Season 21 (1989-1990)

Sesame Street Season 21 aired from November 13, 1989, to May 11, 1990.
==Overview==
The curriculum for season 21 focuses on environmentalism, and "to teach appreciation of nature." Lessons on littering and recycling are emphasized, including one episode where Oscar the Grouch learns how recycling works, and that even when things are reused there will still be enough trash left for Grouches. Another episode features Telly Monster converting an old carton into a make-believe spaceship, a pretend pet, and even an umbrella. Songs and sketches include "Every Bit a' Litter Hurts" and cavepeople Bert and Ernie inventing the first trash can. Viewers will also become familiar with recycling from two types of collections - curb service and a recycling center.Reading Eagles: TV Times: "Sesame Street is returning for its 21st Season". Water and energy conservation are also introduced, featuring lessons on how the water cycle works and Frank the Fish asking his neighbor not to leave the water running while brushing his teeth.
A special focus is given to geography.Truglio and Fisch. G is for Growing. p. 33 Viewers learn what oceans, lakes, rivers, islands, mountains, and other natural elements are, as well as the seven continents of the world. Examples include Waiter Grover showing how he learned about South America by observing a map, Slimey and another worm have a "cross-country race" across the map of the United States, and Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Ruby planning a trip to Africa, which is cut short as they're not old enough to cross the street by themselves yet. The inter-relationship between nature and people is presented with lessons on how an ear of corn can lead to eggs (in an episode of "Here Is Your Life"). In another segment, a boy named Andy is able to "eat the sun" - by eating the cheese that comes from cow's milk, which the cow makes after eating grass grown with help from the sun's rays.
With the birth of Gabriela last season, viewers see how Maria and Luis raise a baby, in turn giving lessons on infant care and development. Gordon and Susan's son Miles begins kindergarten, and learns how the school format differs from day care rituals. Gabi herself enters day care, but unlike the previously established center, it takes place in the home of Mrs. Lillian Edwards (played by Lillias White). Her place would become a regular feature on the show, with Lillian being added to the cast the following year. Several episodes also focus on Gina, where she learns to drive a car, and a minor story arc toward the end of the year where she studies for her final exam and graduates from high school, opening her up to new career possibilities.
==Characters and segments==
Season 21 welcomes new human and Muppet characters to the cast. With the departure of David the previous year, Hooper's Store is now owned by retired firefighter Mr. Handford, played by Leonard Jackson (later replaced by David L. Smyrl in subsequent seasons). The present-giving Preston Rabbit makes his debut during the season premiere, in a tribute to The Music Man; he's performed by relative new performer Jim Martin. Mike, a friend of Gina's, becomes a regular as a part-time worker/babysitter at the Fix-It Shop and one of Gordon's students at school. Fellow teenagers Alex, Jelani, and Lisa keep him company, while Savion makes the first of many appearances, showing off his talent for tap dancing. Wolfgang the Seal, a pet of Uncle Wally and a trained horn player, brings chaos to Sesame Street - particularly if anyone says the word "fish" in his vicinity. There is also a trio of shaggy monster singers - the Shagri-Las - and a pair of Muppet moving men named Tyrone and Gus.
Wanda Falbo (Word Fairy) appears in on-location shoots around New York, spreading the good word about words. Gordon assists Linda in a series of inserts demonstrating signs - and Gordon becoming the victim to them most of the time. Space alien Harvey Zork explores Earth by visiting a mountain, the California coastline, and Australia, while Gloria Globe sings how she's literally carrying Earth on her shoulders - after all, she is the world. There is also the worlds of Alphaquest, in which a young girl opens different doors that lead her to lands in which a letter of the alphabet is dominant to its surroundings. In one she may find herself doing a dance while drawing a dinosaur for the letter D, and in another she listens to a pack of purple penguins practicing a pop song about a pig in a parachute (courtesy of the letter P).
==Episodes==
Episodes 2616 - 2745 (130 episodes)
* Episode 2616 -- 21st season premiere; Preston Rabbit comes to Sesame Street
* Episode 2617 -- Barkley hurts his leg.
* Episode 2618 -- Prairie Dawn's computer play
* Episode 2619 -- Sleepytime on Sesame Street
* Episode 2620 -- Mr. Handford tries to take a nap
* Episode 2621 -- A baby book for Alice
* Episode 2622 -- Shelley is afraid of Barkley
* Episode 2623 -- Telly grows a beanstalk
* Episode 2624 -- Big Bird tells a joke
* Episode 2625 -- Gordon and Susan's anniversary / Gina baby-sits Miles and Elmo
* Episode 2626 -- Telly is curious about Gabi's baby talk
* Episode 2627 -- Making recorded messages for Susan
* Episode 2628 -- Telly explores with Gabi
* Episode 2629 -- Telly's dream
* Episode 2630 -- Irvine has the grouch flu
* Episode 2631 -- Señor Zero strikes again! (repeat)
* Episode 2632 -- Telly and Alice practice saying hello and goodbye (repeat)
* Episode 2633 -- Richard Stoltzman visits (repeat)
* Episode 2634 -- (repeat)
* Episode 2635 -- Mumford's duck-radio trick (repeat)
* Episode 2636 -- Maria and Linda imagine with Gabi
* Episode 2637 -- Gina babysits Elmo
* Episode 2638 -- Telly watches Wolfgang
* Episode 2639 -- Snuffy shows his friends his cave
* Episode 2640 -- Did Gabi say "Oscar"?
* Episode 2641 -- Luis finds a use for a pile of sand
* Episode 2642 -- Maria and Luis find a babysitter
* Episode 2643 -- Poem Day
* Episode 2644 -- Elmo and the cloud
* Episode 2645 -- Ruby experiments with eyes
* Episode 2646 -- Preston's "Illustration Activation" machine
* Episode 2647 -- A park for Slimey
* Episode 2648 -- Bob accompanies Oscar to Grouchytown
* Episode 2649 -- Flo Bear writes about babies
* Episode 2650
* Episode 2651 -- Barkley won't take his bath (repeat)
* Episode 2652 -- Big Bird and Anna play with rope (repeat)
* Episode 2653 -- Oscar and the monkey (repeat)
* Episode 2654 -- Jay Leno visits (repeat)
* Episode 2655 -- Big Bird's note to Hoots (repeat)
* Episode 2656
* Episode 2657 -- Gabi's Grouchy art
* Episode 2658 -- Isaac Stern visits
* Episode 2659 -- Miles will be starting kindergarten / Getting Barkley from the couch
* Episode 2660 -- Telly's old tuba
* Episode 2661 -- A day with Hiroshi
* Episode 2662 -- Experiments with Ruby
* Episode 2663 -- A bell in the Fix-It Shop
* Episode 2664 -- Reading "The Three Jolly Monsters"
* Episode 2665 -- The Count counts at day care
* Episode 2666
* Episode 2667 -- Oscar vs. recycling
* Episode 2668 -- Miles starts kindergarten (part 1)
* Episode 2669 -- Miles starts kindergarten (part 2)
* Episode 2670
* Episode 2671 -- Bob birdwatches (repeat)
* Episode 2672 -- (repeat)
* Episode 2673 -- Natasha joins clubs (repeat)
* Episode 2674 -- Big Bird's WALK signs (repeat)
* Episode 2675 -- Big Bird and Snuffy play games / Elmo sleeps over (repeat)
* Episode 2676 -- Sesame Street after dark (repeat)
* Episode 2677 -- Animals at the library / Snuffy makes art (repeat)
* Episode 2678 -- Big Bird's gift for Luis / Elmo watches for stars (repeat)
* Episode 2679 -- Big Bird listens (repeat)
* Episode 2680 -- Telly's magic pencil (repeat)
* Episode 2681 -- Gabi starts daycare
* Episode 2682 -- Linda gets a closed-captioning decoder
* Episode 2683 -- Old MacDonald relocates to Sesame Street
* Episode 2684 -- Mr. Handford on fire safety
* Episode 2685 -- Snuffy's drum
* Episode 2686 -- Help from Helena
* Episode 2687 -- The Golden Cabbage of Snufertiti
* Episode 2688 -- Gina and Mike practice driving.
* Episode 2689 -- Fire at 123 (part 1)
* Episode 2690 -- Fire at 123 (part 2)
* Episode 2691 -- Telly and the Wedge of Cheese.
* Episode 2692 -- A day with mail and pen pals.
* Episode 2693
* Episode 2694 -- Athena's bird-day party
* Episode 2695 -- Snuffy and Hiroshi read a looping book.
* Episode 2696 -- Telly plays with an empty carton.
* Episode 2697 -- Playing pretend elves.
* Episode 2698 -- Bob's broken doorbell.
* Episode 2699 -- Monster detectives.
* Episode 2700 -- Finding someone to watch Preposterous.
* Episode 2701 -- Big Bird's toy car.
* Episode 2702 -- The Important Report
* Episode 2703
* Episode 2704 -- A broken phone at Hooper's.
* Episode 2705 -- Athena won't go to sleep.
* Episode 2706 -- Just Say No
* Episode 2707 -- Oscar and Grundgetta spy on the Fix-It Shop.
* Episode 2708 -- The story of Ginarella.
* Episode 2709 -- Big Bird pretends to be grouchy.
* Episode 2710 -- Irvine at day care.
* Episode 2711 -- Luis cleans the apartment.
* Episode 2712 -- Jelani works at Birdland.
* Episode 2713 -- Sam the Lamb follows Maria.
* Episode 2714 -- A day with Flo Bear.
* Episode 2715 -- Ruby and Tatyana imagine growing up.
* Episode 2716 -- Oscar's trash sale.
* Episode 2717 -- Preston's gift for Mr. Handford. / Max Roach visits.
* Episode 2718 -- Henry Wadsworth Wrongfellow visits.
* Episode 2719 -- Slimey in a cross-country race.
* Episode 2720 -- Oscar's brother Ernest visits.
* Episode 2721 -- Oscar's nose
* Episode 2722 -- The Count woos the Countess von Backwards
* Episode 2723 -- Forgetful Jones and his dad
* Episode 2724 -- Malcolm-Jamal Warner films on Sesame Street
* Episode 2725 -- Big Bird's information booth
* Episode 2726 -- Telly plays a Spanish game
* Episode 2727 -- A day at the library
* Episode 2728 -- Telly wants someone to read to him at the library
* Episode 2729
* Episode 2730 -- Oscar writes to Grundgetta
* Episode 2731
* Episode 2732 -- Getting lunch for Oscar
* Episode 2733 -- Taking a trip to Africa
* Episode 2734 -- Elmo in Numberland
* Episode 2735 -- Oscar tries proving Gabi is a grouch
* Episode 2736 -- What will Gina do when she graduates high school?
* Episode 2737 -- Irvine cooperates at day care
* Episode 2738 -- Slimey is hurt skydiving
* Episode 2739 -- Telly wants Oscar to say "Hola" to him
* Episode 2740 -- Another day in the library
* Episode 2741 -- Gina studies for finals
* Episode 2742 -- Imagining with Immy
* Episode 2743 -- Telly plays with Shira
* Episode 2744 -- Using a paper cup phone
* Episode 2745 -- 21st season finale; Gina graduates from high school
==Notes==
* This was Jim Henson's final season. His final day in the studio was November 21, 1989, where he recorded three musical segments - "Don't Throw That Trash on the Ground," "I Wonder 'Bout the World Above Up There" and "The Bird Family."Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street, sample pages The 21st season finale aired on Friday, May 11, 1990, five days before Henson passed away. Jim Henson, however, continued to be credited on the show until 2001, when Season 32 ended.
* This is the first season since Season 2 where Fran Brill is credited as a regular Muppet performer. She would continue to be a primary performer until her retirement in season 45.
==Cast==
;Cast
:Alison Bartlett, Linda Bove, Emilio Delgado, Leonard Jackson, Loretta Long, Sonia Manzano, Bill McCutcheon, Bob McGrath, Roscoe Orman, Ward Saxton, Gedde Watanabe (uncredited: Lisa Boggs, Eugene Byrd, Alexis Cruz, Savion Glover, Miles Orman, Gabriela Rose Reagan, Lillias White)
;Muppet Performers
:Caroll Spinney, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Martin P. Robinson, Kevin Clash, Camille Bonora, Fran Brill, David Rudman, Pam Arciero, Fred Garbo, Bryant Young, Rick Lyon, Jim Martin, Judy Sladky, Jim Henson (uncredited: Jim Kroupa, Noel MacNeal, Joey Mazzarino)
;Guest Stars
:Candice Bergen, Barbara Bush, Bob Dishy, 14 Karat Soul, Jeff Goldblum, Carol Kane, Andrea Martin, Jeff Redd, Max Roach, Isaac Stern, Denzel WashingtonReading Eagles: TV Times: "Sesame Street is returning for its 21st Season".
===Characters===
;Humans
:Gordon, Susan, Maria, Luis, Linda, Bob, Mr. Handford, Uncle Wally, Gina, Miles, Mr. Macintosh, Gabi, Lisa, Hiroshi, Mike, Savion, Alex, Jelani, Lillian
;Muppets
:Alice Snuffleupagus, The Amazing Mumford, Anything Muppets, Athena, Barkley, Benny Rabbit, Bert, Biff, The Big Bad Wolf, Big Bird, Big Jeffie, Bruno the Trashman, Buster the Horse, Caroline, The Cereal Girl, Chip and Dip, Clementine, Cookie Monster, Count von Count, Countess von Backwards, Dingers, Don Music, Dr. Kvetch, Elmo, Ernie, Flo Bear, Fluffy, Forgetful Jones, Gilbert and Sullivan, Gladys the Cow, The Great Blechini, Grouches, Grover, Grundgetta, Guy Smiley, Helena, Herry Monster, Honkers, Hoots the Owl, Irvine, Mr. Johnson, Juliet, Kermit the Forg, Kermit the Frog, Little Bird, Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats, Little Jerry and the Monotones, The Martians, Merry Monster, Meryl Sheep, Baby Natasha, Old MacDonald, Oscar the Grouch, Otto, Placido Flamingo, Prairie Dawn, Preposterous, Preston Rabbit, Professor D. Rabbit, Roosevelt Franklin, Ruby, The Shagri-Las, Shelley the Turtle, Sherlock Hemlock, Simon Soundman, Slimey, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Sonny Friendly, Sully, Telly Monster, Twiddlebugs, Two-Headed Monster, Tyrone and Gus, Velma, Vincent Twice, Watson, Wolfgang the Seal, Worby
==Credits==
*Executive Producer: Dulcy Singer
*Producer: Lisa Simon
*Directors: Jon Stone, Ted May, Emily Squires, Lisa Simon
*Head Writer: Norman Stiles
*Writers: Judy Freudberg, Cathi Rosenberg-Turow, Nancy Sans, Tony Geiss, Luis Santeiro, Jeff Moss, Sara Compton, Belinda Ward, John Weidman, Josh Selig, Emily Perl Kingsley, David Korr, Sonia Manzano, Mark Saltzman, Jon Stone, Lou Berger (uncredited)
*Supervising Film Producer: Edith Zornow
*Coordinating Producer: Arlene Sherman
*Muppets, Costumes, Props: Caroly Wilcox, with Kermit Love, Connie Peterson, Paul Hartis, Barry Link, Peter MacKennan, Stephan Rotondaro, Mark Zeszotek
*Music Coordinator: Danny Epstein
*Conductor / Associate Music Director: Dave Conner
*Special Songs: Chris Cerf, Jeff Moss, Tony Geiss, Stephen Lawrence, Cheryl Hardwick, Sara Durkee, Paul Jacobs, Alan Menken, Dave Conner
*Production Supervisor: Frieda Lipp
*Editing Supervisor: Robert J. Emerick
*Associate Directors: Ted May, Eulogio Ortiz Jr., Craig Bigelow, Gordon McClelland, Arlene Sherman, Robert J. Emerick, Cher Jung, Diane P. Mitchell
*Production Designer: Victor DiNapoli
*Costume Designer: Bill Kellard
*Graphic Artist: Mike Pantuso
*Set Decorator: Nat Mongioi
*Associate Art Director: Bob Phillips
*Production Stage Managers: Chet O'Brien, Ric E. Anderson
*Stage Managers: Mortimer J. O'Brien, Hank Smith
*Curriculum Coordinator: Diane Mitchell
*Production Assistants: Cher Jung, Paul Lacy, Martha O'Connor, Leslie Brothers, Tim Carter, Walter Jacob
*Assistant to the Producers: Danette DeSena, Carol D. Mayes
*Script Coordinator: Thelma Moses
*Children's Casting: Gabrielle Howard
*Unit Manager: Eleanor McIntosh
*Technical Director: Ralph Mensch
*Lighting Director: Bill Berner, Jim Tetlow
*Sound Effects: Dick Maitland
*Audio: Blake Norton, Tim Lester
*Video: Martins Gaujenieks, Susan Noll
*Cameras: Frank Biondo, Dave Driscoll
*Videotape Editor: Evamarie Keller
*Electronic Maintenance: Rolf Wahl
*Make-Up: Lee Halls
*Hair Stylist: Karen Specht
*Wardrobe: Grisha Mynova
*Director of Research: Valeria Lovelace, Ph.D.
*Curriculum Specialist: Margarita Perez
*Vice President for Research: Keith Mielke, Ph.D.
*Chairman, Board of Advisors: Gerald Lesser, Ph.D.
*Facilities by Unitel Video, Inc.
==Sources==
__NOWYSIWYG__
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Category:Environmentalism