Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet (1996)

Picture	Segment 	Description
 	FRAME 1 	As the animated opening logo fades, Big Bird exits the alleyway next to the Furry Arms Hotel, unnoticed by Baby Bear. The camera follows Baby Bear as he walks around the corner, muttering to himself. Baby Bear notices the viewer and asks if they've seen Big Bird.
 	FRAME 1 cont'd 	Baby Bear continues walking down Sesame Street until he reaches the arbor, where he bumps into Big Bird and presents his problem: he has to learn the alphabet. Big Bird touts his patented method, which will have him going from A to Z in less than a month, but Baby Bear stresses that he needs to learn it today. He explains that he's fed up with that crazy Goldilocks, who keeps finishing the alphabet for him whenever he gets stuck. He starts to recite the alphabet, and sure enough, Goldilocks pops in to finish the rest. Baby Bear begs for Big Bird to help, as do Zoe, Betty Lou, Gabi, Lexine, and a crowd of other kids. Big Bird agrees, but he adds that he can't make any promises.
 	FRAME 1 cont'd 	Big Bird tests Baby Bear for "alphabet-readiness" by having him repeat some nonsense phrases. Then, he invites everyone to "Do the Alphabet" with him. Encouraged, Baby Bear attempts to say the alphabet by himself, but he only gets as far as C. Big Bird calls in the "rectangle crew" (Lexine and Gabi) to bring in the rectangle, which is framed and decorated with various letters. As part of his method, Big Bird instructs Baby Bear to look into the rectangle, which will reveal the next letter...
 	Muppets 	Ernie sings "Dee, Dee, Dee" as Cookie Monster hastily demonstrates each D word.
(First: Episode 0319)
 	FRAME 2 	Baby Bear feels good knowing those first four letters. Big Bird introduces the next part of his method, "alphabet exercises." Gabi leads the others in doing the exercises, which include rolling their heads around and using their bodies to make letters. Baby Bear feels the alphabet energy surging through him and rushes into saying it again, but he falls apart after F. Big Bird directs him to look at the rectangle again.
 	Film 	G for go, girls, guitar, goldfish etc.
(First: Episode 3269)
 	FRAME 3 	Baby Bear tries to say the alphabet again, and he gets up to I before he proclaims that he can't go on. Big Bird helps him out by having the kids demonstrate actions that start with the next letter. Baby Bear is still stuck, so Big Bird points him to the rectangle while everyone makes the "juh" sound.
 	Muppets 	"J Friends"
(First: Episode 0339) sound effect added at the end
 	FRAME 4 	Baby Bear is given a pair of sunglasses and a piano. Big Bird tells Baby Bear to pretend he's Billy Joel, because then, he'd not only be able to say the alphabet, he could sing it too.
 	Muppets / Celebrity	Billy Joel sings "The Alphabet Song" with Anything Muppets and kids.
(First: Episode 2562)
 	FRAME 5 	Feeling very "alphabet-y," Baby Bear tries reciting the alphabet again, but stops at M. Big Bird notes that he just said the "half-abet," and Baby Bear is showered with confetti and balloons. Now, he's ready to progress to the second half of the alphabet. Baby Bear names the next couple letters before breaking for some porridge, conveniently placed on the piano, and everyone else brings out some snacks. It dawns on Baby Bear that all of their snacks start with the letter P, but then he catches on that this wasn't by coincidence and the kids had planned it. Big Bird replies "The method is always at work." Baby Bear gets further along the alphabet, but can't remember what comes after S, so he looks at the rectangle again.
 	Insert 	At the dance studio, Celina teaches Elmo and the kids how to do the "T Dance." Afterwards, Elmo tries his own verse about tickling everyone, but they flee from sight.
(First: Episode 3276)
 	FRAME 6 	Baby Bear tries to think of what comes after T, and when Big Bird responds with "piggies," he does a take to the camera.
 	Muppets 	The Oinker Sisters sing "The Boogie-Woogie Piggies." (opening vamp cut)
(First: Episode 2922)
 	FRAME 7 	Baby Bear has newfound determination to say the alphabet, and everyone thinks this will be the big moment. However, as Baby Bear starts, he stammers and pauses at E. "I've regressed!" he cries. Big Bird comforts him, saying that lots of kids have trouble completing the alphabet. Big Bird even leads an alphabet support group, and lets Baby Bear join. Baby Bear still implores to know "What comes after E?!"
 	Cartoon 	The letter F morphs into cartoon faces. (intro music muted)
(First: Episode 2916)
 	FRAME 8 	Big Bird starts the meeting of the Sesame Street Alphabet Support Group, and he gives Baby Bear the floor. Baby Bear lays out his troubles in song, performing the "Alphabet Blues" with Zoe and Betty Lou.
 	FRAME 8 cont'd 	Exhausted from singing, Betty Lou and Zoe beg Big Bird to do the "relaxation" portion of his method. Big Bird has everyone relax their head and arms, and he finds that Baby Bear has fallen asleep. Big Bird wonders what he's dreaming about. The screen dissolves to...
 	Cartoon 	"Alphabet Jungle"
(First: Episode 2733)
 	FRAME 9 	Baby Bear wakes up from his dream, but he can't remember what he saw. Betty Lou mentions that when she tries to remember, she goes backwards through her mind. Baby Bear recalls that the last thing he saw was the letter Z, and before long, he unconsciously says the entire alphabet backwards. When Big Bird points this out, Baby Bear feels assured that he can say the alphabet forwards as well. He thanks everyone for their help and goes off to find Goldilocks. Big Bird is worried since Baby Bear technically hasn't said the alphabet from A to Z before, so he and the others follow him.
 	FRAME 9 cont'd 	Baby Bear runs into Goldilocks and tells her not to interrupt, or "help," him while he recites the alphabet. Everyone cheers on Baby Bear as he begins, and Goldilocks is shushed every time she tries to jump in. Baby Bear occasionally gets stuck on a letter, but he recalls a previous segment (shown in a thought balloon) to help him continue. He dramatically finishes at Z, and the crowd roars with cheers. Goldilocks is impressed, admitting that even she couldn't learn the alphabet that quickly. Baby Bear tells her about his process, which leads to Big Bird and the others reprising "Do the Alphabet," which continues as the credits roll. Afterwards, everyone shouts "DO THE ALPHABET!"
Category:Sesame Street
Category:Sesame Street Videos
Category:1996