Pino Through the Years

The evolution of Pino.
Image 	As seen in / Year 	Notes
center 	Sesamstraat Season 1(1976-1977) 	The original Pino started out as a big, clumsy, dopey bird with a Belgian accent. The puppet was designed and built by Ton Hasebos. Until 1999, it was the only Pino puppet that had Big Bird-like rings around his legs. This version lasted only the first season. The character was performed by Dirk Grijspeirt.
center 	Sesamstraat Season 2(1977-1980) 	This version was created and built by Leo N. Cahn and was not as heavy as the first version. His feathers are a paler blue than the first Pino costume. His eyes are bigger with blue irises; like in 1930's cartoons, a narrow white triangle is added to the pupils to represent a radial light reflection. His head also gets a slight trim. During 1977, the character was performed by Theo Joling, who gave the character a higher-pitched cheerful-sounding voice.
The costume design basically remains the same during this period, with only minor alterations (mostly done to the eyes). While the character's eyes remain blue, at least four different head designs would be used interchangeably, mostly involving the size of his pupils, as well as the amount of top feathers on Pino's head. Additionally, two of the earlier head designs give the character eyelids, resulting in the character having an almost sleepy expression. By 1979, the fourth head design with larger black pupils and darker blue irises (resulting in his eyes looking more black), still with the cartoon-like white triangles, would be used for the rest of the costume's period. Bert Plagman takes over the voice and puppetry during the third season.
 	Sesamstraat Season 4(1980-1982) 	Pino gets a new, larger head with white feathers under his eyes. His blue eyes also become larger, resulting in the whites in his eyes blending in with the white feathers. His voice is now provided by Erik J. Meijer.
 	Sesamstraat Season 6(1982-1991) 	Pino is redesigned for the first time by CTW and the Muppet Workshop. He loses some weight and his white, fluffy belly. He gains height and a long body which makes his legs appear short. Also white feathers around his beak and all around his eyes, making him look older. His eyes lose some detail in the irises and approach the Muppet-style eyes; the pupils are now black half spheres protruding out of the eyes, with small blue irises, and there is no longer a white triangle in the pupils, as these eyes reflect the light naturally. His beak is longer and pointier, and he gains a tongue. Starting in 1984, Leo Dijkgraaf performs the character.
 	Sesamstraat Season 15(1991-1999) 	A slightly updated version of Pino is made by Chuck Fawcett in 1989 for puppeteer Renée Menschaar, who has become his regular performer ever since. Pino's head has a slightly different facial expression, without white feathers around the beak. His feathers are a richer blue and cover less of his legs. He is also a bit shorter, making him considerably more child-like.
center 	Sesamstraat Season 23(1999-present)	In order to look younger and childlike again, Pino has now a shorter beak, yellow feathers around his eyes as opposed to white feathers, and colorful feathers on top of his head. His black eyes revert to blue; these do not last, as they are reverted to black several years later. This is also the first Pino puppet since 1976 to have Big Bird-like rings around his legs. This Pino puppet was also built by Chuck Fawcett.
Alternate Pino Puppets and Characters	 	
center 	Sesamstraat Live(2006-2007) 	A different looking, walkaround Pino with a tie. His beak is a bit longer, his eyes are further apart, and the body shape looks shorter than on the show. In one of the live shows, Het Mooiste van Sesamstraat, his voice is performed by Marlies Somers who gives him a higher voice. In other shows, Renée Menschaar still portrays the original voice.
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Category:Character Evolution