Big Bird hosts a talk show and the Count ghosts him for an elevator gig. Peak 80s chaos.
Big Bird is the host of a new talk show, Big Bird's Numbers Show (a parody of The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson). Count von Count is his announcer, and he is scheduled to count the Honkers' honks. Unfortunately, he leaves early for another job as an elevator operator, but Big Bird manages to get him to come back. His guests include Chip and Dip.
Acting
Caroll Spinney's Big Bird carries full talk show host energy.
Writing
Elevator operator as career upgrade: devastating social commentary.
Director
Jon Stone
Caroll Spinney
Big Bird (voice)
Frank Oz
Grover / Fat Blue Tarnish Brother (voice)
Jerry Nelson
Count von Count / Pumpkin Tarnish Brother (voice)
Richard Hunt
Count - assistant / Dip Cat / Orange Gold Tarnish Brother / Ernie - assistant / Honker (voice)
Martin P. Robinson
Honker
Kevin Clash
Chip Cat / Honker (voice)
Jim Henson
Ernie / Kermit the Frog / King of 8 (voice) (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jon Stone directed over 1000 Sesame Street episodes and co-created the format; this was him at peak puppet-whisperer powers.
The Carson parody landed smack in Johnny's final years, making Big Bird's '86 tuxedo energy weirdly elegiac for adults in the room.
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