Elmo's Christmas Countdown

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2007 American TV series or program Elmo's Christmas CountdownWritten byJoey MazzarinoDirected byGary HalversonStarringKevin ClashSheryl CrowJamie FoxxCharles GibsonAnne HathawayJennifer HudsonKevin JamesAlicia KeysBrad PaisleyTy PenningtonSteve SchirripaTony SiricoBen StillerCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionEditorJohn R. TierenyRunning time60 minutesProduction companySesame WorkshopOriginal releaseNetworkABCReleaseDecember 23, 2007 (2007-12-23) Elmo's Christmas Countdown is a 2007 television Christmas special, featuring the characters from Sesame Street. It was first aired on December 23, 2007, on ABC and starred Ben Stiller.

[edit] In Elmo's Christmas Countdown, Stiller the Elf (Ben Stiller) is telling Stan the snowball how Christmas was almost ruined. He recounts how he visited Sesame Street because he believed Oscar the Grouch would start the official countdown to Christmas. However, due to his hatred of the Christmas season, Oscar tosses the magical counting blocks into the air and they disappear. Stiller is worried that he destroyed Christmas, and it is up to Elmo and Abby Cadabby to help him find the blocks and the true meaning of Christmas miracles. They find the blocks one by one:

Block No. 10 features Jennifer Hudson singing "Carol of the Bells" with the Forest Animals (including Hoots the Owl). It is found by Abby Cadabby. Block No. 9 has the reindeer News presenter Charles Blitzen (a spoof of Charles Gibson) of CDN (short for Counter Downer Network) reporting on the incident caused by Stiller the Elf. It was found in Bert's Christmas oatmeal. Block No. 8 has Anne Hathaway singing "I Want a Snuffleupagus for Christmas" (a parody of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas") with Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus. It was found in Super Grover's cape. Block No. 7 has Tony Sirico and Steven Schirripa failing to star in a Christmas Special as Bert and Ernie, Christmas is finally saved. It was found by Big Bird. Block No. 5 is found by Ernie instead of Block No. 6, which makes Stiller anxious. While Abby takes Stiller for some water,. Elmo sings "Do You Hear What I Hear" with Alicia Keys. Block No. 6 has Charles Blitzen reporting that mass-hysteria is happening after news of the incident caused by Stiller the Elf was happening. It was found by Alicia Keys. Block No. 5 has Jamie Foxx singing the "Nutcracker Suite" with a Nutcracker version of Elmo. It was found by Ernie. Block No. 4 has Charles Blitzen sticking out his tongue to Stiller the Elf. It was found by Papa Bear. Block No. 3 has Count von Count singing "I Saw Three Ships" with Ty Pennington during an "Extreme Makeover: Christmas Edition" where more ships are being made for the song. It was found by Mama Bear. Block No. 2 has Brad Paisley singing "Jingle Bells" with Grover and the Penguins. It was found by Baby Bear. Block No. 1 was found by Stiller the Elf. Unfortunately, it had a cookie in it and the Christmas Counter Downer is devoured by Cookie Monster. Stiller the Elf states that Christmas will never come as Oscar celebrates. Elmo states that he and Abby can believe in Christmas miracles as Stiller joins them. Their believing attracts the appearance of Santa Claus (Kevin James). Santa Claus then sings "Believe" with Elmo, Abby, Stiller, Big Bird, Snuffleupagus, Ernie and Bert, Count von Count, Grover, Prairie Dawn, Baby Bear, Telly Monster, Rosita, Zoe, and Cookie Monster. Santa Claus then takes his leave as he quotes "Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night". After the story is over, Stiller the Elf and Stan the Snowball wish everybody a Merry Christmas.

[edit] Elmo's Christmas Countdown marks the ninth time the Sesame Street characters have crossed over into commercial television. All other Sesame Street material had aired on PBS, a public television network. 25th and 30th anniversary specials, as well as Elmopalooza, have also aired on ABC, while NBC aired an introductory show to Sesame Street called This Way To Sesame Street,[citation needed] Big Bird in China, and a 20th anniversary special. CBS aired the independently produced A Special Sesame Street Christmas, and Fox aired the special CinderElmo.

[edit] Ben Stiller as Stiller the Elf (voice) Anne Hathaway as herself Ty Pennington as himself Jamie Foxx as himself Alicia Keys as herself Sheryl Crow as herself Charles Gibson as Charles Blitzen (voice) Steve Schirripa as Famous Ernie Tony Sirico as Famous Bert Jennifer Hudson as herself Brad Paisley as himself Kevin James as Santa Claus Muppet performers[edit] Kevin Clash as Elmo, Mouse King Jennifer Barnhart as Mama Bear Fran Brill as Prairie Dawn Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby Eric Jacobson as Bert, Grover Joey Mazzarino as Papa Bear, Stan the Snowball Jerry Nelson as Count von Count Martin P. Robinson as Mr. Snuffleupagus David Rudman as Cookie Monster, Baby Bear Caroll Spinney as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch Matt Vogel as Stiller the Elf, Big Bird (puppeteer) Steve Whitmire as Ernie Bryant Young as the rear end of Mr. Snuffleupagus Additional Muppets performed by Pam Arciero, Heather Asch, Tyler Bunch, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Ryan Dillon, Artie Esposito, James Godwin, BJ Guyer, Andy Hayward, Carmen Osbahr, Patrick Holmes, John Kennedy, Peter Linz, Michael Lisa, Noel MacNeal, Amanda Maddock, Ed May, Paul McGinnis, Tracie Mick, Marc Petrosino, Andy Stone, Ian Sweetman, David Stephens, John Tartaglia, and Gabriel Velez.

Even after more than a decade, the special’s blend of familiar Sesame Street charm and star‑power makes it a go‑to for parents seeking a safe, inclusive holiday watch. The programme balances a lighthearted countdown narrative with subtle lessons about generosity and community—values that align perfectly with the season’s spirit. Because the cast includes recognisable names beyond the usual Muppets, it offers a bridge for older viewers, making family co‑viewing feel less like a children’s routine and more like a shared tradition. This cross‑generational appeal helps the special avoid the dated feel that plagues many early‑2000s holiday broadcasts, keeping it fresh on repeat.

If you’re adding the special to your festive roster, check the major on‑demand services first—ABC’s own streaming platform often rotates Sesame Street titles during the season. For those without a subscription, digital purchase options on platforms like iTunes or Amazon are usually available around late November, just in time for the countdown hype. Look for a version that includes the original 60‑minute edit; some compilations trim the opening sketches, which can diminish the narrative flow. Pair the viewing with a simple snack tray—think mini mince pies and cocoa—so children stay engaged without needing a full‑blown holiday feast. A quick parental preview of the opening minutes can also reassure that the humour and guest cameos stay age‑appropriate.

The special’s celebrity lineup often draws attention, but the cameo appearances are more than just name‑dropping. Each guest contributes a brief, character‑driven vignette that reinforces the episode’s core theme of counting down acts of kindness. For instance, the musical interludes from singer‑songwriters are woven into the plot, prompting Elmo to help with a secret‑gift mission rather than merely performing a standalone set. Understanding this design helps viewers appreciate the seamless integration of star power into the Sesame Street educational framework, rather than seeing the celebrities as a distraction from the moral message.