Sesame Street, Special

Plot

The special opens with Gladys Knight & the Pips singing the Sesame Street theme. Phil Donahue then states that Sesame Street is a place of perfect harmony. Oscar and the other grouches disagree, complaining about too much cooperation and not enough trash or arguing. Maria counters that the street has just the right amount of those things for Oscar.

Count von Count also finds the street imperfect, because there is not enough counting. Ernie announces that his Rubber Duckie wants to speak, and everyone agrees the duckie deserves to squeak. A Dinger, a duck, and a Honker also request to say something. Linda uses sign language to express that everyone on Sesame Street really likes kids.

The Count agrees with her but still insists the street needs more counting. Phil leaves, and the Count and the grouches follow him. A repeat of the Monsterpiece Theater sketch "The 39 Stairs" from an earlier episode airs. Oscar is unhappy that Bob will sing "The People in Your Neighborhood."

Bob is joined by tennis player Martina Navratilova, reporter Barbara Walters, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. After the song, Oscar admits he liked it. Ernie tells Hoots the Owl that when he tries to play a saxophone, he ends up squeaking his Rubber Duckie instead. Hoots then sings "Put Down the Duckie" with several celebrities.

Reporter Kermit the Frog tries to find out why Oscar likes public television, but Oscar does not like it. Kermit lists reasons to like public television, but Oscar prefers the opposites. Kermit concludes Oscar does not like public television and introduces a pledge break. Oscar shows interest, and Kermit tells him he can watch it now.

After the pledge drive, Oscar reveals he taped it. Three sketches from previous episodes are repeated: "Oh, How I Miss My X", "Grover the Singing and Dancing Waiter", and "Sing Your Synonyms". Robert MacNeil hosts a Sesame Street Special Report about the "cookiegate affair," in which Cookie Monster was accused of stealing cookies from Susan and Gordon. Kermit serves as Cookie Monster's lawyer.

James Taylor performing "Jellyman Kelly" with some kids is repeated from an earlier episode. In "Pretty Great Performances," Placido Flamingo and the Sesame Street All-Animal Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, perform "Italian Street Song." More celebrities sing "Put Down the Duckie" during the credits. In a post-credits scene, Hoots asks Ernie for help; every time Hoots squeaks his Rubber Duckie, he also plays his saxophone. Ernie tells Hoots, "you gotta put down the saxophone if you wanna squeak your duckie!"