Ernie and the Boogie-Woogie Sheep.
The Boogie-Woogie Sheep are a flock of sheep called upon in the Sesame Street song "Dance Myself to Sleep." As originally performed by Ernie, he brings them into the bedroom to tap dance along with him as he attempts to cure his insomnia through dance. To Bert's dismay, the routine ends with the sheep lifting Bert's bed up and out of the apartment for no apparent reason.
The sheep are essential to the song, appearing in the subsequent performances of the song. In Muppet form, the sheep (joined by a fifth lamb) accompany Michael Jeter for his version. Rather than escorting his roommate from the bedroom, the sheep instead start to hum before hopping in bed with Jeter. Newer puppet versions were created for the stage show Bert & Ernie, Goodnight! In the animated version of the song by Sally Cruikshank, the sheep are reenvisioned as leggy female dancers. Full-costume versions also appeared for the song's performance in Sesame Street Live's Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out.
In a non-song capacity, Ernie calls upon their services again in Episode 4276, where they attempt to lull him and Bert to sleep with a lively, jazzy dance.
