The Cars that Made America

Welcome to the very first episode of Sesame Street! Sally has just moved to Sesame Street, and Gordon is showing her around. As they walk around, they meet all the wonderful neighbors, friends and monsters that live there.

Big Bird anticipates Granny Bird's visit to Sesame Street! Big Bird returns from getting a feather-cut and sees Gordon. Together, they talk about what near and far mean, which Big Bird demonstrates, until he backs up too far into a stack of crates! Big Bird asks Mr. Hooper for some Gs since Granny Bird likes Gs sandwiches, as well as Gs-cake. Mr. Hooper explains that he means "cheese" and that G begins words like glass, glove and game. As Granny's arrival approaches, Big Bird is upset because he lost his hat, ruined Granny Bird's flowers and hurt his wing trying to hang a welcome sign. Susan gives him new flowers, Gordon hangs the welcome sign and Mr. Hooper makes a pumpkin seed cake. With help from his friends, Big Bird welcomes his Granny Bird.

Oscar is craving an ice cream sundae! As Mr. Hooper passes, he asks if Mr. Hooper makes ice cream sundaes. Mr. Hooper declares he makes the best ices cream sundaes! Really wanting one, Oscar pays $0.30 for a sundae with chocolate ice cream, sprinkled with baked beans, chopped pickles, whipped cream and a radish! Mr. Hooper is shocked by Oscar's odd request. Even Big Bird agrees that it sounds gross! As a grouch, Oscar does not like giving compliments, but he calls Mr. Hooper a genius and a master for his baked bean sundae. To thank him, Oscar invites Mr. Hooper to eat dinner with him that night! Knowing Mr. Hooper enjoys Italian food, Oscar offers to make licorice and jelly-bean pizza. The idea of this recipe makes Mr. Hooper look sick.

It is a beautiful day on Sesame Street, and Susan and Gordon both want to stay outside! Since they do not have a car, Susan and Gordon decide to take folding chairs and make a pretend car out of them. They take kids Francesca and Jay on an imaginary road trip in the pretend car! Susan packs a picnic for everyone while Gordon gets the car ready. After putting on seatbelts, they drive off! Gordon notes all the signs on the road and teaches the kids about "Stop" and "Go." After their picnic, Gordon navigates some sharp turns in the road as he "drives" everyone home. He says the car sounds like it might need a tune-up before the next road trip! Everyone talks about license plates, which identify cars and the state where each car is registered. Gordon even shows them a license plate!

Big Bird cannot remember how to write a lowercase "r." Luckily, a cute letter "r" drops onto his easel! Big Bird decides they will be friends after "r" kisses his beak! Little "r" does tricks, like roll over. "R" is so terrific, Big Bird draws its picture. When Big Bird wants to introduce "r" to Mr. Hooper and Gordon, little "r" has disappeared. They do not believe Big Bird and think he is imagining it. Alone again, Big Bird calls for little "r," who bounces back, this time with an uppercase "R!" Big Bird gets to practice drawing uppercase "R" now. After he draws a big "R," the letters bounce away. Mr. Hooper and Gordon visit Big Bird and do not believe two letter Rs exist. Luckily, big and little "r" bounce back. The adults realize the Rs do exist and not only in Big Bird's imagination!