Do the Alphabet

Do the Alphabet is a 1996 Sesame Street direct-to-video compilation, with a framing sequence starring Big Bird and Baby Bear.
==Segments==
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 yard, 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.
 	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.
 	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"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.
center 	Muppets / Celebrity	Billy Joel sings "The Alphabet Song" with Anything Muppets and kids.
 	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" - the first half of the alphabet, and Baby Bear is showered with confetti and balloons. Now, he's ready to progress to the second half. Baby Bear names the next couple of 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.
 	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)
 	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)
 	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"
 	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!"
==Releases==
Image:Do the Alphabet.JPG|1996Sony WonderLV 49770
Image:LV 55236.PNG|1999Sony WonderDouble Feature with 123 Count with MeLV 55236
Image:Do_the_alphabet.jpeg|1999Sony WonderLVD 49770
Thebestofsesamestreet3dvdpacks.jpg|2002Sony Wonder3 disc set with The Best of Elmo (video) and Elmopalooza
Image:Do the Alphabet Dvd.JPG|Genius Entertainment
Big-Bird USB.jpg|2010ATP
Do the alphabet - imagine that.jpg|2013Warner Bros.Double feature with Imagine That!''
==Booklet==
From the original 1996 VHS release.
Image:DoTheAlpha1.jpg
Image:DoTheAlpha2.jpg
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Image:DoTheAlpha6.jpg
==International releases==
Image:Dothealphabet-disney.jpg|VHS, 1997Walt Disney Home VideoDouble feature with Getting Ready to Read
Sesame boo alphabet.JPG|VHS, 1998ABC Video for KidsDouble feature with Elmo Says BOO!
Thealphabetjunglegamedothealphabet.jpg|DVD, 2006ABC Video for KidsDouble feature with The Alphabet Jungle Game
Dothealphabetasianvcd.jpg|VCD, 1998Berjaya HVNcat. no 033003
Dothealphabet HVN DVD.jpg|DVD, 2009Berjaya HVN
Image:Do_the_Alphabet_Japan_2009.jpg|DVD, 2009Columbia Music EntertainmentCOBC-4805
Image:Dothealphabetthai.jpg|VCDTIGA
Image:Dothealphabetthaidvd.jpg|DVDTIGA
==Cast==
*Starring Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets:
**Featuring Caroll Spinney as Big Bird
**and David Rudman as Baby Bear
**with Muppet Performers: Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash, Fran Brill, Martin P. Robinson, Camille Bonora, Joey Mazzarino, Pam Arciero, Alice Dinnean, Peter Linz, Lisa Buckley, John Kennedy, Carmen Osbahr, and Jim Henson
*Cast: Lexine Bondoc, Michael Bundy, Desiree Casado, Edith Feinstein, Paul Hernandez, Wesley Rodgerson, Vernon M. Thomas, Jessica Vaughn
*With special appearances by Billy Joel, Annette Calud
==Credits==
*Executive Producer: Nancy Kanter
*Produced by Karin Young Shiel
*Directed by John Ferraro
**Emily Squires, Jon Stone (archive material)
*Written by Sara Compton
**Tony Geiss, Ian James (archive material)
*Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop: Laurent Linn, Lara MacLean, Stephen Rotondaro
*Music Director: Robby Merkin
*Songs by Sara Compton, Tony Geiss, Ian James, Stephen Lawrence, Robby Merkin, Jeff Moss, Caleb Sampson, Dennis Scott
*Production Manager: Christina Delfico
*Editor: Scott P. Doniger, Full Circle Post
*Production Designer: Victor DiNapoli
*Graphic Designer: Mike Pantuso
*Associate Director: Ken Diego
*Costume Designers: Bill Kellard, Terry Roberson
*Lighting Designer: Mitchell Bogard
*Set Decorator: Nat Mongioi
*Stage Manager: Charles Raymond
*Production Assistant: Ann Levin
*Graphic Artist: Pete Ortiz
*Paint Box Artist: Nan North
*Children's Casting: Gabrielle Howard, Jason Schneider
*Adult Talent Coordinator: Danette DeSena
*Music Coordinator: Danny Epstein
*Camera: Frank Biondo, Arnie Giordano, Jr.
*Audio: Blake Norton, Carla Bandini-Lory
*Sound Effects: Dick Maitland
*Production Interns: Carol Colmenares, Gregory Garry, Robin Lawless, Helen Rammou
*Executive in Charge of Production for Sony Wonder: Becky Mancuso-Winding
*Special Thanks to Marjorie Kalins, Ted Green, Wendy Moss, Nan Halperin, Dulcy Singer, Renee Rachelle, Arlene Sherman, Cher Jung
__NOWYSIWYG__
Category:Sesame Street Video
Category:Sesame Street Direct-to-Video
Category:Alphabet