Mon, Nov 28, 1977
The ninth season of "Sesame Street" begins with a bang. The bang of drums, that is, because Bert is leading a brass band down the street. Later on, in Hooper's Store, the folks watch a grouch cooking show hosted by Oscar, who demonstrates how to make a 'new kind' of chicken soup. At the end of the day, Grover pretends to drive Gordon's car (with the latter there to supervise, of course). Today's show is brought to you by the letter H and the number 2, the latter paid respects by the Pointer Sisters in one of their typical "Pinball Number" songs. Our favorite frog sings the rather melancholy "Song From Kermit". A woodsman in the countryside sings about how much he loves the great outdoors, totally unaware of the demolition going on behind him. The human cast plays a game of "One of Us is Not Like the Others", to the chagrin of Gladys the Cow. In a couple of animated sequences, a live typewriter demonstrates how the word 'hand' begins with the letter H, and it is demonstrated how to say every letter in sign language. A boy explains to the viewers how his father makes Chinese noodles in his factory. Grover and John-John count one penny, and a short cartoon kid figures out how to get a drink from a water fountain out of his reach.
Wed, Nov 30, 1977
Luis, Susan and Gordon hear disco music coming from inside Hooper's Store. They walk in, and find Mr. Hooper dressed like the young, hip crowd of today (wearing a wig, jeans, and a Farrah Fawcett t-shirt). They ask him to turn down the loud music, and he explains that he's trying to keep up with the times, since he's so old now. They tell him they like him just the way he is, and he admits that he agrees with them. He goes home to change his clothes, riding a motorcycle.
Thu, Dec 1, 1977
Maria tries to study, but is distracted by The Count, exercising nearby. He admits that he doesn't exercise to keep in shape and feel good; he just does it for the counting. He finishes his push-ups, so he starts on his sit-ups. Maria then turns him on to jogging, but he still disturbs her every time he runs around the block. Alone Song. Ernie has a so-called "magic" chain which can form into any shape he wants. Bert is dismissive of the chain's magic properties. And yet, when Bert asks for the chain to provide a sandwich, it does.
Fri, Dec 2, 1977
Maria notices an angry Olivia throw a bag of trash into Oscar's trash can. Oscar shows that he can tell what happened to her by looking through her trash: she accidentally knocked over an alarm clock, she took a bunch of overexposed photographs, and burned her bread in the toaster. Maria thinks she can fix the clock.
Mon, Dec 5, 1977
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". I've got a mind: squares make a box. Artist: Cliff Roberts.
Tue, Dec 6, 1977
Mr. Hooper helps Big Bird wrap a present for a special somebody, though Big Bird is constantly pointing out Mr. Hooper's uneven folds and cuts. Cartoon: "Poverty Z": -- A figure tries to sell a Z. His only customer stops him by locking him inside a zoo cage. Artist: Cliff Roberts. An Anything Muppet boy plays hide-and-seek with three letter Zs, who blend into his porch.
Wed, Dec 7, 1977
Sherlock Hemlock sings "X Marks the Spot!" Cartoon: The great Alphonso and his trained X's. Video: Scanimate kids intro. The kids help Big Bird feed his bird friends. "Poverty X": A peanut-shaped figure lists the words that the letter "X" can be found in.Grover and Herbert Birdsfoot recite the alphabet together. Parts of a clown are shown in close-up as kids guess what it is. Music: Joe Raposo.
Thu, Dec 8, 1977
Maria introduces a guessing game with Linda and Timi, who sign things and the kids guess what the signs mean. Big Bird interjects with immediate and incorrect guesses. He does, surprisingly, correctly guess the sign for tree - "I lived in a tree; my mommy-bird taught me that one." B is for bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles. And Bosco, who is taking a bath.
Fri, Dec 9, 1977
Gordon invites Debo up to his roof, since he's never been up there before. They wave down to everyone, and David and Maria soon join them on the roof. They throw around ideas of how to use the space, ultimately deciding to cultivate a garden. They start by clearing the litter and giving it to Oscar.
Mon, Dec 12, 1977
Herry Monster is looking after the Fix-It Shop. Luis phones from the lumber store, asking Herry to measure the piece of wood on the table so he can get more like it. Herry first measures using some boxes and a brick, which isn't helpful to Luis; he doesn't know how big the boxes are. Herry then measures using just bricks, when Luis asks him to use the measuring stick. Herry manages to find it and measures the wood. Since the stick is longer than the wood, he fills the gap with a couple more bricks. New Ball in Town: Three striped balls encounter a polka-dotted ball.
Tue, Dec 13, 1977
The Count has been placed in charge of Hooper's Store, grateful for the opportunity as there are so many things he can count. He comes to realize that if products are sold off, they will no longer be around for him to count. Big Bird comes in to buy a beachball, but the Count persuades him to instead dig sand at the beach with a bucket from the local hardware store.
Tue, Dec 13, 1977
It's lunchtime in the arbor, and Maria and Luis lay out their lunch. Cookie Monster wants to join, but Maria says he has to eat politely. When he fails eating his first cookie, Maria coaches him through it, and he complies. Bob comes along and can't believe Cookie has learned how to eat slowly, so he does it again. Cookie agrees that it's a big improvement, and shows him how he usually eats. Pinball Number Count #7: The ball rolls past famous world landmarks. Solo: saxophone.
Thu, Dec 15, 1977
Big Bird rummages through his nest, and finds a two-week old letter that he forgot to deliver to David. Just then, David's grandmother Harriet arrives, and claims authorship of the letter that Big Bird forgot to deliver. They both go to Hooper's Store, where they encounter Mr. Hooper, who recalls that David is out today buying a pair of shoes. While Big Bird goes to fetch him, Harriet and Mr. Hooper show each other pictures of their families.
Fri, Dec 16, 1977
Olivia takes photos of David sweeping up in the arbor when they smell something funny coming from Oscar's trash can down the street. Upon arrival, they find that Oscar has made a mess on the sidewalk, and ask him what's going on. Since they're being so nosy, Oscar explains that he's having someone over and he's trying to make the place look extra dingy, and he's cooking dinner: toadstool sautéed in axel grease with dashes of stinkweed, peanut butter, and fish scales. Oscar gets back to work while David and Olivia wonder who his guest might be. Gloria sings the alphabet (uppercase version).
Mon, Dec 19, 1977
At the Fix-it Shop, Luis shows Gordon a blueprint he made for a birdhouse. He consults Big Bird on it, and Big Bird gives some basic suggestions. Luis expects to finish building it today, so Big Bird runs off excitedly, thinking the house will be for him. Cartoon: Pinball #10. Artist: Jeff Hale.
Tue, Dec 20, 1977
Bob, Linda and friends play basketball, when the owner of the ball has to go home. Linda suggests they play "pretend" basketball, and they get into it. Mr. Hooper and David soon join them. Big Bird sees them and remarks, "And they think I have some imagination?" A hand draws a farm backdrop for the animals. Ernie pretends to be a dog and a duck. Bert then pretends to be a train, and does it so well that a train conductor and passengers come through the apartment.
Wed, Dec 21, 1977
Herry Monster asks Maria, Olivia, and David to keep an eye out for his sister Herriet Monster who's coming to the city to look for a job, while Herry runs out to pick up some things for her stay. Herriet arrives via bus and greets Sesame Street's residents, giving David a crushing handshake (oblivious strength runs in the family). Olivia offers her a newspaper to look at the job listings and carpentry catches her eye. In front of the Fix-It Shop, Maria lets Herriet try sawing a piece of wood, but her abundance of strength leaves the plank in sawdust. Herriet figures she should probably ought to consider a different career.
Thu, Dec 22, 1977
Big Bird discovers that some people are bilingual: Maria can also speak Spanish, Mr. Hooper knows Yiddish, and Frazzle has a monster language of his own, which Herry Monster also knows. Big Bird wishes he were bilingual, then he encounters two birds chirping at each other, and remembers that he knows bird talk. "Poverty K" - Karen the Kangaroo talks about words that start with the letter K. Featuring the sped-up voice of Gene Moss.
Fri, Dec 23, 1977
Farley walks down the street and imagines having jobs like Luis, Mr. Hooper, or Olivia when he grows up. He then sees some kids playing and settles on enjoying being a kid for now. Kids on a bench wait for the bus: "Here comes the bus!" David and Maria cooperate to reach the top of the mountain.
Mon, Dec 26, 1977
Maria calls everyone over to see a parcel sent from Hawaii from Buffy. Inside are pictures of young Cody and a letter inviting them to come visit her. While some of the adults have work, Maria, Bob, Olivia and Mr. Hooper consider making the trip, until they realize how costly it would be.
Tue, Dec 27, 1977
Kermit's Lectures: Kermit talks about clues. He shows that a boy has grown some carrots because he has garden tools, a watering can, and a packet of seeds. Next, he confirms that a man has built a birdhouse because of his blueprints and carpenter's tools. When he notices Beautiful Day Monster with a suitcase and an umbrella, Kermit assumes that the monster is going on a trip and using the umbrella as protection from the rain. The monster corrects him; he's planning to eat his umbrella, and uses the suitcase to carry the ketchup he'll use to eat it with.
Wed, Dec 28, 1977
David is shocked to see Hooper's Store is decked out with banners, streamers and balloons. On the storefront, a large sign reads, "The Home of the Hooperburger!" Mr. Hooper brings David inside and hands him his new uniform (a striped jacket and straw hat). Mr. Hooper explains that he's converting the store into "Hooper's Hamburgers" in an effort to compete with various hamburger joints in the area, stating the store will only sell hamburgers. Some Anything Muppets appear to sing the new "Hooperburgers" jingle.
Thu, Dec 29, 1977
Maria finishes repairing a TV set. She tests it out just in time to see the ending of "The Big Trip," where a contestant dressed as a slice of pizza has just won a trip to Paris. Maria explains to David that the show awards people who show up in amazing costumes. Host Guy Smiley teases tomorrow's program, where the grand prize is an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii. Big Bird thinks he can get on the show and win the trip for himself and Mr. Snuffleupagus. Maria thinks if she and David go along too, and bring more of their friends, they might have a better chance of winning the trip for Big Bird.
Fri, Dec 30, 1977
In the morning, Bob and Linda meet at Hooper's Store for breakfast, when Bob realizes that Big Bird hasn't woken up yet. He goes over to the nest and wakes Big Bird from his dream about a big bowl of hot birdseed. Big Bird is irritated at first, until Bob tells him that Mr. Hooper has a real bowl of birdseed ready to serve him. A wizard turns into R things.
Mon, Jan 2, 1978
Sesame Street News Flash: Kermit witnesses as Old King Cole calls for his pipe and bowl (both of which he rejects), followed by his fiddlers three (along with a drummer, a saxophone player, and a bass player). A female head is drawn as its voice-over lists its parts, ending with earrings that "do nothing" - and promptly wiggle around. Artist: James Rizzi.
Tue, Jan 3, 1978
Big Bird is in charge of Hooper's Store while Mr. Hooper is downtown. Maria compliments him on the hot cocoa he's made, prompting Bob and Olivia to order some too, as well as a round of toast for all. Big Bird plops some bread in the toaster, which goes haywire; he's forgotten that Mr. Hooper told him it's broken. The adults all leave, making Big Bird think they don't like him or his cooking. They all return with their own solutions to the problem - Olivia brings her toaster from home, Maria brings her tools to fix the old one and Bob made toast in his apartment. Mr. Hooper returns with a brand-new toaster, but everyone is already serviced.
Wed, Jan 4, 1978
Big Bird encounters Gordon trying to start his car, despite a new battery and spark plugs. Luis and Bob join Big Bird in figuring out why it won't start, then Gordon realizes no one put gas in the tank yesterday. Kids watch as construction workers paint a number 5 on the street using a stencil.
Thu, Jan 5, 1978
Big Bird displays a poster he made of Hawaii with a big number 9 on it. He wants to change it to an 8, since he'll be going on a trip there in 8 days. He erases the 9, then he asks the viewer to draw an 8 on the poster using their finger (and the telestrator). Things you can carry. Music: Joe Raposo. "Young MacDonald Went to Town".
Fri, Jan 6, 1978
Big Bird, Grover and company sing a zany song about surprises. An I-beam is molded at a steel factory as heavy industrial-type music underscores the action. The segment ends on a video freeze of the finished beam, which is shaped like the letter "I." Harvey Kneeslapper asks a man, "Do you want me to keep an eye on your hat?" The man says yes. Harvey then puts a letter I on top of the man's hat, crushing it in the process.
Mon, Jan 9, 1978
Susan has a toy firetruck and describes the different parts to the kids and Big Bird, who becomes inspired to become a firefighter. The life of a Yellow Yahoo. Muppets "The King's Picnic". Sand Y/y. Big Bird dons a fire helmet and carries a hose, looking for people in need of his fire-fighting services. However, Susan, Olivia, and Mr. Macintosh have no fires for him to fight. When he tries drumming up some work from Luis, he explains that firefighters don't go around looking for fires - they are alerted about them back at the firehouse. He leaves Big Bird with an important tidbit - "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Big Bird catches a whiff of smoke coming from Hooper's Store and springs into action, spraying water all over the store. Mr. Hooper points out the smoke was from his English muffin getting stuck in the toaster and burning a little, not enough to warrant a fire call. He hands Big Bird a mop to clean up the mess as the bird sighs, "I'm not so sure this is my kind of work."
Tue, Jan 10, 1978
Big Bird rushes over to Hooper's Store with news for Gordon, Olivia, and Mr. Hooper, but he's too overwhelmed to spit it out. He manages to get enough words out to alert them that the bookmobile has just arrived down the block. The adults go to check it out, while Big Bird goes off to tell more kids about it. The three reach the bookmobile, where Bob is seen reading to one child. They meet the librarian Ms. Rice, who tells them about all the bookmobile has to offer (including record albums and even movie screenings). The adults leave, but promise to return soon.
Wed, Jan 11, 1978
Oscar shows Bob his brand new automatic mud detector, which he intends to use during their upcoming trip to Hawaii. He sets out a bowl of mud to show how it works. Bob uses the searching prong, which beeps louder and louder depending on how close he gets. He finally finds the bowl of mud and the device sucks it all up. Upset, Oscar moans, "That's the last time I respond to a late-night television commercial!" Ernie eats the ice cream that Bert was saving for later, so he tries to pass off a smashed up banana with ice and gravy as a substitute. Bert expresses his disgust just as Oscar the Grouch comes in with two ice cream cones. He intends to give only one of them away, but swaps the other in exchange for the smashed banana with cold gravy.
Thu, Jan 12, 1978
Oscar celebrates the yuchhy, rainy day. He's shocked when the others enjoy the rain as much as him. They're in such high spirits because tomorrow, they all leave for Hawaii and won't have to deal with the rain, which is news to a dismayed Oscar. Cartoon: Two monkeys argue over what to watch on TV, growing bigger the angrier they get.
Fri, Jan 13, 1978
Big Bird is excited because today he is going on a trip to Hawaii, along with Maria, Bob, Olivia, Mr. Hooper, and a most reluctant Oscar. Snuffy had also intended to go, but unfortunately he misses first the bus and then the plane. The time spent in the airport turns out to be an adventure in itself. First, they have to pass through the metal detector, and Oscar has more metal in his can than anyone can believe. Then, Big Bird chats with the pilot and learns about the workings of a plane. He is surprised to discover that planes and birds have many similar 'body parts'. The sponsors for this particular episode are the letters B and P and the number 7.
Thu, Jan 19, 1978
The folks are still in Hawaii and having a marvelous time. Big Bird and Snuffy are still on the hunt for Mount Ihu Papa'a Lo'ihi Nui, or, in plain English, Mount Snuffleupagus. Snuffy gets a chance to talk to his mommy on the phone, as well. Meanwhile, Oscar learns that the word "aloha" has several meanings (all pleasant ones, regrettably), the cast admires sea shells on the beach, and, to cap it all, Mr. Hooper even takes a crack at surfing! Today's show is sponsored by the letters G and K and by the number 5.
Mon, Jan 23, 1978
Susan, Gordon, Luis, Linda and David hop on a bus to the airport to meet their friends as they return from Hawaii. Not long after their bus departs from Sesame Street, another bus arrives, dropping off Maria, Olivia, Bob, Mr. Hooper, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from the airport. They wonder where everyone is and wish they were around to greet them. "Octopus One-Man Band". The gang sulks in Hooper's Store, wondering where the others could be. Just then, their bus pulls up and they rant about where the travelers were. They notice Oscar's can is back and the two groups share a nice reunion. Oscar can't take all the pleasantries.
Tue, Jan 24, 1978
Oscar appears to be fishing in a bucket. Gordon, Ruby, David, and Maria come by one-by-one to watch, as Oscar counts four nibbles he seems to be getting. He is actually counting the people he's fooled into stopping and watching. Pinball Number Count #9. Animation by Jeff Hale. At the beach, Ernie notices that Bert is missing; all he sees is Bert's hat. Sherlock Hemlock helps find Bert, and in the process, discovers that Ernie accidentally buried Bert under the sand.
Wed, Jan 25, 1978
Mr. Hooper tells Maria and Luis that David is out sick, so he's called a local employment agency to send someone over in his place. The agency didn't tell him anything beyond the fact that he's a man around Hooper's age and he has experience running his own store. A man, Mr. Ortiz, arrives, speaking Spanish and inquiring if this is where has been sent by the agency. As he hears Mr. Hooper describe the job, he becomes unsure of his place here - he doesn't speak English well and believes the agency made a mistake. Mr. Hooper claims that he knows a few Spanish words (showing off the store's "Se Habla Espanol" sign) and encourages the man to stay, even though he has some difficulty understanding him.
Fri, Jan 27, 1978
Gordon has his school's new and expensive telescope. He intends to use it tonight, very carefully setting it up so as not to break it. When he finally looks through it, he sees nothing. He fears he broke it somehow while putting it together, when one of the kids points out that the lens cover is still on. Cartoon: "Poverty Z" -- A figure tries to sell a Z. His only customer stops him by locking him inside a zoo cage. Artist: Cliff Roberts. Muppets Zs come out of Herry Monster's mouth as he snores. (part two).
Mon, Jan 30, 1978
Big Bird, David, and the kids play a game where they match the bottom and top halves of pictures of Big Bird, Mr. Hooper, and Ernie. They match the Big Bird and Ernie pictures, so Big Bird asks David to match the last one. He puts them together and Big Bird gets him to admit that it's a picture of Mr. Snuffleupagus. When Maria comes by and hears what's been going on, she gives David a look of disbelief. The Magnificent Splasho demonstrates before and after.
Tue, Jan 31, 1978
Big Bird, David, and the kids play a game where they match the bottom and top halves of pictures of Big Bird, Mr. Hooper, and Ernie. They match the Big Bird and Ernie pictures, so Big Bird asks David to match the last one. He puts them together and Big Bird gets him to admit that it's a picture of Mr. Snuffleupagus. When Maria comes by and hears what's been going on, she gives David a look of disbelief. The Magnificent Splasho demonstrates before and after.
Wed, Feb 1, 1978
Big Bird lures Maria to his nest to show her the snowman he's built. Maria says that it's upside down and that he should have looked at a picture of a snowman to see what one looks like. Big Bird produces a book called "World's Great Snowmen" and says it looks just alike a picture in the book - which Maria notes is upside down. She offers to help fix it, placing the head on the top, etc. Big Bird says he liked it better his first way, and Maria assures him that's fine: he's invented a new way to build a snowman. What Do You Do With a Pet?
Fri, Feb 3, 1978
Kermit has Grover help him demonstrate up and down by having Grover climb UP a sky-high flight of stairs -- while Kermit takes the elevator to the top. Exhausted, Grover faints and rolls DOWN the staircase. Ernie shows drawings to Bert, and Bert has to guess what happened. Ernie has a drawing of an empty bird cage with an open door (the bird flew away), and a man lying on the ground with a banana peel next to him (he slipped on it). Then Ernie shows Bert an empty page. The answer to that one is that there was a cow eating grass, but the grass is all eaten now and the cow went home.