Little Bird

[minor muppetz]

When I was a kid I often wondered why Little Bird was such a major character in books but wasn't on the show. I even saw quite a few sketches where he appeared in the background or a cameo, but didn't realise that it was Little Bird until later (I didn't even realise that Little Bird was in We Are All Earthlings, and he was the first character to have a line).

It seems like a lot of characters frequently appeared in books after they had stopped appearing on the show. Little Bird, Rodeo Rosie, and Betty Lou all seemed to be more major in books than on the show (I think that Little Bird and Betty Lou still make appearances in new books). Sam the Robot also appeared in the inside cover of The Sesame Street Treasury books, and made many appearances in The Sesame Street Dictionary, though those books were made after he had stopped appearing on the show.

I wonder why Little Bird stopped being a major character. I would guess that his personality wasn't too different from Kermit or Prairie Dawn's personalities.

 

[squirrelboy]

Squirrelboy here,

I know exactly what you mean, minor muppetz. I have always admired the puppets they came out with in the early years. Especially when they used them in that Sesame Street library. I didn't even know some of these characters - period.

Like:

The Amazing Mumford, Sam the Robot, even the scary Frazzle (which in my opinion he looked like he was going to hurt someone).

And during the show, it was characters like Little Bird, Alice, even this baby version of Ernie (during Bert and Ernie's early sketches). Now when I see this show on the air, and Elmo's World - I change the channel. Nothing's better than remenisicing the past.

Finally, this may sound a little silly, but when I first got a good glimpse of Little Bird, he reminded me of Scrappy-Doo somewhat. A character with a lot of energy and always full of questions. At times I wish they would bring Little Bird back. He/She deserves a 2nd chance.

Sorry for making this so long,
have a good day,
squirrelboy

 

[minor muppetz]

And during the show, it was characters like Little Bird, Alice, even this baby version of Ernie (during Bert and Ernie's early sketches). Now when I see this show on the air, and Elmo's World - I change the channel. Nothing's better than remenisicing the past.

The baby version of Ernie you ar ereferring to is probably Ernie's niece, Ernestine. She appeared in at least two sketches, one where Ernie talks about their similarities and differences, and another one where Ernie tried to get her to say his name. She also appeared in The Best of Ernie and Bert, and in an episode of Play with Me Sesame.

Finally, this may sound a little silly, but when I first got a good glimpse of Little Bird, he reminded me of Scrappy-Doo somewhat.

Sesame Street Unpaved describes Little Bird as being Scrappy-Doo to Big Bird's Scooby-Doo.

 

[LincolnHeights]

Ernie's neice Ernestine also starred in a street story in the 19th Season(1987-1988) when Gina was Babysitting for her and Elmo helped out. They mentioned Ernie in this episode but he wasn't seen. Obviously due to Jim Henson's limited time that he spent on SS by that time.

 

[squirrelboy]

Squirrelboy here,

Thanks for the imput on Ernie's niece Ernestine. I didn't know if anybody knew her.

Then there's characters like the Countess, I didn't think anyone could put up with the count's counting the way she can. Does anyone know if she was around during the early years?

Once again, thanks for the input, I appreacite it alot.
squirrelboy

 

[muppet_dk]

Take a look at this http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Countess

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

I call recall Little Bird returning at some point. I think I remember seeing a plot with Little Bird sometime in the 80s or 90s where he/she was looking for a home.

And he sang with Big Bird in the song "Mr. Big Bird, Mr. Little Bird", but I'm not sure if that song was ever used on the show or if it was just recorded for an album.

Yeah, some sources say that Little Bird is a 'she,' so I'm not sure that album was supposed to be in continuity with the actual show.