Episode 3217

Sesame Street
Biff has a bowling ball stuck on his hand
Air date	March 15, 1994
Season	Season 25 (1993-1994)
Written by	Tony Geiss
Production December 17, 1993 Sponsors H, V, 2

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	Biff strolls into Hooper's Store for lunch, when Telly and Mr. Handford see he's got a bowling ball on the thumb of his left hand. Biff explains that it's stuck, but oddly doesn't want it removed, claiming he's happy like that. Telly points out he can't do anything with it stuck on him, but Biff counters. He tries scratching his nose, but instead bonks himself to the floor.
	Film	Balloons are popped in front of kids' faces, demonstrating surprise. (First: Episode 2923)
	Animation	Several cards form an H. (First: Episode 3139)
	Muppets	Spaceship Surprise: The Next Generation The crew lands on Planet H. They are greeted by Hopalong Hamster, and see Happy Harry the Hopping Haystack and hula dancing hens. (First: Episode 3195)
	Film	A variety of H's are grown in a garden. (First: Episode 3016)
	Cartoon	A baby bird tries and tries again to fly from its nest. Artist: Don Duga and Irra Verbitsky (First: Episode 1510)
	SCENE 2	Biff (sporting a bandage on his nose) attempts to eat his lunch with the bowling ball, but finds he can't pick up his sandwich or milk with his stuck hand. Telly suggests a straw, which gives Biff a free hand - the one with the bowling ball. He demonstrates swatting a fly with it, knocking himself over again.
	Song	"Ookyook Song," a Joe Raposo song with the Alaskan words for all the things you need to put on when it's ukiuq (winter). (First: Episode 2360)
	Cartoon	The Typewriter: V for Vacuum (First: Episode 0774)
	Animation	Ornate Vs spin around as a song about them plays. (First: Episode 2942)
	Cartoon	Vitamins give vim, vigor and vitality to a droopy V Artist: John Hubley (First: Episode 0311)
	Muppets	"Home to Me" (First: Episode 2093)
	Film	A Puerto Rican family get-together includes cooking, playing soccer, and finally the big dinner. (First: Episode 3081)
	Cartoon	A cartoon shows a few Spanish words - which are also English words. Artist: Fred Garbers (First: Episode 3011)
	SCENE 3	In the yard, Biff starts an experiment - can he play the piano as well as he used to with a bowling ball on his hand? Biff plays along to a classical recording, producing a horrid sound and sending the keys flying everywhere. Telly, rattled, doesn't notice a difference in how he used to play. Biff considers the experiment a success and accidentally demolishes the piano; he suggests calling a piano tuner.
	Song	Holy cow, it's number 2! (First: Episode 3193)
	Cartoon	The Bellhop is told that there are two kids, Betty and Bobby Blobby, who are lost in the lobby, and he must help them find their parents. (First: Episode 2503)
	Film	The McDouble twins display pairs of things.
	Cartoon	The Great Inventor Series: Science Salutes the Men and Women Who Have Changed the Way We Live. Cartoon about the days when people tried drinking ice cream soda before straws were invented. Awful messes were made getting more of the refreshment on their clothes than in their bellies. Until one day an ice cream parlor janitor noticed that when people brought their leashed pet anteaters in to enjoy an ice cream soda, the floor was always sucked completely clean. Realizing that nature had solved the problem, the janitor invented artificial anteater noses that strapped on over people's mouths... which eventually evolved into the modern straw. Artist: Bruce Cayard (First: Episode 2595)
	SCENE 4	Biff's wife, Celeste, arrives home from work as a crossing guard, and also insists he get the bowling ball removed. She suggests calling Dr. Edwynn when Biff reveals he's afraid of the doctor. He asks for one good reason why he should have the procedure, and Celeste reminds him how much they love holding hands. They can't do it with a bowling ball in the way (it's not as romantic), and assures Biff that the procedure won't hurt. Mr. Handford makes the call, as Biff doesn't want to leave the safety of his lover's side.
	Film	Baby animals nurse. Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0546)
	Animation	Counting to 10 (Chinese imagery)
	Muppets	Ernie & Bert — Ernie keeps catching fish, and Bert doesn't, so Ernie tries moving to a different place on the boat, then not using bait, then just quitting. When Bert finally catches something, it is only a note that reads: "What happened to your friend?" (First: Episode 3199) In airings subsequent to this, the sketch is altered with new effects to simulate the boat rocking on the water.
	Animation	Cecille sings "Brushin' Down the Doggies." (First: Episode 2862)
	SCENE 5	Dr. Edwynn concludes the only way to remove the ball is a "bowlectomy." The procedure will need both him and Biff to cooperate. They pull in different directions until the ball is finally off! Everyone is happy he's freed, but Dr. Edwynn now has the ball stuck to his thumb. "Is there a doctor in the house?!" he cries.
	Cartoon	A mosquito bites a man and a dog, who agree to scratch each other's backs. Artist: ArtistMike
	Animation	A snail shell is uncovered in the sand. (First: Episode 2039)
	Muppets	Waiter Grover: In a miraculous feat for Mr. Johnson, Grover serves up a large bowl of spaghetti exactly to his liking. While Grover tends his other tables, he keeps bumping up behind Mr. Johnson and forcing his face into the meal. Grover solves the problem by moving the table away from him, so he can run in front of Mr. Johnson.
	Song	"Front Back Ballet" Artist: Jane Aaron (First: Episode 3016)
	Film	A group of kids pick apples in an orchard, and take them into the cider mill to make apple cider. (First: Episode 1585)
	Cartoon	A dog, a girl and a lizard dance to a bongo beat. Artist: Karen Aqua (First: Episode 2795)
	Muppets / Celebrity	Celia Cruz tells Big Bird about a hummingbird, and sings "Zunzun". (music added to intro) (First: Episode 2298)
	Song	"It's Time for a Rhyme" (First: Episode 3151)
	Cartoon	"Love" word animation (First: Episode 0926)
	SCENE 6	Free to hold hands once more, Biff and Celeste sing about how they feel when they hold hands together ("Holding Hands"). They then head off on a bowling date.
	Cartoon	I Love You, in American Sign Language Artist: Steve Finkin (First: Episode 1170)
	Film	City alphabet (Joe Raposo instrumental with kid voiceover) (First: Episode 0132)
	Cartoon	An owl and a bluebird work out a compromise. (First: Episode 1493)
	Animation	A girl dances her way into a family portrait. (First: Episode 3134)
	Cartoon	Mi kat iz ... gone (First: Episode 1967)
	SCENE 7	Back in Hooper's, Biff and Celeste finish some drinks. They are about to head back to Dr. Edwynn; following the bowling date, Celeste has a ball stuck on her thumb. Biff assures her the procedure won't hurt as they head out, and Mr. Handford announces the sponsors.

Notes

• This episode was later re-aired in Season 27 as Episode 3502.

• The original script differs in several ways compared to the final episode:
  • The premise was initially introduced in a cold open, where Telly meets Celeste (who is merely called "[his] lady friend") in a tiff with Biff over the bowling ball.
  • The first street scene would then have the couple, and Telly, in Hooper's, still debating. Biff insists that he feels proud and happy to be wearing the bowling ball on his finger, and insists he's not afraid of going to the doctor as some child would be. The kids Celeste is accompanying to school insist they are not scared as he claims. While gesturing, Biff accidentally conks Telly, who gets a bandage and helmet afterwards.
  • While trying to eat his sandwich, Biff tries getting it to stick to the bowling ball by smashing them together, which only results in flattening the sandwich. He also knocks over and spills his milk while attempting to grab it with the bowling ball hand. Here, Mr. Handford is the one to suggest using a straw.
  • For the piano experiment, Biff initially plays "Chopsticks" rather than "Piano Concerto No. 1." Rather than smashing the piano in twain here, Biff excitedly rushes to Hooper's to tell Mr. Handford and accidentally smashes the glass in the door trying to open it.
  • When Celeste returns from work, she is part of a small crowd to witness Biff demonstrate all he's practiced doing with a bowling ball on his hand. Dressed in a tuxedo, he now attempts to play "Piano Concerto No. 1" only to smash the piano a few bars in.
  • Biff and Celeste visit Dr. Edwynn's office, which is themed to bowling balls on thumbs; the waiting room is full of other patients in similar condition to Biff. Dr. Edwynn needs the cooperation of his nurses and other waiting patients to help pull Biff free.

Sources

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