Can you tell me how to get to … Westeros?
The Twitter account of “Sesame Street” shared a video Thursday featuring the mash-up we didn’t know we needed. In it, everyone’s favorite red, lovable Muppet -- Elmo, of course -- meets none other than Tyrion and Cersei Lannister from “Game of Thrones.”
(MORE: 10 must-see 'Game of Thrones' episodes)Respect brings us together, and if anyone can convince @GameOfThrones's Cersei and Tyrion to get along, a familiar furry red friend might just be the one. #RespectIsComing #RespectBringsUsTogether pic.twitter.com/4i94lU6YIh
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 18, 2019
The clip, in a post hashtagged #RespectIsComing and #RespectBringsUsTogether, stars Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey in full costume delivering their characters' trademark distaste for one another.
“You can’t ignore me forever,” Dinklage’s Tyrion says. “I only want what’s best for Westeros.”
“And I only want for you to not get what you want,” Headey’s Cersei says.
(MORE: 'Sesame Street' introduces Julia's family, rolls out new resources for families in honor of Autism Awareness Month)“See, this is why you don’t have any friends,” he responds, before a crash and clanking catches both of their attention. It’s then that Elmo enters into the scene, wearing a knight outfit and introducing himself to the confused pair.
“Elmo thinks that you two need to respect each other. When Elmo has a problem with his friends like Abby [Cadabby] or Cookie Monster, Elmo doesn’t get upset ... Elmo listens and learns from what they have to say.”
“If we stop fighting and work together, we can be stronger. I’m willing to learn and listen if you are,” Tyrion says.
“Will Miss Cersei try to listen and understand what Mister Tyrion is saying?” Elmo asks, to which Cersei begrudgingly responds, “I can try.”
The Twitter account for "Sesame Street" later shared a similar clip that features Cookie Monster, actors from the show “Westworld,” and the #RespectBringsUsTogether hashtag along with another, #Respect World. It also posted a video of rapper Common performing a song with Big Bird, Grover and other favorites.
Respect is important for everyone – people, monsters, even Westworld’s hosts. #RespectWorld #RespectBringsUsTogether pic.twitter.com/LOLrswj0OV
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 18, 2019
Give it, live it, #RESPECT. @common #RespectBringsUsTogether pic.twitter.com/250yrWXLYM
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 18, 2019
The collaboration with the two HBO shows, where new episodes of “Sesame Street” air, are part of the 50th anniversary celebration for the Sesame Workshop, which seeks to “highlight the importance of respecting one another, even in disagreement.” The campaign, called “Respect Brings Us Together,” will continue to roll out through 2019, according to a release.
(MORE: Me want shoes! TOMS releases 'Sesame Street' shoe collection)“Sesame Street was created in 1969, a time not unlike today, when there were large social divisions. A key purpose of the show has always been to model that everyone, no matter who you are or where you are from, deserves respect,” Jeffrey D. Dunn, the president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, said in the release. “Half a century later, our society is increasingly divided on many issues, and we know that kids pick up on this tension. We have always shown preschoolers that everyone is welcome on Sesame Street. Our hope with this campaign is that a lighthearted look at a very serious subject can help us all pause for a moment to remember the value in respecting the viewpoints of others, even when they differ greatly from our own.”
This isn’t the first time “Sesame Street” has delved into pop culture, or even HBO’s catalog, to teach a lesson. "True Mud," a parody of the vampire drama “True Blood,” taught kids about rhyming, while "Mi Patito" -- Ernie’s spin on Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s hit “Despacito” -- taught how to say “duck” in Spanish.
