If you’ve already seen Sherlock Season 3, Episode 3, you’ll understand the first funny joke of this Sesame Street video. As I previewed a few days ago, Benedict Cumberbatch finally did something with Sesame Street! I’m so happy. It was long overdue! Benedict has been a PBS Dude for years now, and he’s only just gotten around to doing something for Sesame Street. So, as already know, Benedict was paired with Count Von Count and Murray. Murray insists on being called Murray-arty and well… you can tell that the Sesame Street writers are A) total nerds (in a wonderful way) and B) total Sherlock geeks (again, in a wonderful way). Murray keeps calling Benedict “Sherlock” even though Benedict insists he’s just an actor. There’s some counting involved.
God, that voice. That voice is too much for children, I think. I mean, kids won’t know the importance of Benedict’s rich voice, but their mothers will appreciate it, I think. Anyway, I think this video is the bomb. Benedict is charming and he’s actually “acting” with the Muppets. He breaks character a little at the end when he laughs, but otherwise… this is just lovely.
One minor qualm: “I don’t really have arch-nemesis in real life…” It should be arch-nemeses, correct? He should have used the plural of nemesis.
Photos courtesy of PBS.
He’s got a great smile.
Yes he does.
He was so lovely, but why o why was his face YELLOW ?He should find a new makeup artist.
@Sonja: His neck is also yellow so it leads me to believe it was a lighting issue.
Although he and Tom both seem to have a lot of make-up issues in general….
It might be your computer settings because his face is not yellow when I view it.
I loved it! Regarding the arch-nemesis, perhaps the thinking is since Moriarty is Sherlock’s arch-nemesis, and Benedict is not Sherlock but an actor, then he (Benedict) does not have an arch-nemesis. I don’t know. You are really good to be thinking about grammar this early in the morning.
I believe it has to do with the British accent: you say némeSIZ (nemeses) in British English ….
This Brit thinks he just got it wrong. No Accent Involved.
So does this Brit.
Obviously, you both must be wrong… as Sesame Street has already proclaimed him to be “1 smart man.” Therefore, his pronunciation shall be accepted as correct and all arguments to the contrary will be rejected in deference to his exalted and acclaimed intelligence.
(ahem. tongue firmly in cheek)
Also- this was all kinds of adorable. BC doesn’t need to tart it up like Hiddles. He’s a classy man with classy counting style.
@ Sixer,
So does this nunette.
@Gizmog – You’re right , Sesame street proclaimed him to be ‘1 smart man’. Just found this to be so adorable , I kept going awww throughout the clip. Best part was when Murray-arty told him to ‘act like a super sleuth and figure it out’…hahahahha ..PRICELESS !!!
Yeah, I actually read the post wrong before I replied. I wanted to remove my comment but too late. I am not very good pre-coffee.
So he should have said “an” archnemesis, and he left the word out. He cheated us out of a whole rich buttery Cumbersyllable.
I agree; that’s what the problem was: he forgot the “an” …
He definitely says nemesis (singular), so yes he’s wrong technically he should have said “I don’t have AN arch nemesis in real life”
(EDIT: Typed this at same time as Amy, sorry for repeating)
Doesn’t take away from the cuteness of the video though and his semi American accent when he says “Murray-arty”
I noticed that, too! Did he do it on purpose so the kiddos could understand it better? Or was just just surprise!American Batch!
I’d like to think he went full method but I’d say he just got excited and copied the muppet.
That was adorable. (never thought I’d use those words in reference to him) Oh well, “You win this time Benedict Sherlock!”
Totally, totally adorable.
He is one smart man!
That was adorable! I really think my two and a half year old needs to watch it…many times, on repeat. After all, numbers literacy is important! 😉
Yes. Yes it is.
😉
I need a child, stat, so I don’t feel like a total creeper re-watching a clip from “Sesame Street.”
Re the “nemesis” thing, I sent this to my British husband for a re-check. He says it’s possible Benedict *is* saying “nemeses,” but the pronunciation makes it sound like “nemesis” to our American ear. The “ee” versus” “ih” (as in “sit”) is a distinction many people who are non-native American English speakers don’t make.
BrEnglish pronounciation: némeSIZ (nemeses) … 🙂
http://www.pronouncehow.com/english/nemeses_pronunciation
Er… eh?
British pronunciation: ne-muh-siss (singular), ne-muh-seez (plural).
Nighty – if you listen to the singular on that site, it’s quite clearly siss and seez. Benny just said it wrong.
I assume you are English? So I don’t need to tell you that there are many, many different types of British pronunciation.
Among people of Benedict’s education/class type, pronunciation of eee versus ih does not always sound that different. It’s something I’ve noticed quite often. It’s entirely possible Benedict said it wrong, but it’s equally possible he didn’t.
Clearly we must all watch this many, many times just to make sure. Many times.
I agree with Amy Tennant… we must watch it MANY times just to make sure… 😛
Oh Sixer… I’m Portuguese, for me IZ is your eez… sorry… 😛
Murray-arty!!!!!
I love this… I’ll have to watch with my toddler.
I will never, ever get tired of “Benedict Sherlock” and his mind-bending detective skills of greater/lesser than.
Love it, so cute! Although I can’t quite believe they didn’t take the Sherlock Hemlock muppet out of retirement for this 😉
Awwww, I remember Sherlock Hemlock!
Oh lord. That was hilarious. It sounded as though he was channelling 1950s BBC children’s TV. RIP Muffin the Mule. I gotsta say, I think Tommy’s was better.
Yep… Cute, but Tom’s was better, yes…
Tom got cookie monster so he was always going to win.
Plus it’s hard to sex up counting apples and oranges with delayed gratification. Tom would have given it a go though.
I think we all know who’s the intovert and who’s the extrovert here. Plus who’s naturally filthier. Sesame Street is *so* educational! :-}
Super sweet, I agree.
But I think Benedict’s was more age appropriate. Most pre-schoolers can’t handle the concept of delayed gratification.
I was thinking that myself, Tom’s was, I think, aimed more at his fan-base.
It was still amazing though but yes, a little risqué for Sesame Street 😉
Because it was aimed at mummy’s and big sisters. 😀 The cookie monster is sexed up. I think tom wrote that script himself.
PBS wrote the script with the intention of using it for fund-raising purposes. Why does every column on either one of them have to turn into a critique of the other.
@Lilacflowers I think its all good hearted, well it is for me. I love them both. I was joking about Tom writing the script himself.
It is only “adult” minds that turns delayed gratification into a dirty thing. It meant nothing like that to kids.
BUT I think the skit with Tom/Cookie Monster would have worked better if they had of called it “waiting” instead of delayed gratification. I can’t imagine any school-aged kids using that terminology in any situation! Heck, most adults wouldn’t use that terminology!
@LilacF – I don’t critique Tom or Benedict in this situation, but I definitely see PBS shilling their socks off. Its a fine line for me because I don’t like subliminal messages in kids TV (like putting junk food placements in kids shows etc). Kids are too easy a target because they don’t understand about suggestive advertising/cross promoting.
Its sweet that both Benedict and Tom love kids though and enjoy doing things like this. I bet when they do have kids themselves (or when they are with their nieces/nephews) and reading stories, they do all the character voices with gusto!
@Lilacflowers: I agree. Why does every thread about Benedict get at least ONE post about Tom? You’d think they were married or had dated in the past or were part of a love triangle for the ages (Jennifer, Brad, Angie).
@Delorb, and it isn’t just a post ABOUT him; it is usually a post attacking him, like the ones claiming the cookie monster video was “tarted up” or “sleazy.” And it happens in reverse too. Every thread about Hiddleston will suddenly, for no apparent reason, have stuff about Cumberbatch on it, comparing the two of them. The guys are supposedly FRIENDS and do seem to support one another. I don’t understand why some constantly must pit them against one the other.
@Lilacflowerss – Honestly, in this case, I don’t think people were trying to pit them against one another. I think they were just critiquing two very similar things they’ve done, not them as actors on people (although that does often happen in these threads). They are the two favorite boys here at CB, so it is going to happen.
@lilacflowers
Oh dear, I didn’t mean to insult Tom, not at all and I apologize if that’s how it came out! I was just joking about Tom and his spot with Cookie Monster. Obviously, it’s Sesame Street, there isn’t a whole lot of room for “tarting” of any kind, and he was very sweet and adorable in his spot, just like BC. I do think that BC’s was a little bit more “age appropriate,” (delayed and gratification are big words, but that’s not Tom’s doing, he had a script), but both were delightful! No comparison, just love!
@lilacflowers – I just wish for one article about either guy that doesn’t have ONE response that mentions the other. No comparisons. No hate. No love. No jokes.
Just. Don’t. Mention. The. Other. One.
Guess that’s just too much to ask.
@Delorb, wouldn’t that be fabulous though?
I see your point, but no, it would be boring as f*#k…
I wish there was just ONE post around here that doesn’t have MULTIPLE responses that try to tell other commenters what they should or shouldn’t say. I REALLY wish that. It’s on my Christmas list. I might even think it when I blow out my birthday candles. So there!
On this topic specifically, do remember that the authors themselves very often compare these two actors in the posts themselves, so it’s hardly surprising the comments follow suit.
totally loved this! very heart warming 🙂 perfect end to the mid week.
Help me Windy!! I have watched the clip and I don’t have any feels… (except for the bit at the end where Murray calls him Sherlock and he corrects him to Benedict).
*wrings hands anxiously hoping I just have plague or something and the feels will come back eventually*
Amazing voice or not, I think I need to see him doing some serious interviews.
I also got a hint of PBS cross-promoting TV Shows, almost encouraging children/parents to watch more TV to understand the skits.
*digs in garden shed looking for things to make Squirrel feel better*
Ummm I found some organic fertiliser and a few old throat lozenges… Would you like that?????
*hands a throat lozenge to Squirrel*
Please don’t have the plague!! Tulip said she’s working the chlorophyll out of her leaves setting up the various tulip shows around the world. I’ll be ever so lonely if you get deathly ill.
*googly eyes Squirrel*
@Secret Squirrel….I am a big fan of Sherlock Ben and also of the Count from Sesame Street. So maybe I’m biased. LOL
I do agree with some of the other posters that Cookie Monster (and Tom) is cuter but I wouldn’t have understood the words “instant gratification” when I was a kiddo watching that on Sesame Street. I am more in favour of this Benny skit because it’s more age appropriate, and my toddler of 4 years old would understand. Plus, it helps with counting… makes me reminisce of my younger days when I’m learning to count (with the Count)…. hence the warm feelings that I get.
*anxiously*
Windy!!! Blow on Squirrel!!! Grace her with a gentle breeze!!! Puleaze?!???
Oh and back on topic, I do know of some kids that would have loved a ‘grown up word’ like Tom & Cookie used. Not only that, the pacing might appeal to some as well. And that isn’t and wouldn’t detract from Benedict, Murray, and The Count’s clip. Benedict and company did reinforce the counting concept and some kids would have preferred that pace. Basically both clips have their merits and detractions, so for me it’s a wash from an educational perspective. On the cuteness scale? Oh lord — both are beyond awesome.
🙂
Good news. The doctor says its not the plague, but a bad case of Benedictitis… Hopefully the tablets he gave me will clear it up in no time…
I have Sherlock taped and ready to watch, but I fear it won’t be enough. I was sure the sesame street clip would melt my heart but it didn’t. Maybe because I am not overly familiar with Murry-arty (or Moriarty)?? I just don’t know. Maybe I need to download Star Trek and see if Khan will bring back the love…
*sighs and dramatically throws paw over fevered forehead*
Or I could squirrel-hop over to Ben’s place and peek in his window from the elm tree in his front yard. That might perk me up no end! I could watch him making a cup of tea and wearing a wool cardigan and flannelette PJ bottoms. Conservative in the kitchen might mean less conservative in other rooms of the house??? 😀
I think I need remedial math lessons with BC. How cute.
Very cute! I forget the Count’s original voice passed away until I hear him now though…also, they retired Sherlock Hemlock 🙁
The Count’s voice is very different. 🙁 As are a lot of the Muppet voices. Frank Oz no longer does Miss Piggy and like The Counts — it’s not quite the same.
🙁
*wilts in sadness*
I feel the same about Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
The voices just aren’t the same.
Steve Whitmire is the rare exception with Kermit
@Lindy,
Oh, now I’m gonna get really sad as I fell in love with those voices too. My son adored Pooh Bear and gang!! But as he got older the voices changed and it wasn’t quite the same. Same with Snoopy….
*sigh*
*wilts a bit more*
nothing is ever as good as the way you knew it/remembered it as a child…
Nearly a million hits in 1 day.
Pretty stinkin’ cute and I kind of love that it is a badge of honor of sorts with performers to be on Sesame Street.
Ok. I’m getting it now. I couldn’t see it before, but I’m on board the Cumberbatch train. Squee!
This skit was too cute, but I must say, I thought Tom Hiddleston’s skit with Cookie Monster was even cuter.
When he said “hmmmmmmm” it rattled my speakers. Oh Smaug I love you!
That must be why they didn’t use the Count’s customary thunder and lightning. They already had Cumberrumbles.
How has no one coined Cumberrumbles until now?!?! Amazing. So many potential uses.
The voice, the smile….Gah, Who knew 2 minutes with a couple of Muppets could give me ‘those’ feelings?
I should not be as enthralled by his voice as I currently am. Especially when he’s counting apples and oranges. *fans self*
Adorable, following Hiddles’ footsteps. Now we need Fassbender to do one.
Fassbender? God no. Too rough. Unless you pair him up with pair him up with Oscar :- D or is he Muppets? get them mixed up.
Oscar the Grouch is definitely on Sesame Street… not sure if he’s a muppet or not (are Sesame Street puppets muppets? I get confused on that…)
@GizmoG:
Yes, Sesame Street characters are muppets too. The word “muppet” comes from a combination of “marionette” and “puppet”, and both the word and style of puppet was invented by Jim Henson. Since Oscar has both a moving mouth, and a moving arm, he is a muppet.
My sister is a huge Jim Henson fan, and I am a wealth of useless knowledge. 🙂
If we’re going Muppets, he should totally do Animal =D
Kermit lives on Sesame Street but runs the Muppet Theatre, so they are all connected really.
Grey, dreary, sleety day here with the kids home from school yet again for a snow day. This brightened things around here considerably! That voice is amazing, and who doesn’t love Sesame Street? It would have been cute to see “Sherlock style” deductions on the screen while he was thinking. Kids wouldn’t have gotten it, but I would have laughed!
Cutest. Thing. Ever. I love that Sesame Street does these little vids with British actors. They are all adorable. I could never pick a favorite.
Oh my god. That voice. His smile. My ovaries just died.
But, but..why isn’t the count going “Ah Ah Ah”? 🙁
Cumberbatch is cute, though
Needs more curls.
oh yes. mooore curls
Moar! Moar, I say!
he keeps brushing them away! tut! Someone go ruffle that head of tamed curls 😉
Be still my heart, Kaiser. Nemeses.
Dear Kaiser,
After an extended weekend of life being too much with us, I love you for allowing us to waste our powers on praising the charming Benedict Sherlock & his sleuthing assistants Murray & the Count. Absolutely lovely. A gorgeous man.
The Hiddleston skit wasnt cute – it was sleazy
why sleazy?
@ besty. It most definitely was not!
Gosh clean the mind now….
You have an odd idea of “sleazy.”
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365073509/ Sorry, not seeing anything “sleazy” in this.
I’m strangely envious of Cumberbatch right now, he got to hang out with The Count – my favourite character when I was a child. Envy aside, THIS was adorable.
I want to see him sitting on a rocking chair, in a small room lit only by a single bedside lamp a toddler on his knee, gently rocking and reading a bedtime story…
Could you imagine that voice softly reading Goodnight Moon?
*POP*
There went an ovary…
My daughter’s absolute favourite book as a child was Goodnight Moon and I know the story by heart. And damn that was a powerful and adorable visual.
*shakes fist @ Mourning*
😉
Give Mourning a break LadyS. She has just lost an ovary (in what sounded like a very painful way!)…
So so cute but I thought Benedict Sherlock’s arch-nemesis was Mycroft?
Uber-geek? Yes, yes I am.
Does anyone else remember when the Count used to count something and laugh, thunder and lightening would happen?
Yes I remember this!!! I liked the dramatic effects of thunder and lightning 🙂
Thunder? Lightning? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIniljT5lJI
This cheered me up so much – it’s darling, he’s darling. Thank you for the hump day pick up!
They [Gatiss and Moffatt] announced a two year wait for Sherlock 4. Christmas 2015? The actors and the writers have other commitments, I get that. But, I am really disappointed. I will have to keep watching the DVD’s of Sherlock. 🙁
I need a new celeb crush. I am very disappointed… I can’t wait that long.
Ah crap!
CHRISTMAS 2015!??!?!?!
F*CK THEM!!!
Benedict will be 50 by the time that show ends, for gods sake, we’ll be watching Watson&Mary’s grandchildren solve crimes …
Ben really needs a new makeup artist. He always looks like he has jaundice.
OT: He is currently in Finland. I wonder why? Could he be there for work? Maybe a quick snowboarding trip? Does he have a blonde stashed in Helsinki?
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=431055812954689536&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FDavidGilbert43&tw_i=431055812954689536&tw_p=tweetembed
Goddamn it, LA, London, Finland, what next?
I want his life 🙁
If I were that hypothetical blonde, I’d be waiting for him in front of a fire, laid out on a bear skin rug, with nothing on me but his glass of whiskey in my hand. That’ll keep him off the slopes ; )
He’s at a Sherlock convention in England this weekend..the man never stops.
iTunes has Applelock up for free…enjoy!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sherlock-meet-the-filmmaker/id815189745?mt=2
He may have made a stopover en route to another country (perhaps in Asia or Russia to see the Olympics?)
He’s back in London this weekend for the Sherlock con, so I doubt it.
Sorry to bring this up but didn’t Katia mention working Helsinki? I personally think they’re dating, not that I like her. I don’t do Facebook or Twitter, someone go check.
According to her Facebook she was in Helsinki a week ago, but left a few days later for Tel Aviv. She was gone before Benedict even arrived. I think she is still with her boyfriend as he’s still retweeting things about her.
You mean “working in Helsinki”……………..right?
@ Pru…LOL! I meant “in Helsinki” though I have heard the rumors. 🙂