Ask Oscar

Ask Oscar is a recurring series of Sesame Street sketches, first appearing in season 12 (Episode 1493). Each segment was introduced by Telly Monster, and they involved Oscar the Grouch answering mail from viewers.
This sketch was also revived as the main street story in Episode 4118.
==Segments==
Picture	Segment / First Appearance 	Description
 	On/InEpisode 1493 	In the premiere segment, Telly 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 trash in a box, then throws the pieces on Telly.
 	The UdEpisode 1505 	Telly reads a letter from Matilda Yucchman of Chagrin Falls, whose Aunt Alice gifted her a "UD" and she doesn't know what to do with it. Oscar has also been given the same thing and shows how to make it into the word "MUD."
 	The Count Asks OscarEpisode 1573 	The Count fills in for Telly, but gets carried away in counting questions and reads more letters before Oscar can give a full answer to any of them.
 	Love in the JunkyardEpisode 1595 	In a two-part segment, Telly stops the show, knowing full well that Oscar isn't going to cooperate and come out of his can on cue. Oscar, however, keeps his promise and comes out, but goes back inside before Telly can present the question. Learning that the question is from Grundgetta, asking about love, Oscar answers by singing "Love in the Junkyard."
 	AddingEpisode 1599 	Telly tries to postpone today's show, but Oscar, overcome with the Grouch Flu, gleefully agrees to participate. Mindie Grouch of Elcart, Indiana, asks about addition and Oscar demonstrates using pretty flowers. He realizes what he's doing and asks Telly to end the show hastily.
 	Jumping AlphabetEpisode 1665 	A viewer wants to know if Oscar is able to recite the alphabet while jumping and patting his stomach at the same time. Oscar instead recites the alphabet as Telly does the other actions.
 	It's for YouEpisode 1828 	Oscar's not in the mood to answer questions and orders Telly to answer them. Telly protests, claiming that he can't answer grouch questions, so Oscar has him read one. Mrs. Bea Rotten of Dry Gulch, Nevada, has sent in a "phone" sign that she found in the trash and asks what it says. Oscar deliberately answers "potato pancakes" so Telly can correct him. Oscar congratulates Telly for correctly answering a grouch question, and he sends up more letters from his can for Telly to answer.
 	Longest Grouch WordEpisode 1829 	Linda's friend Timi assists Oscar, translating Oscar's words in sign language. Oscar answers a letter from someone who wants to know what the longest Grouch word he knows is. Oscar states that the word is "supercalifragilistic-yucka-alidocious" (a reference to "Mary Poppins"), which is hard to sign, especially when Oscar repeats it many times.
 	Episode 1830 	Telly hosts “Ask Oscar”, with special guest Grandpa Grouch. Telly reads a letter from five grouches named Fred, Ted, Ed, Jed, and Ned, expecting Oscar and Grandpa to figure out what’s unique about those names (they rhyme). They intentionally pretend to be dumb in order to further irk Telly into throwing a fit.
 	Planning for VacationEpisode 1845 	Bob fills in for Telly as Oscar shows how he would plan for a vacation. Oscar packs a suitcase, roughly exactly as Bob would, but when Bob lifts the suitcase, everything falls out though a torn side.
 	ListeningEpisode 1880 	Telly reads a letter asking about the importance of listening. Oscar drives Telly crazy by blatantly paying little attention to everything he says, forcing Telly to repeat the details over and over. Oscar finally concludes that while listening is a good way to learn what people have to say, not listening allows one to have some fun watching the speaker get angry.
 	V WordsEpisode 1917 	Oscar gets a letter from a viewer who wants Oscar to talk about a V word. Oscar talks about the V word "Vibrate". Telly doesn't know what "vibrate" means, so Oscar has Telly hit a steel V that Oscar has with a hammer, which gives them both a vibrating feeling.
 	Loud, QuietEpisode 1928 	Telly reads a question regarding the difference between quiet and loud. Oscar talks quietly to Telly, then shows off a pile of junk, which when tipped over, will cause it to fall. Telly loudly tells Oscar not to, showing loud. Oscar tips it over anyway for fun.
 	Ask Oscar's ComputerEpisode 1938 	Telly introduces a computerized edition of Ask Oscar, where the computer will give programmed answers to today's questions. Telly is relieved at this change, believing the computer will be much more reliable than Oscar. Telly reads a question about games to play at Grouch birthday parties. He commands an answer on the keyboard and the screen gives Oscar's response - "NO Heh Heh Heh!!"
 	No KiddingEpisode 2043 	Telly reads a letter with lots of "yes or no" questions. Oscar answers each one with "no," using a sign to answer it. The final question is an offer of old shoes, which Oscar realizes he's turned down by always answering "no."
 	Grouches' Favorite LetterEpisode 2049 	Telly reads a viewer question regarding which letter Grouches like the best - G or O. Oscar's answer is that X is the best letter, as it can be used to cross out things they don't like. He demonstrates by sticking an X on Telly's face.
 	Practice Makes AwfulEpisode 2135 	Telly reads a fan question asking how they can become as grouchy as Oscar. He tells the viewer that practice is the key. Telly thinks Oscar's response will make the viewer very happy, a nice gesture Oscar doesn't seem pleased with doing. Telly suggests Oscar needs to practice being grouchy as well.
 	Oscar DiscussesEpisode 2163 	Telly gets a letter asking if Grouches like to have discussions. However, Oscar won't come out of his trash can, and refuses to discuss the question.
 	ImagineEpisode 2193 	Telly reads a letter from Barbie Dull, who asks what Grouches like to imagine. Oscar says he never learned how to imagine, so Telly answers for him, closing his eyes and imagining pleasant settings, while Oscar rebuts with more grouchy settings.
 	A Grouch Is a Grouch Is a...Episode 2265 	Telly reads a letter from Robin Sunshine of Happyville, Montana. Oscar is repulsed by this information, but intrigued by their question - "Why are you such a crabby old Grouch?" Oscar fumbles coming up with an answer, but then produces a triangle and a square. He gives his answer - "Why is a triangle a triangle? Because it's a triangle. Why is a square a square? Because it's a square. And I'm a grouch because I'm a grouch." Telly doesn't accept this and points out the geometric reasoning behind the names.
 	Ask LindaEpisode 2316 	A grumpy Linda substitutes for Oscar.
 	Important Quickie / Rhyming OEpisode 2336	Oscar answers a query about what the word "important" means. In the next scene, Telly now reads fan mail asking if Oscar can name any words that rhyme with the letter O. Oscar replies, "No," unwittingly giving an answer. He then wants Telly to "go," providing another example.
 	Counting "Go-Aways"Episode 2359 	The Count fills in for Telly, who's at the dentist. Oscar, however, is not up to answering any questions today. The Count proceeds to read a letter, asking how many ways there are of getting rid of somebody. Oscar inadvertently provides an answer as he keeps telling the Count to beat it.
 	SHEpisode 2431 	Telly reads a question from a Grouch who wishes to know what sound the letters "SH" make. Oscar makes the "Shhhhh" sound, but Telly thinks he's shushing him.
 	ListeningEpisode 2433 	Telly reads a letter from viewer Mary Muck, who wants to know about the importance of listening. Oscar pretends not to be listening at all, which is a fun game Grouches like to play. Mary Muck calls in to hear the answer again - she wasn't listening.
 	Silly AnswersEpisode 2465 	Oscar is once again stubborn to answering any fan questions. Telly reads one anyhow from Mrs. Grimble Grouch of Kitty Litter, North Carolina - "What makes you think anyone should listen to your silly answers anyway?" Oscar is insulted by such a silly question and refuses to give her the satisfaction of an answer. Telly doesn't find the question silly and asks why Oscar even runs this show if he feels he shouldn't be listened to in the first place. Oscar thinks and concludes that the Grouch audience needs to listen to his show, otherwise they can't judge whether his answers are silly or not.
 	The Angry GrouchEpisode 2564 	Oscar ropes Maria into co-hosting this week's edition of "Ask Oscar" while Telly is at the dentist. Maria reads a letter from Mucky McBlegcch of Hobroken, New Jersey, who hasn't felt angry in a week and is coming to Sesame Street immediately for a solution. Sure enough, Mucky arrives and begs Oscar to help. Oscar takes his sweet time coming up with an answer, aggravating Mucky more and more until they realize they feel angry again. Maria cuts off Mucky to end the show and a three-way argument breaks out.
 	X Marks the SpotEpisode 2573 	Oscar is asked what the letter X is good for. Oscar shows that the letter X can be used to cross out his daily annoyances, such as bothersome neighbors, annoying letters and annoying letter readers (Telly).
 	CooperationEpisode 2585 	While Oscar gets ready inside his can, Telly reads today's letter from Ms. Dustiola Wormican of Yucchiola Springs, Florida, who wonders when it's appropriate for Grouches to cooperate. Telly tries to answer the question, when Oscar pops out and asserts there's never a good time. Telly points out that Oscar's just cooperated with him after all.
 	Oscar's AnswerEpisode 2605 	Telly starts up another episode of "Ask Oscar," but Oscar has little interest in answering any questions. He hangs a sign reading "NO" from his can, which Telly uses to answer the latest question. However, because of the wording of one particular question, Oscar winds up with a potential visit from the writer.
 	The Way the Ball BouncesEpisode 2808 	Telly reads a question from Sy Smelly, asking how to annoy his neighbors. Oscar demonstrates bothering Gordon and Susan by banging a wooden spoon on his can. His next question asks about how sound is produced. Oscar prepares to demonstrate with his spoon again, but Telly suggests something else. Oscar later has him and the Grouchketeers use wax paper combs to show how vibrations work before getting the kids to bang on his can again.
 	It's NiceEpisode 3070 	In a special edition of "Ask Oscar," Grouches are going to call in with questions for Oscar instead of reading letters. Telly answers a call from Yucchy Flats, Arizona, but Oscar refuses to leave his can to answer. When he finally explains why he doesn't want to answer any questions, the Grouch caller reveals his question was going to be "Is it nice to answer someone's question?" The caller gets mad at Oscar, who in turn gets mad with Telly.
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Category:Sesame Street Recurring Sketches