| Sesame Street | |||||||||||||
| Birdwatchers watch Big Bird | |||||||||||||
| Air date | November 23, 1981 (season premiere) | ||||||||||||
| Season | Season 13 (1981-1982) | ||||||||||||
| Written by | Tony Geiss | ||||||||||||
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| Picture | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
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SCENE 1 | Maria is sprucing up the Fix-it Shop awning when she encounters two odd individuals: Madeline and Cedrick. They are birdwatchers, and have arrived on Sesame Street after being informed of a large, yellow bird that lives there. Maria confirms this and leads them to his nest, taking her ladder along so they can get a better look. |
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SCENE 1 cont'd | Madeline perches upon the ladder and surveys Big Bird through her binoculars over the construction doors. She notes how he's waking up from his slumber and what he looks like, all while Cedrick furiously scribbles the information down. Maria notes to the viewer that they must not have seen such a bird as him before, and Madeline is shocked when she sees Big Bird pouring birdseed into a bowl: "That bird just made his own breakfast!" she quietly declares. The bird's morning game of jacks also surprises them. |
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SCENE 1 cont'd | The birdwatchers want to take a picture, but wonder how they'll approach Big Bird. Maria matter-of-factly trots up to the front door and loudly knocks on it, calling for her friend. Big Bird pokes his head over and wonders which side of his beak is more photogenic, while Madeline and Cedrick try to process the fact that Big Bird can also talk. "Doesn't everyone?" the bird inquires. |
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Film | Joe Raposo sings "Dressed Up." (First: Episode 0302) |
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Cartoon | "Pinball Number Count" (#12) Artist: Jeff Hale (First: Episode 0985) |
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Muppets | Grover teaches the campers at Camp Wannagohoma about trees. (First: Episode 1486) |
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Cartoon / Film | Things that begin with N: nail, nest, net, notebook, needle, noodle, nuts, napkins, nose. (Don't make noise at night). The letter N is nice. (First: Episode 0659) |
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Cast | Finger Theater: Linda's fingers act out a story. (First: Episode 1517) |
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Film | "I'm Your Friend," with film of kids playing. (First: Episode 1341) |
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Muppets | Two-Headed Monster: One head wants to play the trumpet, but the other head wants to sleep. (First: Episode 1390) |
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SCENE 2 | The birdwatchers continue their observations: Cedrick leaves to investigate a parrot he's spotted in the Fix-It Shop, while Madeline watches Big Bird counting to 20 during a game of hide-and-seek with the kids. She marvels at Big Bird's counting abilities, while Big Bird is more interested in his game. Since she's out in the open, Big Bird declares Madeline to be "it" and starts a new game with everybody, this time with Madeline participating. |
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Cartoon | Peacock with twenty feathers. (First: Episode 0406) |
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Cartoon | Animated quilt patterns. (First: Episode 1470) |
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Muppets / Celebrity | Cab Calloway and the Count sing "I Want to Count." (First: Episode 1545) cut from the DVD version cut from the HBO version (see below). |
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Animation | A stop-motion-animated train runs out of track. (First: Episode 1447) |
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Muppets | Ernie & Bert — Ernie gets Bert to participate in a rhyme game, but ends the game just as Bert is starting to enjoy it. (First: Episode 0798) |
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SCENE 3 | Madeline clunkily follows Big Bird as they both roller skate. They take a break in the yard, where Big Bird admits that he's growing weary of being watched and introduces her to the "Canary Brothers" (Zeppo, Gummo, Curly, and Moe). Big Bird brags about their singing, and Madeline sings "Brown Bird in the Cherry Tree" while Big Bird and the Canary Brothers chirp along. This scene was released on 40 Years of Sunny Days. |
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Film | Joe Raposo: Road Runner (instrumental) (First: Episode 0505) cut from the Noggin version |
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Cartoon | The Alphabet Song (country, gospel, Mexican) Artist: Paul Fierlinger cut from the Noggin version |
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Muppets | The Twiddlebugs attempt to exit a roller skating rink. (First: Episode 1468) |
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Cartoon | "The Little Letter L: A Poem by Louise" Artist: Bruce Cayard (First: Episode 1526) |
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Insert | The Count counts five children as they rearrange their positions. (First: Episode 1439) |
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Cartoon | Geometry of Circles #2 "Seven Circles with Designs" (First: Episode 1394) |
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SCENE 4 | Maria, Gordon, and Mr. Hooper watch while Madeline uses the Hooper's Store payphone and calls Mr. McNulty of the Bird Department in Washington, D.C.. She wants to know if Big Bird's species is considered endangered, and the others help explain what an endangered species is. Big Bird is able to get in on Madeline's call, and Mr. McNulty confirms that Big Bird can be considered endangered based on his abilities to be the only known eight-foot yellow bird that can roller skate, count to twenty, make his own breakfast, and say the alphabet. Madeline places an "endangered species" sign around Big Bird's neck, but the others are chagrined when Madeline announces that Big Bird must be removed from Sesame Street so he can live in a more protective environment. |
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Film | An osprey flies around. Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0293) cut from the Noggin version |
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Muppets | Honkers attempt to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on their noses. Part 1. (First: Episode 1561) |
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Cartoon | "Ladybugs' Picnic" (First: Episode 0416) |
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Muppets | Honkers attempt to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on their noses. Part 2. (First: Episode 1521) |
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Cartoon | "L" for "Large" and "l" for "little" Artist: Tom Gabbay (First: Episode 1455) |
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Muppets | Honkers attempt to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on their noses. Part 3. (First: Episode 1463) |
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Film | Saxophone factory. (First: Episode 1446) |
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Muppets | Muppet & Kid Moment — Herry Monster and John-John on up and down. (First: Episode 0565) |
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SCENE 5 | Madeline takes Big Bird to the Windy Hill bird sanctuary in the country, where he observes the many different kinds of birds and birdhouses. He admires one of the smaller houses ("It's puce," Madeline notes), but it's much too small for him to live in. The bigger house can only contain his beak while a larger house nearby seems more fitting, but it's already occupied by a cranky toucan (Brian Muehl) and its family. Madeline suggests he instead try roosting up in one of the trees, but Big Bird ends up crashing down when trying to climb it. Madeline informs him that they can build a house to suit his needs, but when Big Bird describes his desired home to be exactly like Sesame Street, Madeline sees just how homesick he's become. Madeline realizes that Sesame Street is his natural habitat, and agrees to take him back home. |
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Film | Footage of various bird species including hens, flamingos, pigeons, owls, ostriches, cockatoos, and others. Music: (piano and whistling) Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0019) cut from the Noggin version |
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Cartoon | A bird lays ten eggs. Artist: Tom Gabbay |
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Muppets | Muppet & Kid Moment — Ernie and Jason look in a mirror. (First: Episode 1553) |
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Cartoon | "Lowercase n" (First: Episode 0358) |
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Muppets | Monsterpiece Theater: Me, Claudius — Some monsters fight over which of them is Claudius. (First: Episode 1448) |
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SCENE 6 | Big Bird has returned to Sesame Street, where Madeline has applied an "Endangered Species: Handle with Care" sign to Big Bird's door. Maria and Gordon promise to take care of him, and Madeline reiterates how he's the only bird like him. Madeline and Cedrick are stunned when Big Bird informs them that he has a whole family of birds a lot like him, and even more stunned to glimpse his visiting Uncle Slim from Wyoming (identical in appearance to Big Bird, but with a cowboy hat, vest, and mustache) across the street. "Yet another biggie!" exclaims Cedrick and he and Madeline quickly try to catch up with Mr. Bird. The others bid them goodbye as Mr. Hooper announces the sponsors (N for "nightingale," L for "lark," and 12). |
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CLOSING SIGNS | Linda holds the Sesame Street sign, while Luis holds the CTW sign. |
Alterations[]
| Picture | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Muppets | "Honk Around the Clock" (First: Episode 1631) This insert replaces "I Want to Count" on the Old School: Volume 3 DVD release and HBO releases of this episode. |
Guest cast[]
- Madeline Kahn as Madeline
- Richard Hunt as Cedrick
- James Harder as Mr. McNulty
- The Kids: Matthew Schwartz, Jennifer Orjelick, Eric Mendeloff, Ailene McGuirk
Notes[]
- The street plot was directly adapted for a 1985 episode of Rechov Sumsum, where a pair of animal watchers discover Kippi Ben Kippod.
- The Old School: Volume 3 DVD release of this episode omits the opening theme song. This cut of the episode, with an added credit sequence from Episode 1580, has been released on HBO Kids and HBO Max.
Gallery[]
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