Sesame Street - Season 12 (1980-1981)

Big Bird sits at Hooper's Store coloring as Mr. Hooper and Maria wish Kathy a good day at school. Big Bird feels a bit left out that he's not old enough to go to school like the other kids, but Kathy says it's visitors' day and he can come along. This is too much of a surprise for Big Bird, who begins flip-flopping on whether to go as he talks it over with Mr. Hooper and Maria. The two help him get ready by quickly filling a school bag with supplies and an apple for the teacher, and Maria walks him over to the bus stop where Kathy and her mother are waiting. Big Bird asks Maria to wait at the bus stop when he comes back before following Kathy onto the bus.

Big Bird finds no one but him is around on the street to welcome the viewer. In song, he counts himself and soon finds he's joined by 19 more friends, making a total of 20 to say hello!

Ringmaster Big Bird presents his acts to a crowd of Olivia, Mr. Hooper and Luis. Daredevils Frankie, James and David walk across the tightrope without using a net (though he urges the crowd to imagine it's actually up in the air). Barkley the Wonder Dog is next, but he doesn't seem to get the idea. Big Bird rallies the kids on the other side of the rope and call him over, thus making it look like he's crossing the rope.

Classic Sesame Street - Episode #1449

Big Bird introduces Linda, who has just returned from touring Japan with the National Theatre of the Deaf. She signs two different haikus, and teaches everyone how to sign "thank you" in Japanese sign language.

Big Bird asks Maria, Luis, Gordon and Olivia to hold some random items as he fetches others. Maria figures out that all the items are circus-related. Big Bird explains that P. T. Bunkum, of the Bunkum and Ballyhoo Circus, is in town.

Oscar wonders what he should have for lunch, but ultimately thinks it doesn't matter what he eats. This prompts Gilbert and Sullivan to explain the importance of a healthy diet with a street-wide song about foods ("You Are What You Eat").

Luis welcomes the viewer as he opens the Fix-It Shop for the day. Poco Loco already knows the topics for today - the letters Y and W and "surprise," though he's not sure what the latter means. Luis gives an explanation and soon, Poco starts popping up everywhere to surprise him.

Gordon and Susan make their way to Big Bird's nest for a pretend tea party and assume Big Bird's imaginary friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus, will be there too. At the party, they address the empty seat as Snuffy and pretend to give him some tea, though Big Bird is left wondering who they're talking to.

Luis and the kids come across Dr. Nobel Price's latest, concealed invention: the string-winder. Dr. Price describes it for them - it has three wheels, two pedals and handlebars. The invention doesn't wind string very well, but Luis shows him a better use for it - as a tricycle.