The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo
Common Sense says
- HBO Max
- Kids Musical TV
- 2020
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
We think this TV show stands out for:
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo is a late-night show for kids and families hosted by Sesame Street's Elmo. The lively red puppet interviews celebrities, accompanied by sidekick Cookie Monster and an all-Muppet band. The show is part of Elmo's night-time routine, so it often includes evening rituals like brushing teeth or a dance break to get all the wiggles out that kids can do with him. The interviews are short and sweet, and guests often sing a song, while other Muppets like Zoe and Abby Cadabby deal with backstage issues, not unlike The Muppet Show. This is a fun series for bedtime (or anytime) for fans of Elmo and his crew.
Wondering if The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Mindless talk show garbage for preschoolers
What's the story?
THE NOT-TOO-LATE SHOW WITH ELMO stars Sesame Street's Elmo as the host of his own talk show. After dinner in the kitchen, Elmo goes into the living room, where he interviews celebrities, plays games, and sings -- all after he's made sure it's OK with his parents, of course. Cookie Monster plays the Ed McMahon-esque sidekick role, and the audience is a blend of adults, kids, and colorful monsters. Much like another Muppet-manned production, The Muppet Show, backstage antics are frequent, and familiar puppets like Abby Cadabby and Zoe work as stagehands, while Bert and Ernie monitor the control room. At the end of each episode, Elmo sings a ballad about the show's events.
Is it any good?
Who would have thought that this excitable red critter would be the perfect host for a late-night TV show? Elmo is great at banter with the guests, and the content is extremely family-friendly, especially for the preschool set. Kids can play along to the "silly dance" break, while parents will enjoy fun guests like John Mulaney and Kacey Musgraves. The interviews don't contain the usual jokes and promotions late-night guests provide, but that just means they're full of surprises, like a toothbrushing song from the Jonas Brothers. These 20-minute episodes could become part of a family's evening wind-down, but they're fun to watch anytime, and little ones will love having a "late night" experience that's way before parents' bedtime.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Elmo. What do you think has made him such a popular character? What's it like to watch him interact with human celebrities in The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo?
Elmo's parents are kind and supportive of his talk show dreams. Talk about what it means to support someone in their hobbies or interests. What are some things you like to do before going to bed?
What kinds of questions would you ask your favorite celebrity? What makes an interesting question?
TV details
- Premiere date: June 27, 2020
- Cast: Ryan Dillon
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Kids Musical TV
- Character strengths: Communication, Curiosity, Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: June 14, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love Elmo
Character Strengths
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch