Episode 3804

Sesame Street
Big Bird gets "C is for Cookie" stuck in his head
Air date	December 31, 1998
Season	Season 30 (1998-1999)
Written by	Luis Santeiro
Production September 9, 1998 Sponsors 16, C

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	Big Bird welcomes the viewers. He tells that today, we're going to see numbers, the alphabet, and the letter of the day, which the viewer has to guess. It starts with what he's holding: a cookie. Cookie Monster pops up and answers the question, immediately eating the cookie afterwards, much to Big Bird's dismay. He then pops back down to start singing about his favorite letter.
	Muppets	Cookie Monster performs "C is for Cookie" (remake)
	SCENE 2	Big Bird sings the last line as he leaves his nest. He begins to reveal today's number of the day, but when two kids sing the song as they walk by him, he starts singing. He quickly returns to his train of thought and introduces the number, only to hear Oscar the Grouch start singing the song. Oscar pops out to rudely explain that he in fact was not singing. Big Bird wanders over to the Arbor and once again tries to introduce the number of the day, but suddenly would rather sing the song, as it's now stuck in his head! Maria notices and suggests a couple ways to stop, including watching the next segment. Cookie Monster appears and requests them to be quiet, as a "classic story" is coming up...
	Muppets	Monsterpiece Theater: The Old Man and the C — Old man Grover loves the sea. (First: Episode 2710)
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Watching the segment didn't solve the problem. He questions Maria if he'll ever get to introduce the number of the day, or even the alphabet, which instantly gives Maria an idea: reciting the alphabet. They try that, but when they reach C, it causes Big Bird to start singing again.
	Muppets	Muppet & Kid Moment — Kermit & Joey sing The Alphabet Song. (First: Episode 0426)
	Celebrity	6-year-old Joseph Marley records a song with his dad, Stephen. Footage is shown of the Marley family on tour, singing "Could You Be Loved." (First: Episode 3670)
	Animation	Lillian discusses the adjustments she had to make when her parents had a new baby. She ultimately appreciates her sister. Artist: Craig Bartlett (First: Episode 2746)
	SCENE 3	Back at the Fix-It Shop, Big Bird keeps singing the song, even when Maria suggests to relax and enjoy it. Telly and Rosita spot Big Bird and join his singing, but learn Big Bird wants to stop singing and introduce today's number. Maria then offers more advice: keep singing the song until you're sick of it. Big Bird, Telly, and Rosita together proceed to sing it over and over until they stop.
	Video	Ann Marie DeAngelo and Skeeter Rabbit do their dance routine. The frame freezes whenever the word STOP comes on. (First: Episode 2600)
	Cartoon	POP loves to BOP. Artist: Joey Ahlbum (First: Episode 3519)
	SCENE 4	Maria's advice doesn't do the trick either. While Telly and Rosita keep on singing, Luis and Miles enter, where Big Bird explains again how he wants to stop singing and introduce the number. Luis says that listening to a different type of music might work, such as opera...
	Muppets	Marilyn Horne sings an opera version of "C is for Cookie." (First: Episode 3189) Big Bird appears after the opening verse, satisfied. When Marilyn starts singing the refrain, he turns unhappy again.
	SCENE 4 cont'd	Big Bird grows frustrated again, and Luis apologizes for not realizing it was that kind of opera. Inspired by the last segment, Telly and Rosita start walking in a parade, wearing Egyptian garments and holding fans, and declaring themselves as "opera people." Miles thinks that pretending to be opera people might work. Having tried everything, Big Bird decides to join the parade.
	Film	A baby messes around (literally) with a chocolate cookie, as Cookie Monster (in voice-over) wishes it were for him. (First: Episode 0407)
	Cartoon	Orville the mouse (voice of Joey Mazzarino) feels proud of his new job as a lab rat for Dr. Igor. His job is to find a piece of cheese at the end of a maze, which proves to be difficult. Artist: ArtistMike (First: Episode 3655)
	SCENE 5	The parade walks down the street, singing the song. They pass by Oscar, annoyed at first, but then discovers he likes being annoyed. He fails to call them back in time.
	Film	"C" for Circle (First: Episode 3313)
	Cartoon	A fan reveals the letter C. (First: Episode 2746)
	SCENE 6	Several kids (and even a Muppet letter "C," performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo) join the parade. Big Bird begins to enjoy what he's doing, even when he can't stop singing!
	Cartoon	An elephant, a zebra, a hedgehog, an ostrich, a frog and a ladybug create a rhythm with their footsteps. Artist: Karen Aqua (First: Episode 2794)
	Film	Xiao-Mei from northern China describes a festival at the end of every year that her family participates in. Each day of the festival, there is a new show to watch, a series of parades and lots of food like noodles and dumplings. Women prepare floats for the parade while men dress up as river animals. Xiao-Mei's favorite part or the festival is the lion dance. Xiao-Mei also demonstrates how she can walk on stilts which are strapped to her legs, and hopes someday to dance in the big parade. (First: Episode 3266)
	SCENE 7	The parade walks by Oscar's trash can, attracting both Oscar and Susan, intrigued at what's going on. Oscar just comments at how annoying they there. The parade rounds the corner, where Big Bird tells the viewers he still doesn't feel like stopping!
	Animation	Luxo Sr. examines a box. Luxo Jr. pops out of the box, demonstrating "surprise." (First: Episode 2851)
	Muppets	Ernie's Show and Tell Ernie visits his friend Zachary, who plays the trumpet. He explains how practicing is important to play an instrument well.
	Cartoon	Beginning / middle / end: a beatnik follows a trombonist's note through a long horn. Artist: Frank Gresham (First: Episode 3266)
	SCENE 8	Luis and Maria are still at the Fix-It shop, when they notice the parade has gotten bigger. Big Bird stops next to them as the parade continues marching. He tells them he's starting to get tired of hearing the song again, and just wants to reveal today's number. Maria ultimately decides to force Big Bird to listen to her, and ignore the parade. After she tells him that today's number is 16, Big Bird tries to repeat her sentence enough times. It works! He heads off to watch the parade, now free of the song in his head.
	Animation	Masked March #16 (First: Episode 3372)
	Cartoon	The Bellhop must take Mrs. Stein's bags to floor 16. (First: Episode 2496)
	Film	Wegman's dogs make their own peanut butter and jelly. (First: Episode 3749)
	SCENE 9	Big Bird returns to the Fix-It Shop to report a problem — now, Telly and Rosita can't get the song out of their head. Maria has just one resolution: she sings the song. Rosita admits how catchy it is, and Telly asks why they should stop. Big Bird says it's good enough for him! They all join in singing the song again.
	Muppets	Elmo's World: Dancing (First: Episode 3801)
	SCENE 10	The four continue singing as they move to the Arbor. Maria announces the sponsors, where the "C" from the parade appears. Cookie Monster joins the fun by marching across the screen to his signature song.

Alterations

Picture	Segment	Description
	Film	Wegman's dogs: Old Mother Hubbard (First: Episode 3488) This segment replaced the Wegman sketch during summer reruns.
	Muppets	Elmo's World: Music (First: Episode 3824) This segment replaced Elmo's World: Dancing during summer reruns.

Notes

• This is one of the few newer episodes in which Frank Oz performs in the street story. He performs Cookie Monster (albeit through prerecorded vocals only) in his few, brief cameos.

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