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Sesame Street, Special facts for kids

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Sesame Street, Special
Written by Norman Stiles
Directed by Jon Stone
Theme music composer
  • Joe Raposo
  • Jon Stone
  • Bruce Hart
Opening theme "Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?"
Ending theme "Put Down The Duckie"
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Dulcy Singer
Running time 47 minutes
Production company(s) Children's Television Workshop
Distributor Children's Television Workshop
Release
Original network PBS
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
Audio format Mono
Original release March 5, 1988 (1988-03-05)
Chronology
Followed by Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake

Sesame Street, Special was a TV show special based on the famous children's series, Sesame Street. It first aired on PBS TV channels in March 1988. This special was part of a fundraiser to help PBS get money to keep showing great programs.

Later, in 1994, the special was released on VHS home video by Random House. For this release, the title was changed to Put Down the Duckie. They also removed the parts where they asked for donations.

What Happens in the Special

The special kicks off with the famous group Gladys Knight & the Pips singing the Sesame Street theme song. TV host Phil Donahue then talks about how Sesame Street is a place where everyone gets along.

However, Oscar the Grouch and his grouchy friends don't agree! They think there's too much cooperation and not enough trash or arguing. Maria explains that the street has just the right mix of everything. Count von Count also chimes in, saying it's not perfect because there isn't enough counting!

Ernie's Rubber Duckie wants to "squeak" something, and everyone lets him. Other characters like a Dinger, a duck, and a Honker also want to share their thoughts. Linda uses sign language to show that everyone on Sesame Street really loves kids. The Count agrees but still wishes for more counting. Phil Donahue, the Count, and the grouches then leave Sesame Street.

Later, Oscar is annoyed because Bob is about to sing "The People in Your Neighborhood." But Bob is joined by some cool guests: tennis star Martina Navratilova, reporter Barbara Walters, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. After the song, Oscar surprisingly admits he liked it!

Ernie tells Hoots the Owl that whenever he tries to play his saxophone, his Rubber Duckie squeaks instead. So, Hoots sings the song "Put Down the Duckie" with many famous people joining in.

Kermit the Frog, acting as a reporter, tries to find out why Oscar likes public television. But Oscar says he doesn't like it at all! Kermit lists good reasons to like public TV, but Oscar prefers the exact opposite of those reasons. Kermit then realizes Oscar truly doesn't like public television and introduces a "pledge break." This is a part of the show where they ask viewers to donate money. Oscar actually gets interested in this part and says he taped it to watch later!

The special also includes some funny sketches that were shown in earlier episodes. One sketch is about a "cookiegate affair," where Cookie Monster is accused of stealing cookies from Susan and Gordon. Kermit acts as Cookie Monster's lawyer in this funny segment.

Musician James Taylor performs his song "Jellyman Kelly" with some kids. In another part called "Pretty Great Performances," Placido Flamingo and the Sesame Street All-Animal Orchestra sing "Italian Street Song" with famous conductor Seiji Ozawa. More celebrities sing "Put Down the Duckie" as the credits roll.

After the credits, Hoots asks Ernie for help. Every time Hoots tries to squeak his Rubber Duckie, his saxophone plays too! Ernie gives him some wise advice: "You gotta put down the saxophone if you wanna squeak your duckie!"

Meet the Cast

Here are some of the main actors and Muppet performers who brought Sesame Street to life in this special:

Human Cast Members

Muppet Performers

These talented people were the voices and movements behind your favorite Muppets:

  • Caroll Spinney as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Bruno the Trashman
  • Frank Oz as Bert, Cookie Monster, and Grover
  • Jerry Nelson as Count Von Count, Mr. Johnson, and Announcer
  • Richard Hunt as Placido Flamingo, and other Muppets
  • Martin P. Robinson as Telly, Snuffy, Manolo, and other Muppets
  • Kevin Clash as Elmo, and Hoots the Owl
  • Pam Arciero as Grundgetta, and other Muppets
  • Camille Bonora as other Muppets
  • David Rudman as Female Drummer, and other Muppets
  • Noel MacNeal as other Muppets (uncredited)
  • Fred Garbo Garver as Barkley, and other Muppets
  • Bryant Young as other Muppets
  • Jim Henson as Ernie, and Kermit the Frog

Special Guest Stars

Many famous people joined the Sesame Street cast for this special, adding to the fun!

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