Episode 2122

Sesame Street
Adoption of Miles, part 1
Air date	December 24, 1985
Season	Season 17 (1985-1986)
Written by	Judy Freudberg
Production October 17, 1985 Sponsors B, K, 5 Syndication Sesame Street Unpaved

Background

In 1985, Sesame Street tackled the issue of adoption when they introduced the character of Miles, son of Gordon and Susan. Roscoe Orman originally suggested that Gordon and Susan have a child when he first joined the show in 1974. At the time, the producers felt that it was too complicated to cast a baby to play the part. Ten years later, when Orman's son Miles was a year old, he revisited the idea. Orman remembers, "Caroll Spinney offhandedly said one day, 'That son of yours is so cute -- he's such a great kid -- we should bring him on the show and let him be your son.' I said that I had suggested something like that years ago but it was shot down. And he said, 'Well, you know, you could even adopt him.' That really started my wheels turning and I mentioned it to [Executive Producer] Dulcy Singer."

The producers were intrigued by the adoption angle, and cast Miles in the role. "The idea is that he'll grow up on the show -- for as long as he wants to," Roscoe Orman said in 1986. The adoption of Miles was shown in a four-part story arc that started in this episode and continued through 2123, 2124, and 2125. The events of Miles' adoption were also presented in the 1986 book Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby.

Segments

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	Big Bird and Snuffy declare today as "Best Friends Day," and plan to celebrate together with a picnic in the park; Snuffy had even brought his baseball mitt to play catch. Big Bird is eager to get started, but Snuffy reminds him to first pick up their lunch (birdseed and spaghetti) at Hooper's Store.
	Cartoon	Small letter b (ball/bat) (First: Episode 1131)
	Muppets	Ernie doesn't want to play with Bert, who sings "I Wish I Had a Friend to Play With Me." (First: Episode 1819)
	Cartoon	The Ringmaster #5: Five fantastic floating fools fall from the big blue blimp. (First: Episode 1310) cut from the Noggin version
	Song	Joe Raposo sings "There's a Bird On Me". (First: Episode 0416)
	Muppets	The Count's main jumping-over-the-bed flock of sheep quits on him, so he calls the "24 Hour Emergency Counting Service". A reluctant deliveryman in sheep's clothing laments, "It's not an easy way to make a livin' ..."
	Cartoon	The Pink Panther Karate-Chops the Letter 'K'. (First: Episode 0241) cut from the Noggin version
	Film	Alone Song (First: Episode 0921) cut from the Noggin version
	Muppets	"Home to Me" (First: Episode 2093)
	Song	"I'm Not a Baby Anymore" (First: Episode 0652)
	SCENE 2	David finishes packing a picnic basket for Big Bird as Snuffy patiently waits at Big Bird's nest. On the way back to the nest, Big Bird observes Susan, Gordon, and Olivia outside 123 Sesame Street getting ready to prepare their apartment for an arrival with items such as toys, a crib kit, and a stroller. He finds out it's for their new baby, Miles, whom Gordon explains they will be adopting tomorrow. Big Bird is reminded what adopting a child means, and is so excited by the news he volunteers to help out. He sets the picnic basket outside and hurries into the brownstone.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Snuffy continues to wait for Big Bird before deciding to go out and find him. He spots the picnic basket (with one of Big Bird's yellow feathers on it) and panics, thinking his best friend has disappeared. Big Bird pops out from Gordon's window and tells him that he has to help them get ready for when Miles arrives. Snuffy, not knowing who Miles is, gets the impression that Big Bird has a new best friend and doesn't need him anymore. Upset, Snuffy declares that he'll get a new best friend and kicks the picnic basket in frustration.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Inside the apartment, Gordon explains to Big Bird the process of building a new crib. Doubtful that the pieces on the floor will make a crib, Big Bird initially jokes that maybe they should bring The Amazing Mumford for help, but helps Gordon anyway when he shows how the pieces will match the instructions when put together.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Feeling dejected, Snuffy finds Hoots the Owl asleep on Big Bird's doors and wakes him up, inviting him to come to the park. However, it's too early for Hoots, who suggests they go tonight (which Snuffy, however, thinks would be too late by then). As Hoots goes back to sleep, Snuffy sighs, "Maybe I can be his best friend when I'm older..." cut from the Noggin version
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Back in the apartment, everyone takes a look at the new crib... which hardly looks anything like the one in the picture. Gordon is about to take it apart and start over, but Olivia hastily stops him, gleefully wanting to capture this moment. "One day, we're all gonna look back on this and laugh," she reassures him. cut from the Noggin version
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Snuffy knocks on Oscar's trash can and meets with Fluffy, one of Oscar's pet elephants. Fluffy isn't allowed to leave Oscar's can alone, so they both decide to play a game of catch inside the trash can! Snuffy starts to make his way in...
	SCENE 2 cont'd	While Gordon reassembles the crib, he suggests Olivia show Big Bird a picture of Miles. She retrieves Miles' baby book, and explains that the rest of the book is blank because they'll be filling it out as Miles grows up. Gordon finishes the crib a second time as Susan goes to get her own baby book. Olivia is about to take a picture of the finished crib when it suddenly falls apart, causing her to burst into laughter.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Oscar and Bob hear Snuffy and Fluffy playing catch in Oscar's trash can. Bob is skeptical as always, but Oscar convinces him to take a look for himself. Familiar with Oscar's tricks, Bob is having none of it and expects that he'll get a squirt of water in the face instead. The two listen as Snuffy and Fluffy wreck the interior of the can, much to Oscar's pleasure. Bob's squirting water theory is proven right as he ducks out of the way when the ball lands in Oscar's swimming pool. He rubs this in Oscar's face, confirming he'll have no chance of getting squirted now... which is exactly what he gets as he mistakenly gloats this to Fluffy and Snuffy.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	After Susan shows Big Bird a couple of pictures from her baby book, Gordon finally gets Miles' new crib properly built. Olivia is about to take a picture of him with it again, but she realizes that her camera is out of film. "You lost the moment!" Gordon complains when Olivia runs out for more.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Back outside, Oscar tells Snuffy that he can play with Fluffy any time he wants. Snuffy then observes everyone bringing gifts for Miles and gets upset again, wondering why Miles is so popular all of a sudden. Maria then fills him in on the situation, and explains that Big Bird will still be his best friend even when he gets a new friend like Miles. Snuffy understands, but is still disappointed about Big Bird's sudden change of plans. Big Bird overhears the conversation as he's since relocated back to his nest; he comes out and apologizes to Snuffy. The two have a heart-to-heart talk and Snuffy forgives him, confirming they're still best friends. They decide to go to the park another day, and even think about bringing Miles along.
	Cartoon	Geometry of Circles #3 "Six Colored Circles" (First: Episode 1395) cut from the Noggin version
	Muppets	The Two-Headed Monster finds a newspaper. (First: Episode 2097)
	Cartoon	Five butterflies Artist: Owe Gustafson (First: Episode 1471) cut from the Noggin version
	Film	Sounds Around the House v2: chimes, snoring, a boy pretending to be an airplane, a man playing a trumpet, and a motorcycle outside. (First: Episode 1713)
	Muppets	Grover the Waiter at La Casa de Comidas (First: Episode 1793)
	Celebrity	John Moschitta, Jr. has a baby who has a name beginning with every letter of the alphabet. (First: Episode 2048)
	Cartoon	B for Beard (poem by Edward Lear) Artist: Jeff Hale (First: Episode 1147)
	Muppets	Kermit sings "The Frogs in the Glen." (First: Episode 1786)
	Cartoon	It's a whale Artist: Ishu Patel (First: Episode 1684)
	Film	A boy compares the growth of the sunflowers to his own height. Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0589)
	Cartoon	An owl and a bluebird work out a compromise. (First: Episode 1493)
	SCENE 3	Big Bird and Snuffy celebrate "Best Friends Night" with a sleepover instead. Hoots returns to take up Snuffy's offer to go to the park, but is informed it's now too late for Snuffy to go. Instead, Hoots keeps them company by playing a jazz lullaby on his saxophone. On the other side of 123, Gordon and Susan have a little trouble going to sleep as they look forward to adopting Miles tomorrow. "WHOOPEEE!!" squeals Gordon as the two embrace. Bob announces the sponsors. The story of Miles' adoption continues in Episode 2123.

Notes

• The story of Miles' adoption is often cited as one of the landmark moments for the series, along with the death of Mr. Hooper, Maria and Luis's wedding, and Gabi's birth. As such it was included as one of the few historical moments visited by Grover and Elmo in the anniversary special The Street We Live On.

• Over 20 years later, in 2006, Sesame Street revisited the issue of adoption with the addition of Marco, the son of Gina. The story of Marco's adoption was addressed in episodes 4130, 4131, and 4132.

• A portion of scene 2 appears on Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting.

Gallery

Sources

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