also operates two Sesame Place theme parks, one in Philadelphia and another in San Diego. However, the relationship between the two has clearly been strained in recent years. Back in 2024, Sesame Workshop won a lawsuit over unpaid royalties to the tune of $11 million. Now the two sides are back in court again, as Sesame Workshop is looking to sever its deal with SeaWorld.

According to Yahoo, Sesame Workshop filed a suit in New York on March 12, arguing SeaWorld has failed to promote the Sesame Street brand, which is one of the terms of the current licensing agreement. It claims that SeaWorld’s use of Sesame Street characters poses an “imminent threat” to Sesame Workshop's brand, requiring the organization to seek termination of the deal, which has been in place for 45 years.

Even before the 2023 lawsuit, the relationship between the two was clearly in trouble. Following a viral video that was alleged to show a racist reaction on the part of a Sesame Place employee, Sesame Workshop released a statement in order to distance itself from the situation.

While it still may be some time before final determinations are made and a court decides who is owed what, it seems quite likely that the partnership between SeaWorld and Sesame Workshop is over. If that is the case, however, I wonder if there might be another company that wants to make a new deal for Sesame Street.

If Sesame Street Wants A New Theme Park Partner, Netflix Is In A Great Position

If Sesame Workshop feels SeaWorld has not adequately promoted its brand, it might go looking for a new partner in themed entertainment that is willing to do so. The first place to look would likely be the streaming platform that is already broadcasting its show. New episodes of Sesame Street are available with a Netflix subscription, and as it happens, Netflix has also recently entered the world of themed entertainment.

In 2025, two Netflix House locations were opened; one in Texas and one in Pennsylvania, and a third has already been announced for Las Vegas. They include themed experiences set to the likes of Wednesday Squid Game and Stranger Things. None of its offerings are currently directed toward a young audience, but if that’s a place Netflix wants to grow, there may be no better IP to attach to it than Sesame Street.

There’s certainly no guarantee that something like this will happen, and there’s no evidence that it’s something either side would even be interested in. However, it seems unlikely that the end of a deal with SeaWorld will be the end Sesame Street characters in themed experiences.

The Traitors Season 4 is ongoing, with another non-celebrity spinoff on the way to the 2026 TV schedule. Diehards of Alan Cumming's show will be entertained this year, provided they have a Peacock subscription. However, even with all that fun, the fans are always looking ahead and never stop petitioning for the people they want to appear on the murderous competition series. I typically don't pay much attention to it, but someone's recent suggestion of casting a Muppet just made my week.

Where else but X would someone openly advocate for casting one of Jim Henson's beloved puppets on The Traitors? Similar to Rian Johnson's gripe about combining them with the Knives Out franchise, it feels so wildly out of place. However, after reading this tweet, I'd be down to see the Peacock series take a chance and roll the dice:

While I think Kermit and Miss Piggy are two obvious candidates for The Traitors, I can't get behind Elmo and Cookie Monster. Elmo is too young, and I could see Cookie Monster getting caught up in the eating portions of the show and not being able to contribute much else. Of course, others had their own opinions, and I chuckled a lot reading these:

• Imagine being the person that killed Elmo😭 - @AmityLabel
• Why would you need an actors? Just cast the Muppets as themselves. No one would be upset! Statler & Waldorf for the win! - @SamMoreRHAP
• Miss Piggy would be an incredible Traitor. - @soulfood77
• That would actually be amazing, Kermit was on the masked singer so it isn’t IMPOSSIBLE - @Survivo_RAB
• I’ll see your suggestion and raise you- The Traitors: Muppets and then Alan Cumming as the only human. - @CGPittsburgh

Really, I'd love to see any of the best Muppets of all time on the series, but ideally, I'd want someone a bit less popular than Kermit and Piggy. Personally, I'd like to see someone more like Sam Eagle, whose staunch patriotism may combat the dramatic aura of the Real Housewives. I also would love Rizzo to be on the show, though I think it would be all too obvious to sniff him out as a Traitor. That said, imagine the hilarity at the roundtable when he calls out someone for accusing a rat!

Obviously, there would be some logistical issues that need to be worked out. It's not like the Muppets can compete for shields or take part in any of the challenges, which feels like a major obstacle The Traitors would have to overcome. I guess one solution could be to have their voice actors compete in their place, though that would break the illusion of a Muppet appearing as their actual selves.

One workaround could be making the challenges less physical, so that the puppeteer could be appropriately hidden and on-camera. As someone mentioned in the comments, Kermit was on The Masked Singer, and it worked because there was room to hide the puppeteer in the costume. Something similar could be done on The Traitors, though it may take a level of planning beyond what the crew normally does, and ultimately be deemed not worth it. That said, I hope there are producers seeing these reactions and considering it, because I would love to see it happen if possible.

The Traitors continues Season 4 with new episodes on Peacock on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET. I'm seated for whatever drama is coming, as Yam Yam Arocho's latest post about Tiffany Mitchell had me wondering what's on the way.

In the loveliest of ways, one of the Knives Out fans’ most delightful dreams came true as Benoit Blanc got turned into a Muppet named Beignet Blanc to investigate a case on Sesame Street. Now, in the lead-up to Wake Up Dead Man’s release on the 2025 movie schedule, the man behind the iconic sleuth, Daniel Craig, has reacted to this parody of his detective, and it’s delightful.

Now, while Rian Johnson said a Muppets and Knives Out movie will probably not happen, we did get a crossover of sorts. While it’s not a full-blown film like fans have been asking for, it was a delightful mystery that saw a muppet version of Benoit Blanc visit Sesame Street to figure out who ate Cookie Monster’s pie. Then, they had Daniel Craig react to it, making this all very full circle. Take a look:

First of all, I don’t think Daniel Craig would ever be recast as Benoit Blanc. However, Beignet Blanc certainly is a star in his own right, and I’d love to see the two interact. Honestly, all of this is simply wonderful. The “Forks Out” mystery is a hilarious take on Knives Out, and it gives the fans a version of what they’ve been asking for.

Then, to make matters even better, they actually got Daniel Craig to react to it, and his comments were A+. I personally love the joke he made about Josh O’Connor, who plays Father Jud Duplenticy and has been cited by critics as a highlight of Wake Up Dead Man. And while most of the James Bond actor’s comments were funny, he also seemed genuinely awestruck over this little video, as he said:

Well, that’s so sweet, and folks in the comments loved all of Craig’s reactions too. Even his Wake Up Dead Man co-star, Kerry Washington, got in on the fun, writing:

Of course, other fans thought this was “everything” too, as they posted things like:

• Daniel’s reaction is EVERYTHING!! 😍😍 -the_muttleys
• Get Daniel on Sesame St now!❤️ -jeannieoutofthe_bottle
• I’d love ❤️ to see Daniel on Sesame Street now lol 😂👏 -ebarmby
• This is all I wanted after watching the sketch yesterday 😍😭😂 -sassytinaaa
• THIS IS WHY I PAY MY INTERNET AND NETFLIX BILLS. -thetanyahayles

Between Wake Up Dead Man’s positive reviews, getting to see it in theaters and this crossover of my dreams, all this Knives Out fun has made my week. It seems like it’s also made Daniel Craig’s as well, which I love to see.

Now, if you are looking to see Beignet Blanc and the “Forks Out” mystery in full, you can watch the video on YouTube.

Then, to see Daniel Craig in action, once again, as the smooth-talking crime solver, Benoit Blanc, you can watch Wake Up Dead Man right now. It will be playing in select theaters until December 11, and then, on December 12, you’ll be able to stream the latest Knives Out mystery with a Netflix subscription.

After that, who knows, maybe someday we’ll get to see Beignet and Benoit solve a mystery together. It seems like it’d make Daniel Craig very happy, and I know the fans would just adore it.

Every now and then, the internet hands us a crossover so perfect, so unexpectedly delightful, you just have to stop what you’re doing and appreciate the craftsmanship. Today’s gift? Sesame Street dropped a full-on Knives Out parody, complete with a Muppet detective named Beignet Blanc, and it is every bit as brilliant as it sounds. It’s sharp and silly, yet somehow still feels like a loving wink at Rian Johnson’s Knives Out mystery universe.

Netflix shared the clip in an official X post, proving once again that when something goes Muppet, things only get better. The streamer captioned the video: “Beignet Blanc stars in FORKS OUT. A @SesameStreet whodunnit…” — and, honestly, the moment you see this, which you can in the video below, you’re going to know you're in for something special the moment the muppets take the screen.

The parody, titled “Forks Out,” plays out like a tiny, family-friendly Knives Out case. Cookie Monster is moments away from devouring a triple berry pie when he discovers the plate is completely empty. Oscar’s sardine pie remains tragically untouched, so clearly something sinister — or at least suspicious — is afoot. Enter Beignet Blanc, drawn like Benoit Blanc’s knitted doppelganger, complete with a Southern drawl and a serious commitment to dramatic deductions.

Blanc methodically eliminates suspects, including Cookie Monster himself (too messy), Oscar the Grouch (too proud of his sardine pie), and even name-drops Knives Out mastermind Rian Johnson. Grover, bless him, tries his hardest to be the world’s greatest detective, but Beignet Blanc stays about five steps ahead the entire time. And just like a classic whodunit, the real answer is both innocent and perfectly fitting — a twist that gives big “pastry-based Murder on the Orient Express” energy.

Rian Johnson Has Thoughts on a Muppets + Benoit Blanc Crossover

All of this arrives as fans continue to dream about the ultimate crossover: Benoit Blanc teaming up with the Muppets for a full movie. Rian Johnson himself recently explained why it wouldn’t quite work — mostly because Benoit Blanc’s cases involve murder, and the Muppets… do not. But this? This is the loophole.

A harmless little pie mystery, solved by a puppet detective who looks suspiciously like Daniel Craig? It scratches the itch without breaking either universe. It can be silly but still smart, family-friendly but still full of loving nods to Johnson’s Knives Out and sequel films. And the franchise’s creator hasn’t ruled this sort of crossover completely out, admitting, the answer would be to throw Blanc into a new Muppets movie, and that would be so much fun to see. So, come on, let’s make this happen, money people.

At the end of the day, “Forks Out” is the exact kind of joyful chaos that reminds us why the Muppets and Knives Out both have such loyal followings. Rian Johnson might never sign off on a full Benoit-meets-Muppets crossover, but if Sesame Street (new episodes streaming with a Netflix subscription) wants to keep tossing us these Beignet Blanc mini-mysteries, I’ll happily take them.

Honestly, the Muppet universe is already buzzing as Seth Rogen has a new Muppet Show special in the works for those with a Disney+ subscription, and Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are teaming up for a Miss Piggy movie penned by Cole Escola. The loss of Muppets Mayhem still stings, and probably will until something big steps in to replace it.

With any luck, those two projects will hit so well that Disney ends up begging Rian Johnson to take on the next big ensemble Muppet movie. And if one of those characters just happens to be watching a Knives Out flick in the background? That’s a perfectly canon-safe way to slip Benoit Blanc into the fun.

Until then, fans can catch the recently released third entry in the mystery franchise, Wake Up Dead Man, in theaters now, before it arrives on Netflix on December 12.

Netflix adds more new content to the 2026 TV schedule and 2026 movie calendar than just about any other platform or TV network. We're now heading into the back half of the year, with a variety of exciting new movies streaming and other options to dig into. August is arriving with the final season of Outer Banks, Ricky Gervais as the sassiest of sassy cats, the star-filled horror The Whisper Man and more.

Note that the premiere times for all projects debuting via Netflix subscription are 3:01 am. ET unless otherwise noted, with certain events taking the primetime approach. New series will be marked by ALL CAPS.

August 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

September 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

October 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

November 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

December 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

Netflix Movies And TV Shows With TBA Premiere Dates

For all the release dates that are already announced and confirmed, plenty of other Netflix originals still don't have locked down premiere dates.

• 3 Body Problem Season 2 (Series)
• East Of Eden (Series)
• Hollywood Arts (Series)
• How To Get To Heaven From Belfast (Series)
• Pride and Prejudice (Series)
• Trinity (Series)
• Unaccustomed Earth (Movie)
• Untitled Charles III Documentary (Movie)

Keep checking back as the months go on to find even more Netflix premiere dates as they're announced.

November is in full swing. And while that means the spooky season is truly over for another year, likely disappointing many, we’re shifting right into the winter holiday season. This week will see some of the first new Christmas movies coming to streaming, as well as other family content, including the return of one of the most important kids shows ever made.

Sesame Street - November 10 (Netflix)

Since 1969, no television show may have been quite as important to America’s youth as Sesame Street. The educational show has taught kids letters, numbers, and so much more for decades. A great deal has changed about the show over the years, but its importance has never wavered. Following a few years on HBO Max, you’ll now need a Netflix subscription to catch the newest season.

Playdate - November 12 (Prime Video)

If you’ve got a Prime Video subscription, it’s a safe bet you’re a fan of Reacher. If you’re a fan of Reacher, it’s a safe bet you’re waiting for the upcoming fourth season, and for the spinoff Neagley. While those are still a ways off, there will be a potential stopgap in Playdate. This action comedy pairs Reacher star Alan Ritchson with Kevin James for a film that certainly won’t be as serious as what fans are used to, but looks to still have plenty of action.

A Very Jonas Christmas Movie - November 14 (Disney+)

The Jonas Brothers were essentially born at Disney, and much like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez before them, it’s time for these Disney Kids to come home. A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is the first holiday movie to drop for your Disney+ subscription, and it sees the three musical brothers perform a concert in England and then try to make it home in time for Christmas, a task that will not be as easy as they thought.

In Your Dreams - November 14 (Netflix)

Over the last several years, Netflix has made itself a force in animation thanks to amazing projects like Wallace and Gromit, Ultraman: Rising, and, of course, the recent smash hit Kpop Demon Hunters. If there’s a Netflix project that may be in line for an upcoming Academy Award nomination, however, it may be In Your Dreams. The film sees two kids and their dream playmate travel through the dream world in an attempt to save their family.

Eddington - November 14 (HBO Max)

A new movie by Ari Aster is always a film worth checking out. While not all of them are a hit with all audiences, they always give you something to talk about. Eddington, available with your HBO Max subscription, takes on two hot-button issues, politics and the global pandemic, and throws them together. Needless to say, the drama and the stress will likely be at an all-time high.

Landman, Season 2 - November 16 (Paramount+)

Taylor Sheridan can seemingly do no wrong on television, making him one of the most in-demand creators working in entertainment today. Landman with Billy Bob Thornton is one of his latest hits. Fans will need a Paramount+ subscription to watch the second season unfold.

With everything from Dracula to the Fantastic Four: First Steps already streaming this month, and everything from the final season of Stranger Things to The Beatles Anthology yet to come. It’s already going to be a great month on all your favorite streaming platforms.

The Internet can be an offputting place sometimes, and not even an entity as wholesome as Sesame Street's Elmo is safe from truly monstrous behavior. The little red Muppet's X account was hacked recently, and a slew of inappropriately off-brand and highly controversial posts quickly went viral. The page was scrubbed of hacked content, allowing him to get back to basics, and it's no surprise his follow-up was an absolute hit.

Sesame Street remains of the best kids shows on TV, making it easy for Elmo to have amassed quite a following on X over the years, which inadvertantly means the number of fans who saw the hateful posts was large indeed. Following the controversy, Elmo shared a more expectedly kindhearted message that a little over half of the character's total follower count (682K+) liked. Take a look:

As viral and widespread as the upsetting tweets from the hacker were, it seems the less vitriolic side of the Internet was all too eager to make sure his comeback post went just as viral. Of course, it's pretty common for the imaginative three-year-old to break the internet these days, even on days when he's feeling a little off.

And it's fair to say the world thought something was incredibly off when Elmo's normally jovial account started blasting out tweets filled with anti-semitism, even challenging the President of the United States to release the Epstein list. Kanye West has largely moved away from posting such polarizing views on X, so it would've been quite a decision for Elmo to suddenly embrace and broadcast such radical messages to the people of the world.

It's been quite a year for Elmo and Sesame Street, as the latter had a whirlwind year that included a collab with children's YouTuber Ms. Rachel, and ended in losing its deal with HBO. Fortunately, those with PBS and a Netflix subscription will be able to continue enjoying the show for the forseeable future. At a time where it feels like every television show's future is up in the air, it's good to know one of the longest-running television shows for children can still find a home on the 2025 TV schedule and beyond.

Expect new episodes of Sesame Street to hit Netflix later on in 2025, and for Elmo to keep posting on social media for the forseeable future. I know some nieces and nephews who will be eager to see the new character-driven episodes, and love having some new episodes to watch after wearing out their usual library of favorite shows.

Everyone’s favorite resident of 123 Sesame Street, Elmo, has gone viral again. The 3-and-a-half-year-old Muppet recently celebrated his birthday on Feburary 3rd, which garnered a lot of attention from his fans on social meida, however, it’s his latest post about him being “a little grouchy” that the internet can’t get enough of.

It seems like even Elmo can suffer from the “Monday Blues” because on Februrary 24th he was having a bad day — something that doesn’t happen often to the Muppet known for his cheerful and enthusiastic personality, unless his enemy Rocko is involved. Instead of keeping it to himself, he shared his change in mood with his 633K+ followers, tweeting:

Getting your nap interrupted is a hard thing to handle as an adult, so it’s understandable that the young monster was grouchy after his was interrupted. No one understands a grouchy mood more than fellow Sesame Street resident Oscar the Grouch, who reached out in support of Elmo’s sudden mood change, tweeting a simple emoji:

Of course, the internet also came out in droves to voice their opinions on Elmo’s new grouchy state. Many of them shared their support and even expressed being in similar moods as of late.

• "me when i don’t take my daily nap and it becomes everyone’s problem" - @girloftheyear
• "Elmo is a whole mood" - @majormoose94
• "I've never related to Elmo more." - @cbcjulia

Unfortunately, not everyone learned that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all. Those few people weren’t so kind to Elmo’s news and made it clear that the friendly monster should get over it.

• "lock tf in elmo. most of us don't get naptime anymore" - @Jameson_JS
• "Some of our lives didn’t go as planned Elmo. Relax." - @__lanaaaa
• "It’s always something with you" - @goat_biryani

Other fans of Elmo took a different approach, speculating over what might have interrupted his nap. A handful of others expressed their desire to take care of the problem for the Sesame Street resident.

• "elmo skipped his nap to watch the andor trailer. same brother" - @starwarsfonts
• "Was is Rocko?" - @_illwill___
• "I'll fuck em up for you E just say the word" - @marzo_melo

Unfortunately, there’s been no update on the status of Elmo’s mood since his Tweet on Monday, but hopefully, the red monster is doing a lot better and has had a better time napping this week. If not, there’s going to be hoard of angry people ready to fight whatever or whomever is keeping our favorite Muppet awake.

The recent tweet is the latest in a string of tweets and moments from the three-and-a-half-year-old who has made it a habit of going viral. It all started when clips started resurfacing on social media of Elmo getting upset with Zoe for treating her pet rock, Rocco, like an actual person. While Elmo cleared the air about his friendship with Zoe in a tweet, he made it clear that he still doesn’t like Rocco.

More recently, the red monster broke the internet when he Elmo innocently asked how his followers were doing. The three-and-a-half-year-old was flooded with over 19K+ comments and 61K+ quotes where people unloaded their emotional baggage on him. It caused such chaos that the official Sesame Street account even got in on the action, tweeting out a link to mental health resources.

Thankfully, Elmo’s foray into grouchiness has been less stressful, and hopefully, the red monster will take to social media soon to let us know that he’s back to his happy, curious self. Until then, fans can catch up with Elmo and the rest of the residents of 123 Sesame Street by streaming the show with an active Max subscription — at least, for now.

The future of Sesame Street remains to be seen after news broke that Max “canceled” the long-running children’s show.

In an era of streaming TV where a series is lucky to get a second season, it’s easy to forget about the shows that have been around forever. Sesame Street has been entertaining and educating children for 55 years, but has that epic run come to an end?

Recent reports have claimed Sesame Street has been canceled. There’s actually some truth to the claim, but the reality is a bit more nebulous as the future of Sesame Street simply isn’t known right now. Here’s what’s really going on.

Sesame Street Will No Longer Make New Episodes For Max

Sesame Street was a mainstay of PBS for over 40 years, running on public television from its inception in 1969 until 2016. At that point, Sesame Workshop, the parent company behind the show, signed a deal with Warner Bros. that brought Sesame Street to HBO and made it available with a Max subscription starting in 2020.

This week it was announced that the upcoming Season 55 of Sesame Street set to begin airing on Max in January, will be the last season under the current deal, and WB will not be renewing its distribution deal with Sesame Workshop. The Sesame Street library currently found on Max will be available through 2027.

The original deal for Sesame Steet was met with some criticism when the show made its jump from PBS, and some longtime Sesame Street cast parted ways with the show shortly after, but there were upsides to the deal. Sesame Street nearly doubled its episode output, from 18 episodes in its last season with PBS, to 35 on HBO. Spinoff shows were also created. The show was made available to PBS stations a few months after debuting. At the time it was said Sesame Street wouldn't have continued without the HBO deal.

The Future Of Sesame Street Is Unclear

However, now that WB isn’t paying to make new Sesame Street, the question becomes, who will? While Sesame Workshop certainly will go looking for a new home for its iconic and important series, Sesame Street is functionally canceled right now, as it’s leaving Max with no other home in sight. If it can’t find one, then the show may truly be over.

As a dad who grew up watching Sesame Street and with kids of Sesame Street viewing age, I certainly hope that the show finds a new home. A world without Big Bird and Elmo in it would be a sad world indeed. A return to production at PBS seems unlikely given the incoming political climate, but perhaps another streamer, kid-friendly Disney+ seems like an obvious possibility, could pick up the show and continue the deal that will also keep the show airing on PBS as it has for 55 years.

There are plenty of largely forgotten TV shows based on movies but did you know that there are just many cinematic TV series adaptations that have not stood the test of time? See for yourself by taking a look at some notable (or should we say "obscure") movies based on TV shows that you likely forgot about.

Munster, Go Home! (1966)

If you are not a fan of Rob Zombie's Munsters movie, you should check out Munster, Go Home! Released in technicolor months after the final episode of the original sitcom, the film (also starring original cast members) sees Herman, Lily, and the rest come at odds with their neighbors when they inherit a lavish estate in England.

The Avengers (1998)

Not to be confused with a Marvel movie with the same title, The Avengers is based on a British spy TV show from the 1960s. A critically reviled box office bomb, the film stars Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman as secret agents out to stop Sir August de Wynter (Sir Sean Connery) from taking over the world with a weather control device.

Return To The Batcave: The Misadventures Of Adam And Burt (2003)

One of the first feature-length, live-action Batman movies was a direct spin-off of the Adam West and Burt Ward-led TV show released in theaters months after it premiered in 1966. Nearly forty years later, the actors played themselves in Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, which is both a biopic (starring Jack Brewer and Jason Marsden as West and Ward) and a reunion film in which the Batman stars must retrieve the stolen Batmobile.

David Brent: Life On the Road (2016)

Before fans started demanding a reunion special starring NBC's The Office cast, the original U.K. version already got its own spin-off movie. Ricky Gervais reprises his role in David Brent: Life on the Road, in which the former office manager chases his dream to be a rock star.

The Brady Bunch In The White House (2002)

Gary Cole and Shelley Long assumed the roles of Mike and Carol Brady in two theatrically released movies that both recreated and hilariously poked fun at the classic 1970s sitcom. They would return for a third installment, The Brady Bunch in the White House, which originally aired on Fox.

Car 54, Where Are You? (1994)

Before playing Herman and Grandpa on The Munsters, Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis starred as bumbling cops on Car 54, Where Are You? The latter would reprise the role in a feature film starring David Johansen, future Scrubs cast member John C. McGinley, Rosie O'Donnell, and Fran Drescher.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

Every episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 is feature-length to give the rotating human hosts and their robotic friends enough time to snicker at various cheesy movies. The one time the Satellite of Love's riffing was shown on the silver screen was in a box office bomb in which Mike (Michael J. Nelson), Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy), and Crow (Trace Beaulieu) are screened 1955's This Island Earth.

The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002)

The success of The Crocodile Hunter led to the production of a feature film that was part nature documentary and part comedic espionage thriller. The late Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri, portray themselves in The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, in which they become unwittingly wrapped up in the search for a lost surveillance satellite part swallowed by a croc.

The Nude Bomb (1980)

The 2008 adaptation of Get Smart with Steve Carell was not the first feature based on the hit 1960s spy sitcom. Don Adams first reprised the role of CONTROL agent Maxwell Smart in The Nude Bomb.

Dragnet (1987)

Star and creator Jack Webb's seminal police drama, Dragnet, has inspired various subsequent iterations but the one feature-length adaptation is nothing like the rest. It is an overt comedy starring Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Friday's straight-laced nephew and Tom Hanks as his less reserved partner, Streebek.

Æon Flux (2005)

Originally premiering as a six-part serial as part of MTV's Liquid Television, Æon Flux branched off into its own show and became one of the network's most engaging animated series. Charlize Theron brought the role of the eponymous dystopian secret agent Karyn Kusama's live-action feature, which was not received quite as well, including by series creator Peter Chung.

The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007)

Years after Tom Wopat and John Schneider originated the roles of Bo and Luke Duke on the original hit series, The Dukes of Hazzard, Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott reimagined the "good 'ol boys" in a 2005 feature adaptation. Two years later, Freeform (when it was still called ABC Family) aired a prequel called The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning, starring Jonathan Bennett and Randy Wayne as the cousins in their teens.

The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas (2000)

While it was not well-received upon release, 1994's live-action adaptation of The Flintstones is considered a masterpiece when compared to its prequel. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas stars Mark Addy as Fred, Kristen Johnson as Wilma, Stephen Baldwin as Barney, and Jane Krakowski as Betty, who all meet for the first time and spend a romantic trip in Sin City.

Hey Arnold!: The Movie (2002)

The theatrically released spin-off to the hit Nicktoon Hey Arnold! turned out to be a critical and commercial disappointment, leading to the cancellation of the second intended feature. Luckily, Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie would finally become a reality in 2017 and is now the preferred feature-length edition of Craig Bartlett's beloved creation.

The Gong Show Movie (1980)

The Gong Show was a popular talent competition hosted by Chuck Barris. The feature spin-off, The Gong Show Movie, is not a theatrical showcase of people participating in uproarious acts but a fictional depiction of a week in Barris' life.

The Honeymooners (2005)

Star and creator Jackie Gleason's landmark '50 sitcom, The Honeymooners, saw his Ralph Kramden and Art Carney's Ed Norton hatching ill-fated, half-baked schemes. Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps assumed the roles for a film adaptation which received a rare positive review from none other than Roger Ebert.

I Spy (2002)

I Spy was as groundbreaking as the first TV series to feature a Black lead actor – namely Bill Cosby, opposite Robert Culp as secret agents Alexander Scott and Kelly Robinson. However, there was absolutely nothing groundbreaking about the film adaptation starring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson.

Jetsons: The Movie (1990)

The futuristic animated series, The Jetsons, is one of Hanna-Barbera's most beloved creations. Yet, critics were not very kind and audiences were largely ignorant of George, Jane, Judy, and Elroy's first trip to the big screen.

Leave It To Beaver (1997)

The ultimate family sitcom from the 1950s was Leave It to Beaver, which followed the misadventures of the young title character, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, and his brother, father, and mother. The Cleavers were reimagined in the late '90s with a film starring Christopher McDonald and Cameron Finley that did not charm critics or audiences quite the same way.

Johnny's Golden Quest (1993)

Hanna-Barbera's Johnny Quest saw the young title character embark on various memorable adventures with his scientist father. One of his lesser-remembered adventures was depicted in the feature-length spin-off, Johnny's Golden Quest, which originally aired on the USA Network.

Lost In Space (1998)

The most memorable thing about the cinematic reboot of the 1960s sci-fi series Lost in Space is the inclusion of Friends cast member Matt LeBlanc as the pilot of the ill-fated spacecraft. Netflix's series reboot from 2018 would make a far greater impression than the largely negatively received 1998 film.

The Mod Squad (1999)

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Michael Cole, Clarence Williams III, and Peggy Lipton starred on The Mod Squad as three young rebels coerced into becoming undercover cops to avoid jail time. Giovanni Ribisi, Omar Epps, and Claire Danes assumed their roles for a movie reboot that was a widely panned mess and proved to be a box office bomb.

DuckTales The Movie: Treasure Of The Lost Lamp (1990)

Following Huey, Dewey, and Louie's exciting adventures with their wealthy Uncle Scrooge, DuckTales is one of the best-animated TV shows ever produced by Disney. However, while generally well-liked by critics, its theatrically released spin, DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, was not a hit at the box office and cost itself the chance to garner sequels.

Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)

Based on PBS Kids' series adaptation of Norman Bridwell's children's books about a giant red Labrador Retriever, Clifford's Really Big Movie did not live up to its title in terms of critical reception or box office success, proving less profitable than the 2021 live-action film. However, one way that audiences can and should remember it is as the final film starring the late John Ritter, who voices the titular dog.

Blue Mountain State: The Rise Of Thadland (2016)

It would take five years after the end of Blue Mountain State's run on TV (along with its relevance) for it to finally receive a feature-length follow-up with The Rise of Thadland. Of course, the raunchy straight-to-video comedy featuring many returning actors from the sitcom, following the titular college's football team, has the potential to gain more notoriety following the success of star Alan Ritchson of Reacher fame.

CHiPs (2017)

CHiPs made stars out of Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox, who played highway patrol officers Frank "Ponch" Poncherello and Jonathan "Jon" Andrew Baker. The 1998 made-for-TV sequel feature, CHiPs '99 was nothing special but not even the theatrically released update with Michael Peña and Dax Shepard (who also co-writes and directs the film) made much of an impression on audiences either.

Boris and Natasha: The Movie (1992)

Years before animated icons Rocky and Bullwinkle became the stars of their own live-action movie, two of their archenemies were given said treatment in the form of a Showtime original special. Boris and Natasha: The Movie stars Dave Thomas and Sally Kellerman as the eponymous European criminal "masterminds."

Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird (1985)

The very first movie based on one of the Sesame Street characters is Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird, which puts the spotlight on actor Caroll Spinney's beloved, fowl character, Big Bird. The film chronicles the bird's journey back to "where the air is sweet," with some help from his supportive neighbors after he is sent to live far away.

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)

The success of the hit animated children's series, VeggieTales, would inspire two theatrically released movies – the second of which, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything from 2008, was not as commercially successful as its first. However, Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, which retells the biblical story of a prophet who was swallowed by a whale, has since become something of a distant relic in the history of the otherwise successful series.

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

Despite essentially being an adaptation of a Nike ad, 1996's Space Jam remains one of the most enduringly popular theatrically released, feature-length spin-off of Looney Tunes. The same cannot quite be said about director Joe Dante's Looney Tunes: Back in Action, which sees Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck team up with a stuntman (played by Brendan Fraser) and a Warner Bros. executive (played by Jenna Elfman) on a secret mission to stop the ruthless chairman of ACME (played by Steve Martin).

Teacher’s Pet (2004)

Produced by Disney, Teacher's Pet tells the story of a dog with the ability to talk (voiced by Nathan Lane) who poses as a human boy in order to fulfill his dream of attending school. The feature-length adaptation is a basic remake of the same exact story, including the same cast members, but makes it into a musical.

Bewitched (2005)

At a time when remakes were far too frequent in Hollywood, the cinematic reboot of Bewitched at least tried something different by imagining what would happen if an actual witch got the part of Samantha on a modern retelling of the hit supernatural sitcom. However, for those who remember it, the comedy is largely considered a blemish on both Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell's resumes.

Andrew Garfield has been having vulnerable conversations as of late. While promoting his 2024 movie release, romantic dramedy We Live in Time, the fan-favorite star has been open about dealing with grief, specifically how he handled it amid his mother’s death a few years ago. Garfield recently went viral for appearing in a video alongside Sesame Street’s Elmo, during which they discussed grief. As that continues to gain traction, Garfield is recalling how co-star Jessica Chastain helped him see his mother during her final days.

What Happens In The Video Featuring Andrew Garfield And Elmo?

Sesame Workshop released a clip this past week to social media, which features Andrew Garfield on Sesame Street, where he encounters the furry and delightful Elmo. It’s during their meetup that the two exchange pleasantries, before Elmo asks how Garfield is doing. The viral Social Network star ultimately admits that he’s missing his mother, to which the red muppet kindly offers his sympathies. While Garfield appreciates the sentiment, he proceeds to explain to his furry, little friend the beauty that can be found in missing someone:

Throughout the course of its lengthy history, Sesame Street has recruited various A-listers to help share vital life lessons with kids. However, to me, this may be one of the most affecting clips the franchise has ever produced. It’s certainly not easy to speak about grief around adults let alone discuss it with children. But the Spider-Man star certainly articulated his thoughts in a way that people of varying ages could understand. Also, shout out to Elmo for always checking up on people.

Andrew Garfield Received Some Help While Trying To His Mother During Her Final Days

Andrew Garfield’s mother, Lynn, passed away at the age of 69 in 2019 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. During that time, Garfield was busy filming The Eyes of Tammy Faye alongside the likes of Jessica Chastain and Vincent D’Onofrio. The Silence star’s colleagues eventually became aware of his familial situation. With that, Chastain – who was unrecognizable in the role of the film’s eponymous character – worked in tandem with the powers that be so that Garfield could spend time with his mom:

That was certainly considerate of the Zero Dark Thirty star and co. to do that for their collaborator. Based on the comments he shared with People, it sounds like the Hacksaw Ridge star really appreciated it. While it may be sad to some that his mother is no longer here, it’s incredibly comforting to hear that he was able to spend time with her before the end.

While promoting We Live in Time, Andrew Garfield has been candid about how his grief connected to his work in the film, which deals with heavy subject matter. It sees Garfield and Florence Pugh play a couple who deal with ups and downs, including a tragic cancer diagnosis, over the course of several years. The somewhat somber subject matter is why Pugh says the film may be “scary” to some people. However, she encourages them to see it anyway. Here’s hoping that the film as well as Garfield’s openness with Elmo and the public at large serve as a hint of encouragement for those who are still trying to process their own grief.

We Live in Time is playing in theaters now. The young – and the young at heart – can also stream episodes of Sesame Street using a Max subscription.

Today would have been Jim Henson’s 88th birthday. During his long career, Henson gave us Sesame Street, The Muppets, iconic films like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal and so much more. He was an incredible talent who was so much more than a puppeteer, but today those puppets have come together to remember him in an emotional tribute.

A new video on YouTube brings together three characters that Jim Henson created, Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Gobo Fraggle. It’s a rare thing to see characters from different TV series together, and that’s only more true today. It’s a touching and emotional video. Check it out.

Barring the occasional TV special or Big Bird’s cameo in The Muppet Movie, it’s rare to see these characters from different series or films together in one place. That’s only more true today. The Muppets of Sesame Street are owned by Sesame Workshop, while Kermit and the rest of the Muppet Show characters are owned by Disney. Fraggle Rock is still part of the The Jim Henson Company. This means all three companies had to work together to put this tribute together.

The companies don't always get along. Sesame Workshop sued over The Happytime Murders, a movie put out by the Henson Company, a few years ago. Some of the original Muppet performers are less than thrilled with how Disney has managed the Muppets. Disney recently replaced the voice of Kermit the Frog, who had originally been voiced by Henson himself.

Disney certainly hasn't forgotten Henson. A new documentary on Henson's life recently debuted on Disney+. Henson's final creation, MuppetVision 3D at Disney World is still in operation, and while there have been rumors it may be closing, the outcry from fans who love MuppetVision may have saved the attraction.

All of Jim Henson’s creations mean a lot to a lot of people. Whether you grew up watching Sesame Street or watching The Muppets on TV or in theaters, most of for the past 50 years became fans of Jim Henson’s characters at one time or another. I certainly remember watching Sesame Street as a child before moving on to the original Fraggle Rock. Watching reruns of The Muppet Show has always been comfort viewing for me. It’s one of the primary uses of my Disney+ subscription most months.

Then when I got a little older I saw Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Jim Henson was really an incredible filmmaker, it's one of his talents that he really doesn’t get enough credit for. Both films have become cult classics but largely flopped upon their initial release.

It’s nice that even though so many of Jim Henson’s creations have changed so much, they were able to come together for something like this. Jim Henson’s birthday is absolutely a day that should be celebrated, and considering just how many fans he had, and how many new fans continue to discover his work in every generation, hopefully, this won’t be the last time we see these characters coming together to honor him.

The biggest event in 2024 television is happening right now, at least for toddlers, and no, it has nothing to do with Bluey. As YouTube continues to pull more and more children away from traditional television programming, longtime kids TV staple Sesame Street is playing nice and collaborating with one of the biggest stars on the Google-owned platform. YouTuber Ms. Rachel recently posted a playdate video with Elmo, and the internet reactions liken it to when Robert De Niro and Al Pacino did Heat.

As a parent and uncle to lots of young boys and girls, I've seen the stranglehold Ms. Rachel has on toddlers. I'm not alone, apparently, as many parents on the internet went bananas when they saw Elmo post that a playdate video with the two of them together was on the way:

I'm sure whoever runs Elmo's account was sweating when they saw him go viral again after last time when he asked people how they were feeling, but fortunately, there's no controversy this time, and no Larry David around to throttle him.

Parents are pumped to hear about this collab happening, to the point @CinematicReel's response suggests it might even have more hype than the recently announced Heat 2:

She may be relatively unknown to an older generation raised on children's shows we don't talk about anymore, but Ms. Rachel is an icon among younger children and their parents. Her YouTube uploads rake in anywhere from tens to hundreds of millions of views, emphasizing much of the same learning promoted on shows like Sesame Street. For that reason, parents are just as big of fans as @JBontkeABC15 showed with his response:

I don't know if we're seeing the next great pairing in children's show history, but I'm absolutely down for Elmo rocking the patented pink headband. Let's take a moment to acknowledge that because Elmo is 100% the more recognizable face to the mainstream, but as @FloraAcetyra noted, he's rocking Ms. Rachel's signature look:

It's shocking, but Gen Alpha is a different beast for networks that are quickly losing their audience to YouTube and increased tablet usage. A year after Adult Swim took up even more of Cartoon Network's daily timeslot, Warner Bros. Discovery has officially shut down its website. It feels like children's television is undergoing a major transformation, and Sesame Street and others need to adjust. I liked what @iya64831116 had to say about it, because I totally agree:

I'll let the reader decide whether Elmo appearing on a Ms. Rachel video is a gesture of goodwill or Sesame Street sizing up the competition. What I will say is that as a parent, I would much sooner trust my kid to find Ms. Rachel on the YouTube Kids app than I would for her to find Elmo with her Max subscription. One errant click on there, and she could be scarred for life, but to be fair, YouTube has plenty of questionable videos.

For anyone who has made it this far and still has never seen a Ms. Rachel video but is curious, you're in luck! The hour-long video is right below and will give anyone unfamiliar a crash course on what to know about one of the most popular children's hosts on YouTube:

From my experience and the parents I've talked to, Ms. Rachel falls in the same category as putting on a movie for your kids and ending up loving it. She's pleasant, doesn't screech or scream, and now collaborates on videos with Elmo! What's not to love, especially when it may provide an hour of peace for parents when they need it the most?

Check out Ms. Rachel on YouTube and of course watch Sesame Street on PBS Kids and either check your local listings for airdates or use their app. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy this video while drinking a juice and then catch a nap for nostalgia's sake.

When it comes to TV shows, character deaths are relatively common, as plenty of shows have axed main or supporting players throughout their runs. Feelings over such casualties can vary, with some eliciting waves of tears and others causing people to celebrate. What we’re going to discuss here are the fictional fatalities that fall into that first category. So break out the tissues as we discuss the notable demises that still break our hearts.

Joyce Summers (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

To say that Buffy the Vampire Slayer features its fair share of brutal and otherworldly deaths would be an understatement. Yet it’s the natural passing of Buffy’s mom, Joyce Summers, that arguably still hurts fans the most today. The matriarch dies in Season 5 due to a brain aneurysm, and her body is ultimately found by her daughter. Joyce’s death shakes Buffy and her friends to their cores, but it also prompts them to grow up and take a greater step towards adulthood.

Nate Fisher (Six Feet Under)

Mortality is a major theme of Six Feet Under and, while every main character’s demise is chronicled by the end of the show, one that really sticks out is the passing of lead character Nate Fisher. Diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, Nate dies of a brain hemorrhage in a hospital with his brother, David, by his side. While Nate’s death prompts his family to cope with their grief and ultimately move forward with their lives amid the series’ final episodes, it’s a gut-wrenching development nonetheless.

Glenn Rhee (The Walking Dead)

The Walking Dead’s heartbreaking deaths are all painful in some way or another, but few can hold a candle to the moment Glenn Rhee is killed off. In Season 7, the thoughtful young man dies at the hands of the Saviors’ leader, Negan, who beats him to death with his barbed wire baseball bat, Lucille. Glenn’s death itself is sad, but it’s even more unfortunate considering that he leaves behind his wife, Maggie, and their unborn child.

Prue Halliwell (Charmed)

Drama between Charmed cast members Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty is said to be a contributing factor to the death of the latter actress’ character, Prue Halliwell. At the end of Season 3, Prue is murdered by a demon named Shax. In addition to marking the end of the character, this event also serves as a turning point for the remaining Halliwell sisters.

Hank Schrader (Breaking Bad)

Special Agent Hank Schrader is one of the best Breaking Bad characters and arguably has one of the most distressing deaths in the franchise’s history. Following a shootout, Hank is killed by neo-Nazi leader Jack Welker in the acclaimed episode “Ozymandias.” Schraeder’s drug-dealing brother-in-law, Walter White, witnesses the event and is left distraught. The loss of Hank is tremendous, and the only point of comfort is that Walt later avenges him by killing Jack.

Bill McNeal (NewsRadio)

The passing of comedian Phil Hartman in 1998 is what prompted the producers of the hit NBC sitcom NewsRadio to kill off his character, Bill McNeal, ahead of the fifth and final season. It’s explained in the premiere that Bill died (off-screen) from a heart attack, and his co-workers mourn him heavily. The episode is an emotional tribute to the character and the work of the great Hartman.

Dr. Mark Greene (ER)

One of the key storylines from ER Season 8 involves Dr. Mark Greene dealing with a serious brain cancer diagnosis. His health sadly declines as the season goes on and, in the penultimate episode, Greene dies. The situation is truly bittersweet as, before he passes on Greene, he’s able to spend time with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters, Rachel and Ella.

Ned Stark (Game Of Thrones)

Game of Thrones killed off Eddard “Ned” Stark in truly Shakespearean fashion. Joffrey Baratheon goads Stark into admitting to “treason” in order to save his children’s lives and his own. Stark eventually makes that declaration during a public hearing, though Joffrey orders him to be killed anyway, in what’s truly a devastating turn of events.

Caitlin Todd (NCIS)

Caitlin Todd’s death at the tail end of NCIS Season 2 might be one of the most tragic moments in the history of TV. The character is murdered via a sniper attack by Mossad double-agent Ari Haswari, who later reveals that he only did it to hurt Todd’s colleague, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Caitlin’s demise is only made worse by the fact that her final words are “Wow, I thought I'd die before I ever heard a complim…”

Mark Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)

Mark Sloan’s death can be attributed to injuries sustained during a plane crash in Grey’s Anatomy’s eighth season finale. Mark is taken off life support in the Season 9 premiere after being in a coma. And that tragic event only adds to the sadness that his co-workers feel after Sloan’s lover, Lexie Grey, succumbed to injuries from the crash in the Season 8 finale.

Adriana La Cerva (The Sopranos)

It’s honestly hard to feel sympathy for a lot of the characters on The Sopranos, but Adriana La Cerva deserves some. La Cerva, who’s aware of fiancée Christopher Moltisanti’s mob dealings, eventually becomes a mole for the feds after being busted for drug possession. After she tells Chris about this and tries to convince him to disappear with her, he tells his uncle, Tony Soprano, who has Adriana killed.

Jonathan Kent (Smallville)

DC Comics fans surely know that there are many continuities in which Clark Kent’s adopted father, Jonathan Kent, dies. However, that doesn’t make seeing him die from a heart attack – while surrounded by Clark and Martha Kent – in the 100th episode of Smallville any easier.

Mrs. Dolores Landingham (The West Wing)

A character as endearing as The West Wing’s Mrs. Dolores Landingham doesn’t deserve to die at all. With that, many would surely agree that she didn’t deserve to be killed by a drunk driver near the end of Season 2. Landingham’s death still marks one of the most shocking moments in TV history.

Charlie Pace (Lost)

Of the various deaths that occurred on Lost, Charlie Pace’s passing still arguably hurts more than others. The fan-favorite character was killed off during the events of the third season’s finale. It’s in that installment that Charlie is doomed to drown after Mikhail Bakunin blows a hole in the underwater Looking Glass Station, though he dies a hero due to the fact that he saves some of his comrades.

Chet Hunter (Boy Meets World)

The father of Shawn and Jack Hunter, Chet died suddenly during Boy Meets World’s sixth season after suffering from two heart attacks. While the patriarch passes on before being able to formally reconcile with Shawn, the two do so when the younger Hunter later encounters his father’s ghost.

Mr. Hooper (Sesame Street)

Many members of Generation X surely remember one of the most emotional moments in Sesame Street’s illustrious history – the death of Will Lee’s Mr. Hooper, which occurred after Lee himself passed on in 1982. The episode that tackles Hooper’s passing is a truly emotional episode that sees the members of the community paying tribute to the late store proprietor. The installment also remains a groundbreaking piece of work for its exploration of death and grief in a children’s show.

Wallace (The Wire)

16-year-old Wallace possesses one of the most heartbreaking storylines ever presented by The Wire. During the first season, the young drug dealer finds himself in a tough spot after he chooses to cooperate with authorities and provide information on the local drug trade. Ahead of a trial, Wallace is found and killed by former associates, and the sight of the teen begging for his life before the trigger is pulled is still affecting.

Mike Ehrmantraut (Breaking Bad)

The wise and stoic Mike Ehrmantraut is murdered by Walter White, following an argument, amid the final season of Breaking Bad. After being shot by Walt, Mike sits by a riverbank, where he finally passes on. Ehrmantraut’s demise is made sadder due to the fact that Walt and his associate, Todd, later dissolve his body using acid.

Tara Maclay (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

It’s during the sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that Tara Maclay is sadly killed by a stray bullet to the heart. Tara’s passing ultimately plunges her girlfriend, Willow Rosenberg, into grief and pushes her towards her darker magical impulses. Willow’s rage is intense – but arguably not as explosive as the fan responses to Tara’s passing were at the time.

Henry Blake (MASH)

As humorous as MASH is, it also features some legitimately heartbreaking moments, and the death of Henry Blake at the end of Season 3 is certainly one of them. Blake is set to be discharged from military service and sent home. But, shockingly, it’s revealed at the end of “Abyssinia, Henry” that Blake’s plane has been shot down over the Sea of Japan and there are no survivors. At the time, this was a shock to viewers and to the actors involved in the scene, as it was a last-minute addition.

James Evans (Good Times)

Those who avidly watched sitcoms during the ‘70s can probably remember the night Good Times killed off family patriarch James Evans Sr. James dies off-screen at the start of Season 4, with his family receiving word of his death from a car accident in Mississippi via a telegram. In the years since that development occurred, fans have argued that James’ death marked a serious shift in quality for the Norman Lear-produced show.

Lawrence Kutner (House)

A TV character death that still hits incredibly hard is that of Lawrence Kutner, who is killed off after two seasons of House. Kutner dies by suicide, in what is an absolutely earth-shattering turn of events. What really makes this development so heartbreaking is that the exact reasons for Kutner’s decision to shoot himself are never made clear.

Edith Bunker (Archie Bunker’s Place)

Edith Bunker, one of the most iconic characters in TV history, dies in her sleep from a stroke in between the first and second seasons of All in the Family spinoff Archie Bunker’s Place. The mere notion of such a lovable character like Edith dying is sad enough, but watching her usually. boisterous husband, Archie, come to terms with her passing really tugs at the heartstrings.

Margaery Tyrell (Game Of Thrones)

Like so many Game of Thrones characters before her, Margaery Tyrell meets a brutal end. Tyrell’s death is due to the machinations of Cersei Lannister, who arranges for the Sept by Qyburn to be burned – with Margaery and many more inside of it.

Ben Sullivan (Scrubs)

Ben Sullivan doesn’t appear in many episodes of Scrubs, but he manages to leave a serious impression through his kindness and very mellow demeanor. So it’s understandable why his eventual death from leukemia is so affecting.

Poussey Washington (Orange Is The New Black)

Orange is the New Black sadly kills off Poussey Washington by having her unintentionally die by suffocation at the hands of Baxter Bayley. Her passing has a profound impact on the other residents at Litchfield Penitentiary. And, while her absence is felt as the show progresses, she at least returns via occasional flashbacks.

Anastasia "Dee" Dualla (Battlestar Galactica)

On the list of Battlestar Galactica’s most shocking deaths is that of Anastasia “Dee” Dualla, Dee dies by suicide by shooting herself in the head – a move that’s slightly prompted by her depression over seeing how ravaged Earth (now a nuclear wasteland) is. And, if that’s not sad enough, the final motivating factor in Dee’s suicide is her reconciliation with estranged husband Lee Adoma, which happens moments before she shoots herself. Dee ultimately wants to hold on to one final moment of happiness, so she ends her life.

Fred Andrews (Riverdale)

Beloved Riverdale character Fred Andrews dies as the result of a hit-and-run incident, leaving his son, Archie, and just about everyone in their eponymous town saddened. His sendoff episode is truly beautiful, as it not only honors Fred but also his portrayer, Luke Perry, whose death necessitated Andrews’ passing.

Lincoln Campbell (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

At the end of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Season 3, the titular team is forced to say goodbye to another one of its own – Lincoln Campbell. The young Inhuman sacrifices himself by flying the villainous Hive and a nuclear warhead into space, where they can detonate. While Lincoln’s death hits hard, he goes out like a true hero. 

Teri Bauer (24)

A number of people meet their maker over the course of 24’s nine-season run, and one of the major characters to die early on is Teri Bauer. She loses her life to corrupt CTU operative Nina Meyers, as Nina shoots (the pregnant) Teri to cover her own tracks. Even now, it’s tough to shake the image of Jack Bauer cradling his wife’s body.

J.T. Yorke (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

Degrassi: The Next Generation fans are probably still shaken by the moment that beloved character J.T. Yorke was stabbed to death by Drake Lempkey. J.T.’s passing serves as a “loss-of-innocence” moment for his friends, who continue to cherish his memory. 

Howard Hamlin (Better Call Saul)

If any TV character has ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s Better Call Saul’s Howard Hamlin. The occasionally smug – but mostly well-meaning – lawyer is savagely killed by drug dealer Lalo Salamanca at Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler’s apartment. What’s sadly ironic is that Howard goes there to tell off Jimmy and Kim for secretly sabotaging him and is merely killed by Lalo to keep his issues with Wexler and McGill quiet.