Confusing Things About "Follow That Bird"

Michael Wermuth, Jr. - Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird is such a great movie, but it has many things that I am a bit confused about, or at least things that really get me thinking and wondering. Some are continuity errors, some are things that would have ended the movie sooner. Anyway, here are some things I am confused about Follow That Bird.

First of all, when Big Bird gets a postcard from Mr. Snuffleupagus about him planning to come and visit, and the Dodo's laugh, Big Bird thinks they won't allow Snuffy to visit because he's not a bird (and since this came out just before the adults finally saw him, I can't quite tell if they actually believe Big Bird), which is what makes him leave. But then the Dodos never exactly say that Snuffy can't visit at all, though when Big Bird says he wants to go home if Snuffy can't visit, they never point out that they didn't say that.

And now for a continuity error... Supposedly, Big Bird runs away later that night, and it's getting dark outside. It's also dark on Sesame Street when they watch the news report, which I assume is a live broadcast, but during Kermit's news report it's clearly daytime. I know that Illinois and New York have a one-hour time difference, but would it be significantly darker in New York than Illinois? And even if it were, Big Bird is seen watching the news report outside and it's as dark there as it was in New York, and Big Bird couldn't have gone too far by then (plus, as I said, it was dark when Big Bird left). And Miss Finch is interviewed at the Dodo's house, but is shown leaving, and shortly after Big Bird watches the report she just barely misses him.


Big Bird's letter to the Dodos said that he expected to get back to Sesame Street in three hours. That's at night time, then after the sun comes up and he's still heading home he still thinks it'll take three hours, being shocked when the truck driver tells him it's more likely to be three weeks. Big Bird should have known that it'd be more than three hours if it's daytime and he's still on his way home, unless he couldn't tell time. Or maybe he found some place to sleep.

Miss Finch and the Sleaze Brothers are all on their way to find Big Bird, but they know that he's on his way to Sesame Street. Why not just head for there, assuming he's in the right direction? Of course, we don't know that they weren't planning on that. After all, Miss Finch does show up on Sesame Street as soon as Big Bird finally returns.

In the first scene at the Sleaze Bros. Fun Fair, they have a big set-up and seem to have a staff, yet they also seem to be a traveling fair, with their supplies in a truck (which couldn't possibly hold everything) and they just set-up where they please. And after they set up in Toadstool it seems they are the only ones working at the fun fair.

A few more quick things to point out or question: What happens to Ernie and Bert's plane? After their big number they are seen with the others at the gas station and fun fair but we never see the plane at either place. Cookie Monster spent so much of the movie eating Gordon's car, so why don't they get him to eat the bars of Big Bird's cage? And finally, Sam Sleaze thinks he'll be rich with Big Bird in the fun fair, I guess he's not familiar with all the residents of Sesame Street that could make the place more money. In fact he saw other large talking birds AND a frog reporter on TV, why not go after them?

Anyway, that's a lot to question about such a great movie, so I guess it all can be forgiven. Though I must still wonder how they made that nighttime/daytime error regarding the news report.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

Muppetology 101: Muppet Automobile Mechanics, Part 2

Ryan Dosier - Sorry I missed class for the past two weeks, guys. But, c'mon, it's summer and school is just so... blah. Er, don't tell the Dean I said that. As you'll remember from last class (probably, although even I had to look it up), we highlighted Muppet vehicles from the Muppet movies. This week, we're running with that theme and looking at vehicles from Sesame Street.

The Sloppy Jalopy

• Perhaps the most well-known and popular Sesame vehicle is Oscar the Grouch's Sloppy Jalopy. The famous junk Jalopy appeared prominently in the film Follow That Bird, where Oscar went searching for Big Bird with Maria, Telly Monster, and a Honker (for the car horn). The Sloppy Jalopy went on to make appearances in various episodes of Sesame Street and direct-to-video releases. The car appeared most recently in an episode from 2006 where Oscar and Grungetta race the car.

The Zoemobile

• One of the newest additions to the Sesame car cavalcade (albeit still 15 years old) is this wooden pedal racer built by Maria for Zoe in 1998. The car features a wooden frame, a steering wheel, a seat, a horn, a dinger, and a cup holder (of course). The Zoemobile was featured throughout the late 90s and into the early 2000s on Sesame Street but has not been seen in recent years.

The Countmobile

• This is one, one hot roadster! Ah! Ah! Ah! The Count von Count's legendary Countmobile is one of the other many cars featured in Follow That Bird. Driven by Count von Count alone to search for Big Bird, this Transylvanian truck features bat wings on the back and a classic purple color. First introduced on Sesame Street in 1975, the Countmobile also has a fantastic license plate reading "12345678910." 

Gordon & Susan's Volkswagen

• Gordon and Susan owned two Volkswagen cars since 1969. On Sesame Street they owned a blue Volkswagen and in Follow That Bird Gordon drove he, Olivia, and Cookie Monster in a yellow Volkswagen to find Big Bird. The yellow car is the most well known thanks to Follow That Bird and thanks to Cookie Monster, who devoured so much of the car during the course of the trip that it couldn't be driven by the time they got back to Sesame Street.

Bert & Ernie's Biplane

• The most outrageous vehicle featured in Follow That Bird (and that's saying something) was the red biplane piloted by Bert and Ernie. The duo took flight from Sesame Street to soar across country in search of Big Bird. They came the closest to finding Big Bird in a cornfield, but Ernie started singing "Upside Down World" and took the plane on a wild ride, losing track of Big Bird and all of Bert's bottlecap collection.

Well that's all we've got for class today! Head home, enjoy the summer, and drive safe!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 8

Ryan Dosier - Can you believe it? The final installment of our 120 Awesome Muppet Songs series is finally here! It's been eight weeks since Part 1 was posted and we've come full circle with the 15 final songs on the list. I hope you've been able to keep up by creating a playlist of all these great songs, Muppet fans. It makes for some fantastic listening. Before we jump in to the final installment, don't miss out on Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7! Let's rock.

106.   “Saying Goodbye” from The Muppets Take Manhattan 
I'd bet if you asked 50 Muppet fans their opinion on the saddest Muppet moment ever, 45 of them would say this tear-inducing number in The Muppets Take Manhattan (and the other five would be reduced to blubbering messes thinking of this song). Each and every character sings with more deep sadness and longing than ever. It's truly heart breaking and a beautiful, beautiful song that echos feelings of old friends gone away. Favorite lyrics: "Saying goodbye, why is it sad/Makes us remember the good times we've had?/Much more to say, foolish to try/It's time for saying goodbye."

107.   “You and I and George” from The Muppet Show 
From the sad to the silly, we bring you now that timeless classic, "You and I and George." I honestly think Rowlf's introduction to this song might be funnier than the song itself. But then the song happens and it builds up sweetly and innocently... and then George falls in and drowns himself and it becomes pure hilarity. No Muppet could sing this the way Rowlf does. It's like it was tailor-made for him. "My own mother turns down her hearing aid when I sing this song!" is one of the greatest lines of all-time. Favorite lyrics: "Then we passed a brook/And George fell in and drowned himself/And floated out to sea/Leaving you alone with me!"

108.   “We’re Not Gonna Stop” from The Muppets at Walt Disney World 
This gem from the shockingly under-appreciated and relatively unknown 1990 special The Muppets at Walt Disney World is an amazing group number. Not only do we get Kermit and Piggy and the usuals, but Link Hogthrob, Beauregard, Robin, Fozzie's Ma, Bean Bunny, and more fantastic secondary characters. It's the perfect cap to the special and is a fantastic anthem for the entire Muppet oeuvre. Favorite lyrics: "When the curtain goes up/And we hear the applause/It's the moment we live for/And you were the cause/We're gonna keep on singin'/If you keep bringin'/Your laughter and mayhem/Wahoos and guffaws."

109.   “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie
How much can I really say about this classic, timeless, unbeatable song that hasn't already been said before? I can hear Kermit's banjo plunks in my head just after reading the name of the song. This song is forever tied to Jim Henson, Kermit, and the Muppets. It's a goal, it's a way of life, it's everything the Muppets represent. There is no song that more fully highlights the dreamy, wistful, beautiful ways of the Muppets than "Rainbow Connection." Favorite lyrics: "Who said that every wish/Would be heard and answered/When wished on the morning star/Somebody thought of that/And someone believed it/Look what it's done so far."
 
110.   “I Love Trash” from Sesame Street 
Ah, going from the sacred to the trashy. Oscar's anthem is, in my opinion, one of the great love songs ever written. There aren't many people who love something as much as Oscar loves trash! Caroll Spinney's purposeful poor singing as Oscar is fantastic here. You can tell he's having a tun of fun. This delightful song is another gem from Jeff Moss and truly one of the best. Favorite lyrics: "I have here some newspaper thirteen months old/I've wrapped fish inside and it's smelly and cold/But I wouldn't trade it for a big pot of gold/I love it because it's TRASH!"

111.   “Get Goin’” from Fraggle Rock 
Another brilliant Jerry Nelson song is this short, insanely catchy and fun little ditty from "Gobo's School for Explorers." Gobo sings the song to recruit Fraggles for his new-found school of exploring. Wembley helps (sort of), but it's this song that really ropes them in. If you've heard it, you'll understand why. It's so catchy and bouncy and fun. You can't really say no! Favorite lyrics: "There's a story goin' 'round 'bout a hero of history/Well I guess I better tell you that the hero of the story is me/And if you wanna understand all the hullabaloo/Then it's time that'cha heard what I'm sayin' to you."

112.   “ABC-DEF-GHI” from Sesame Street 
No one wrote nonsense songs like Joe Raposo, and this Big Bird standard is no exception to nonsense. Yet it is so in-character for Big Bird to think the alphabet is just one really long, hard to pronounce word. Early recordings still retain that "dumb" Big Bird voice that Caroll Spinney used in Season 1 of the show. But it's still so goofy and Big Bird-ish that it's hard to resist this one. Favorite lyrics: "It might be kind of an elephant/Or a funny kind of a kazoo/Or a strange, exotic turtle you never see in a zoo/Or maybe a kind of doggy/Or particular shade of blue/Or maybe a pretty flower!/Nah... not with a name like that."

113.   “The Kermambo” from Muppets.com 
Here's another strange choice for this list. "The Kermambo" is a rollicking dance number performed by a computer-generated Kermit for MuppetWorld.com back in 2000. Oddly enough, it was written by Michael Giacchino, now best known for his scores for films like The Incredibles, Up, and Mission: Impossible. Bet you didn't realize he wrote a lot of music for the Muppets too! (And quite frankly I didn't either.) Anyway... this song is delightful and Kermit is having a fantastic time, which is always fun to hear. Favorite lyrics: "I can no longer feel my lower thighs/And I've gone mad--look at my eyes!/The dance floor is completely mine/The bad news is I've wrenched my spine!"

114.   “Life’s a Happy Song” from The Muppets 
Yes, this is my favorite Muppet song from the post-Jim Henson era. I could not believe that this one wasn't nominated for the Academy Award last year. Yeah, the voting system was wonky, but I think this one is superior even to "Man or Muppet." But that's just me. The finale version with all of the Muppets is the better version, in my opinion. The opening is longer, yes, but it needs more Muppets. But really, both versions are completely perfect. The lyrics are fun and funny and uplifting, the music is equally uplifting, and it just screams Muppet. Favorite lyrics: "Everything is great, everything is grand/We've got the whole wide world in the palm of our hand/Everything is perfect, it's falling into place/I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face!"

115.   “Is It True?” from Fraggle Rock 
Never heard this incredible Richard Hunt-led song from "The Wizard of Fraggle Rock"? Stop reading and listen to it right now! It really is an amazing song and yet another example of Fraggle Rock's keen ability to tap into something deeper and more adult than its premise suggests. The lyrics ask truly hard questions and poses some interesting ideas--which any great song does. Favorite lyrics: "Is it true there is magic that we have never known?/Is it true there are powers that we can call our own?/Is it true there is someone whose wonders stand alone?/Is it true what they say, is it true?"

116.   “The Christmas Wish” from John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together 
Kermit and John Denver did a duet of this song in their 1979 Christmas TV special, but I much prefer the album version which is just Kermit solo. There are only a handful of Kermit songs that are as poignant, beautiful, and meaningful as this song. This is not only one of my favorite Kermit songs, but one of my favorite Christmas songs as well. I can honestly listen to it all year round. It is hopeful and deep and all-around wonderful. Favorite lyrics: "For the truth that binds us all together/I would like to say a simple prayer/That at this special time/You will have true peace of mind/And love to last throughout the coming year."


117.   “Six String Orchestra” from The Muppet Show 
Scooter doesn't have nearly enough great songs under his belt, but thank goodness he does have "Six String Orchestra." Scooter, alone in his room, practices guitar and imagines what it would be like to be a real rock star and his imaginations come to life with Floyd, Janice, Zoot, and Animal. In the end they're all wearing sparkly, colorful, overtly-70s outfits. It's charming and a side of Scooter I love to see. Favorite lyrics: "I'm taking guitar lessons/But my teacher just took leave/It was something about a breakdown/Or needing a reprieve/I know I'll find my future/So I will persevere/And hold on to my dream of making music to their ear."

118.   “Count it Higher” from Sesame Street 
I'm sure even Little Chrissy and his Alphabeats would be impressed by how high we've counted on this list. I'm sure he'd be even more impressed that his song was this high up. This rockin' number is one of those fun Sesame songs that is both educational and entertaining to sing. It's rock and roll, it's arithmetic, it's brilliant! The terrific Christopher Cerf is responsible for this great song. Favorite lyrics: "You went and counted higher, huh!/You really went and counted all the way to ten/You went and counted higher, huh/Now go back to one and start to count again!"

119.   “One Little Star” from Follow That Bird 
Boy, there sure are a lot of truly beautiful songs present on this list this week. This song sung between Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Olivia is one of many emotional highlights of Follow That Bird. The song communicates the plights of all three singers. Big Bird is lonely, Snuffy misses his best friend, Olivia is worried, and all of these emotions come through in one simple song about one little star. The song shines as brightly as that star. Favorite lyrics: "One little star in the darkening blue/Do you long for another/Just the way that I do?"

120.   “Hey a Movie!” from The Great Muppet Caper
Well, here we are, the final song on the list, the finale if you will. Funny that the last song is the first song in The Great Muppet Caper. This number might just be my favorite opening of any Muppet movie. It does an incredible amount plot-wise, introducing Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo as newspaper employees, stealing Lady Holiday's jewels, and showing off Nicky Holiday. Plus, Sweetums falls in a manhole, Richard Hunt drives a cab, and Gonzo takes a picture of a chicken. What more could you want?! Favorite lyrics: "There'll be spectacle, there'll be fantasy/There'll be daring-do and stuff like you would never see/Hey a movie!/Yeah, we're gonna be in a movie/Starring everybody--and me!"

And that's that! 120 Awesome Muppet Songs complete and ready for you to listen to forever and ever. For curious minds, I've run the numbers, and Jerry Nelson led or dueted in the most songs on the list (as I predicted last week), Jim Henson came in second, Steve Whitmire in third, and Frank Oz in fourth. Surprising? You tell me! Sound off in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter to tell us which awesome Muppet songs you're upset that we might have missed! Because with so many fantastic Muppet songs to choose from, I guarantee you we had to exclude at least one. Thanks for joining us in the fun, Muppet fans!





The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com 

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 4

Ryan Dosier - We're back and after this post we'll be halfway through our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs! Don't miss Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 before jumping in today. Remember that these songs are presented in completely random order chosen by iTunes shuffle. Who's ready to jam?!

46.   "There's No Business Like Show Business" from The Muppet Show 
This classic of the Broadway stage has been co-opted by the Muppets. The Muppets first performed the number with Ethel Merman on The Muppet Show and it is still the best version they've done. Merman's vocals hammer the song home. The song would later be used to open The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years and during The Muppet Show Live. It's one of the best numbers of The Muppet Show Season 1 and it speaks to the great joy the Muppets find when performing. Favorite lyrics: "There's no business like show business/Like no business I know/Everything about it is appealing/Everything the traffic will allow/Nowhere could you get that happy feeling/When you are stealing that extra bow."
47.   "Baby Face" from The Muppet Show
This is perhaps the only song I ever need to listen to for the rest of my life. The Muppeteers clucking this classic song as chickens for two minutes is pretty much the best thing I can think of. The idea behind this song is pure genius and the execution is undeniably perfect. When it was performed by the Muppeteers at Jim Henson's Memorial it provided a laugh in a somber world--something Jim would've loved. Favorite lyrics: "Bawk buck baw/Buck buck buck buck buck buck buck/Bawk buck baw!" 
48.   "Let Me Be Your Song" from Fraggle Rock
One of Jim Henson's greatest characters was Cantus the Minstrel, Fraggle Rock's wandering bard. Cantus could hit deep, powerful ideas in his words and especially in his music. Nowhere is this more true than Cantus's quintessential song. This is absolutely one of the best songs from the entire run of Fraggle Rock and you could tell that Jim already loved this character. It's a magnificent number and me saying more about it really just distracts from the beauty of the music and the power of the lyrics. Favorite lyrics: "Everything seems to sing, everywhere I go/I say one, two, play me do/Let me sound as sweet as you/Play me wide, play me long/Let me be your song."
49.   "Workin'" from Fraggle Rock 
One of the first of many many songs written for Fraggle Rock, "Workin'" tells you everything you need to know about the Fraggle Five and even about Fraggles as a whole. The idea of only working for 30 minutes every week? Hilarious. The extended album version of the song available on the album "Perfect Harmony" features some amazing saxophone work. But the best part about this song is the great vocals from the Fraggles and the rockin' tune. Favorite lyrics: "The work I think I'll work at/Unless I think I won't.../It's sort of something that you do/Unless you maybe don't?"
50.   "Ain't No Road Too Long" from Follow That Bird 
One of my favorite moments from one of my favorite movies is this magical number from Follow That Bird. Country singer Waylon Jennings gives Big Bird a ride in his chicken truck and sings this inspirational song. They're joined by Gordon, Olivia, Cookie Monster, the Count, and Super Grover as well. It's bouncy and fun and it reminds you to always keep going. It's one of the most uplifting numbers Sesame has ever produced. Favorite lyrics: "Don't look back, don't'cha turn around/Just keep your eye on where you're bound/And you're bound to get from here to there/'Cause the dream can take you anywhere."
51.   "Jamboree" from The Muppet Show 
After Gonzo performed this song, Statler and Waldorf responded "I've seen wars started over less than that." "Wrong, there's nothing less than that!" I disagree with the old coots, because this is one of Gonzo's greatest numbers. It is absolutely bizarre, with lyrics inviting rats in balloons and penguins throwing popcorn, and chickens on a well-dressed moose. But honestly, it is just perfect Gonzo the Great. Trivia: This song was written by Frank Oz. Favorite lyrics: "Well you go run from thunder/And you stay away from rain/But I'll be looking at the color in the puddles/To see my Jamboree!"
52.   "Dum of a Son of a Gun" from Fraggle Rock 
It's a real shame that Pa Gorg didn't get to sing more on Fraggle Rock. I'm sure the rough voice was hard on Jerry Nelson, but Pa is so much fun when he sings. This is probably his trademark song (or "I'm Not Scared of Anything at All") and it's perfectly Pa. He bemoans the idiocy of Junior while poor Junior is behind him dancing and nonsensically singing along! It's a wonderfully fun little ditty with some great lyric work as well. Favorite lyrics: "It's bad enough ya huff and puff/To make the kingdom run/And worse, I curse the wretched universe/That brought a witless wonder bludner dummy of a son!"
53.   "Garden Song" from The Muppet Show Music Album 
John Denver may have performed this on The Muppet Show (see video), but my favorite versions are from The Muppet Show Music Album or Ol' Brown Ears is Back. How fitting that the gem is performed by Jim. Both Kermit and Rowlf's versions are fantastic, but Kermit's is slightly better, in my opinion. Maybe it's because I can picture tending a garden much more vividly than I can Rowlf. This song is all about sewing seeds and tending plants but the metaphor is so much more. Favorite lyrics: "Plant your rows straight and long/Temper them with prayer and song/Mother Earth will make you strong/If you give her love and care."
54.   "Sesame Street Theme" from Sesame Street 
I don't think that any explanation for this entry is needed, is it? Both the Sesame theme and The Muppet Show theme are present in the list this week, and it is so impossibly hard to choose the superior song. I think, lyrically, the Sesame Street Theme has the edge. The lyrics transport listeners to another world with their earnest ideals and beautiful words. It's so simple but so impossibly brilliant. Favorite lyrics: "Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away/On my way to where the air is sweet/Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Street?/Come and play, everything's a-okay/Friendly neighbors there, that's where we meet!"
55.   "Happiness Hotel" from The Great Muppet Caper 
This is one of my top five favorite Muppet songs (I think... it changes all the time). Joe Raposo proved himself a master at Muppet mayhem with this ditty featuring lines from every major character in the movie (minus Miss Piggy). Scooter sings, Rowlf sings, rats tap dance and harmonize, Pops is great, and the Electric Mayhem has never rocked harder. You really can't beat the fun and snappiness brought out by this song. It's a big reason of why The Great Muppet Caper is my favorite Muppet movie. I absolutely love it. Favorite lyrics: "Okay, the lobby's lookin' shabby/And it's got the wrong address/And the whole dang thing/Has been condemned by American Express/The management is cheerful/Though the whole joint's gone to hell/Well welcome home/To Happiness Hotel!"
56.   "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie 
Well what do you know... another of my top five favorite Muppet songs! This classic duet between Kermit and Fozzie is both hilarious and joyful. The frog and the bear deserve more duets purely based on this Paul Williams/Kenny Ascher classic. It's the perfect road trip song, the perfect Kermit/Fozzie song, and a true highlight of The Muppet Movie. Honestly, if you don't picture a giant fork anytime someone says "Left at the fork in the road," I worry about you. I really can't say enough about this perfect song. Favorite lyrics: "Movin' right along/We've found a life on the highway/And your way is my way/So trust my navigation/California, here we come/The pie in the sky land/Palm trees and warm sand/Though sadly we just left Rhode Island..."
57.   "The Muppet Show Theme" from The Muppet Show 
The greatest opening ever for the greatest television show ever? Perhaps. Like I said, it's hard for me to choose between this and the Sesame Street Theme. The Muppet Show Theme is absolutely amazing because of how well it opens a show--any show, really. It's bouncy and energetic and goofy and totally Muppety. It becomes a truly awesome Muppet song when it is paired with the visuals. The arches and the dancing Muppets and Kermit's introduction... sheer perfection. Who didn't go nuts when they remade the opening for The Muppets? Favorite lyrics: "It's time to play the music/It's time to light the lights/It's time to meet the Muppets on The Muppet Show tonight!"
58.   "Elmo's Song" from Sesame Street 
Cute, adorable, hinging on annoying--all of these are words that describe both Elmo and "Elmo's Song." The video for the song, featuring Elmo on the tiniest piano ever, is absolutely adorable. Elmo is joined by Big Bird and Snuffy, who revamp the lyrics to fit their names. But more than anything, this is Elmo's anthem. It's not just a silly little song for a three and a half year old, it's something Elmo is proud of as well. Just listen to my favorite lyrics: "Elmo wrote the music/Elmo wrote the words/That's Elmo's song!"
59.   "Sing" from Sesame Street
Boy... a lot of amazing, classic songs on the list this week. At last count, I had 15 versions of "Sing" in my iTunes library--and I love every single one of them. My favorites? Either the version sung at the end of Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting or at the end of Sesame Street's 25th Anniversary: A Musical Celebration. Both incorporate the whole cast, which I love, and both incorporate the rarely heard extended lyrics, which I also adore and happen to be my favorite lyrics. This song is pure beauty, pure optimism, and pure joy--everything singing should be. It's amazing that something this beautiful and wonderful could come from a kid's TV show (but, let's face it, I say that a lot about Sesame Street). Favorite lyrics: "Sing of love there could be/Sing for you and for me/Sing, sing a song/Make it simple/To last your whole life long/Don't worry that it's not good enough/For anyone else to hear/Just sing... sing a song!"
60.   "Jingle Bell Rock" from A Muppet Family Christmas
Hey, man! What a rockin' number to finish with! Not only is this the best version of this song ever (don't argue, just accept it), it's also one of the Electric Mayhem's greatest numbers. It features Lips, which is always a plus for his awesome trumpet solos, and Dr. Teeth, Floyd, Janice, and Animal all get awesome moments. I also love the adorable, soft moment of Kermit and Robin singing "Jingle Bells" before the Mayhem so awesomely interrupts. How this is not the quintessential version of "Jingle Bell Rock" that plays everywhere every Christmas, I'll never know. Favorite lyrics: "Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time/Dancin' and prancin' in jingle bell square/In the frosty air!/What a bright time/It's the right time/To rock the night away!"

That's it for this week! Tune in next time for 15 more of our favorite 120 Awesome Muppet Songs! 






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com 

Comparing Follow That Bird and Elmo in Grouchland

Comparing Follow That Bird and Elmo in Grouchland

Michael Wermuth, Jr. - Sesame Street has been on the air for nearly 43 years, and in its long history the show has spawned many specials, home videos, live stage shows, books, and albums, but only two feature length films. The first one was Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird, which is undoubtedly the better of the two, and the other was The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, while not as good is still enjoyable. And as different as these movies may be, there are also a number of similarities that I've always noticed. Yeah, there are the obvious similarities, like the fact that they are both Sesame Street movies, but the similarities don't end there, and I'm going to note some of the similarities I've always noticed. Enjoy the comparisons!

For one thing, both movies involve the cast looking for the main character. In Follow That Bird, it's Big Bird, who, after being sent to Illinois to live with a bird family and not being happy, decides to walk back to Sesame Street. This makes national news so the cast goes in search of him to make sure he gets back safe (and to make sure Miss Finch doesn't find him first). In Elmo in Grouchland it's the opposite, Elmo goes into Oscar's can in search of his blanket, the two end up in Grouchland, and Elmo's blanket gets taken by the villain, Huxley, so Elmo once again goes in search for the blanket. Oscar sees him go into Grouchland right before he does, informs the others, and they go to search for Elmo.

Gordon and Maria are the only humans to go on both trips. In Follow That Bird, Olivia and Linda also search for Big Bird, but neither of them appear in Elmo in Grouchland, while Maria and Gordon are the only humans to go on the Grouchland trip. Luis is hardly in either of the movies. In Follow That Bird, he gets two or three lines total, though he is there for many of the street scenes. In Elmo in Grouchland, he's there, but he doesn't get any lines at all. In Follow That Bird Bob and to a lesser extent Susan get plenty of lines while staying on the street, and in Elmo in Grouchland most of the adults who stay on Sesame Street get at least one line each.

Neither movie shows the characters who own Hooper's Store. David was a major character on the show when Follow That Bird came out, but was nowhere to be seen in the film. In the case of Elmo in Grouchland, Hooper's Store is just there in the background. There are no scenes taking place inside the building. I believe filming for the movie began before season 30, when Alan joined the cast, and was released after, so perhaps it would have been confusing for Mr. Handford to be seen in the movie after Alan owned the store for a year (the "Around the Corner" area makes an appearance in the film).

Both movies use bigger and more realistic-looking street sets. Both are quite impressive, though the street shown in Follow That Bird is more so. There, we see everything on Sesame Street, including all angles not normally shown on the show. In Elmo in Grouchland, we do see a little of what's across the street from 123 Sesame Street, mainly a laundromat and an outdoor restaurant, while some parts of the street are still unseen (like the area one would see if looking from across Hooper's Store and the areas between the laundromat and Fix-It Shop).

In both movies, Big Bird gets locked in a cage. In the first, it's because he's tricked by the Sleaze Bros., while in the latter, it's because he and the other characters go to jail due to asking for help. In both films, it is nighttime when the supporting cast finds out where the character they're looking for is, and it takes them until morning to get to their destination. I've also noticed a similarity between everybody on Sesame Street getting excited about Big Bird returning, and the residents of Grouchland getting excited when they learn Oscar has returned (well, as excited as a Grouch can get). Both instances include characters sticking their heads out windows upon hearing the news that an old friend has come back.

Well, that's all the comparisons I could think of for now. Maybe you've noticed similarities that I haven't.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com