Sesame Street - Season 13 (1981)

Forgetful Jones and Buster the Horse appear set up to paint, only Forgetful has forgotten what they're trying to do. Maria sorts through the clues to help him remember. A rooster finds a purpose in his life when he's given the job to wake everyone on a farm. Bruce Cayard. Five dancers disappear one by one, until there are none left.

Oscar has the feeling that today is a special day, but can't remember the occasion. Grundgetta coyly gives him some clues, but he never catches on that today is her birthday. She explodes and leaves, as Oscar recognizes the trouble he's in. 1-10, 10-1 count with stripes. I-Ink (angry bird).

Mr. Macintosh needs someone to watch his fruit stand while he runs to the post office. Big Bird volunteers, then suddenly finds he needs to use the restroom. He assigns various others to take his place, but replaces them when he imagines potential problems they might run into. Eventually, Mr. Mac returns and Big Bird asks him to watch the stand while he's gone.

Big Bird invites the viewer to listen to the sounds of Sesame Street, which he controls the volume of by gesturing as if he's turning a volume knob. A rabbit crosses the STREET, and almost gets run over. Artist: Cathryn Aison. Ernie is sad, because it's raining and he can't play baseball. Bert encourages him to imagine that he's playing instead.

Frankie assists the Amazing Mumford in his latest show, where he identifies the shapes that Mumford pulls from his hat. Things say that other things are small, but then something comes along that's bigger, or smaller, or whatever. The Ringmaster presents 9 elephants. Artist: Jeff Hale.

It's late at night and Bert isn't home yet. Ernie worries that he may have been abducted by monsters and is being forced to party with them - maybe even having fun. When Bert gets home, Ernie shares his stream of emotions he felt when he'd imagined something had happened to Bert: fear, sadness and anger. Bert assures him that he was fine -- he never has fun.

Big Bird shows Gordon and Olivia a treasure map found in Mr. Snuffleupagus' cave, which the two will use to find some treasure. The grown-ups laugh it off and Big Bird vows to bring some treasure back as proof. Luis sings "Three of These Kids" -- three kids are playing basketball, and one is playing baseball.

A mason, Mr. Jenkins (Ted Ross), does some work surrounding the front doors of 123 Sesame Street. A sawhorse barricade blocks the area, marked with a "DANGER" sign. Telly reads the sign and learns about the construction from David. Oscar happens to be in the middle of the work and it's recommended he move his can temporarily. Oscar refuses to move, but drops his attitude when he's promised he can go "anywhere at all." He asks everyone to leave while he prepares to move.

Mr. Snuffleupagus arrives on Sesame Street at the crack of dawn, hoping to be seen as others wake up. It's so early that he falls back to sleep, resting against the wall under the fire escape. David, Maria and Luis go by in a rush and don't even notice Snuffy behind them. Big Bird comes outside and learns from the viewer that Snuffy is around. Big Bird wakes up Snuffy, who finds that he may not have been seen by the adults, but he has been seen by Big Bird and the viewer (making his plan successful).

Telly introduces another episode of "Shape Up with Slimey," an exercise program. Slimey leads the kids in various exercises, until Oscar tells them to keep down the noise. Muppets- "The Ten Commandments of Health". Joe Raposo asks the musical question, "Which Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?"

Maria works on a bookcase at the Fix-It Shop, when she's approached by Granny Bird, who is paying a surprise visit to her grandson. She has special gifts for everyone and gives Maria an apple. Maria leads Granny Bird to Big Bird's nest and introduces her to some of the kids, Olivia and Mr. Hooper (whose name she also gets wrong).

Susan greets Big Bird walking down Sesame Street in a slump because he wanted to talk to Luis's grandmother on the phone in New Mexico, but he couldn't think of anything to say. He's told that he was just shy, and she sings to him "Everyone Feels a Little Shy Sometimes".

Ferlinghetti Donizetti strolls into Hooper's Store and instead of making a straight order, he says various words and has David find a food to rhyme with them. None of the items please Ferlinghetti, who concludes that he's "filled up on rhyme" and no longer hungry. Alphabet Chat: Mr. Chatterly tries to discuss the letter R, but everything goes awry.

Big Bird finds Telly, Olivia, Maria and Gordon congregated out in the yard. Telly has gotten a fire bell to warn people of fires, but now thinks it's a silly and useless idea. The grown-ups try convincing him that it's useful and plan to do a fire drill, instructing Telly to ring the bell at an unexpected moment. Big Bird goes back to his nest and listens for the bell, mistaking other sounds for it instead.

As Gordon fixes the leaky faucet attached to the garage, Telly ponders what it would be like in a world without water. Just as Gordon finishes the job, a downpour begins. Maria comes by to get Telly out of the rain, and he begins calling for various things to collect the water in, knowing how important it is to save it.

Poco Loco sits in the tree outside the Fix-It Shop, perfectly able to imitate Luis' voice and everything he says. Luis muses out loud about the salad he intends to order from Hooper's Store right after he puts some things away in the store. Poco flies off to the store and places the order in Luis' voice to David, who is facing the other way and doesn't see who is actually speaking.

Oscar still doesn't want to answer today's letter, until he learns it's from Grundgetta. The letter asks: "If a certain grouch loved another grouch, how would that grouch show the love for the other grouch?" Telly thinks of nice, pleasant ideas, but Oscar explains how Grouches show affection with a song - "Love in the Junkyard." Afterwards, Oscar decides to head off to the junkyard, while Telly muses about the two Grouches getting married.

Donning a cape, Big Bird declares himself "Helping Bird," the bird who helps those in need. Nobody seems to need his help until he sees Gordon has twisted his ankle while jogging. Helping Bird insists on aiding him, so he tries finding a walking stick. When he can't find an appropriately-sized one, he allows Gordon to lean on him as they go down the block. Maria sees this and recalls twisting her ankle and having no one to aid her. Gordon tells Helping Bird he feels fine now, so the bird takes Maria under his wing in case she twists her ankle soon.

Grandma Grace is the new crossing guard in the area. Big Bird wishes to be one too and has even made up his own pretend street to practice on. Grace walks through her job with Big Bird, who then ropes Olivia into practicing with him. Capital I, he's quite a guy.

Luis checks out Dr. Nobel Price's latest discovery - a creature he's dubbed "the beady-eyed oinky oink." Dr. Price learns that not only is it actually a pig, but the animal happens to be Oscar's pet pig, Spot. Oscar collects his pig and Dr. Price shifts gears to a new animal he's discovered - the tail-wagging arf-arf.

Telly can't believe his ears when he hears Oscar saying nice things. Oscar thinks he may be sick and contacts Dr. Kvetch. The doctor rushes over and finds that Oscar has the grouch flu, which will make him say and do nice things for a day or so. He recommends Oscar stay in his can and drink plenty of sardine and orange juice.

On an exceptionally sunny day, Dr. Nobel Price presents his latest creation - shady shades, which are very much like Olivia's sunglasses. Grover demonstrates the number 2: Part 1. Counting to 2 is not very exciting. Billy Jo Jive and Smart Susie Sunset solve the case of the midnight voices. Artist: Ray Favata. Grover demonstrates the number 2: Part 2 Nobody's favorite number is 2.

Big Bird watches as the kids make themselves as small as they can, while Bob measures them with a ruler. Big Bird is able to shorten himself to about three feet, which Bob finds quite an accomplishment for a bird his size, though Big Bird thinks he isn't all that small. Bob takes the kids for a drink at Hooper's Store, when Mr. Snuffleupagus shows up to see Big Bird practicing being smaller. Snuffy considers Big Bird very small to him and they measure how small Snuffy can get.

A rainstorm begins as Slimey prepares to be launched into outer space. Maria watches as Telly, filling the "Mission Decontrol" position, attempts a countdown, but counts forwards instead of backwards. Maria and the viewer help him properly countdown to the launch. The rocket instead sputters in space and falls over, which Oscar notes is how a successful Grouch space launch should go.

Pleased by the cloudy weather, Oscar feels like taking a nap outside, when two kids pass by and tell him a joke. As he tries going back to sleep, Gordon shows him a photo of a chameleon. Oscar gets inspired by the creature's ability to hide in the surroundings - Thelma Thumb: During a baseball game, a kid's baseball falls into a rabbit's hole. Thelma travels through the hole to get it back.

Oscar and Grundgetta try out a few dances they can do for an upcoming Grouch dance contest, as the Grouchketeers voice their opinions. Maria finds a pair of castanets and shows them how a flamenco dance works. The Grouches like the snapping and stamping and think it'll make them instant winners. Three little men climb up the three flower stems.

The Amazing Mumford demonstrates his new rhyming trick, in which he turns himself into anything that rhymes with something he says. He first says "slide trombone" and turns himself into a telephone. Then, rhyming with "rock," turns himself into a clock. He comes up with one last word, "Havana" and a bowl of fruit appears in his place. Luis tries convincing Olivia that Mumford turned into the banana, but she scoffs and claims he'll be talking about Snuffleupaguses next. Once she's gone, Luis almost bites into a pear, which turns back into Mumford. Luis points out that ...

Richard has made his own letter L and shows it to Maria and the kids. He has a game to go along with it - he gives clues about different locations that begin with L and the others guess where he's referring to. When he talks about a nice place for reading, the answer turns out to not be a library, but Maria's lap.

After witnessing Herry Monster lifting a large barbell, Telly wishes he could do the same, though doesn't believe he can do it. Bob sings "Don't Be Afraid to Try," encouraging him to give it a try and keep trying until he's able to do. With newfound confidence, Telly is able to lift the barbell.

Big Bird and Nicholas color together on the ground, when Barkley bounds over and sits on their coloring book. They try moving locations to keep him away, but he does the same thing again. They realize they can put their things on the crate and color there, but Barkley has now assumed a spot on there. A wizard turns into R things.

Olivia introduces Big Bird and the kids to her special (romantic) friend, Hal. They give clues as to what Hal's job is (an airline pilot), and Big Bird makes an outlandish (and incorrect) guess. Muppet lettuce, bread, cheese, butter, and ham argue on who an Anything Muppet girl should have for a snack. They all cooperate to make a sandwich.

Maria has made a birdhouse for a friend of hers from the country, who is coming to visit Sesame Street today. Biff and Sully enter the Fix-It Shop, where Biff assumes the birdhouse is instead a boat and a racecar. "I'm six years old today!"

Gordon notices an incoming rainfall, while Forgetful Jones tries to remember what he was supposed to get when the rain hits. He thinks he needs his lawnmower to cut the newly-refreshed grass, then a bucket to unflood the basement if the stream behind the ranch overflows. He finally realizes he needs an umbrella to stay dry, but remains standing in the rain anyhow - he's forgotten where is umbrella is.

Olivia greets the viewer and reports that David's grandmother Grace will be visiting from the country. Oscar will return any minute in his taxi with her. Once they arrive, Grandma shows Olivia all vegetables she's packed; every one of her many suitcases is filled with vegetables. Olivia makes her realize that she neglected to pack any clothes or toiletries, so she and Oscar must drive back to the country. Oscar bemoans another trip, but looks forward to sitting in traffic.

Luis needs to step out of the Fix-It Shop for a few minutes and asks Maria to mind the telephone. It only takes Maria a few moments to get overworked between repairs and phone calls. She muses about being somewhere peaceful, far away from the shop. She and the viewer imagine being at the beach, where she traipses through the water and finds a sandcastle. Luis returns to the shop just as Maria snaps out of it.

Luis needs to step out of the Fix-It Shop for a few minutes and asks Maria to mind the telephone. It only takes Maria a few moments to get overworked between repairs and phone calls. She muses about being somewhere peaceful, far away from the shop. She and the viewer imagine being at the beach, where she traipses through the water and finds a sandcastle. Luis returns to the shop just as Maria snaps out of it.

Maria, David, Big Bird, and the kids are waiting for the bus to take them to Grandma Grace's farm for the day. They invite Oscar along for the trip, but he has no interest in watching little kids have fun all day. Just as everyone boards the bus, he realizes the Grouchy potential a trip to the farm has (such as seeing pig stys and broken farm equipment). He misses the bus, so he makes the trip on foot (while in his can).

Gordon plays a guessing game with the kids - he plays sounds off his tape recorder and the kids guess their origin. Oscar chimes in with a sound he wants to hear - the sound of their footsteps walking away from his can area. Film / Song "At the Animal Doctor": Two boys take their dog to the vet. Z for Zebu. Artist: Jeff Hale.

Maria tells the viewer that her cousin Mercedes is coming to visit all the way from Puerto Rico. She states that the Count was supposed to drive her to the airport, but he instead opted to count the parts of his car. She has also tried to borrow Gordon's car, but it isn't working. Unable to hail a taxi, she comes to realize the only other vehicle around is Oscar's Sloppy Jalopy. He passes at first, but agrees to go when he sees how angry Maria gets.

On a chilly and windy day on Sesame Street, Telly worries that the wind will be strong enough to blow him away to a strange place he's never been to. Maria assures him this wouldn't happen, but holds onto his hand anyhow. Cartoon- "Four Seasons".

Maria does some work in Fix-It Shop, when in walks Zero, a penguin cousin of Big Bird's. He's come to visit all the way from the South Pole. Maria spots Big Bird coming over and proposes that Zero hide and surprise him (despite the store being too hot for him). Big Bird struggles to put together the clues, while Zero boils from behind the worktable. He finally reveals himself and rushes outside where it's cold.

As snow falls on Sesame Street, Maria's cousin Mercedes goes outside to observe it, since it never snows in Puerto Rico. In Hooper's Store, Mr. Hooper gives Big Bird and Zero their take out order. Zero is ready to get back out in the cold, but more and more people pile into the store as he tries to get out.

The blizzard has put the entire city at a standstill. David tries his best to shovel a path to Hooper's Store, which currently has no heat. Bob also has no heat up in his apartment. Maria invites them into the Fix-It Shop, where the heat is working. They all wonder about Big Bird and how he's dealing with the snow in his nest. They trudge over and find a large pile of snow covering his nest, with a sole yellow feather sticking out. They start to dig him out, when Big Bird appears behind them. He digs as well, stating that Radar is buried in the snow.

Everyone fawns over the igloo that Zero has made, paying no attention to Big Bird. He tries various things to get them to notice him, but with no luck. He thinks becoming a penguin might help and darts off. A man (Barry Simpson) puts on snowshoes to bring his trash out. Music: Joe Raposo.

Bob dresses in his finest tuxedo to sing in a concert. Zero mistakes him for a penguin at first and muses about having some other penguins around to play with. Bob and the kids get lessons on how to act like a penguin from Zero. He leads the kids to Hooper's Store for some raw fish, while Bob heads off to his concert (moving like a penguin would), eliciting strange looks for Maria.

Mr. Snuffleupagus comes over to meet Big Bird's friends, but no one seems to be around in the chilly weather. Maria's cousin Mercedes makes a mad dash back to 123 Sesame Street from Hooper's Store, barely noticing the two because of her fur hood. Big Bird explains to Snuffy how she's not used to the cold because it's always warm in Puerto Rico. Snuffy thinks they can bring Puerto Rico to Sesame Street by getting 500 Snuffleupaguses to move it, but comes up with a better idea - making Sesame Street look like Puerto Rico.

Big Bird wakes up to find Zero's igloo has gotten considerably smaller, as a puddle of water surrounds it. Zero returns from his morning walk, shocked to see what's happened. Olivia explains that the weather has started getting warmer, which is causing the igloo to melt (something Zero has never witnessed).

Maria and Olivia take a trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate Maria's twenty-first birthday. Their friends secretly follow to add to the surprise. Today's sponsors are the letter A and the number 2.

On a sunny morning in Puerto Rico, Maria comes out onto the porch. She spots David across the way from his residence in the country and invites him and the others over for breakfast with the family. A boy thinks it's raining outside, so he puts on his rain gear and goes outside, only to find sunny weather.

Oscar and Osvaldo are going to go "trashing," but because his push cart is "Grouch-powered," one of them must be responsible for pushing it. They argue over who will push and who will look out for trash, and eventually agree to take turns. Oscar has the sickening realization that they're cooperating and both agree to keep their yaps shut about it.

Oscar and Osvaldo float on a Grouch raft (still in their trashcans) toward the dock on a nearby island of the coast of Puerto Rico. The two crawl to the edge of the dock and are pleased to find some peace and quiet away from all their happy acquaintances. Suddenly, the whole gang shows up on a boat, arriving on the island for a picnic as Maria used to do in her youth. The Grouches groan and slide off the dock.

A magician performs a trick that makes birds appear, and fish can be glimpsed between them. Artist: Vince Collins. An Anything Muppet girl (Kathryn Mullen) imagines she's a doctor, movie director or firefighter. A man finds and eats five apples, counting the number left after each one.

Today the cast leaves Puerto Rico and heads back to Sesame Street. They arrive home to freezing weather. Today's sponsors are the letters E and F and the number 7.

Olivia and David hear the sound of a racing car nearby and trace the sound to Oscar's trash can. David peeks inside and sure enough spots Oscar zooming around until he crashes into the refrigerator. Oscar finds his arm really hurts now and the others insist on bringing him to the hospital, which he dreads (since it's so nice and clean).

Big Bird sees a flying saucer land in the yard behind the courtyard, and two metal men getting out. The adults just think it's his imagination, but are soon shocked when two droids from Star Wars (C-3PO and R2-D2) quickly shuffle (and roll) by. Things say that other things are small, but then something comes along that's bigger, or smaller, or whatever.

After being bothered by the kids, Oscar meets Winkle (Mary Wickes), a woman from upstate who claims to be in "the dirt business" and is looking to sell her wares in the big city. Oscar is immediately invested and promises to watch her bag of dirt as she gets more of her stuff to set up shop nearby.

Big Bird brings the mail into Hooper's Store and Mr. Hooper proceeds to read a postcard from his friend Harry who's vacationing at the beach. Big Bird encourages Mr. Hooper to imagine himself on a beach since he can't really go and leave the store alone. They imagine themselves together on a bland beach, until Big Bird talks him through adding more and more.

A large blob shoves a tiny one out of the way and declares, "I'm big!" The tiny one thinks for a moment and declares, "I'm me!" Artist: Janet Perlman. Suzanne Farrell takes small and big steps, then has a little lunch and a big lunch. A needle and spool of thread cooperate to fix the king's torn pants. Artist: Bruce Cayard.

Marshal Grover and Fred the Wonder Horse spot a kitty stuck in a tree. Grover tries to find ways to get the kitty down such as shaking the tree trunk. He finally came to the conclusion that to get the kitty down, he would climb up the tree to bring it down. However, Fred has another idea to bring the kitty down by calling the kitty by saying "Kitty" and the kitty comes down. Now that the kitty is down, they now have another problem - how is Grover going to get down?

Big Bird, Bob and David watch a ballet performance of Swan Lake on television. Big Bird is very impressed with the way the dancers almost seem like they're flying and is even more amazed that one can get paid to dance. Bob and David inform him that dancing such as that takes years of practice and mention that Marcus goes to ballet classes. Big Bird attempts some leaps and imagines being a great ballet dancer. He finds Marcus and accompanies him to class.

David is about to make a delivery, when Big Bird starts a guessing game involving a hypothetical visit from a family member. It turns out that his grandmother Grace is visiting the street today. A boy imagines staying in the jungle at night when he goes to sleep. Artist: Bruce Cayard.

It's time for Big Bird's annual physical and he's feeling a little nervous. Susan assures him it'll be fine and begins escorting him to the doctor's. Big Bird brings along Radar for company. Ernie's doctor comes over. Ernie keeps trying to tell the doctor why he called him, but the doctor is too occupied with checking on Ernie, hardly allowing him to get a word in edgewise.

Big Bird is at the bus stop to wait for C-3PO and R2-D2. When the bus arrives he sees them again but he gets into the bus as it keeps moving. Cartoon: A story of a man who hates frogs (voiced by Daws Butler), until his swamp becomes infested with flies.

Big Bird helps Mr. Snuffleupagus get ready for a big cabbage-eating contest later today. They practice by feeding him cabbage after cabbage after cabbage - Anything Muppets (including Farley) shout "E!" A door opens behind a mouse, who shrieks when she sees the E. Artist: Bruce Cayard.

In "A Postcard from Amy," Grover reads a postcard he got from his friend Amy. The message on the card is passed around from person to person, getting more and more mixed up, until everyone is led to believe that Amy is in the hospital. An aviator and his son cooperate to start their plane. Artist: Tom Gabbay.

Maria hastily greets the viewer, as she has a lot of work to do today at the Fix-It Shop. She hopes she doesn't get any interruptions as she heads into the back room and starts sawing. Bob enters the shop and interrupts Maria, asking if he can use her telephone. He calls to reschedule a music lesson, when Telly arrives.

Oscar the Grouch explains to Susan and Gordon that he and Spot haven't slept in two night because of renovations going on in his can. He doesn't know what will happen if he doesn't get any sleep tonight, so when the Robinsons suggest he stay at someone's apartment, Oscar offers their own place up. He promises to help with the chores and be polite because it will make him extra grouchy the next day. They reluctantly agree while Oscar packs for the night.

Gordon, Susan and Mr. Hooper have been invited to Big Bird's nest for a tea party and to finally meet Mr. Snuffleupagus, or so they believe. Big Bird wonders what's keeping Snuffy so long, when he receives a large snufflegram from another Snuffleupagus (whom the others don't see). The snufflegram tells Big Bird that Snuffy and his family are off visiting Uncle Fred in Hawaii for the week. Big Bird wonders what he'll do all week without his best friend.

Buster and Fred, dressed as cows, approach Olivia, asking if she knows where Gladys the Cow is. They're helping with a song of hers and the lack of local cows forces them to play some. Gladys arrives and Olivia questions Gladys' loyalty to her species, due to the fact that she's always pretending to be other animals. Gladys is surprised and tells her she is proud, which is the subject of her song. The animals set up by some boxes and Gladys performs "I'm Proud to Be a Cow." Afterward, Olivia is speechless.

Mr. Hooper discovers the store has no more eggs, bread or orange juice, and the breakfast crowd will be due soon. A Honker appears to run the counter while Mr. Hooper gets some groceries. Bob enters and is able to divine from the Honker's gestures that they have no breakfast foods he wants. He's not able to understand the Honker's honking about what is in stock and asks that he write it down instead. The Honker is unable to write in English either, writing out "honk" several times. Bob is about to leave to see if he can get any breakfast at Susan's, when the Honker ...

Big Bird has opened up his own version of the Fix-It Shop right next to the original. Susan comes by with her broken toaster and forbids him from touching it, since he isn't even aware of how to fix things. Maria suggests he go into the much easier business of selling lemonade.

Old West: Sinister Sam announces that someone has bought the last box of crayons, and he wants to know why. It turns out that he just wants a crayon so he can learn how to write the letter Y. Richard Pryor uses his hat to participate in playing cars with kids.

Big Bird walks down the street, describing the difference between the actual street and sidewalks. Cartoon- A fat man and a small man demonstrate top and bottom. The Pointer Sisters sing "Hush Little Baby." Fish swim around. Music: Joe Raposo.

Olivia sings "Hand Signs" (a variation on "Hand Jive") as Linda demonstrates different signs for the kids. Cartoon-The O falls off a man's grocery store sign; he tries replacing it with a donut, then a pizza, neither of which work. Finally, the sign man paints it on.

Mr. Hooper opens the front window of Hooper's Store to listen to the sounds of the street. He's startled by the sound of a roaring lion, which turns out to be Poco Loco. Various alien creatures perform in an otherwordly music performance conducted by a trumpet-nosed creature.

Super Grover: A boy is confused -- his mother told him to take a bus home, but he doesn't know where to find the bus. Super Grover arrives, and they soon discover a sign that says "Bus Stop". The boy believes they found the answer, but Super Grover insists that his mother told him to take a bus home, not a sign.

Big Bird is getting a new telephone installed in his nest (having dropped his last phone in a goldfish bowl). The phone man (Richard Hunt) arrives to install the phone, but Big Bird can't make up his mind whether it should be hung over or under the birdhouse already nailed to the post. He resolves to put the phone where the birdhouse was, but now can't decide where the birdhouse should now go.

Olivia sings "Hand Signs" (a variation on "Hand Jive") as Linda demonstrates different signs for the kids. Cartoon- The O falls off a man's grocery store sign; he tries replacing it with a donut, then a pizza, neither of which work. Finally, the sign man paints it on.

Mr. Hooper opens the front window of Hooper's Store to listen to the sounds of the street. He's startled by the sound of a roaring lion, which turns out to be Poco Loco. Various alien creatures perform in an otherwordly music performance conducted by a trumpet-nosed creature.

Big Bird leads the kids on a "circle tour" of Sesame Street, pointing out various circles on the block. Five stripes make a circle. Super Grover: A boy is confused -- his mother told him to take a bus home, but he doesn't know where to find the bus. Super Grover arrives, and they soon discover a sign that says "Bus Stop". The boy believes they found the answer, but Super Grover insists that his mother told him to take a bus home, not a sign.

When the telephone outside Hooper's Store rings, Bob answers it. To his shock, the voice is not another person, but the telephone itself. Bob tells David about the mysterious phone call, but David is skeptical. Bob now thinks it's a prank by Oscar the Grouch, but when confronted, Oscar denies any involvement with the talking telephone, stating that he and Bruno had been at the junkyard all day. Bob does not believe him until the phone rings again.

Olivia and Luis bring some books over to Big Bird's nest, which he has turned into a library for the kids. They notice one bookshelf of his is crooked - one leg is shorter than the other. Big Bird happens to have a book on the subject, "How To Repair Bookcases That Have One Short Leg And Tip To The Side." Luis instead has Olivia and others help carry it over to the Fix-It Shop.

Mr. Snuffleupagus is competing in the Great Snuffleupagus Derby, named such because the winner gets a derby hat. He wears a sheet with the number 9, indicating his spot in the race. He asks Big Bird to watch his bucket of orange juice so he can have a refreshing drink as he passes by mid-race. The derby begins and Snuffy takes off. Big Bird sees other Snuffleupaguses pass by, thinking they're Snuffy, until he sees they're not wearing his number. Big Bird eventually drifts off to sleep, just before Snuffy arrives and slurps down the juice. Big Bird stirs and thinks ...

Telly wants to demonstrate what it looks like when someone is angry and intends to get Oscar, an expert, to help. He pauses before knocking on the can, believing that since Grouches like being angry, Oscar will instead thank Telly for the annoyance instead of being angry. He then theorizes Oscar may be onto his plan and act nicely instead, ruining the demonstration. Telly angrily knocks on the can and tells off Oscar, who happily remarks, "Wow, is he angry. I don't know what I did, but I love it!"

Bob now thinks it's a prank by Oscar the Grouch, but when confronted, Oscar denies any involvement with the talking telephone, stating that he and Bruno had been at the junkyard all day. Bob does not believe him until the phone rings again.

Guy Smiley hosts the "The Anything-in-the-World Prize Game" and asks questions to random people on the street. The winner gets to choose the prize. His guest is Oscar the Grouch, who doesn't want to be bothered by Guy Smiley and accidentally gets every answer right. Since Oscar gets to have whatever he wants for a prize, he asks Guy to get lost.

This week on "Ask Oscar," a viewer wants to know if Oscar is able to recite the alphabet while jumping and patting his stomach at the same time. Oscar instead recites the alphabet as Telly does the other actions. Ernie eats one of the two pieces of chocolate cake that Bert was saving for their dessert.

Big Bird tries whistling like his fellow bird friend, but isn't getting the knack of it. Gordon encourages him to keep trying and assures him that with practice, he'll be able to whistle. Big Bird then sees Gordon's old flute, which he found stored away in the garage since he was young. He tries blowing a note to show how he's not able to play much anymore, but Big Bird spins Gordon's lesson back at him and has him keep trying.

Susan greets Big Bird walking down Sesame Street in a slump because he wanted to talk to Luis's grandmother on the phone in New Mexico, but he couldn't think of anything to say. He's told that he was just shy, and she sings to him "Everyone Feels a Little Shy Sometimes".

Cast Bob finds a Liver and Onion candy bar wrapper dropped on the ground by Oscar, who denies seeing it. Bob picks it up and puts it to Oscar's face until he admits it's his. Bob explains it's not right to throw trash on the ground and he should pick it up, though Oscar is quick to point out Bob's already done that for him.

Big Bird is the early bird once again on this morning and hears the loud sounds of the Honkers. He tells them in a whisper to honk quieter so they don't disturb the neighbors. The Honkers don't grasp the idea and Big Bird gets louder and louder to get his point across. Then, all the surrounding neighbors yell at him to be quiet.

Big Bird and the kids pretend to be cowpokes riding around on their horses. Big Bird invites Bob to join them, but he's got other plans already. He meets up with Linda to help write a story for the Little Theatre of the Deaf. Bob proposes an ending involving the hero riding off into the sunset on their horse, which sucks him into Big Bird and the kids' game.

Telly comes into Hooper's Store for an oatmeal breakfast, believing starting the day out right with a good breakfast will prevent anything wrong happening in the rest of the day. David and Mr. Hooper discover they're out of oatmeal and argue over whose fault it is. Telly believes he's caused the argument, but they assure him they're merely having a "misunderstanding" and it's not his fault. Olivia comes in and orders some oatmeal as well. Sensing what will happen next, Telly tells Olivia it won't be her fault.

Telly assumes the letter Linda has received from Timi is bad news, until they read it together - Timi will be coming to Sesame Street for a television gig, performing sign language translations on air. They then see Timi in the Sloppy Jalopy with Oscar the Grouch, when it's revealed that she'll be working for him on WORM-TV.

WORM-TV presents some programming geared to the Grouch youth - a fairy tale. Timi signs as Oscar reads "Goldilocks and the Three Grouches" to Irvine. In the story, Papa Grouch (Oscar), Mama Grouch (Grundgetta) and Baby Grouch find their porridge isn't cold enough yet and go for a walk. Goldilocks (Mona Monster) comes in and breaks Baby Grouch's chair and eats his porridge. When the Grouches return, they're thrilled by the trouble she's caused and invite her to stay.

The grown-ups (Linda, Maria, David, Mr. Hooper and Timi) prepare for the Sesame Street Olympics, a mock-Olympics event they'll be doing with the help of their friends from the National Theatre of the Deaf. The opening ceremonies commence with the troupe acting out the lighting of the Olympic torch. This is followed by the parade of nations, as the members of the Theatre imagine representing various countries around the world while showing the signs for each country (including Mexico, Russia, Egypt, and the United States of America). Finally, Mr. Hooper wheels in some ...

Gordon and Bob are about to take the kids to the day care center, when they see it's about to rain. Oscar pulls up in his Sloppy Jalopy and offers them all a ride to avoid getting wet. He has the kids pile in the backseat while Gordon and Bob pull up the taxi's roof, which only goes far enough to cover the backseat. Oscar starts the car, which causes the roof to fall back down. They sense it will be a pattern, then the only option they have - the kids sit under the roof as Bob and Gordon push the car.

Big Bird sees everyone reading newspapers in Hooper's Store. He asks David about some of the stories in today's paper and is appalled that there's not a single item about Sesame Street. David claims nothing important enough ever happens to make the news, which Big Bird balks at - "Why just yesterday playing jacks, I made elevensies. And you don't think that that's news?!" He resolves to create his own newspaper about Sesame Street and storms off, then asks David how one makes a newspaper.

Guy Smiley hosts Here is Your Life, surprising Oak Tree with the story of his life. The guests include Granny Fanny Nesselrode, who planted the tree as an acorn, Cloud and Sun, who gave the tree rain and sunshine, and Marty Table and Sarah Chair, who were made from the tree's friends.

Telly can't make up his mind on what to have for breakfast. Big Bird offers him some birdseed and milk, which doesn't seem to suit him, nor does Oscar's yucky concoction (cold oatmeal with sardines and chocolate sauce). After explaining his situation to Olivia, she helps him realize the perfect meal he can have. Then, he begins to worry about what he'll have for lunch.

David and Grandma Grace are surprised to hear samba music coming from Oscar's trash can. Oscar and Grundgetta are practicing for a dance competition, so Grace suggests she and David cut a rug to demonstrate. The Grouches like their rusty moves at first, but boo when they get into the swing of things.

Simon Soundman enjoys listening to Gordon's flute lesson with Bob. He wants to play along with them and demonstrates the various instruments he can imitate. He settles on making the sound of a flute as they become a flute trio. An owl and a bluebird work out a compromise.

Bob narrates as a Honker tries to talk to Darlene, who is deaf. Bob's voiceover, plus some help from Linda, help the Honker understand the situation and help introduce the two. Darlene is unable to understand the Honker, which proves to be the same for everyone.

Oscar has been sent Osvaldo's pet dog, Peligro, to give him some disobedience training. Maria isn't impressed by Peligro's lack of action, when Oscar reveals the newest trick - counting wrongly. Oscar asks Peligro to count to 3 and Peligro barks incessantly. He's trained so well, Oscar can get him to stop. What if an anteater had the features of a giraffe? Artist: Cliff Roberts.

Maria asks a Honker about how they can express different feelings, since she's never quite sure how to interpret their honks. She paints a hypothetical situation that makes the Honker sad. The Honker makes itself happy again by honking some more, which always makes them happy.

Ernie reveals that he has a banana in his ear in order to keep the alligators away. He uses Bert's denial of any on Sesame Street as proof that his method works. Olivia helps the kids retrieve their frisbee from the trellis and sings "Reach Your Hand Up High."

David prepares a grilled cheese sandwich, when the Count enters the store and reveals he's just joined the local volunteer fire department. He counts the many things Hooper's Store has in case of fires, including the smoke detector, which goes off when David starts burning his sandwich.

Mr. Hooper observes Bob's music lesson with Marika and has a confession for Bob - he's always wanted to play the tuba and has been secretly practicing in the garage for the last two years, though he has little to show for it. He blows a horrid note, attracting Oscar the Grouch, who asks for more. Mr. Hooper isn't discouraged and hopes to get better so he can drive Oscar mad.

Oscar wonders what he should have for lunch, but ultimately thinks it doesn't matter what he eats. This prompts Gilbert and Sullivan to explain the importance of a healthy diet with a street-wide song about foods ("You Are What You Eat"). Ernie gets Bert to participate in a rhyme game, but ends the game just as Bert is starting to enjoy it.

Mr. Hooper prepares for a visit from his brother, Arnold. He arrives moments later and calls attention to Mr. Hooper's small plant, which he'd noticed on his last visit. As a gift for "Heschy," Arnold gives him a six-foot plant, which is pushed into the store by Biff and Sully. "You think it's big now? Wait 'till it starts growing," says Arnold.

Herry Monster discovers that by just asking, he's able to join a group of kids playing. Thelma Thumb: A beehive is disturbing a little girl in her treehouse, so Thelma convinces the bees to move their hive to another tree surrounded by flowers. Artist: John Korty.

David deals with several cases of very fragile glassware in Hooper's Store. He must keep them safe from Maria (whose groceries block her view as she walks around), Barkley (playing with his ball) and Big Bird (who skates through the store). David finally resolves to charge the store's sign to "CLOSED," accidentally walking right into the cases and knocking them over.

Maria reluctantly allows Forgetful Jones to help her out in a situation - her friend is arriving any minute and needs Forgetful to keep watch. She gives him the important information he needs - her name is Sue, she'll have a guide dog with her (she's blind), wearing a harness and that she'll wait at the stoop for Maria's return. Forgetful forgets, as usual, what he was supposed to remember, when Sue (Sue Harden) arrives. He's able to piece together the clues.

Oscar has received many letters for "Ask Oscar" and Telly doesn't think he'll be able to tend to all of them. Telly has had the idea to send a response to the letters not read on air, but he knows Oscar would never go along with that. Oscar insists he will and Telly and Kendra show him the automatic response they've prepared - "Dear Friend, I got your letter. Thank You - Oscar the Grouch."

David, Maria and Oscar the Grouch imagine how Gordon would look with various different hairstyles. In response, Gordon imagines them all shaved like him. Capital I, he's quite a guy. The Two-Headed Monster learns to use manners while eating with a spoon.

As twilight begins, Telly greets the viewer and tells them what he overheard Mr. Hooper saying over the phone in Hooper's Store - something is coming to Sesame Street, only Telly doesn't know what that something is. As it begins to get darker, he becomes frightened of what it might be, until Olivia clues him in - nighttime is coming.

Olivia sings "Children of the World." Cartoon S is for subway, sailboat, sled, scooter, skates, skis, and stop. Artists: The Hubleys. Song: "Winter Song." Simon Soundman orders three sandwiches and some milk at Hooper's Store using sounds. He's then shown to be having lunch with fellow sound-makers - a Honker and Dinger.

Mass Communication (Maria, Olivia, Susan and Linda) perform their hit song "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10." Kids count from 1 to 10, then 10 to 1, as the numbers are displayed over colored lights. Joe Raposo asks the musical question, "Which Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?"

Olivia finds Big Bird pacing by the payphone. He admits that he's supposed to have lunch at Mr. Snuffleupagus' place, but dreads having to eat cabbage again and doesn't know if he can bring himself to tell Snuffy this. He makes Olivia pretend to be Snuffy and practices what he'll say. He instead makes an excuse for not showing up, which Olivia points out is lying. Big Bird finds the courage to speak honestly and calls up the Snuffleupagus residence. Instead, Mommy Snuffleupagus answers and tells Big Bird that Snuffy is in the bath for the next 10 minutes. Olivia ...

A Howard Cosell-type announcer narrates as Barkley tries to find shelter from a downpour. The Fix-It Shop is closed, a racket of pots and pans falling in Hooper's Store (caused by himself) frightens him away and Oscar refuses to let him into his can. He finally finds shelter at Big Bird's nest, where Big Bird invites him under his large umbrella.

Akim looks after Hooper's Store while her uncle David steps out for a minute. Bob orders a large meal and Big Bird wants to assist. They scramble about trying to figure out which things to do and resolve to split up the work. As they discuss how to divide the work, Bob makes the meal on his own. Big Bird is impressed and makes some lunch orders for Bob to make now. George the Farmer's ladder gets taller and shorter, as does his box of berries.

Telly makes sure Maria sticks around to see the live show about to begin. Oscar appears from his can with his dummy, Crummy. After a few rotten jokes, Oscar moves onto the most impressive part - Crummy recites the alphabet while Telly eats a plate of salted crackers. Maria finds the whole show a lousy waste of time, signaling to Oscar that his show is going to be a hit with Grouches out in the road.

Aristotle demonstrates his great remembering skills for Maria, who initiates a remembering game. She hands him some items and he has to remember what they are a few moments later. Telly comes over and reminds Ari that they were supposed to meet at Hooper's Store for lunch, which Ari forgot.

A Muppet mail carrier brings the morning mail to the residents of Sesame Street, including Maria and Susan. He's very pleased to see how much joy the mail brings everyone, except Bob, who is delivered a package of spring-loaded snakes from Oscar. The mail carrier is then pounced upon by Barkley. Animation: Sand N/n.

Gladys the Cow livens up Luis' dull lecture about milk with a glitzy musical number about it. A boy paints a picture of a porcupine on glass. P for Pack. Film "Indian Baby Bath" Music: Joe Raposo. Three kids want to paint, but each of them has only one item, so they all cooperate.

Maria introduces Julius "Dr. J" Erving to Dr. Nobel Price, who has come to unveil his latest invention - the "bouncy-catchy-dunky." Naturally, his invention turns out to be an ordinary basketball, which Dr. J shows off. Dr. Price is upset at first, until Dr. J invites him to be his new coach.

Telly has been instructed by Oscar, as a part of his Grouchketeer duty, to learn the word printed on his sign - "NO." Telly doesn't know what the word means and becomes frustrated by Maria, Olivia and Bob's responses (thinking they're telling him "No" in response to his question). When Oscar asks if he's learned the word yet, Telly sadly admits, "No." Oscar gives him his approval, leaving Telly befuddled.