---
title: "A Special Sesame Street Christmas"
year: 1978
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/a-special-sesame-street-christmas-1978"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 431763
imdb_id: null
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 48
community_rating: 6.7
vote_count: 0
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/a-special-sesame-street-christmas-1978

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

A Special Sesame Street Christmas is a film first released in 1978. Catalogued under Comedy, Family, TV Movie. Produced and broadcast by Children's Television Workshop, Bob Banner Associates. Current status: Released.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Leslie Uggams leads a festive Sesame Street spin on A Christmas Carol."

### Why Watch
- Features Leslie Uggams and classic Sesame Street characters
- A holiday‑themed parody of A Christmas Carol
- Compact 48‑minute runtime for quick viewing

### Caveats & Content Note
- Under an hour, offering limited story depth
- Tone & Suitability: The special is a lighthearted, family‑friendly Christmas parody suitable for children.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: cheerful, family-friendly, festive

## Streaming Availability Matrix

Direct streaming licensing updates dynamically. Consult the live tracking interface at https://www.archytele.com/show/a-special-sesame-street-christmas-1978#watch.

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Russ Petranto
- **Networks / Studios**: Children's Television Workshop, Bob Banner Associates

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Leslie Uggams** as *Self*
- **Ethel Merman** as *Self*
- **Imogene Coca** as *Self*
- **Michael Jackson** as *Self*
- **Anne Murray** as *Self*
- **Henry Fonda** as *Self*
- **Dick Smothers** as *Self*
- **Caroll Spinney** as *Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice)*
- **Northern Calloway** as *David*
- **Will Lee** as *Mr. Hooper*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: When was A Special Sesame Street Christmas first aired?
It premiered on CBS on Friday, December 8, 1978, at 8 PM Eastern Time.

### Q: Who hosts the special?
Leslie Uggams serves as the host.

### Q: Which guest stars appear alongside Leslie Uggams?
The special features guest appearances by Anne Murray, Imogene Coca, and Dick Smothers.

### Q: What classic story is the special based on?
It is a Sesame Street‑style retelling of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

### Q: How long is the program?
The runtime is approximately 48 minutes.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [A Special Sesame Street Christmas — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/431763)
- [A Special Sesame Street Christmas - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Special_Sesame_Street_Christmas)
- [A Special Sesame Street Christmas 72% (1978) | Kinobox.cz](https://www.kinobox.cz/film/4477445-a-special-sesame-street-christmas)
- [A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978) | ČSFD.cz](https://www.csfd.cz/film/41359-a-special-sesame-street-christmas/prehled/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*