Pinball Number Count
Pinball Number Count (or Pinball Countdown) is a collective title referring to 11 one-minute animated segments on the PBS children's series "Sesame Street" that teach children to count to 12 by following the journey of a pinball through a fanciful pinball machine. These segments are notable for the colorful, imaginative animation as well as the funky soundtrack with vocals by The Pointer Sisters. "Pinball Number Count" was originally produced in 1976 by Imagination, Inc. in San Francisco, California for the Children's Television Workshop. It made its debut on "Sesame Street" in 1977. Overview. The  Pinball Number Count segments contain common beginning and ending sequences showing the launch of the pinball into the machine and the exit of the pinball from play, respectively. Between these two sequences is a number-specific animated narrative showing the pinball in play. This middle segment features a scene in which a number of contraptions move the pinball about the interior of the machine, sometimes employing Rube Goldberg–style mechanisms. Each scene begins with the ball following ramps and hitting some bumpers; then various features belonging to a theme specific to the number, often including humanoid or animal figures, appear . The pinball then exits this area to the end sequence, where it leaves play. Opening sequence. At the beginning of each segment, a number with a group of stars circling around it is shown accompanied by a voice whispering the current number. Music. Music for "Pinball Number Count" was composed by Walt Kraemer and arranged by Ed Bogas. Performers included The Pointer Sisters on vocals and assorted San Francisco Bay Area jazz musicians, including George Marsh on drums, Mel Martin on saxophone and Andy Narell on steel drums. The arrangements reflect musical idioms commonly found in 1970s urban culture, predominantly  funk and jazz, though other styles including Caribbean music are also represented. The number-specific middle sections contain one of three different improvised instrumental solos over a basic progression, featuring steel drums (numbers 2, 4, 9 and 12) electric guitar (3, 8 and 11) and soprano saxophone (5, 6, 7 and 10). Consistent with an abbreviated jazz structure, a prearranged "head" and "turnaround" / "coda" are played during the common starting and ending animation sequences. The vocals work in similar fashion with the featured numeral spoken, sung and shouted during the middle section and a return to the arranged counting at  the end. The song employs complex rhythms, changing time signatures frequently between 4/4, 3/4 and 5/4 during the opening and closing segments, around a rhythmically straightforward 4/4 middle improvisation section. Visuals. Animation for the segments was directed by Jeff Hale and recalls contemporary psychedelic and pop art styles, typified by the ornate pinball bumpers, colorful geometrical motifs and whimsical themes and devices inside the machine. List of segments. Despite the lyrics' counting from one to twelve, "Pinball Number Count" did not feature a segment for the number 1. Cover versions and parodies. "Pinball Number Count" has been covered and remixed  by a number of artists. One such version, done with the cooperation of Sesame Workshop, was released under the DJ Food name by Ninja Tune Records on a 12" EP and the "Zen TV" DVD. Other versions have been performed by Venetian Snares (on the "Infolepsy" EP), Wicked Hemlocks, Maylee Todd (on "Escapology"), The Postmarks and an instrumental version by Big Organ Trio. The refrain was prominently featured in Many Moons by Janelle Monáe. It was covered by Brandon Williams on his 2014 album 'XII' featuring Dames Brown & Nicholas Payton. The "Family Guy" episode "The Father, the Son, and the  Holy Fonz" used a plastic bubble-encased Stewie as the pinball in a parody of the segment. The vocal rhythm is referenced in the film "Half Nelson", where Ryan Gosling's character Dan Dunne mumbles the numbers in the same fashion. Online game. In 2019, sesamestreet.org released an online pinball game based on the animated segments.