Sesame Street Puppeteers Explain How They Control Their Puppets | WIRED

Ever wonder how the puppets on Sesame Street operate? The puppeteers for some of Sesame Street's most famous characters share their insights on how they bring their iconic characters to life. The puppeteers for Elmo, Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Abby Cadabby, and Rudy explain the various functions and features of their Muppets.
You can catch Snuffy and all his friends in the new season of Sesame Street on HBO or everyday on HBO Family or PBS Kids.
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Sesame Street Puppeteers Explain How They Control Their Puppets | WIRED

[@iCanBeHeroic]

Big Bird wearing jeans is something I really didn’t need to see this morning

[@kyssoul2418]

LOL SAME BUT AT NIGHT

[@abriana-raeporter2548]

😂😂

[@RyanSellman1]

I wonder if Big Bird prefers Levis or Dickies?

[@ForrestFox626]

Why, it has always been implied Big Bird has style.

[@danbytp]

Just like watching Sesame Street after a rough night of Guiness and Irish Whisky after a horrendous argument with my ex-wife.

[@reginaobrien8659]

Imagine going on a date with one of these guys... “So what do you do for a living?” “Oh I’m Elmo.”

[@briandorr2148]

😂😂

[@goaway9310]

I’m a huge yellow bird for a popular kids TV show

[@katylepetsos7512]

Working on a Jim Henson set sounds like so much fun to be honest.

[@Waytotheland]

That would be the greatest thing ever.

[@chloemr.pippinsfanmail95]

Or I'm a six year old 8 foot tall yellow bird

[@antsinmyeyes9547]

Honestly the dude for snuffleupagus looks exactly like how I would expect him to look

[@spikegore7280]

He looks like Brian may

[@wrestlerx8494]

@@spikegore7280 The guy who plays Snuffy always looks sad even when he is not sad. Even when he is smiling he looks sad. Why? It's so creepy! Lol.

[@nezziecakes8743]

*Good Vibes* SAME

[@repent.]

He looks like him

[@s1nnys1nsru78]

@@wrestlerx8494 I think it's because his eyebrows are slanted so it looks like a sad face

[@mandymckk]

I never thought about how physically demanding this job must be- just holding your arm straight up in the air for long periods of time has got to be exhausting!

[@Leviajohnson]

I just watched Randy Feltface’s entire comedy special. It’s over an hour with that hand up in the air that has to be exhausting

[@ivankyleasiado7079]

Added to that, voice acting, singing, character movements and moving around

[@SuperMisteryMan01]

I’m sure they get more used to it but I’m sure it only helps so much I wonder if they have any techniques to help ease the demanding task

[@gamerboyva7755]

That’s why all of these puppeteers are amazing. They love the job and hold there arms up for hours for amazing shows

[@yosefdemby8792]

"If you don't dig sore arms, don't do puppets."- Richard Hunt

[@phoenixofcolorado8610]

3 year old stumbling upon this video: *say sike right now*

[@178-y9e]

Jakeishere Media 😂

[@roomtemperaturesoup]

Jakeishere Media dude I *love* your pfp

[@RAVEN-yi2kq]

420 likes.

[@faithbutler1225]

😂😂😂

[@chloemr.pippinsfanmail95]

Haha

[@CelesteRug]

There's something so amusing about watching a bunch of grown people on scooters rolling around sesame street

[@richhenn2733]

Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.

[@richhenn2733]

bank is e.jb

[@kylemorello4787]

I would love that job!

[@DavidVBBMLeniPrayForMikeUkrain]

Check.

[@mannatrandhawa6843]

Celeste Rug lol ikr also exo-l ✨🙂

[@MatthewMurraycogswoth]

You can tell they love their jobs, and that might be because, in a unique way, they change people's lives every day. It's just that they're little people(kids).

[@alisalexter4072]

doing something that u love and still get paid fairly well is many people's dream, but its very hard to rise through the ranks in showbiz

[@ttiefruitie581]

Nice pfp

[@jacobfitchett4484]

Don’t say kids we know u still watch it

[@nadjedap3776]

@@jacobfitchett4484 😭😭 I'm guilty

[@rubysnelson6193]

it's exactly what i want to do

[@firefli9975]

Really gotta love how the puppeteer for Elmo is the only one that refers to them as "muppets" instead of "puppets".

[@mikeylikesit525]

Sesame Street was started by the Jim Henson company so Elmo guy is correct lol

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@mikeylikesit525 Doesn't Disney allow Sesame Workshop to still call their characters "Muppets"?

[@an0rmalp3rson70]

Why did I think it said muppeteer?

[@kennypowers1945]

@@yosefdemby8792 they don’t own the name so anyone can call them what they want lol outside of using it as a logo

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@kennypowers1945 I thought as much. On a side note, I want to say how weird it is that Fraggle Rock, as a Muppet production, is often associated with The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, which _aren't_ .

[@Kummahndough]

RIP Caroll Spinney, the man who did Big Bird previously.

[@RainbowFlowerCrow]

Carroll Spinney is a hero. I'm never lonely as long as I remember the things BigBird taught me when I was a kid!

[@whatif3271]

Oh w o w i didn't know he passed, i was wondering who that new guy was the whole time bc i watched a different video a while ago about muppets

[@jeaniebird999]

When did he stop doing Big Bird?

[@shinyfruit6348]

Rip

[@matthartleyjr9180]

@@jeaniebird999 for the last time last year but full time a year ago

[@abcdefghijkl__mnopqrstuvwxyz]

When you look at the behind the scene. Holy crap, the production value looks high.

[@MyRichard38]

Jfjdfjryr has been the most popular in the

[@fargonianproductions2767]

MyRichard38 in the what?

[@plainezaine5065]

Viewing With Telly I think most people just think they’re like painted backgrounds with people walking around. But seeing them on wheelies, having all the different types of puppets, etc. makes it much more involved than many think when they hear the word “puppet”.

[@richhenn2733]

@@fargonianproductions2767 you and don't want to be with you

[@halinaqi2194]

Dude its bothering me that he never finished his sentence

[@nataliecook8530]

This made me appreciate puppeteers so much more now. I mean, I appreciated them a lot before because I knew they had to put a lot of effort into their craft, but it’s so interesting to see and hear their perspectives. I’d love to have a behind the scenes tour of the Sesame Street set one day.

[@cupcakewinki]

Natalie Cook has

[@andreanoble7663]

“Elmo is not going to play with zoey any more.” “Wh where are you going?” “ALASKA!” “It’s faster if you drive.” “AGHHHHHH!”

[@VibeyViberson]

I saw a version where his scream was replaced with gangsters paradise

[@ludicrous7044]

What did Delaware? Alaska! 🤦🏻‍♂️🙄😊

[@caderodger4308]

Wait...HUMANS?! Jeez, I hope Kermit and the gang don't know about this.

[@juliusutsey1821]

I have to break some news to you

[@rosepetunia1829]

+ Julius Utsey Good because I don't wanna do it. Even if Cade Rodger is joking.

[@bean2268]

*ARE YOU SERIOUS*

[@jasonsplanetstupidstuff2407]

Kermit the kermit it’s ok

[@TatianaX96]

My thoughts exactly 🤣😭😭😭

[@Mustlovebooks15]

I can only imagine how hard that is on their bodies, having to bend and squat and lift their arms like that all day.

[@Nothin2seehere-e4z]

And they did it just for the little childern.

[@catherinec5620]

Hot Rod/Rodimus EXCUSE ME MISTER I am 15 and enjoy this show very much

[@Mitch93636]

That's what she said!!!

[@Nothin2seehere-e4z]

@@catherinec5620 WELL EXCUSE ME. I just was saying how they did it for the little childern. God people get on my nerves. No where did I say that SS is only for little kids.

[@catherinec5620]

Hot Rod/Rodimus jeez man it was just a joke. I’m sorry I got on your nerves

[@shc3754]

Awe Elmo’s voice is adorable.didn’t know the voice actor was also the puppeteer, what a talented group!

[@amcutiechuu]

My dad can mimic him and my grandpa can sound like Kermit ^^ I sound like Dying donkeys

[@Obsessor23]

Typically a lot of Muppets are voiced by their puppeteers. It helps make the Muppets feel more alive

[@spanishnavaja]

Kevin Clash is the real Elmo. This guy replaced him after an incident...

[@repent.]

@@spanishnavaja Scary incident...

[@ninten_ka]

what incident? sorry do not know about it :

[@alyssa09485]

The fact that they scoot around on little rolling ottomans is hilarious, I never thought about how they moved

[@xbloxlive5454]

I'm so old. I just found out about Rudy. I haven't watched sesame street since 2011.

[@aprilynnmycorey]

I'm so glad they found someone that actually sound like the old elmo

[@Randomdude1979]

Kinda a letdown was looking forward to seeing Kevin clash

[@richhenn2733]

Thanks

[@richhenn2733]

Really

[@richhenn2733]

Do you have the other phone

[@richhenn2733]

Ty

[@Randomona]

Wait the guy's name who plays Big Bird is Matt Vogel? Vogel is German for bird XD

[@elitemindsetgoals]

Vogel is dutch for bird😂 2 years later, vogel is still dutch for bird

[@bellewantstodie1238]

R/whoooosh

[@britneyisallyouneedtoknow2406]

It was DESTINED!

[@useraccount333]

Wow, first (Doug) Bowser takes over Nintendo, and now I'm hearing that Big Bird is voiced by Matt "Bird"?

[@sophie2774]

Belliny Productions r/foundthemobileuser r/ihavereddit Oh and also: r/itswooooshwith4os And r/thereisonly1hinwoooosh

[@ebonybubbletea5794]

My little sister walked in while I was watching this... She was like "this must be fake cause elmo is real"

[@rubystewart7660]

You know what? I completely understand your little sister. I'm in my late 40's, so I grew up watching Sesame Street. Even though the adult me understands the mechanics behind this, the child me still believes that these Muppets are real.

[@unknown-or3li]

aweeee that is so cute😊😂

[@_nari.png_]

Lol

[@diluclovernotmain]

Ebony BubbleTea I agree with your sister

[@cease842]

Me: “Yep. It’s completely fake.”

[@morgienie7399]

If Martin told me at a bar that he played Snuffleupagus, I would believe him.

[@getsouped]

fr !! its hard to describe but he just Looks like someone who would play snuffy yknow

[@blixology]

“It’s very complicated” _end scene_

[@elizabethtorres2132]

😭😭 that hurt to watch

[@elizabethtorres2132]

😭😭 that hurt to watch

[@unknown4407]

😭😭 that hurt to watch

[@unknown4407]

😭😭 that hurt to watch

[@guadalupeplacidopascual6477]

😭😭 that hurt to watch

[@vlovesharrypotter]

and I can't even hold my arm up to blowdry my hair without getting tired

[@pastormark6713]

go to the gym chick. That is really weak if you can't do more than that!!

[@gabbycossick2918]

I can relateee😂😂💀

[@killersquad494]

Relatable as f

[@bbyskittles91]

Pastor Mark I'm guessing you're a guy and have never had thick hair past the top of your shoulders...

[@ethanshohet]

Pastor Mark god isn't real

[@SunnyTheOpossum]

2:33 “Elmo doesn’t have eyelids” Possibly the most unnerving thing I’ve ever heard.

[@adamsmd127]

That's right, kids. He never stops watching. Not even to blink! He's. Always. Watching. You.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

I think Elmo has removable eyes so they can use his Tired eyes and Sleeping eyes when the plot demands it

[@comicluigi7]

2:51 I Just like elmo's face

[@teddydadoggy2797]

William Pulfer-melville, little me would be traumatized...

[@mrsmcintyre69]

There are a couple of episodes where he has closed eyes....his eye lids are purple....and terrifying!

[@heeman5488]

Is it weird that it’s impossible for me to see “elmo’s voice” come out of the mouth of the puppeteer? I can’t really explain it.

[@spooky6703]

It's even weirder with Kevin Clash, who has a naturally deep voice

[@ruiyikeith]

Even when i see it happening i cant see it happening

[@dayshawna]

me: *hasn’t watched sesame street in over 10 years* *see’s rudy* also me: yo, who TF is this?

[@kkleal5011]

Same LoL

[@snoozy7343]

Exactly

[@DorianTMChannel]

My exact reaction

[@lpsgraceproductions1266]

WhO iS rUdY Me: an. Alien idk

[@carsonlegitt3155]

Same bro

[@BirdyUA]

“This is rudy’s third season coming up so he’s still a little new” OANDLDODB IVE NEVER SEEN RUDY IN MY LIFE. HES A BRAND NEW PUPPET TO ME

[@SIDE9995_]

Rudy is irrelevant

[@rosepetunia1829]

SAME!

[@Oh.itsNia]

SAME!!

[@ShellyBeanstalk]

Rudy is Abby Cadabe's stepbrother.

[@tanstheskelagirl533]

SAME!

[@TheMovieMyLife]

I had no idea that the operation of each puppet was so complicated.

[@Hiikaa69]

Dude the amount of practical effects is wild. I could never imagine one human hand could do so much, like move the mouth and one arm. Really fascinating behind the scenes.

[@sunshinemishasmommy5352]

Is that comment made in jest?And BTW you spelled uncultured wrong...why don't people use spell check on their computers?

[@sunshinemishasmommy5352]

It is fascinating isn't it?I had some idea of what went on with the puppeteering but had no idea it was that intricate..even after watching this I still find Sesame Street magical :)

[@JosephScarbrough]

Puppetry can be very, very technical, and it's certainly not as easy as it looks - like with anything else, it, surprisingly, can take some people several years to get the hang of - even for seasoned professionals like Frank Oz.

[@abdirisakawes6544]

IKR

[@LENogs615]

Okay but Martin Robinson looks EXACTLY how I'd imagine someone playing Snuffleupagus would look and that's the best thing in the world.

[@Corey_Kinger]

I was so satisfied.

[@Low_Zones]

Even though I knew they were puppets, this kinda hurts to watch

[@pphead8224]

Yes a part of me wants them to be real idk why 😔✊

[@somekidnamedoscar8651]

Hasenpfeffer same here

[@michelleobamafootcream9292]

Imagine what it’d feel like for a little kid lol

[@tkb5726]

Same. I’m 22 years old but the show has always felt magical to me

[@niltonneto8357]

If you think it hurts just imagine poor Elmo. Did you see how they control him?!

[@smiles1113]

I find this more interesting than most of the things on KZbin wow...

[@therandomnoob6464]

Smile S so do I

[@SwiftstrawII]

Smile S me too

[@kims_chi4898]

Me too xD

[@yasmincarey76]

Same...

[@dipsy_6258]

Ikr...

[@enchilordo8562]

Dude I’m 16 but watching this and other Sesame Street videos makes me want to binge watch the show😂😂

[@itzy2222]

Same

[@yearofthekilljoys]

Same

[@madisonb-km5mp]

lol that's what I'm doing RN 😂😂

[@theberrby6836]

Lol yea

[@jamiemiller592]

Same 😂

[@Oscardtt]

When i was a kid , i thought Big Bird was the most scary puppet i ever seen, but not so long since I saw Snuffy... im 20, it’s still scared me...

[@lemonoujia4534]

I'm the total opposite. Snuffleupagus has always been my favorite

[@co2mc266]

Same big bird scared me

[@Karina._.]

Im México we have abelardo big bird cousin and hw wasn't as scary as big bird, um also 20 but holy crap thats scary 😂😂

[@Serenityroseevents]

It's okay. Loved Barney as a kid. He terrifies me now. Especially because of all the messed up rhymes kids made including Barney

[@Yue_mariin00]

It's *scariest** and *it still scares me** btw c:

[@BossladyXD]

My arm would legit fall off lmao

[@Xirokami]

BossLadyMel they get breaks lol

[@KheanaLee1]

Lmao same 😂😂 my arm feels like it’s gonna fall off when I do my own hair.

[@zisforzoo16]

I was cringing watching this!!!!

[@g_way]

you can tell these are all people who genuinely love what they do. i could listen to them talk about this for hours.

[@tomz771]

Same

[@blisterybrush86yomomma22]

What we really need to know is how many Dorothys you’ve been through. Elmo: Hi Dorothy #358!

[@lexilou_asmr]

Oh my God this is the best comment 😂😂😂

[@hoarsecorpse]

This comment is killing me 🤣

[@jamernetic7069]

603 goldfish... surviving goldfish went to good homes

[@mortmort97]

Why did they cut off snuffleupagus mid sentence like that lol

[@panickbee]

Rudy: *exists* Me: I have never seen this man in my whole life

[@monichols6968]

sorry to this man

[@thomasfrazer9100]

Ikr

[@jakobvanklinken]

Also how can you over act a kids puppet smh

[@bumblebeebrass164]

Nick Kiwi I wouldn’t know this man if he was walking down the street

[@hanfarahman7432]

Same never heard of this chaeacter

[@DakariKingMykan]

Kevin Clash made this joke for Elmo "Elmo loves to eat Wasabi" which is why his eyes are so big and never close.

[@gertieh9576]

This Video: *exists* Me Drunk at 4am: OH YES

[@shaira.jazmin]

Lmfao that's a mood right there

[@idek909]

Yeah same lolol

[@Target_Buster]

So truuuee lmao

[@femboyrules7594]

Pathetic

[@MingoDab]

omg you got drunk 😦

[@stephaniepowell1667]

I love this. Puppeteering is such an art form. I am fascinated by the behind the scenes of it all. I want to thank them for the incredible job they do!

[@jennifer9084]

Wow I didn't know how difficult it was to move the puppets.

[@thejuniorseas7683]

Jennifer A And to think it takes years for puppetry to become second nature!

[@smarties4727]

Jennifer A ikr

[@bruh3752]

Jennifer A same

[@crystalpham7858]

Jennifer A Well 11 year old me (which is how old I am now) still had hope that they were alive..........this video crushed my hopes and I am never showing this to any of my younger cousins

[@shreyaarur9668]

Jennifer A nniston.....? 😳

[@tina714]

5:35 I see myself in that old man laying on the ground

[@surviveseparation]

rothy Woah woah woah, child friendly now.... (Ik wHAT you really meant I’m not actually that stupid oof)

[@sran438]

rothy don’t we all? XD

[@em-sh8rs]

I WHEEZED

[@llaywastee]

That's kinda gross

[@ws.goated]

rothy rothy rothy bla bla bla

[@AinnaDean]

Are you saying elmo’s not real?!

[@epicn]

Ainna Dean he’s real, that’s just his corpse that’s been filled with rods and wooden dowels. They use this contraption to make him seem like he’s still alive, though he died a while ago. ;)

[@AinnaDean]

TheEp1cN what drugs have you been taking 👀

[@epicn]

Ainna Dean what drugs have YOU been taking?

[@AinnaDean]

TheEp1cN touche.

[@funnysillyclown]

TheEp1cN Ya had to make it creepy didn'tcha :7

[@joleenchavez6957]

Who’s seeing this after the “balsamic vinegar” video 😭

[@entr3_nou5]

Me: I’ve been a little sad lately KZbin: I gotchu fam

[@xxamazingjayxx]

i've always wondered how they do all this stuff for sesame street. this is pretty awesome, and probably pretty rigorous.

[@ParadisoPuppets]

It is very rigorous. AND SO MUCH FUN!

[@thejuniorseas7683]

Their arms and shoulders must be jacked! Imagine holding a 3-5lb weight in your hand above your head for several minutes.

[@hellszhells]

"it's very complicated" *Proceeds to not explain how it works*

[@michaelangelo2378]

They cut him off

[@dayshawna]

he was explaining, they cut it.

[@onnapnewo]

actually he completely explained it. He said the nose had a length of PVC pipe in it with a bike handle on the end. I mean, maybe they cut out the part where he said he wiggles the bike handle to make the nose move but I'm pretty sure he was joking about how low-tech the process really is.

[@michaelangelo2378]

@@richhenn2733 ..ok

[@malindacross192]

He was being sarcastic, it's incredibly basic and low tech. He explained it fully: it's a pipe, attached to a handle.

[@meganrausch8396]

As a former kid myself, and a mother of a toddler, Sesame Street is one of the best programs there is ❤️

[@cutekittykat40]

The guy just laying on the floor at 5:35 is my life mood

[@HannahJoy333]

HijabiProductions YES! 😂

[@lesliee4033]

HijabiProductions 😂😂😂😂😂

[@KindnessWithKathy]

Literally the same thing I thought when i saw that!

[@charryblcssoms3472]

same

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Let's not have kids watch this, they'll be crushed.

[@welcometolinasworld]

*gets crushed*

[@marcussfebruary9104]

@@welcometolinasworld 😂😂

[@crochetingcanuck]

I always wondered how guest children on the show reacted when they first saw the actors under the puppets lol

[@unicornbanana4154]

Lol I'm eleven but I never thought they were real.lol

[@FishStix2077]

I watch this and I know there puppets

[@L.A.97.]

what do you mean...puppets?

[@minhpham-yh9qn]

They are what now?

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

Miller Memestar no.

[@stephsingh7499]

Ikr

[@Channel-rh7lh]

Miller Memestar I’m sorry to break this to you Miller, but the characters in The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock are just puppets. They’re foam attached to a puppeteer.

[@andreahernandez575]

SKP&E 216 don’t ruin it for them!! That’s like saying to a kid that Santa isn’t real!

[@colorviewhome3868]

5:29 is that bill Nye the science guy in the center of the puppets!?

[@lizwilliams6161]

Um excuse me where tf is Oscar?

[@forestno0k]

Oscar the grouch is played by the same person who does big bird

[@bruh-a-nator7845]

He was to grumpy to come out

[@JalenGee]

can we get 1000 subs with 1 vid wow nice pun

[@bruh-a-nator7845]

@@JalenGee what pun

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@forestno0k Not anymore.

[@Snowstorm...]

Me: Oh I mean I'm mature now so it'll be fun to watch how this all works Also Me: 5:24 YO IS THAT MY MAN BILL NYE THE FRICKEN SCIENCE GUY?!?!?!

[@t.b.reinke8867]

Snowstorm I was beginning to worry that I was the only one that noticed

[@paytonk2910]

ME TOO 😂

[@CaptainJunior]

BILL BILL BILL

[@tswizzle2220]

Lol

[@catherinewoodward5137]

XD yes it is

[@UGMD]

5:23 wait wtf Bill Nye was on Sesame Street?!?

[@jaleesacarr4963]

Not surprised, everybody and they mama been on sesame Street 😒

[@MichaelBCooper]

@Bri Bee what did Bill Nye do

[@soymuylocaperrra]

@Bri Bee yeah why

[@abbysworld4722]

Wait whaaa i see the guy with blond hair but umm......

[@Foleyboy09]

@VeteranCape you are truly an idiot.

[@scotchtapeentertainment7713]

There is going to be at least one 4-6 year old stumbling upon this video crying because they found out that Elmo is not real and just a puppet

[@pretzellina]

Wow! I’ve never seen a BTS of Sesame Street. Pretty cool! Props to the puppeteers!

[@fathaja179]

It had never crossed my mind how the setting would look!! Like any other kids I perceived them as their own persons so seeing this is mindblowing...

[@kody7401]

PROPS to them

[@haqimy1507]

😒

[@clyde24skywalker]

can someone explain to me what BTS is ? i try google it but it came out korean band

[@haqimy1507]

Behind The Scenes

[@rowelle]

Fascinating video! I always thought that whoever played Big Bird must've been a REALLY TALL guy. Interesting to learn that the performer raises his hand and into the mouth piece of Bird's head. The new performer doing Elmo has the voice down pat! I also love the crooked eye thing that Elmo does. It cracks me up every time! Fun to see how they all move around on the floor using those wheelies. Back when I was a kid and interest in puppetry, it was rare for Sesame Street to show behind-the-scenes stuff like this of the puppets and their performers, so getting to see this now and to see how it all operates is very fascinating to me.

[@andreassmith-partee3355]

Ditto.

[@petera.4010]

rowelle i

[@Powerranger-le4up]

I’d love to try what they do.

[@kewkabe]

I figured out the right hand Big Bird thing when I was 5! But that was in the 70's when Big Bird had a hump near his left shoulder (which was actually straight up the middle, with the head a little offset to its right). You could see it was a guy in there sticking up his right arm. Looks like the new puppet and puppeteer keep the head in the middle though.

[@aewtx]

Wasn't Jim Henson originally Big Bird? Because he was tall?

[@HumanCapybara]

these guys are heroes.

[@justagirl675]

When I was younger I was sad because I had never been to a puppet show like a bunch of my friends, and watching this I realized I’ve been watching the best puppet show there is for years. 😁

[@thatwastakenagain]

too many ppl in finals week here

[@stephaniestephen4997]

Jonathan L haha true. Guilty😂🤣

[@davidkak1354]

good luck

[@amandafinger5015]

Jonathan L tru dat 😂

[@Dudeonwheels]

I guess trying to relive your childhood is a good escape of the current stress of your adulthood.

[@corncube9063]

Jonathan L oof

[@m0rpheus980]

Is it just me or did snuffleupagus scare us as kids? Just me, ok.

[@Onio_Saiyan]

Definitely wasn't just you.

[@rebeccarose1679]

He scared me to

[@masahirosakurai64]

Are you kidding? As a kid, I always felt he didn't get enough screentime.

[@user-nh3eu3pm9p]

He didn't scare me when I was little But he scares me now-

[@evette2395]

ABSOLUTELY

[@jackylanceberg2709]

Each of them bears a small resemblance with their character..

[@ginger_kid707]

I was just thinking they look like their characters

[@fromchomleystreet]

It’s kind of sad that with Caroll Spinney’s retirement a couple years ago, there appears now to be not a single original puppeteer left in the cast. Makes me feel old.

[@zyonwilliams5938]

WE NEED COOKIE MONSTER

[@Liz-kk6pu]

NO

[@bluebloodcell9420]

*_COOOOOOOOKKKKKKIIIIIIIESSSSSSSS!!! NOMNOMNOMNOM!!_*

[@FlowersArgo]

I THOUGHT YOU WERE THAT JUSTIN PERSON FOR A SECOND

[@leilaisdabest4761]

Eat sleep cookie repeat

[@maddierawn4906]

yeshy 😂 Justin y

[@Sarah-wp9ss]

Okay so big birds performer is Matt Vogel, and vogel means bird in dutch hahah

[@sadlittlebikerack]

Nothankyou That’s actually one of the reasons he was chosen to play Big Bird. The original performer held auditions, and saw that Matt’s last name was “Vogel”, and he said “You were born to be Big Bird”.

[@goldenheart3887]

So... shouldn’t he pronounce his last name “voh-[KREE]el?”

[@marieke.g]

Goldenheart388 native english speakers can't pronounce it. that sound doesn't exist in english 😂

[@goldenheart3887]

mariekegraus And let me guess: je bent Nederlands?

[@marieke.g]

Goldenheart388 hahah hoe raad je t zo 🤔

[@cheeksbecool]

I'm suprised the elmo performer even mentioned the previous elmo. Interesting to see behind the scenes of my childhood.

[@Naafidy]

Thats what happens when you are found guilty of child molestation.

[@cecilyerker]

I remember the documentary about him, he always seemed like a creep.

[@theshevirgo]

Yep let’s not go into detail on how Elmo was once a pedophile

[@MilfLvr420]

Naafidy oh god I remember hearing that and just freaking out, the man was surrounded by child actors everyday and was basically an childhood idol of mine (before the truth and after learning Elmo was a puppet)!

[@peacelovetv95]

I believe victims first, and I'm not excusing anyone's behavior, but just for the record, he was never found guilty.

[@sapphic.flower]

although I always found puppetry impressive, hearing the mechanics of these puppets and how much multitasking is involved for the puppeteers is so fascinating! And just like acting and animation, these people have to think about how the characters would move organically and expressively, super cool!

[@SpiralBreeze]

That was enlightening.

[@jmorris3718]

Spiral Breeze fj

[@lowriprice5097]

Spiral Breeze is

[@bishop2985]

😂

[@Pppppppppppppppgvgdcf]

Spiral Breeze w

[@therandomnoob6464]

Spiral Breeze I do agree

[@looneysprig]

Abby: Where is Rudy? Person who hasn’t seen Sesame Street in ages: Who is Rudy? Me: Why is Rudy?

[@salina_mohammed]

Looney Tunes Girl Rudy is a new Character in Sesame Street as Abby's Stepbrother

[@naina9518]

But no one asks..how is Rudy?

[@briaunasings3262]

I understood that reference

[@izzy7652]

Looney Tunes Girl the Elmo musicals are bae because I see my siblings watching it and I’m like woo these effects

[@theberrby6836]

naina b. No one asked, BUT we have answers. :3

[@jayden.6]

“idk i’ve never been in a car before” Elmo: “ *really? 🤨* “

[@andrewbuchan2232]

Why do you need a car when you have wings? :D

[@scarebear1265]

Therapist: big bird in jeans isn’t real he can’t hurt you Big bird in jeans:

[@joyboysplanet]

big bird is so complicated

[@ashtondavey7409]

Snuffy seems way harder

[@DrKFC69]

Can’t believe his original puppeteer lasted almost 50 years playing big bird, and he’s in his 80’s, I probably wouldn’t last 5 minutes

[@nikki5980]

They can tell us all this but I still don't know how to get to Sesame Street....🤔💕

[@mackenzieharper5845]

Lmfao hahahahahah omg best comment on here!! 😂😂

[@nikki5980]

@@mackenzieharper5845 thank you♥️

[@mackenzieharper5845]

@@nikki5980 👍

[@Ocer.]

Uber

[@monkeycircus509]

36th St. and 34th Ave. Kaufman Astoria Studios.

[@localtrash6754]

When I was little I was so scared of Snufflupagus my mom had to skip every scene he was in

[@withinthefun721]

It's still scary

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

Did you ever see the first version of Snuffy? He looked demonic lol definitely would’ve given me nightmares

[@Nxquixz]

Same

[@mcamacho41]

For me it's those eyes and eyelashes

[@SILENTVIOLET44]

I thought Kevin Clash was the puppeteer for Elmo? .....*Google search* Ah. I see. Ryan replaced him since 2013

[@xmanmartinez00]

Becuuuuuzz? *Google search* Oh ._.

[@C0ltrane]

Big Bird looks so funny with regular pants 😂

[@abbyneate5037]

Who the heck is Rudy? I never remember a Rudy being added and I haven't seen the puppet until now. Am I the only one?

[@MarshalGrover]

He's Abby's stepbrother; he just started appearing earlier this year and those episodes should hit PBS relatively soon.

[@funnysillyclown]

J. Smart No, they added him earlier this year. And as someone who's always looking for new techniques on Sesame Street I can say I actually haven't really seen him yet. Glad they still add characters now and then though!!

[@anniebutton6223]

I have no idea who Rudy is and I have a toddler who is always watching sesame street

[@bigrednolaccount6767]

Fedora Freak are u dumb

[@aurorasparks1985]

He said Rudy is relatively new

[@ronindebeatrice]

I don't understand. Do they make puppets to mimic the actions of the real muppets when they're unavailable or something?

[@warbossgrimdakka5401]

It's fine it's fine. They use these puppets for worldwide events when the real cast aren't available The real muppets are all fine

[@claytations]

Took me a while to get the joke.

[@wintersnowdaze3964]

Uhh... Yes? 😐

[@fuckedupemokidable]

ronindebeatrice pretty much

[@kelpo1659]

What about when the hand puppets are sitting on the stairs like how Elmo did in one of the episodes?? Do they go under the stairs or something?? Could someone explain plz😔😔

[@abithefallenhuman921]

Yup. In some instances, the actors are in a bucket, while the mupoet is placed sitting. (It's also why the mupoet rarely moves thier arms in those scenes)

[@kelpo1659]

@@abithefallenhuman921 oh ok thank you for explaining it that really helps out😁😁

[@Kirby3585]

When I asked my father as a child how this was done he told me that it was very complicated and that the puppeteers were very skilled but never went into details, now I know that it definitely is but I know the specifics now! Thank you!!!

[@startrick7390]

Kirby3585 my dad just told me that they were real LOL (I never believed him)

[@officialgoogleyoutube]

Should've ended with, "my father was Jim Henson."

[@strawberriesandcream7494]

Me at 11pm: I should go to bed. Me at 3am:

[@idek909]

Yep

[@phatini]

It’s 4 am right now lmao

[@averythesuperhero]

I thought that seeing Sesame Street behind the scenes would ruin the magic of the show for me. But it made me admire it even more to see the amount of love and effort that everyone puts into the show!

[@nutalie.]

the truth

[@beautyrj1018]

I think it’s the sweetest thing to see adults carrying on Jim Henson’s legacy through years and years of beautiful storytelling and positive messages for kids ❤️💛

[@darius4248]

Wait? Who tf is rudy

[@adourrtinkk8797]

CurlyKing VLOGS he a new character lmao😂

[@elainamatthews7818]

Abby’s step brother lol

[@hannah3075]

He's a new character. He's Abby's step-brother, i believe

[@Harpy-with-Legs]

CurlyKing VLOGS I was about to comment that

[@a.nonnymouse7655]

I'll do you one better. Why is rudy?

[@MamaLooji]

big birds puppeteers last name is Vogel, which is dutch for bird hahaha

[@lillieanag6394]

Looji Yep. That’s why Caroll Spinney picked him in the 1st place.

[@angelface101ful]

Looji also German for bird too

[@officialgoogleyoutube]

+Blackcat Is-Sleeping, I'm not sure why that's pertinent. I get the connection, but it's such a small one that it just feels like a completely unrelated factoid. Plus, Vogel meaning bird relates to the video. Looji has nothing to do with it. It's just another word for bird, but the whole point was not the mere fact that vogel means bird, but the relation to the puppeteer. So, in conclusion, I disapprove of that fact drop. Thumb: down.

[@Mauvee7]

lol you misunderstood that - the German word for "bird" is also "Vogel" [which is pronounced like the name of the puppeteer whereas vogel in dutch would be said with the fricative "ch"-sound], "Looji" is the name of the user above. So it's relevant.

[@officialgoogleyoutube]

Well, I sure look dumb.

[@poisonmilkshake4563]

*Plot twist:* the humans on Sesame Street are puppets

[@kristenleung6587]

oop-

[@jlhabitan50]

Dead Silence 2

[@blaqmermaiid]

Thats some Black Mirror type of ishhh lol

[@Rrougenoir]

*Quietly watching your profile pic*

[@cluelessindividual3197]

Okay but snufflelaphogus used to scared me when I was little 🤣

[@ashtreylil1]

big bird......is a TURKEY?!!!?!

[@funnysillyclown]

No, He's a Biggus Canarius.

[@JimmyCaravan]

Big Bird isn't the turkey. The turkey is the turkey, you turkey!

[@mikerice868]

No... He's a big bird

[@carultch]

Oscar calls him a big turkey. I guess that means he calls himself a big turkey, because Oscar and Big Bird both had the same original performer.

[@EggyBoi]

ash G. I thought a black guy was the voice for elmo

[@mawniez]

Didn’t know about the Rudy character till now

[@katlinruiz2411]

Trashy Monica same😂😂

[@alauram.6416]

First thought: Who THE Fck is Rudy!!

[@accountdeleted5193]

Trashy Monica same

[@calebwright9539]

He's new

[@simonm4504]

Trashy Monica I think he’s abby step brother I dunno

[@topchoiceauto9626]

Rest In Peace Caroll Spinney.. Thank you for my childhood 😢

[@Chris-wd4us]

The actor of Big bird and grouch

[@RainbowFlowerCrow]

His heart lives on in the characters he performed, and in all of us 💜💞

[@user-se8jg5ul7e]

He plays big bird right? I never knew him before tho, sorry if i dont know him

[@SaraFatima]

*My childhood destroyed in 7 minutes* P.S. I am 7 years old.

[@rowevintolentino1083]

Snuffleupagus always gave me the creeps as a child. It still does now 17 years later.

[@funnysillyclown]

The eyelashes are uncomfortably long. Other than that I didn't think much of him.

[@Xxxxx478]

Rowevin Tolentino I've always thought his eyelashes were the weirdest part about him 😂

[@anthonyrando6447]

Rowevin Tolentino I think he’s cute

[@Dragons2295]

I don't really understand? I always loved him... But ok.

[@itslooez7513]

His eyes his eyebrows HIS MOUTH UGHHHHH gives me chills

[@Liz4life]

Elmo was always my favorite. Tbh, I miss Kevin Clash. His improv skills were fantastic and he was a great comedian

[@officialgoogleyoutube]

Tis a sad reality.

[@04279]

Very interesting. I always wanted to know how those puppets are played. For some of them it is obvious, like for Elmo. But some, like Cookie Monster, Big Bird or Snuffleupagus it is difficult. Thank you for this video.

[@wickamouse5]

0:12 Big Bird with his friend, the sheep.

[@sadbabykitty]

why am i so attracted to the man who plays snuffleupagus

[@poliknoy]

Lena Maria girl I totally get you

[@bruh-a-nator7845]

Idk because I'm a non gendered pink bird

[@trashbear7037]

I thought that I was alone

[@sarah-nt7iw]

Cause he looks like a 80-90s rock legend and everyone attracted to those boyos

[@tuxedobird]

Lena Maria he seems like someone I would want to be friends with.

[@doge9984]

im sorry but snuffleupagus is a creature of nightmares I was always terrified of it.

[@edwinmaitwe6367]

Me Too

[@jaycharleston2570]

But it's just an elephant

[@sophiebitzinger4445]

If that's the case, don't look up his first appearance on the show. *shudders*

[@themangledteddy4910]

sAME I HATED IT WHEN HE WAS ON

[@kiddio7165]

Poor snuffle, I find him rlly cute

[@mjkastv]

I wonder what makes one go, “I want to be a puppeteer.” I mean it’s AWESOME don’t get me wrong, but I don’t even think about all the logistics when I’m watching Sesame Street. And did they start when they were young? Are there classes? Is it self taught? Maybe I’m just dull and uncreative lol 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@SpXPtwn]

You should watch the Elmo doc about the guy who was originally Elmo. I think there’s like a whole community of those folks

[@durdleduc8520]

After watching this, I realized how cool it would be to be a puppeteer. It’s like voice acting but with less competition lol

[@theerandomdude2375]

These people have been entertaining many generations of people now, just like old treehouse