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Episode 1405

Sesame Street
Big Bird takes ballet lessons
Air date March 28, 1980
Season Season 11 (1979-1980)
Directed by Jon Stone
Production November 7, 1979
Sponsors I, M, 11


Picture Segment Description
Muppets Sesame Street News Flash: Old King ColeOld King Cole calls for his pipe, etc.
(First: Episode 0922)
Cartoon Sign Sounds: STOP.
After the man reads the sign, two cars screech to a stop, one on each side of him.
(First: Episode 1163)
Insert Mr. Hooper listens in on a conversation between Bob and Linda, who are trying to make up with each other after having an argument yesterday. He attempts to intervene, but Bob would rather keep it between them, so he decides not to talk and just sign.
(First: Episode 1072)
Cartoon A girl goes around the city to look for her lost kitty, and sees its image in a variety of signs and in nature.
Artists: Don Duga and Irra Verbitsky
(First: Episode 1231)
Film Some kids watch a film of a man working in a greenhouse, and try to guess what his job is.
(First: Episode 0772)
Muppets Four monsters sing "We Are All Monsters."
Cartoon Today's Secret Drawing is a policeman.
(First: Episode 0223)
Celebrity Edith Ann says she can count to five, but won't.
(First: Episode 0926)

Film "Noises"
A boy named Julio uses "magic glasses" to see invisible things that make noises, including a train, a cat, a fire engine, a saw, and a man whistling. Can you make those noises?
(First: Episode 0004)


SCENE 1 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.
Cartoon A girl imagines herself as a car that rescues fire victims.
(First: Episode 0513)
Muppets Ernie and Bert: Rhyming GameErnie gets Bert to participate in a rhyme game, but Ernie ends the game just as Bert is starting to enjoy it.
(First: Episode 0798)
Film A bulldozer moves dirt up a construction site.
(First: Episode 0799)

SCENE 2 At the ballet studio, the teacher (played by Carmen de Lavallade) permits Big Bird to hang around for today's lesson, provided that he remains quiet and does not overstrain himself. The dancers take their places and start practicing their foot positions. Big Bird, despite feeling cocksure about his dancing ability, steps on his big toe in the process. "Ballet is hard... but I love it!"
Cartoon Speech Balloon: M for Mail
(First: Episode 0013)
Film A turtle swims in a tank.
Music: Joe Raposo
(First: Episode 0283)
Muppets Old West sketches: The town doctor ("Doc") comes to a saloon to meet Mean Manny and his gang, even though Manny is the toughest guy in town and plans to have a "shootin' party." Manny and his posse arrive on time and meet with Doc and his medicine...he gives them all measles shots.
(First: Episode 1166)
Cartoon M is for Moo
Music: Larry Rosen and Charles Myers
(First: Episode 0276)
Film "Flowers Everywhere"
(First: Episode 0141)
Cartoon Typewriter: M for magic
(First: Episode 0841)
SCENE 3 The teacher goes over some basic exercises with the class as Big Bird clumsily tries to follow along. When the class lines up for some leaping exercises, Big Bird follows the group and takes a big leap, crashing into the coat rack.
Cartoon Thelma Thumb: Thelma rescues a nest of baby sparrows from a building that's about to be destroyed with a wrecking ball.
Artist: John Korty
(First: Episode 1313)
Muppets Grover sings "Over, Under, Around and Through."
(First: Episode 0258)
Film Old Time Movies: Anne Meara observes wondering if the dashing hero will go over or under.
(First: Episode 0517)
Cartoon I - ice cream
(First: Episode 0033)
Muppets Muppet & Kid MomentThe Count asks Ingrid to teach him how to count to 20 in Spanish.
(First: Episode 0477)
Film George the Farmer demonstrates over and under.
(First: Episode 0230)
SCENE 4 Big Bird still thinks he'll be able to perform "Swan Lake" by the end of the day. The teacher calls for them to practice the dances they learned in the last session, while Big Bird thinks he can just watch what they do and follow along. He falls behind quickly and ends up pirouetting much longer than everyone else.
Cartoon At the circus, Tommy Trueheart displays his 11 trick-performing lions.
(First: Episode 0816)
Film The Mad Painter #11
(First: Episode 0329)
Muppets Ernie and Bert: Ernie Leads the BandBert struggles to listen to the radio while Ernie's band practices.
(First: Episode 0982)
Cartoon I for idea
(First: Episode 1077)
Film A little girl gets herself a glass of AGUA.
(First: Episode 0929)
Cartoon The word AGUA fills up with water.
(First: Episode 0448)
Muppets The Two-Headed Monster learns to use manners while eating with a spoon.
(First: Episode 1340)
Cartoon Dot Bridge #1: Dots appear uniformly
(First: Episode 0001)
SCENE 5 Susan and David wonder how Big Bird's session went. They hear classical music coming from his nest and take a peek inside. Big Bird has his feet soaking in water while conducting his phonograph for Marcus to dance to. Big Bird has resolved to become a conductor instead and let Marcus be the dancer, adding that he wouldn't even be able to swim for Swan Lake anyhow. Bob announces the sponsors, and the classical music continues playing over the credits.

CLOSING SIGNS Maria holds the Sesame Street sign, while Gordon holds the CTW sign.

Notes

  • Footage taped for the ballet performance during scene 1 would later be used as an insert for Episode 1510.


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