Caroll Spinney's retirement party



On October 17, 2018, Caroll Spinney officially announced his retirement from performing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. The following day, Spinney recorded his last dialogue for the characters for an episode for the 50th season. Following the taping, the cast and crew moved next door to the Museum of the Moving Image for a private retirement party in Spinney's honor.

The party involved a live show, written primarily by Andrew Moriarty and adapted some material scripted by Craig Shemin for the Puppets for Puppetry event honoring Spinner earlier in the year.

The events of the evening were recounted by Matt Vogel with the cast and crew of Sesame Street on the season three premiere of "Below the Frame" on October 26.

Live show


The live show was hosted by Matt Vogel, who began the program dressed in a Birdketeer uniform and addressing the crowd to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary meeting to honor Caroll. Eric Jacobson appeared, dressed for a Grouchketeer meeting honoring Caroll as well. Martin P. Robinson then stepped out as Snuffketeer, pointing out that Caroll is an honorary member of his club as well.

Robinson then introduced Sesame Workshop C.E.O. Jeffery Dunn with a speech on Caroll's impact on the show. Dunn also read a letter written by Joan Ganz Cooney and present Caroll with a specially-made cuckoo clock depicting Big Bird and Oscar at 123 Sesame Street.

A What's My Line? parody followed, hosted by Guy Smiley. Blindfolded contestants Ernie, Cookie Monster and Count von Count tried to guess who their mystery celebrity was (Caroll, naturally). The sketch was then followed by clips of Caroll's own appearance on the program in 1972.

Emilio Delgado said a few words about Caroll and was then joined by Big Bird, Elmo and Abby Cadabby to sing Charlie Chaplin's "Smile."

Big Bird then recited a poem entitled "Caroll." Sonia Manzano come out, joined by Oscar the Grouch and Grundgetta, for a performance of "I Love Trash."

Martin P. Robinson came back out and delivered a message to Big Bird as Mr. Snuffleupagus, without the puppet and using a cup to help simulate the voice.

Alan Muraoka starred as Caroll in a sketch called "Great Moments in Spinney History," which walked through his entire career from Bozo's Big Top to meeting Jim Henson (an Anything Muppet performed by Eric Jabobson) and meeting his wife, Debra Spinney (also an Anything Muppet, played by Jennifer Barnhart).

Following a pre-taped message from Frank Oz, Pam Arciero, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Carmen Osbahr, Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Jennifer Barnhart performed a spoof of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" about Caroll.

The show ended with all the cast and Muppet performers with their Muppet characters performing "Sing."

Following the live show, a reception was held in the lobby of the MOMI, where a poser of Oscar was station of photo ops, as well as a specially made cake of Caroll created by Carlo's Bakery.