Thu, Jan 1, 1981
Countess Dahling von Dahling arrives on Sesame Street with Masha, her dog. Gordon is reluctant to let her count him and the kids, citing the rain that always occurs when she finishes. The Countess assures him she will immediately put a stop to it by counting backwards. She counts the five people in the yard, then counts backwards to stop the rain. As she prepares to go, she counts their goodbyes, leaving them stuck in a downpour.
Fri, Jan 2, 1981
At the Fix-It Shop, Luis shows Elmo the word "casa" which is Spanish for "house". Elmo mumbles his acknowledgement which turns into a questioning mumble. Luis assumes he's asking to learn how to write it, so he spells the word out on a piece of paper. Elmo mumbles quizzically again, so Luis explains that he just has to practice writing it over and over again. Elmo mumbles his understanding; Luis says that should keep him busy for a while.
Wed, Jan 7, 1981
Mr. Hooper gives Olivia four dollars to take a cab so he doesn't have to carry a heavy crate, despite her claiming she only needs to go two blocks. She calls for a taxi anyhow and Oscar pulls up in the Sloppy Jalopy. Olivia really doesn't want a taxi now, but Oscar promises to bump off on the cost of the ride. He allows a cheaper and cheaper ride until the ride costs zero dollars at all. Olivia hops in, but the car stalls and falls apart. "You get what you pay for," says Oscar.
Wed, Jan 14, 1981
Ernie asks Bert to keep an eye on his pyramid of blocks. The Count walks by, and counts the blocks, moving them out of the pyramid shape. Then he counts them again, putting them back into the pyramid. Bert yells at the Count for moving Ernie's blocks, so the Count counts the blocks again, taking the pyramid apart.
Fri, Jan 16, 1981
Bob returns from his concert tour and Big Bird reports he did a good job watching his apartment while Bob was gone, with some help from Mr. Snuffleupagus. They arrive at Bob's place to find everything is missing. Big Bird explains that he and Snuffy got bored while watching the stuff, so they brought it all to Snuffy's cave while they played there. Bob is instead convinced somebody broke in and stole everything. He resolves to call the police, despite Big Bird's protests.
Mon, Jan 19, 1981
Oscar calls over Gordon, Susan and the kids to judge his "Oscar the Grouch Look-a-Like Contest." Three Grouches, including Osvaldo, el Gruñón, are assembled and they compare how they look to Oscar. Osvaldo resembles Oscar the most, so the judges suggest he be the winner. Oscar, however, assumes the role as entry #4 and declares himself the winner, since no one looks more like him than himself. The adults and kids all leave, while the Grouches propose doing the trick again next week.
Tue, Jan 20, 1981
Big Bird and the kids jump rope in front of Hooper's Store, but Mr. Hooper tells them they're blocking the way for potential customers. They crowd into the hallway next door to jump rope there, but Maria points out they're in the way of people who need to get inside. They move into the Fix-It Shop, where Luis also tells them it's no place for jump roping. Big Bird can't think of anywhere else they can go, especially because it's going to rain soon. Luis recalls when he was a kid, they had a clubhouse to play in. Big Bird declares he and the kids will make one too.
Wed, Jan 21, 1981
Big Bird and the kids jump rope in front of Hooper's Store, but Mr. Hooper tells them they're blocking the way for potential customers. They crowd into the hallway next door to jump rope there, but Maria points out they're in the way of people who need to get inside. They move into the Fix-It Shop, where Luis also tells them it's no place for jump roping. Big Bird can't think of anywhere else they can go, especially because it's going to rain soon. Luis recalls when he was a kid, they had a clubhouse to play in. Big Bird declares he and the kids will make one too.
Fri, Jan 23, 1981
Kermit tests two blindfolded monsters and asks them which number they're feeling. Herry Monster minus his blindfold describes how he knew the number was a five and in the process breaks the five into pieces. Cookie Monster attempts to feel the number and Kermit tells him that he can't since its broken. Cookie Monster devours the pieces and tells Kermit it tastes like a five. Five fantastic floating fools fall from the big blue blimp.
Mon, Jan 26, 1981
Oscar has entered Slimey in a "Special Pet" contest and asks Susan to talk with the judge when he arrives, since Oscar isn't one for pleasantries. The Muppet judge, however, finds Slimey isn't all that special when compared to other animals, even after Susan pleads his case. Oscar appears from his can to give the judge a piece of his mind. The judge thinks Oscar is a pet, and a very loud, disagreeable one at that. He awards Oscar the blue ribbon instead.
Tue, Jan 27, 1981
Telly Monster is supposed to introduce today's number, but has forgotten what it is. Big Bird brings in his "Number of the Day Machine" to help, but Telly is certain he'll break it somehow. They start counting up and once they reach 6, the machine does its usual fanfare. Big Bird celebrates, while Telly takes this to mean the machine's coming apart.
Wed, Jan 28, 1981
In the premiere edition of Ask Oscar, Telly Monster reads a letter from Yucchina Blechman of Sandusty, Ohio, who wishes to know about on and in. Oscar thinks Telly should help with the demonstration. He produces a box, which he puts on his head, then has Telly put his head in the box. He repeats this using a bucket, to Telly's chagrin. Telly wishes to switch roles in the proceedings. Oscar puts some ripped-up newspaper in a box, then throws the pieces on Telly.
Thu, Jan 29, 1981
Big Bird has purchased a cabbage from Hooper's Store and drags his wagon of things to meet Mr. Snuffleupagus at Snuffle Cavern. He shows David and Maria the things he'll bring, including a muffler (to keep warm in the drafty cave), Radar, and a large set of directions to Snuffy's place. Two lines intersect at the middle of the screen and have an argument; they cooperate by making a cross.
Fri, Jan 30, 1981
Oscar intrudes on today's day care activities, where the kids sculpt with clay. Bob observes what everyone has made. Oscar shows him the various things he made, which are all just flattened objects. Three balls try to match three holes. A boy puts a red and green monster together using a diagram.
Mon, Feb 2, 1981
Mr. Snuffleupagus sees Linda sitting out in the yard and decides to go speak to her. Since she's facing away from him, he receives no response when he tries making conversation. He fears that she doesn't like him, but Big Bird clarifies that she couldn't hear him. Big Bird goes over and makes contact with some basic signs to demonstrate, but Snuffy runs off to learn sign language before Linda can see him.
Tue, Feb 3, 1981
A woman arrives on the street and meets Big Bird. She only speaks Spanish, so he goes back and forth between the brownstone and Hooper's Store, where Mr. Ortiz just happens to be working today. Mr. Ortiz translates some words Big Bird hears from the woman regarding someone she's visiting - he's her brother with blue eyes, named Geraldo.
Thu, Feb 5, 1981
Luis awaits the arrival of Dr. Nobel Price, who has another new invention to show off. Dr. Price, however, feels his latest project is already a failure. He unveils his creation - "woodies," a bunch of wooden objects of different shapes. The kids recognize them as blocks and play with them. Dr. Price, however, can't see their value as playthings and considers carving them into toothpicks instead.
Fri, Feb 6, 1981
Oscar, carried by Bruno the Trashman, reports for the Wide World of Grouch Sports, covering a Grouch race on Sesame Street. Competitors Gordon, Susan, Luis, Maria and Mr. Hooper disagree over who will win as Olivia snaps photos. The racers take off, as Grundgetta reports from another block nearby as the runners pass her.
Mon, Feb 9, 1981
Big Bird gets up early to make sure he's the first one up on Sesame Street. He looks out to see who gets up next by seeing whose apartment lights go on - Bob follows first, then Gordon and Susan, followed by Bert and Ernie, Maria and finally Oscar the Grouch. Big Bird starts feeling the affects of getting up too early and becomes the first one to go back to sleep.
Tue, Feb 10, 1981
Luis and Olivia greet the viewer on a very hot day on Sesame Street. Olivia comments that it's so hot, one could fry an egg on the sidewalk; Oscar does just that. I Thought a Thought - about small things. A man thinks about small things, and lists them. A sea monster thinks it is small, especially when compared to its father. Artist: Cliff Roberts.
Wed, Feb 11, 1981
Maria helps Oscar check to see if Slimey has everything he'll need for his stay at Camp Squishy for the summer. As Slimey trudges off, Maria asks why he's leaving now - it's winter. Oscar explains that with all the stuff Slimey has to carry, it'll take him until summer to reach camp.
Thu, Feb 12, 1981
Cookie Monster goes to the bakery for a special birthday cookie. The baker lists all the ingredients of the cookie, as Cookie visualizes it. The visualized image looks so delicious that he eats it. A girl gets a pair of earrings, intercut with shots of other people's earrings. A man displays the capital and lowercase A, and explains what an alligator is.
Mon, Feb 16, 1981
Everyone plays a game in pairs trying to carry a ball in unique ways, such as having it pressed between their chests or in their legs. Toothpaste March and Artist: Ray Favata. Captain Breakfast unsuccessfully encourages a little girl to eat breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
Wed, Feb 18, 1981
A father explains to his son why it is important to wear a seat belt when riding in a car. Artist: Cliff Roberts. Here is Your Life: A loaf of bread is profiled. "Poverty Q": A figure demonstrates Q words, despite the unruly stem of his letter Q that keeps detaching itself. Artist: Cliff Roberts.
Fri, Feb 20, 1981
Olga the lonesome robot. Muppets: Ernie gets Bert to participate in a rhyming game, but Ernie ends the game just as Bert is starting to enjoy it. Oscar call out for his neighbors to see "the creepiest, crawliest show on Earth." David, Olivia and Mr. Hooper gather as Slimey the Great makes his entrance. Oscar introduces three tricks Slimey will do - a somersault, climbing a pole and jumping into a bowl of mud. The last trick is Oscar's favorite, as it results in everyone receiving a face full of mud when Slimey lands.
Mon, Feb 23, 1981
Leslie Mostly interviews Kermit the Frog in his home, where he discusses the jobs he wanted to have before becoming a reporter. Circle In Space (with voiceover by Northern Calloway). Mr. Hooper blends the word PET and Barkley jumps on him. Maria assumes a safe spot away from Oscar's trash can to blend the word WET. Oscar appears from behind his can and squirts her with a water gun.
Tue, Feb 24, 1981
Luis, Olivia and Gordon hear honking sounds coming over near Oscar's trash can. They find Oscar in his Sloppy Jalopy, with the Count parked in his Countmobile ahead of him. Oscar wants to move ahead, but the Count is blocking his way. Thus, he honks the horn and yells, which the Count then counts. The two don't want a solution, both having a great time. The grown-ups distract them and they start the process all over again.
Wed, Feb 25, 1981
Forgetful Jones needs something to ride around the ranch. Clementine gives him clues: It has four legs and a bushy tail, eats hay, and neighs. It's his horse Buster, who arrives with the jeep. Two scribbles are hesitant to let a tall green one join them, until it protects them from the rain.
Thu, Feb 26, 1981
Biff is teaching Big Bird about carpentry. Big Bird's brought his tools, but since he wasn't sure what he needed, he brought 4 hammers. As Biff leaves to get his tools, David, Maria and the kids pass by and borrow them all. Biff returns, lacking a hammer of his own, but aware of Big Bird's stock. Big Bird points out they're all gone, but he knows where to borrow one.
Mon, Mar 2, 1981
A man encounters someone with a DANGER sign hanging on the end of his nose, and doubts there's any danger until the character sneezes.On a boring day, two hipsters sing "Meet Me at the Bus Stop" and decide to do so. Cartoon A man displays his invention, the A-box, which only takes the letter A.
Wed, Mar 4, 1981
Cat / fat / hat / sat / rat / bat / scat / splat / flat / pat. Voice: Daws Butler. Leslie Mostly interviews The Amazing Mumford from his home. He shows her a trick that turns him into a giant rabbit, which is easily is able to rectify. As he disappears, Leslie discovers she's been turned into a rabbit.
Thu, Mar 5, 1981
Sesame Street News Flash: Dr. Nobel Price reveals Slushabouts, but Kermit explains they're just galoshes. A toothbrush talks to a mouth about what could happen if not taken care of. A kid narrates footage of a termite colony. Telly Monster and Itzhak Perlman play Beethoven together -- Telly on the tuba, and Perlman on the violin.
Mon, Mar 9, 1981
Oscar has interest in becoming a photographer and asks Olivia for her professional opinion of his pictures. Despite the poor quality of the printing and unconventional subject matter (rusted cars and a trash basket, among others), Olivia thinks he has real potential, which discourages him from going professional. A domestic cat paints various wild feline versions of himself on his owner's canvas.
Thu, Mar 12, 1981
Everyone imagines themselves 100 years ago in Grace's grandmother's cabin, which had a fireplace to provide light and heat. They don't have any wood for the fire, until Herry Monster arrives with an entire tree. Arthur and Annie look for the letter A, while a shadowy figure observes all the A words they say. Features the voice of Jim Thurman.
Fri, Mar 13, 1981
Everyone imagines themselves 100 years ago in Grace's grandmother's cabin, which had a fireplace to provide light and heat. They don't have any wood for the fire, until Herry Monster arrives with an entire tree. Arthur and Annie look for the letter A, while a shadowy figure observes all the A words they say. Features the voice of Jim Thurman.