Rumor: Big Bird only in four Season 41 episodes

[Convincing John]

I do! I have many ways to contact Caroll AND the Workshop. I will see to doing that right away.

Just FYI, I heard a while ago that Caroll doesn't get online much (or maybe he was having trouble with his computer?), so it wouldn't be a bad idea to print this thread out and snail mail it to him...or if you can call him, read it to him over the phone. However you can work it out, just get the info to him (and Joey).

I stand what I said before, if Joey has trouble writing for the bird, he can ask for help. Have conferences with Caroll, talk with the other writers (don't forget to ask Sonia Manzano), look through the archives and see what Stone and Stiles did. Study the material already established and build on it. Everyone can put their heads together and cooperate. It works on the street, so it can work off the street, too.

We all love Big Bird. We NEED Big Bird. Sesame Street without Big Bird is like Kermit without his collar.


Convincing John

 

[ryhoyarbie]

I don't pay attention too much to Sesame Street, but if one of the head writers is saying he is having problems writing in Big Bird, then that's just another way of saying "I don't care much for Big Bird anymore".

The writers do have resources at their disposal to use, they probably don't care at this point if all they show is Elmo and the new character Abby.

 

[minor muppetz]

Joey Mazzarino may be the current head writer, but I doubt he's the only writer. Couldn't a different writer write some Big Bird scripts instead?

It's probably too late for next season, but I think that they should give either Big Bird or Oscar their own recurring segment in season 42.

 

[Drtooth]

I just realized something.

It may say that based on a rumor that Big Bird is only in 4 episodes, but do we know for a fact Oscar isn't going to be in a larger handful of them too? Seems like kids REALLY like him. I'm seeing more and more kid's stuff with Oscar on it... books, toys... we might just make up for it in Oscars you know...

I love Big Bird and all, but Oscar.... dude's my guru!

 

[zns]

I agree, while I haven't watched Sesame Street much the past several seasons, from what I have caught here and there, it's a very changed show. However, I don't think it's necessarily a change for the worst. Do I like that there's whole gaps of showtime dedicated to Elmo and Abby, no but I DO like the characters, love the performers behind them, and like you said I'm not the target audience.

I will say though, Sesame Street is STILL after 40 years, the best written show on T.V. for kids, it's STILL groundbreaking, fresh and clever. When I DO see bits here and there these days I still laugh out loud and I can't say that about other kids' shows or T.V. much in general these days. When it starts to lose those aspects, I think that's when the show will be in real trouble.

And of course, a lot of people seem to be forgeting the Workshop's true mission. To create a better world for their preschool audience, as well as adults. God bless them all.

 

[Drtooth]

I agree, while I haven't watched Sesame Street much the past several seasons, from what I have caught here and there, it's a very changed show. However, I don't think it's necessarily a change for the worst. Do I like that there's whole gaps of showtime dedicated to Elmo and Abby, no but I DO like the characters, love the performers behind them, and like you said I'm not the target audience.

I will say though, Sesame Street is STILL after 40 years, the best written show on T.V. for kids, it's STILL groundbreaking, fresh and clever. When I DO see bits here and there these days I still laugh out loud and I can't say that about other kids' shows or T.V. much in general these days. When it starts to lose those aspects, I think that's when the show will be in real trouble.

It would be a big long thread for me to completely go on about that, so I'll cut it short. I think SW still does a great job, and any changes to the show aren't the show's fault and unfortunately necessary for them to compete with REAL crap that doesn't have an iota of heart or brain to it. There's some stuff I completely don't get and don't see, though. But most of the things that were weak were changed back over the course of the last 10 years. Only time will tell if any recent changes will be permanent, and I highly doubt it. The only change that we've had consistent was Elmo's World... and that unfortunately won't change soon, even though the producers have been hinting that they want out.

That said, I still think if writing is to blame, it's all about comfort zones. Some characters you feel extremely comfortable with, and you'll wind up choosing those characters over others. And it's the same thing for ANY thing that requires a group of writers. Why other writers didn't write more Big Bird scenes or why Carol himself didn't give any input is beyond any of us, and I just think that maybe... MAYBE a lot of this has to do with the layoffs and budget cuts they're still facing. Again, I want someone GOOD to run PBS. Not some hand picked political politicking.

But whatever the reason, it DOES stink, and I'm sure they push for Abby and Elmo anyway. And I really think Abby works BEST if she's organically in a storyline, not just forced (the way Elmo is like 80% of the time). But we ARE getting a lot of stories featuring characters who haven't had street stories in YEARS. Bert's at least got one... when was the last time we saw Bert in a Street Story? at least 4 years? 5 maybe?

 

[minor muppetz]

If the problem with including a lot of Big Bird is writing for him, then I wonder if Caroll Spinney could get promoted to writer. He's had experience, as he had written his Rascal Rabbit series (though he ran out of ideas after a few episodes) and wrote the story for Big Bird in China (though he was uncredited as writer).

Or maybe they could let Big Bird have unscripted interactions with children. Maybe even have him come out to the real world and interact with real people (like they do with Murray).

 

[Fozzie Bear]

How can they have a problem writing for Big Bird but they can still write for other characters? I can't agree to that scenario. If they can't write for Big Bird, then they need to hire some of us and we'll do the writing, they can fit that in with the educational programming.

 

[SSLFan]

I actually AM SpinneyBigBird1095 on YouTube, and sadly this is true. Big Bird has gradually been in less and less shows, from 15 in season 39, 7 in season 40, and only FOUR in season 41. Caroll is the most upset, seeing as he IS capable to puppeteer the Bird, Joey Mazzarino (the head writer) just doesn't write the Bird in. Caroll has talked to Joey about it, but, if you know Caroll, you know Caroll is too sweet and subtle to enforce it. He is just happy to have the job after 41 years. I hope SW comes to its senses! I mean, LOOK AT THAT FACE! -->

You know, deep down inside I actually figured that something like that was going on. Joey's a great writer & all, but if you can't write for Big Bird, who pretty much was SS's main "go to" character for much of the show's history up until now, then maybe you should reconsider your position as the head writer. Yeah yeah yeah, we are not the main focus of the show & kids love Elmo, but Big Bird is special, and I'm sure many of you would agree, even if he is not one of your favorite SS Muppets. As someone mentioned, Big Bird IS Sesame Street, and he shouldn't just be reduced to ONLY 4 episodes in a single season. That's just absurd.

This REALLY doesn't sit well with me, it makes you wonder what exactly IS the bird's future on the street. I mean seriously, who'd ever think we'd be here discussing if SW was trying to phase out Big Bird? Of ALL characters, Big Bird?

 

[Drtooth]

I don't think they're purposely try to get rid of the Bird at all... that would be a LARGE hole in the series right there... Elmo or no Elmo. Kids know Big Bird would be gone. They're not that mesmerized by the red one.

Writers have unfortunate weaknesses... even the best of the best. Sometimes they just have to go into their comfort zones, and certain characters just get pushed into the back. Why do you think Meg gets so much abuse on Family Guy? The writers don't know what else to do with her.

And if there IS something going down, there are so many theories we can speculate. Maybe Matt's too busy with Jerry's characters and appearances and virals for the other Muppets to be the understudy. Maybe the suit's getting less ware because of the fact it costs a lot to maintain. Maybe, and this is what I'm thinking, it's all a big oversight, and they just managed to write more of other characters before they realized Big Bird wasn't really used much. I dunno.