Episode 2746

Sesame Street
Grouch Appreciation Day
Air date	November 12, 1990 (season premiere)
Season	Season 22 (1990-1991)
Sponsors C, T, 10

Template:Paley-list

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	While reading the newspaper, Telly calls out all the adults to alert them that today's "Grouch Appreciation Day" and that they need a way to show Oscar how much they appreciate him. Though they are hesitant at first, they decide to throw him a party. Oscar pops from his trash can (not knowing their plans) and asserts he doesn't want anything on Grouch Appreciation Day. Everyone scoffs as they head their separate ways, though Oscar is still suspicious.
	Animation	Cecille sings “Up Down, In Out, Over and Under.”
	Film	Fay Ray gets on and off a rug.
	Cartoon	A fan reveals the letter C.
	SCENE 2	Gina, Maria and Telly are preparing Oscar's favorite dish - a halibut with ice cream, served in a hat. Oscar shows up and they all try hide the items by using them (along with Maria's apple) in an impromptu game of "Three of These Things." Oscar's still sure they're up to something.
	Muppets	Cookie Monster sings "Healthy Food." (EKA: Episode 2390)
	Cartoon	The Bellhop must take 10 terriers for a walk. (EKA: Episode 2624)
	SCENE 3	The Count counts the dents in Oscar's Sloppy Jalopy, when Oscar throws his luggage into it, planning to leave. Gina and Mike try to convince him to stay, but Oscar won't have it. Unfortunately, the car won't start and Susan's "too busy" to fix it. The Count continues to count Oscar's failed attempts to start the car. "I don't know what Grouch Appreciation Day is either, but I love it!"
	Song	14 Karat Soul sings about what's "Down Below the Street." (EKA: Episode 2674)
	Cartoon	C for Cat Artist: Bud Luckey (EKA: Episode 1141)
	Muppets / Celebrity	Elmo thinks that Whoopi Goldberg's skin is a very pretty brown. Whoopi likes Elmo's soft red fur. Elmo admires Whoopi's bouncy hair, too. Elmo suggests that they trade, but Whoopi says that they can't -- it doesn't come off. But even if she could trade, she wouldn't want to. She likes her skin and her hair, and she wants to keep it. Elmo says that he wants to keep his fur, too.
File:Pinball.10.jpg	Cartoon	Pinball #10 (opening shot removed) Artist: Jeff Hale (EKA: Episode 1246)
	SCENE 4	Oscar continues to tell Maria and Luis to not throw him a party and they assure him they won't be. They tell him to go rest, any place but Big Bird's nest. Oscar figures this is where the party must be and has Bruno carry him there, figuring this way he can at least spoil the surprise (if not stop the party). He peeks over the doors and is shocked to see no one there.
	SCENE 4 cont'd	As Bruno carries him down the street, Oscar is visibly hurt and sad no one appreciates him. He tries convincing himself he's okay and doesn't need appreciating, when suddenly, everyone comes out from 123 Sesame Street in their finest party outfits and surprises him.
	Song	Joe Raposo sings "Somebody Come and Play." Snow leopards version (EKA: Episode 2638)
	Muppets	Ernie & Bert — Ernie and Bert explore an Egyptian pyramid. Bert is excited, but Ernie is afraid. They see statues that look like them. Bert decides to explore a tunnel while Ernie looks at the statues, and then the Ernie statue starts tapping and talking to Ernie. But when Ernie calls Bert back to the room, the statue doesn't move. Ernie is scared until the statue starts singing Rubber Duckie with him. Bert doesn't believe Ernie, until he says "Bye-bye, statue," and the statue replies "Bye-bye!" and laughs... just like Ernie. (EKA: Episode 1706)
	Cartoon	Lillian discusses the adjustments she has had to make as a big sister. She ultimately appreciates her little sister. Artist: Craig Bartlett
	SCENE 5	The Arbor is now set up banquet-style, where everyone is gathered at dinner tables. Telly and the Grouchketeers lead everyone in a cheer for their favorite Grouch. Oscar tries to hide how pleased he is, but everyone can tell he's enjoying himself. Maria points out he hasn't even touched his favorite dish, but Oscar points out it's not for eating - he slops the hat's contents on Maria's lap and "wears the leftovers."
	SCENE 5 cont'd	Emcee Gordon introduces the first after-dinner speaker - Simon Soundman, who demonstrates the kinds of annoying sounds he and Oscar both like. Everyone else provides Oscar with a sound he'd like - a raspberry they all blow toward him.
	Cartoon	Gordon's Voiceover 'T/t': Two caterpillars form T and t. (EKA: Episode 2269)
	Film	A blind class goes on a field trip to the park, using their other senses to experience their surroundings. The teacher sings "If You're Happy and You Know It." (EKA: Episode 2589)
	SCENE 6	The next speaker is the Two-Headed Monster, who read their poem "Ode to a Grouch," which no one can understand.
	Cartoon	Dinah from South Carolina exchanges letters with her friend Ling Lu in China. Artist: ArtistMike (EKA: Episode 2727)
	Muppets	Monsterpiece Theater: "Gone With the Wind" (EKA: Episode 2393)
	Song	"Elbows and Knees" (EKA: Episode 2641)
	SCENE 7	Up next is Preston Rabbit, who will present him with a special present. But, what do you get the Grouch who has everything? Preston recalls asking Oscar for the time once, and was told "no." So, they present him with a shiny, new watch. Bob winds it and it immediately comes apart.
	Cartoon	"Water Conservation": Frank the fish calls Carl and tells him not to leave the water running while brushing his teeth, otherwise the lake will be dry. Artist: Peter Chung
	Film	A girl narrates a film of herself taking care of her horse, Strawberry. (EKA: Episode 2641)
	Cartoon	T for treasure (Jim Thurman VO) (EKA: Episode 2140)
	SCENE 8	As the festivities draw to a close, Gordon makes a speech about Oscar and how they feel about him. Gordon points out that he brings out the little bit of Grouch in everybody. Together, they all sing a ballad to him - "You're Our Grouch (and We're Stuck with You)".
	SCENE 8 cont'd	It's Oscar's turn for a speech and he almost thanks Telly for the party (who has a noticeable tear running down his face), but instead yells at him for throwing it in the first place. Gordon announces the sponsors.

Notes

• This episode was taped on September 27, 1990 and was written by John Weidman.

Previous episode:	Next episode:
Episode 2745	Episode 2747