Elmo learns what a paleontologist is in "Dinosaur the Musical"
Bert enjoying the paleontological exhibit in A Visit to the Sesame Street Museum
Become a paleontologist in your spare time at home! From the Dinosaurs episode "The Clip Show II"
Paleontologists are scientists who study prehistoric life, including fossils, a field termed paleontology. In contrast to archeology, which studies past human culture and skeletons, paleontologists focus on other forms of life. In popular culture, this usually boils down to dinosaurs. Much like archeologists, as their studies often seem to take place in desert digs and other arid climates, paleontologists are often portrayed wearing pith helmets or other "explorer"-style gear.
Paleontologists and the study of paleontology have periodically appeared in Muppet productions, increasing on Sesame Street as the curriculum has placed more emphasis on the sciences.
Paleontology productions[]
- Paleontology was the theme of the "Mondo Muppet" section in Muppet Magazine issue 16, including jokes, trivia, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew interviewing paleontologist Dr. Michael Novacek.
- Sesame Street episode 4314 focused heavily on paleontology, with Murray Monster (in stock paleontologist garb) introducing "paleontologist" as the Word of the Day. In the street story, paleontologist Grover shows up, inspiring Elmo and Rosita to enter the field (and sing "Paleontologist Calypso.") Amy Ryan also defines paleontologist, while Murray interviews a paleontologist who's a person in his neighborhood.
- While the street story was repeated as Episode 4928, new thematic segments were added, including Bert and Ernie as paleontologists in the cold open, a P for Paleontologist film, and an "Abby's Amazing Adventures" segment has Abby Cadabby and Rudy as paleontologists.
Individual paleontologists[]
- Danny, Dino Doc in the video Neat Stuff To Know & To Do
- Sir David Tushingham, in a more comedic take on the field, appeared in the Dinosaurs episodes "The Clip Show" and "The Clip Show II" (with the latter defining the hat as the primary mark of a paleontologist).
- Prior to assuming the role on Sesame Street, Grover as Professor Grover presented paleontology in All About Dinosaurs (in a more academic setting).
- Elmo takes on the role in issue #3 of the Sesame Street comic book, in the Elmo the Musical story "Dinosaur the Musical."
- Elmo played paleontologist again in Episode 4608, focusing more on the street residents in dinosaur costumes than actual digging and fossils.