Species edit
On October 3, 2012, during the first presidential debate, Mitt Romney cited Big Bird as an illustration of the spending reductions he would implement to lower the national budget deficit. Romney remarked to Jim Lehrer, the moderator, “I enjoy PBS and Big Bird.” Actually like you, too. However, I’m not going to continue spending money on items that I have to borrow money from China to pay for. Thats number one. “[22].
Later, the Barack Obama campaign unveiled a satirical ad in which Mitt Romney called Big Bird a “evil genius” and “a menace to our economy”, portraying Romney as more interested in taking legal action against Big Bird than against white collar criminals like Ken Lay and Bernie Madoff. [23].
“Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and we do not endorse candidates or participate in political campaigns,” the website of Sesame Workshop reads in response to the requests made by both campaigns to remove Sesame Street characters from their materials. “[24].
However, Big Bird did make an appearance during the show’s Weekend Update sketch on the October 7, 2012, episode of Saturday Night Live. Big Bird cracked jokes about birds during his appearance, such as saying, “I got a million Tweets,” in response to a question about how he learned that his name had been mentioned in the debate. He also made light of the situation with the segment’s host, Seth Meyers. Big Bird said, “No,” in response to the question of whether he would like to make any political statements. I dont want to ruffle any feathers”.
In an attempt to encourage childhood vaccination, the character’s official Twitter account announced on November 6, 2021, that Big Bird had received the COVID-19 vaccine. After President Joe Biden responded in support, U. S. Senator Ted Cruz criticized Sesame Street for the statement. [26] In response, a satirical Twitter account called Big Bird for Senate was made to represent Big Bird as a contender for Cruz’s senate seat. Big Bird for Senate is not connected to or supported by Sesame Workshop. In its first week of existence, the account attracted over 100,000 followers, and several other accounts were created featuring Sesame Street characters as political figures. [27] The original account has since been deleted. [28].
Other appearances edit Big Bird is one of two Muppets to have a star on the
Big Bird appeared on The Hollywood Squares multiple times in the middle of the late 1970s. As with Mr. Hooper, Big Bird often mispronounced the name of the host, Peter Marshall, referring to him as “Mr.” Marshmallow” or “Mr. Masher”. In a different episode, Big Bird broke Marshall’s heart by saying, “I’m a lark,” in response to Marshall’s question about what kind of bird he was.
He made an appearance in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe segment of a Mister Rogers Neighborhood series 11 episode, where he competes in the “Draw the Neighborhood” contest.
He appeared on The Muppet Show’s third season as a guest star. Big Bird’s likeness was also featured in the pilot episode of The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.
Additionally, Big Bird made cameos in The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan.
He made an appearance in the Muppet Family Christmas special, where he offers the Swedish Chef a gift of homemade chocolate-covered birdseed to convince him not to cook him for Christmas dinner. They then sing a duet of “The Christmas Song”.
Big Bird’s family[]
Big Bird was raised as a baby by his aunt Nani Bird and grandmother Granny Bird. Big Bird moved to his nest on Sesame Street by himself as he gained independence. He still keeps in touch with Granny Bird, and he frequently pays her visits in the books. [8] Big Bird contacted Granny to ask for guidance on constructing a new nest after his original nest was destroyed in a hurricane in 2001. [9].
There is also scattered evidence of other relations. Big Bird gets a coat in the mail from his mother in Episode 0302, and in Episode 0345, he looks after his sister’s egg. In the song “Tall Enough,” he also makes mention of his father, mother, and sister. It’s unclear why Big Bird didn’t grow up with his immediate family.
While Big Bird is familiar with his family, Luis narrates Big Bird’s backstory in the book Big Birds Bedtime Story. According to Luis, a big egg was once delivered to Hoopers Store, and the different residents of Sesame Street decided to construct a nest for it and care for it until it hatched. But since it includes a few characters (like David, Luis, and Telly Monster) who weren’t around when the show started, it’s likely not canonical.
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