Helpsters is an American educational children's television series created by Tim McKeon and produced by Sesame Workshop and Big Indie Pictures as an original series for Apple TV+, and premiered on November 1, 2019, coinciding with the launch of the service. A spin-off short series, titled Helpsters Help You!, was released on April 24, 2020, in order to provide children with supportive content during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Helpsters
Logo for the Helpsters television series.
Genre
Created byTim McKeon
Written byTim McKeon
Starring
  • Stephanie D'Abruzzo
  • Ingrid Hansen
  • Jennifer Barnhart
  • Tim Lagasse
  • Martin P. Robinson
Opening theme"How Can We Help You?"
Ending theme"How Can We Help You?"
ComposerPaul Buckley
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes40 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locationsNew York City, New York
Running time22-28 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkApple TV+
ReleaseNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01) –
January 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)

The show was announced at Apple's "It's Showtime" presentation on March 25, 2019, by Sesame Street's Big Bird and series protagonist Cody.[2]

In March 2021, Apple renewed Helpsters for a third season which premiered on May 27, 2022.[3]

Premise

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A group of monsters known as the Helpsters work together to help solve the problems of customers who enter their shop through teamwork and problem solving. The series aims to teach children important skills for planning and following directions for the challenges they face, as well as introducing them to basic concepts in coding.[4][5]

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Cody – Cody is the enthusiastic leader of the Helpsters whose positive attitude never fails to rally everyone to action.
  • Martin P. Robinson as Mr. Primm – Mr. Primm is the most sophisticated member of the Helpsters with a secret wild streak. Always willing to help, Mr. Primm gets hung up on doing things the correct way.
  • Tim Lagasse as Scatter – Scatter is the youngest and most innocent member of the Helpsters. He can be scatterbrained at times, but also comes up with ideas by thinking outside the box.
  • Ingrid Hansen as Heart – Heart is the Helpster with the biggest heart. Be careful which instructions you give Heart, because Heart will do exactly what you say.
  • Jennifer Barnhart as Jackie – Jackie is the Helpsters’ closest friend who appears whenever they need an extra hand. She speaks in monster mumbles that only the Helpsters can understand.

The series features puppet characters designed and built by Monkey Boys Productions.[6]

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
113November 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
213October 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)March 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
314May 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)January 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)

Season 1 (2019-20)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [7]
11"Amazing Alie / Robbie & Rhonda Runner"Ben LehmannTim McKeonNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
22"Dancer Dave / Astronaut Amrita"Benjamin LehmannNick ConfaloneNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
33"Singing Starlett / Heart's Family Photo"Matt VogelAlex Fox & Rachel LewisNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
44"Rita Reader / Cody Gets a Cold"Shannon FlynnLiz HaraNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
55"Musical Mabels / Barbara Birdwatcher"Shannon FlynnAnnabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor WhiteNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
66"Wayne of Wonder / Paleontologist Paloma"Ryan McFaulAlex Fox & Rachel LewisNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
77"Scatter / Sid Square"UnknownEva KonstantopoulosApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
88"Frank the Flyer / Neighbor Nora"Melanie OrrUnknownApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
99"Isaac Ice / Air Conditioning Repairman Aaron"UnknownAlex Fox & Rachel LewisApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
1010"Chef Charlie / Fashion Fil"UnknownNick Confalone & Tim McKeonApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
1111"Basketball Brianna / Heart’s Fish"UnknownAlex Fox & Rachel LewisApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
1212"Nurse Nina & Farmer Flynn / Firefighter Fran & Painter Pat"UnknownUnknownApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
1313"Primmflandia Day / Marching Band Marsha"UnknownAnnabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor WhiteApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)

Season 2 (2020-21)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [7]
141"Amazing Atticus / Sea Lovin’ Sam"UnknownUnknownOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
152"Ballerina Betsy / Pizza Pasquale"Shannon Flynn & Sean MulcahyAlex Fox & Rachel LewisOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
163"Mini-Golf Mike / Helpsters Need Help"Tim McKeonAlex Fox & Rachel LewisOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
174"Helpsters Halloween / Storyteller Sophia"UnknownUnknownOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
185"Billy Bug / Cody Rides a Bike"UnknownUnknownOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
196"Mr. Primm’s Spoon Club / Cookie Cornelius"Tim McKeon & Shannon FlynnUnknownOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
207"Camper Cortez / Artist Andrew & Detective Dudley"UnknownAlex Fox & Rachel LewisOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
218"Helpsters Help Heart / Callie the Clown"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
229"Park Ranger Percy / Lizard Lizzy"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
2310"Bells and Whistles Will / Beatrice Builder"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
2411"Piano Paul / Grandma Gracie"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
2512"Freeze Pop Felix / Bowling Babette"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
2613"T-Ball Toni / Trophy Todd"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)

Season 3 (2022)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [7]
271"Delivery Delia / Knight Niko"UnknownAdam PeltzmanMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
282"Mail Carrier Marty / His Royal Primmness"UnknownUnknownMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
293"Smoothie Samantha / Taxi Tina"UnknownUnknownMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
304"Cheerleader Chadwick & Chelsea / Heart's Family Dinner"UnknownAdam Peltzman & Tim McKeonMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
315"Pancake Flipping Pietro / Scatter's Band"UnknownUnknownMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
326"Race Car Roxy / Helpsters Go to the Beach"UnknownUnknownMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
337"Sporty Spencer / Giveaway Day"Joe MenendezTim McKeonMay 27, 2022 (2022-05-27)
348"Birthday Performer Bart / Supermarket Sue"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
359"Weather-Loving Winston / Veterinarians Vera and Vinnie"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
3610"Traveling Tracy / Inventor Ines"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
3711"Scuba Skylar / Librarians Leroy, Lana, & Luke"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
3812"Mechanic Mel / Robby & Rhonda Run Again"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
3913"Wizard Wallace / Heart Goes to the Dentist"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)
4014"Nurse Nina / Helpsters' Hundredth Help"UnknownUnknownJanuary 6, 2023 (2023-01-06)

Helpsters Help You (2020)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"When Plans Change"UnknownUnknownApril 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)
2"Honorary Helpster"UnknownUnknownMay 1, 2020 (2020-05-01)
3"Scavenger Hunt"UnknownUnknownMay 8, 2020 (2020-05-08)
4"Bright Smiles & Hand Waves"UnknownUnknownMay 15, 2020 (2020-05-15)
5"How to Be Together"UnknownUnknownMay 22, 2020 (2020-05-22)
6"Thank You"UnknownUnknownMay 29, 2020 (2020-05-29)

Reception

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Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2020 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Effects Costume. Make Up and Hairstyling Andrea Detwiler, Jean Marie Keevins, Jimmy Helvin, Marc, Petrosino, Michael Latini Nominated [8]
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling Zeynep Netherton, Mikaela Wohl Nominated
Outstanding Single Camera Editing Robert Arrucci Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Children's or Young Adult Program Tim McKeon, Connor White, Amy Keating Rogers, Laurie Israel, Annabeth Bondor-Stone, Liz Hara, Anna Christopher, Rachel Lewis, Alex Fox, Nick Confalone Nominated
Outstanding Preschool Children's Series Tim McKeon, Kay Wilson Stallings, Benjamin Lehmann, Melanie Grisanti, Michael J. Cargill, Alex Fox, Rachel Lewis, Jackie Stolfi, Eileen Bernstien Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Breaking News - Cody and The Helpsters Team Up for Apple's "Helpsters Help You," Inspired by the Parents' Choice Award-Winning "Helpsters," Now Streaming for Free | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  2. ^ Kooser, Amanda. "Apple dives into children's shows with Sesame Workshop". CNET. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  3. ^ "Breaking News - Apple TV+ Unveils Robust Lineup of Hit Children's Series, Including the Peanuts Gang, Emmy-winning "Ghostwriter," Parents' Choice-winning "Helpsters," "Doug Unplugs" and More | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Helpsters". Apple TV+ Press. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  5. ^ "Helpsters | Sesame Workshop". www.sesameworkshop.org. Archived from the original on 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  6. ^ "Monkey Boys Productions's Instagram profile post: "Congratulations to everyone on the Helpsters team on 5 Daytime Emmy nominations!!! We are honored to be a part of the this amazing puppet…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  7. ^ a b c "Helpsters - Episodes". Apple TV+ Press. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  8. ^ Montgomery, Daniel (July 27, 2020). "2020 Daytime Emmy winners: Full list of nominees and winners in all categories". Gold Derby. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
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