| Sesame Street | |||||||||
| Big Bird sits on the steps all day | |||||||||
| Air date | February 16, 1999 | ||||||||
| Season | Season 30 (1998-1999) | ||||||||
| Written by | Christine Ferraro | ||||||||
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| Picture | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
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SCENE 1 | Big Bird greets the viewer and also takes the time to say hello to the things around him on Sesame Street, like the mailbox and tree. He points out his favorite part of the street - the stoop of 123 Sesame Street. He claims one can just watch the whole world go by sitting on the steps and resolves to do so all day, hoping someone might join him. |
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Cartoon | A little girl shows the building and apartment where she lives -- both with the number 6. (First: Episode 0783) |
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Muppets | Monsterpiece Theater: 39 Stairs — Grover climbs 39 stairs to see what is at the top. (First: Episode 2342) |
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Film | A mom takes her son for a walk in the stroller, and he sees all he can see. (First: Episode 3656) cut from the Noggin version |
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SCENE 2 | Big Bird tries to find someone to join him on the steps, but everyone else is occupied. Maria is going on a walk with a couple of kids, Humphrey is taking Natasha for a stroll in her carriage, and Linda takes a walk with (and is occasionally pulled by) Barkley. |
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Muppets | Mac TV host Old MacDonald introduces the newest music video, "A New Way to Walk" performed by The Oinker Sisters. (First: Episode 2268) |
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SCENE 3 | Baby Bear comes by singing the previous song to himself, having devised his own new way of walking - with a rolling cart for his porridge. That way, Goldilocks won't eat it while he's out waiting for it to cool. Big Bird recommends he join him on the steps, but just when he is about to, Baby Bear deems his porridge just right and eats it all. He leaves, needing to walk off the weight from his meal. |
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Muppets | Ernie and Bert: Alone in the park with no one to play with, Ernie sings "Somebody Come and Play" with Rubber Duckie. cut from the Noggin version |
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Cartoon | Campers don't want to play ring toss with Zork, until their counselor reminds them about being judgmental. (First: Episode 2761) cut from the Noggin version |
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Muppets | Sesame Street Goes to Day Care: Telly and a boy named Andrew play a guessing game. |
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Cartoon | Jazzy alphabet around a city (First: Episode 3267) |
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SCENE 4 | Miles and Gabi join Big Bird on the stairs, and the three of them pretend to be flying planes until Miles and Gabi have to go, leaving Big Bird to sit alone again. |
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Song | "I'm a Little Airplane," with film of kids pretending to be airplanes. (First: Episode 3266) |
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Cartoon | Autumn leaves form a capital "N" and lowercase "n" (First: Episode 3114) |
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Celebrity | Maya Angelou and Natasha talk about N-words. |
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Cartoon | N / n paper fold (First: Episode 3115) |
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Film | Kids narrate footage of toddlers learning to walk. (First: Episode 3025) cut from the Noggin version |
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SCENE 5 | Luis can't sit with Big Bird because he has to go fix Mrs. Greenblatt's garbage disposal. Tarah rolls by and explains to Big Bird that her wheelchair prevents her from using the stairs, but there's a ramp in the back she can use. She can't sit with Big Bird either, as she has an appointment to race with her friends. |
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Song | "2, 2, 2, Me and You." (First: Episode 3690) cut from the Noggin version |
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Animation | Egyptian #2 (First: Episode 3291) cut from the Noggin version |
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Cartoon | Astronauts form a 2 in space. (First: Episode 3713) |
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SCENE 6 | Big Bird explains his lonely sitting problem to Gordon, who joins him in singing "If These Steps Could Talk." Hearing the song, the residents of Sesame Street gather around, including Susan, Maria, Luis, Gabi, Miles, Linda, Barkley, Rosita, Baby Bear, Grover, Tarah, and the kids. Big Bird is struck with an inspiration, and goes to his nest to get someone he knows will sit with him as long as he wants - his teddy bear Radar! |
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Animation | Finding N's on a computer screen (First: Episode 3039) |
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Film | Alphaboy: Nibbling Noodles with Neighbor Nora (First: Episode 3465) |
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Cartoon | N is for nose. (new music and sound effects added) (First: Episode 1173) |
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Film | Wegman's dogs cook popcorn in three different ways. (First: Episode 3726) cut from the Noggin version |
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SCENE 7 | Big Bird returns from his nest with Radar, but when he arrives at the steps, he finds all his friends now sitting there! They realize how much the steps mean to them, even though sometimes they're too busy to notice. Big Bird is grateful, and they make room for him to sit in the middle of the big group. |
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Muppets | Elmo's World: Books (First: Episode 3817) |
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SCENE 8 | Gordon, Susan, Big Bird, and Maria announce the sponsors and sign off, with everyone still seated together at 123 Sesame Street. |
Notes[]
- "If These Steps Could Talk" features brief flashback clips from episodes 3656, 3430, and 3578.
- This episode is the first aired with Eric Jacobson performing Grover briefly during the opening, delivering a "Woo-hoo!" as he watches some skateboarding kids pass by.
- Additional performers include Stephanie D'Abruzzo (chicken).
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