| Sesame Street | |||||||
| The Grouch of the Year Award | |||||||
| Air date | April 29, 1985 | ||||||
| Season | Season 16 (1984-1985) | ||||||
| Written by | Emily Perl Kingsley | ||||||
| |||||||
| Picture | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() |
SCENE 1 | Big Bird comes across a sad Honker, depressed that he doesn't know what to do. Big Bird takes this to mean what kind of job he wants. He and the Honker envision him in such roles as a bus driver, taxi driver, and captain of a tugboat (honking as if he's a foghorn). The Honker then explains he's not worried about what to do when he grows up - he doesn't know what to do this afternoon. Big Bird suggests he pretend to be a bus driver. |
![]() |
Cartoon | Typewriter: U for Umbrella (First: Episode 0808) |
![]() |
Film | A woman repairs wires for the telephone company. (First: Episode 0771) |
![]() |
Cartoon | Speech Balloon: U for UP (First: Episode 0650) |
![]() |
Muppets | Ernie and Bert: Ernie Puts Toys Into Groups — Bert tells Ernie to put away his toys, and Ernie devises a system of arranging toys. (First: Episode 0281) |
![]() |
Animation | In stop-motion, blocks stack and arrange themselves to form zoo cages, arches, and a whole city. Artist: Al Jarnow (First: Episode 1459) |
![]() |
Film | Old Time Movies: Anne Meara narrates a silent film about an automobile that can be either long or short. (First: Episode 0521) |
![]() |
Cast | Maria as Chaplin gets their suspenders stuck on a wall while reaching for the door, demonstrating long, longer, and longest. (First: Episode 0786) |
![]() |
Insert | Bob reads the kids a story about seven mice, with some animated mice displaying the story. (framing scenes removed) (First: Episode 1699) |
![]() |
Insert | Olivia helps a lonesome Telly Monster feel better by singing "I Feel Good Being on My Own." (First: Episode 2005) |
![]() |
Film | The Steam Shovel (First: Episode 1144) |
![]() |
Muppets | Cookie Monster: Rhymes with Buy — Guy Smiley helps Cookie Monster decide what to get at the bakery. (First: Episode 0481) |
![]() |
Cartoon | Seven owls Artist: Owe Gustafson (First: Episode 1562) |
![]() |
Song | "Old Button Hole" (First: Episode 1727) |
![]() |
Muppets | Kermit Lecture: Long and Short Ladders — Kermit asks Grover to use ladders to demonstrate the difference between short and long. (alternate take) (First: Episode 0276) |
![]() |
Cartoon | A man blows 7 bubbles. (First: Episode 0639) |
![]() |
Insert | Two-Headed Monster: Coin Flip — The monster learns how to flip a coin to make a decision. (First: Episode 1583) |
![]() |
Animation | Yellow drops don't want to play with a red ball at first, but they make a good flower together. (First: Episode 1895) |
![]() |
Film | A bumble bee Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0082) |
![]() |
Cartoon | A U train spells the words "unite," "U-turn," "underground," "up," and "universe." (First: Episode 0624) |
![]() |
Film | "Listen ..." to various sounds, including the ocean, a heart beating, a clock ticking, a horse galloping, crickets chirping, a passing train, and others. (First: Episode 0951) |
![]() |
Muppets / Celebrity | Cab Calloway and the Count sing "I Want to Count." (First: Episode 1545) |
![]() |
Animation | ¿Que es esto? (una vaca) (First: Episode 1978) |
![]() |
Muppets | Cookie Monster and Ernie: Hope — Ernie uses a brown paper bag to discuss the concept of hope with Cookie Monster. (First: Episode 0233) |
![]() |
Cartoon | "Poverty U" -- A figure gives a salute to the letter U, and presents the letter with a bouquet of flowers. Artist: Cliff Roberts (First: Episode 0036) |
![]() ![]() |
SCENE 2 | A Grouch junk mailman (Kevin Clash) delivers a package to Oscar. The parcel comes from Grundgetta on behalf of the Disagreeable Order of Grouches. He has been chosen as a judge in this year's Grouch of the Year contest and has been given a trophy to bestow upon whomever he deems worthy. Oscar doesn't think anyone other than himself is grouchy enough to receive such an honor. Olivia then comes outside, tearing her jacket on the 123 Sesame Street doorknob, then stepping in gum on the stoop. Her mood is soured even more when encountering Oscar, who believes today may be her lucky day. |
![]() |
Film | Kids learn how to use a computer at a public school. (First: Episode 1853) |
![]() |
SCENE 2 cont'd | In Hooper's Store, Oscar tries to reach Grundgetta over the phone at Grump Tower to report his potential winner. As his call gets patched through, David realizes he left the milk out and it's gone sour. He accidentally spills it all over the counter and floor, then spills his paper towels. Piri startles him while asking for some milk, putting David in an even worse mood. Oscar finally gets through just as David now breaks a dish, and Oscar begins telling Grundgetta about his findings. |
![]() |
Cartoon | T for treasure (Jim Thurman VO) (First: Episode 1990) |
![]() |
Muppets | Forgetful Jones needs something to ride around the ranch. Clementine gives him clues: it has four legs, a bushy tail, eats hay, and neighs. It's his horse Buster, who arrives with the jeep. |
![]() |
Cartoon | T for top Artist: Cliff Roberts (First: Episode 0298) |
![]() ![]() |
SCENE 3 | David and Olivia are still brooding, to Oscar's delight. Grundgetta, president of the D.O.G., arrives to see Oscar's candidates for Grouch of the Year. However, David and Olivia have begun to cooperate and help with each other's problems, thus softening their demeanors. Oscar, now embarrassed in front of his president, snaps at the "cooperatin' cream-puffs," then at Grundgetta for putting him in the position in the first place. Grundgetta then makes her decision for Grouch of the Year - Oscar! He gives a speech naming all the people he'd like to thank, but won't. |
![]() |
Cartoon | Sign Sounds: DON'T WALK (First: Episode 1162) |
![]() |
Muppets | Anything Muppets sing "How Do You Get From Here to There?" (First: Episode 0374) |
![]() |
Film | "Seven Song (Song of Seven)" (First: Episode 0011) |
![]() |
SCENE 4 | Grundgetta asks Oscar to repeat his acceptance speech. He does so as Olivia announces the sponsors. |
| Previous episode: | Next episode: |
| Episode 2080 | Episode 2082 |








































