Season 16 (1984-1985)

thumb|300px|"Amigo"
thumb|300px|credit crawl
Sesame Street Season 16 aired from November 19, 1984, to May 17, 1985.
==Overview==
Season 16 set out to make an "attempt to familiarize children with hospitals and make them less threatening through the situation." In Episode 1996, Luis breaks his arm and as a result is sent to the emergency room and fitted for a cast. Young viewers saw over the course of a few weeks' worth of episodes how Luis was able to cope with only one working arm, as well as his emotions of sadness and anger that arrive from his limitations. The subject of computer literacy (added to the curriculum during season 15) is continued this season to "encourage the development of creative writing skills with the keyboard." Head writer Norman Stiles says, "As a result of working with computers, we know now that kids can create writing before their motor skills are developed."The Times-News: 'Sesame Street' turns sweet 16, November 19, 1984
Vocabulary lessons were also expanded this season, as episodes and segments demonstrated how reading and writing could be enjoyable and useful. One example, from Episode 2073, features Telly Monster discovering that he can spell more than one word using the letters in the word "STOP." Language appreciation and the value of a rich vocabulary is also introduced, often straight from the horse's mouth - Buster the Horse to be exact, who assists in teaching words like "abominable" and "flabbergasted."Truglio and Fisch. G is for Growing. p. 32
Sesame Street hopped onto the trend of music videos and new-wave music this season, including the introduction of How Now Brown and the Moo Wave, a spoof of new-wave rock bands that were relevant at the time. "We don't want older brothers and sisters to come in the room, say that's a baby show and turn it off," said Dulcy Singer. Helping to make the show feel more timely is the new teenager character Piri, who frequently likes to show off his breakdancing skills and encourages others to dance along.
Season 16 was the final year that the grown-ups believed that Big Bird's friend Mr. Snuffleupagus was just in his imagination. After growing evidence, the season premiere established that Big Bird was no longer alone in the belief of his friend's existence - Maria, Linda, and Gordon trusted Big Bird's word and were convinced the Snuffleupagus was real. Though none of them would meet him until the following year, Oscar the Grouch would come face to face with the mammoth creature - but being a Grouch, he decided to keep the new info to himself. Nonetheless, the bird and his best friend's lives stayed busy, as Big Bird founded the Birdketeers club and Snuffy let his imagination run wild in the form of his snufflepuppet Gus.
==Characters and segments==
In addition to Piri, season 16 welcomes Shelley, a shy turtle who discovers that his shell makes the perfect home. Jazz musician Hoots the Owl also makes his debut in one episode to sing about his nocturnal lifestyle, and Ernie explores the differences and similarities he shares with his baby cousin Ernestine. Two Muppet children make occasional appearances: the assertive but endearing Crystal and her soft-spoken friend Mario.
These latter two characters are performed by newcomers Pam Arciero and Kevin Clash respectively, who also take over several of the Muppets that were previously played by Brian Muehl. While Muehl's Telly and Barkley were given to Martin P. Robinson and juggler/mime Fred Garbo respectfully, Arciero was assigned Grundgetta and Clash got Dr. Nobel Price and Clementine. When veteran performer Richard Hunt attempted to make Muehl's Elmo a recurring character, he grew frustrated with the puppet and gave him to Clash, who went on to perform the little red monster for almost 30 years.
A series of animated guessing games were interspersed throughout the season, asking the viewer "What is it?" and "What's missing?" Computer animation was also utilized in inserts to demonstrate the word "CASA" as illustrated houses were drawn for a human (Maria), a bird, and a Grouch (Oscar).
==Episodes==
Episodes 1966 - 2095 (130 episodes)
* Episode 1966 -- 16th season premiere; The adults begin to believe that Snuffy is real
* Episode 1967 -- Two-Headed Monster at the library
* Episode 1968 -- David meets Crystal
* Episode 1969
* Episode 1970
* Episode 1971 -- Max the Magnificent
* Episode 1972
* Episode 1973 -- David prepares breakfast
* Episode 1974 -- Irvine crosses the street
* Episode 1975 -- Grandpa Grouch's joke machine
* Episode 1976 -- Oscar launches into space (repeat)
* Episode 1977 -- Big Bird at camp, part 2 (repeat)
* Episode 1978 -- Big Bird at camp, part 3 (repeat)
* Episode 1979 -- Big Bird at camp, part 4 (repeat)
* Episode 1980 -- Big Bird at camp, part 5 (repeat)
* Episode 1981 -- Sing-along party (repeat)
* Episode 1982 -- Slimey gets hurt while skydiving (repeat)
* Episode 1983 -- The Sesame Street 500 (repeat)
* Episode 1984 -- Gordon and Susan's wedding anniversary (repeat)
* Episode 1985 -- David's big nose (repeat)
* Episode 1986 -- Maria practices karate (repeat)
* Episode 1987 -- Bob gives music lessons (repeat)
* Episode 1988 -- Oscar's "Near-Far-Follow the Arrows" game (repeat)
* Episode 1989 -- Hooper's Store has a promotional contest (repeat)
* Episode 1990 -- The Robinsons go on a grouchy double-date (repeat)
* Episode 1991 -- Oscar hides (repeat)
* Episode 1992 -- Getting Spot back to Oscar's can (repeat)
* Episode 1993 -- Two-Headed Monster checkup / translating honks and dings (repeat)
* Episode 1994 -- Telly and Oscar's secret knock (repeat)
* Episode 1995 -- Water shortage on Sesame Street (repeat)
* Episode 1996 -- Luis breaks his arm
* Episode 1997 -- Luis deals with his broken arm
* Episode 1998 -- Luis is bored with a broken arm
* Episode 1999 -- Big Bird tries to help Luis and his arm
* Episode 2000 -- The Count counts counts
* Episode 2001 -- The Unfixit Shop
* Episode 2002 -- Luis gets a check-up
* Episode 2003 -- Ferlinghetti bugs David
* Episode 2004 -- Luis uses his left hand
* Episode 2005
* Episode 2006 -- Luis needs help blowing up balloons
* Episode 2007 -- Shelley the Turtle looks for a home
* Episode 2008 -- Dr. Nobel Price's signs
* Episode 2009 -- Luis gets his cast removed
* Episode 2010 -- Fresh out of a cast, Luis takes it slow
* Episode 2011 -- Elmo rhymes / Snuffle puppet show
* Episode 2012 -- Linda's friend Ed visits
* Episode 2013 -- Having fun with a paper towel tube
* Episode 2014 -- Uncle Wally performs a Snortleoutagus gag
* Episode 2015 -- Luis' friend Carlos learns English
* Episode 2016 -- Oscar performs mystery tricks
* Episode 2017 -- Slimey the carpenter / Snuffy takes a bath
* Episode 2018 -- Elmo makes noises / Big Bird and Snuffy's pictures
* Episode 2019 -- Gordon meets the Rockheads
* Episode 2020
* Episode 2021 -- Finding the hidden Grouches
* Episode 2022 -- Big Bird runs a vegetable juice stand
* Episode 2023 -- Oscar preps for the Pork Stakes race
* Episode 2024 -- Big Bird forms the Birdketeers
* Episode 2025 -- Water music. / Elmo's waiting game
* Episode 2026
* Episode 2027
* Episode 2028 -- Snuffy gets jealous
* Episode 2029 -- Big Bird stays up late at night
* Episode 2030
* Episode 2031 -- Eugene sleeps over at Bob's
* Episode 2032 -- A note for Snuffy
* Episode 2033 -- Mumford brings Cinderella to Sesame Street
* Episode 2034 -- Maria looks for things beginning with the letter I 
* Episode 2035 -- Don Music writes "Flabbergasted"
* Episode 2036 -- Elmo plays hide-and-seek with Oscar
* Episode 2037 -- A Rockhead rhymes with Elmo and listens to Big Bird's poem
* Episode 2038 -- Forgetful Jones and the labels
* Episode 2039
* Episode 2040 -- Big Bird counts backwards
* Episode 2041
* Episode 2042 -- Gordon spends the day waiting to meet Snuffy
* Episode 2043
* Episode 2044
* Episode 2045
* Episode 2046
* Episode 2047 -- Telly gets angry with Luis.
* Episode 2048 -- Slimey helps at the Fix-It Shop / Telly's magic words
* Episode 2049
* Episode 2050 -- Telly becomes a firefighter.
* Episode 2051 -- Forgetful Jones writes a book
* Episode 2052
* Episode 2053 -- The Martians cause trouble for Big Bird
* Episode 2054 -- Gordon agrees to visit Snuffy's cave
* Episode 2055
* Episode 2056 -- Telly tries to draw Oscar
* Episode 2057
* Episode 2058 -- Snuffy joins the Grouchketeers
* Episode 2059 -- Break dancing; Maria's life story
* Episode 2060 -- Superbird / Miss Trump dances
* Episode 2061
* Episode 2062 -- The Big Sesame Street Breakfast
* Episode 2063
* Episode 2064 -- The Sesame Street Pet Show
* Episode 2065 -- A day with Geri Jewell
* Episode 2066
* Episode 2067 -- Forgetful forgets how to read signs
* Episode 2068 -- Carlos goes on a Grouch tour
* Episode 2069 -- Hooper's Store gets a new door
* Episode 2070 -- Oscar tries a tongue twister
* Episode 2071 -- Trumpet Afternoon
* Episode 2072 -- There's a blackout on Sesame Street
* Episode 2073 -- Remembering Mr. Hooper / Oscar's stop sign
* Episode 2074
* Episode 2075
* Episode 2076 -- Oscar has a pet lobster
* Episode 2077
* Episode 2078
* Episode 2079
* Episode 2080
* Episode 2081 -- The Grouch of the Year Award 
* Episode 2082 -- Snuffy imagines himself as a cloud
* Episode 2083
* Episode 2084 -- Telly tries to wait out his birthday
* Episode 2085
* Episode 2086
* Episode 2087 -- Telly the detective
* Episode 2088
* Episode 2089 -- How Oscar came to Sesame Street
* Episode 2090 -- Oscar looks for a job
* Episode 2091 -- Slimey's night out
* Episode 2092
* Episode 2093 -- Oscar and a Honker trick Telly
* Episode 2094 -- Telly watches Mr. Mac's cart
* Episode 2095 -- 16th season finale; Big Bird and Officer George look for Barkley
==Cast==
;Cast
:Linda Bove, Northern Calloway, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Sonia Manzano, Bob McGrath, Roscoe Orman, Alaina Reed (Uncredited: Micki Barnett, Eddie Castrodad, Bill McCutcheon, Loretta Tupper) 
;Jim Henson's Muppets
:Caroll Spinney, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Martin P. Robinson, Kevin Clash, Pam Arciero, Bryant Young, Fred Garbo (Uncredited: Fran Brill, Ed Christie, Jim Kroupa, Noel MacNeal, Kathryn Mullen, Gabriel Velez)
;Guest Stars
: Sid Caesar, Billy Crystal, Jane Curtin, Ron Darling, Ron Foster, Dizzy Gillespie, Ellen Greene, Herbie Hancock, Geri Jewell, Rosetta LeNoire, Loretta Lynn, Menudo, John Moschitta, Jr., Mandy Patinkin, Smokey RobinsonThe Miami News: 'Sesame Street,' 15, keeps youthful zest, November 7, 1984
===Characters===
;Humans
:Gordon, Susan, Maria, Luis, Linda, Bob, David, Mr. Macintosh, Olivia, Piri, Willy, Uncle Wally, Micki, Miss Trump
;Muppets
: The Amazing Mumford, AM Monsters, Anything Muppets, Bad Barney, Barkley, Bert, Betty Lou, The Big Bad Wolf, Big Bird, Bip Bipadotta, Bruno the Trashman, Buster the Horse, Clementine, Cookie Monster, Count von Count, Crystal, Don Music, Dr. Nobel Price, Elmo, Ernestine, Ernie, Ferlinghetti Donizetti, Fluffy, Forgetful Jones, Gladys the Cow, Grundgetta, Grover, Grover's Mommy, Guy Smiley, Herry Monster, Honkers, Hoots the Owl, How Now Brown and the Moo Wave, Irvine, Kermit the Frog, Little Bird, Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats, Mario, The Martians, Max the Magnificent, Nick Normal and the Nickmatics, Nora Nicks, Oscar the Grouch, Osvaldo, el Gruñón, Pearl, The Rockheads, Shelley the Turtle, Slimey, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Sully, Telly Monster, The Three Little Pigs, Two-Headed Monster
==Credits==
*Executive Producer: Dulcy Singer
*Producer: Lisa Simon
*Directors: David Heeley, Lisa Simon, Emily Squires, Jon Stone
*Head Writer: Norman Stiles
*Writers: Sara Compton, Jeffery Moss, David Korr, Sonia Manzano, Luis Santeiro, Gary Belkin, Judy Freudberg, Tony Geiss, Tom Dunsmuir, Nancy Sans, Emily Perl Kingsley (Uncredited: Michael Preminger, Mark Saltzman)
*Music Director: Joe Raposo
*Supervising Film Producer: Edith Zornow
*Associate Producer: Arlene Sherman
*Current Muppets by: Caroly Wilcox with Richard Termine, Edward G. Christie, David Velasquez, Gwen Gordon, and Susan Moore, Noel MacNeal
*Original Muppets by: Kermit Love, Donald Sahlin
*Music Coordinator: Danny Epstein
*Assistant Music Director: Dave Conner
*Supervising Editor: Ted May
*Associate Directors: Craig Bigelow, Diane Mitchell, Arlene Sherman
*Production Supervisor: Frieda Lipp
*Production Designer: Victor DiNapoli
*Production Stage Manager: Chet O'Brien
*Stage Manager: Hank Smith
*Set Decorator: Nat Mongioi
*Costume Designer: Bill Kellard
*Graphic Artist: Gerri Brioso
*Senior Scenic Artist: Jane K. Asch
*Production Assistants: Joseph Catalano, Diane Mitchell, Thelma Moses, Mercedes Polanco, Danette Morganelli, Cheryl Ann Jung, Stuart Lowery, Rudy Vallecillo, Richard Grigonis
*Unit Manager: Eleanor McIntosh
*Technical Director: Ralph Mensch
*Lighting Director: Randy Nordstrom
*Sound Effects: Dick Maitland
*Audio: Blake Norton
*Video: Martins Gaujenieks
*Camera: Miguel Armstrong, Frank Biondo, Arnold Giordano
*Videotape Editors: Evamarie Keller, Vincent Sims
*Make-Up: Lee Halls
*Hair Stylist: Karen Specht
*Wardrobe: Grisha Mynova
*Curriculum Coordinator: Robert J. Emerick
*Vice President for Research: Keith Mielke, Ph.D.
*Director of Research: Valeria Lovelace, Ph.D.
*Chairman, Board of Advisors: Gerald Lesser, Ph.D.
*Vice Presidents for Production: David D. Connell, Al Hyslop
*Recorded at Reeves Teletape III
==Sources==
__NOWYSIWYG__
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