History Awesome / SesameStreet

*** Again, a few episodes later, there's another plot point that highlights that even the big things can go wrong (in this case, like Apollo 13 in 1970), as an emergency alarm sounds at WASA Mission Control, because the worms are fighting over a bowling ball! Despite their efforts to calm the situation down, their fight causes an accident that veers the rocket off-course (the ball hits the "Wrong Way" Button on the controls!), and Slimey has to go out on a spacewalk to press the "Right Way" Button, at the tippy-tippy-top of the rocket!

* The entire season-long "Slimey To The Moon" plot of season 29. In fact, it could even qualify as a [[WhamEpisode Wham]] '''''[[WhamEpisode SEASON]]''''' Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an overarching idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), and the very '''''real''''' dangers involved, for children from 3 to 5 years old, is pretty big and heavy stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach alphabet, number, and shape recognition), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards! (It was so complex that they introduced the [[OnTheNext "Coming Soon to Sesame Street" after-episode synopses]] this season!)

* The entire season-long "Slimey To The Moon" plot of season 29. In fact, it could even qualify as a [[WhamEpisode Wham]] '''''[[WhamEpisodeSEASON]]''''' Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an overarching idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), and the very '''''real''''' dangers involved, for children from 3 to 5 years old, is pretty big and heavy stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach alphabet, number, and shape recognition), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards! (It was so complex that they introduced the [[OnTheNext "Coming Soon to Sesame Street" after-episode synopses]] this season!)

* The entire season-long "Slimey To The Moon" plot of season 29. Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an overarching idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), and the very '''''real''''' dangers involved, for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big and heavy stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach alphabet, number, and shape recognition), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards!

*** Slimey becoming interested in going to the Moon, signifying his desire for scientific knowledge, just as many have done before, exploring Earth.
*** An agency looking for individuals to train for a mission that requires skill, stamina, courage... aaaand the ability to hold onto a spinning platform going faster and faster in the [[BuffySpeak Worm-O-Hold-On-Tight-O]] test (much like a High-G-Force centrifuge in real life), and the ability to not get dizzy and find their footing after being bounced around like a Slinky in the [[BuffySpeak Upsy-Downs-Every-Way-Aroundsy-Wormsy-Bouncy]] test. (Much like real-life prospective astronauts do in the Vomit Comet OR underwater with a spacesuit)

*** The emotional tension of Oscar being concerned for Slimey's safety, and not being able to see him for a long time! Many, many, MANY weeks, as said in the show, much like those who are on real-life space missions, and are away from Earth for as long as... well, as long as this season aired as previously mentioned; 18 weeks, or in more-human terms, 100 days or more!
*** The additional plot points that, yes, even the big things can go wrong (As the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and multiple other launch missions aborted on the launch pad have shown us). First, the rocket does not lift off. It's figured out that one of the oscillators wasn't oscillating. Then, when it's fixed, it still doesn't lift off, and it's stuck on the launch pad, even though it's giving all the thrust it can give. (Because it's being weighted down by a chicken hiding in the engine, but not fully known by the characters until later.) Thankfully, Snuffleupagus' allergy to the smoke from the rocket is enough to send it roaring off into the wild blue yonder!

*** Even though the idea of worms going into space is silly, again, it's no less treated with importance, as the launch commander intones in the final words of the episode, taking a page from ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
----->'''Launch Commander:''' Space, the final frontier. This is the voyage of the Wormship "Wiggleprise" and its crew of five very brave, very smart, ''very'' '''''cute''''' little worms, whose mission is to explore space and the moon, and to wiggle where no worm has wiggled before!

*** At the end of the storyline, the rocket is on its way back to Earth, and the return capsule separates just fine, and begins to enter the atmosphere. However, The Count accidentally sends the capsule veering off-course (with his ''[[HairTriggerSoundEffect thunder]]'' after laughing), and at first, everyone freaks out on learning that they're not landing in the ocean, but Sesame Street. Telly spells out that they'll crash on the concrete with no water. Then the worm scientists tell the humans they need a filled wash bucket to catch the worm capsule, and fast! Maria remembers that there is a wash bucket by her garage. She, Gabby, Lynne, and Gordon go to grab it, fill it with water, and carry it around Sesame Street to soften the landing. They ''keep'' moving around as the crowd gives them directions and the capsule zigzags on its parachute. The end result is the humans get splashed, but the worm astronauts are safe and Oscar goes to check on Slimey. Lynne wipes her face with dignity, looks into the camera, and says, "We ''have splashdown''." Everyone cheers, for a good reason. Now ''that'' is HeroicBystander, and AuthorityEqualsAsskicking for Lynne Thigpen as WASA commander.

*** It brought Kermit the Frog back to the show in his former capacity as the News Flash roving reporter, who had not been seen on the show in any new official form in almost 8 years! (Since 1990)
*** former ''PBS [=NewsHour=]'' anchor Robert [=MacNeil=] anchored the in-universe news coverage (he retired about three years prior to the storyline)!

*** Having former ''PBS [=NewsHour=]'' anchor Robert [=MacNeil=] anchor the in-universe news coverage (he retired about three years prior to the storyline)!

* Slimey being the first worm in space. In fact, the entire storyline itself! Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, and the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach the alphabet and shape recognition), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards!

*** An agency looking for individuals to train for a mission that requires skill, stamina, courage... aaaand the ability to hold onto a spinning platform going faster and faster in the Worm-O-Hold-On-Tight-O test (much like a High-G-Force centrifuge in real life), and the ability to not get dizzy and find their footing after being bounced around like a Slinky in the Upsy-Downs-Every-Way-Aroundsy-Wormsy-Bouncy test. (Much like real-life prospective astronauts do in the Vomit Comet OR underwater with a spacesuit)
*** The fact that the late [[Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse Lynne]] [[Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego Thig]][[Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego pen]] played the WASA official.

*** The emotional tension of Oscar being concerned for Slimey's safety, and not being able to see him for a long time! (Much like those who are on real-life space missions, and are away from Earth for as long as... well, as long as this season aired as previously mentioned; 18 weeks, or in more-human terms, 100 days or more!)
*** The additional plot points that, yes, even the big things can go wrong (As the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and multiple other launch missions aborted on the launch pad have shown us). First, the rocket does not lift off. It's figured out that one of the oscillators wasn't oscillating. Then, when it's fixed, it still doesn't lift off, and it's stuck on the launch pad, even though it's giving all the thrust it can give. (Because it's being weighted down by a chicken hiding in the engine, but not fully known until later.) Thankfully, Snuffleupagus' allergy to the smoke from the rocket is enough to send it roaring off into the wild blue yonder!

*** Bringing in ''TONY FREAKING BENNETT'' to sing a rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon", titled this time as "Slimey to the Moon".

*** It brought Kermit the Frog back to the show in his former capacity as the News Flash reporter, who had not been seen on the show in any new official form in almost 8 years!
*** Having former ''PBS [=NewsHour=]'' anchor Robert [=MacNeil=] anchor the in-universe news coverage (he retired about three years prior to the storyline)!

*** An agency looking for individuals to train for a mission that requires skill, stamina,... and the ability to hold onto a spinning platform going faster and faster in the Worm-O-Hold-On-Tight-O test (much like a High-G-Force centrifuge in real life), and the ability to not get dizzy and find their footing after being bounced around like a Slinky in the Upsy-Downs-Every-Way-Aroundsy-Wormsy-Bouncy test. (Much like real-life prospective astronauts do in the Vomit Comet OR underwater with a spacesuit)

*** The emotional tension of Oscar being concerned for Slimey's safety, and not being able to see him for a long time! (Much like those who are on real-life missions.)
*** The additional plot points that, yes, even the big things can go wrong (As the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and multiple other launch missions aborted on the launch pad have shown us). First, the rocket does not lift off. It's figured out that one of the oscillators wasn't oscillating. Then, when it's fixed, it still doesn't lift off, and it's stuck on the launch pad, even though it's giving all the thrust it can give. (Because it's being weighted down by a chicken hiding in the engine, but not known until later.) Thankfully, Snuffleupagus' allergy to the smoke from the rocket is enough to send it flying.
*** The fact that the launch is treated with importance, and not just a silly little event that's temporary; everyone is cheering wildly when it finally ''does'' launch, to a triumphant "The Planets, Mars Suite"-like fanfare.
*** Even though it's silly, again, it's no less treated with importance, as the launch commander intones in the final words of the episode, taking a page from ''Franchise/StarTrek'':

*** Again, another later plot point that highlights that even the big things can go wrong (in this case, like Apollo 13 in 1970), as an emergency sounds at WASA mission control, because the worms are fighting over a bowling ball! Despite their efforts to calm the situation down, their fight causes an accident that veers the rocket off-course (the ball hits the "Wrong Way" Button on the controls!), and Slimey has to go out on a spacewalk to press the "Right Way" Button, at the tippy-tippy-top of the rocket!

*** Having former ''PBS [=NewsHour=]'' anchor Robert [=MacNeil=] anchor the in-universe news coverage (he retired about three years prior to the storyline).

*** Plus, it's not just a stereotypical fireworks bottle rocket shape, its a freaking miniature mobile space station, much like the Space Shuttle was, or the International Space Station! (including a library bookshelf, beds, freeze-dried pizza, and a zero-g ''bowling alley!'')

*** The additional plot points that, yes, even the big things can go wrong (As the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and multiple other launch missions aborted on the launch pad have shown us). First, the rocket does not lift off. It's figured out that one of the oscillators wasn't oscillating. Then it still doesn't lift off, and it's stuck on the launch pad, even though it's giving all the thrust it can give. (Because it's being weighted down by a chicken hiding in the engine.) Thankfully, Snuffleupagus' allergy to the smoke from the rocket is enough to send it flying.

*** Again, another later plot point that highlights that even the big things can go wrong (in this case, like Apollo 13 in 1970), as an emergency sounds at WASA mission control, and an accident veers the rocket off-course (A bowling ball hits the "Wrong Way" Button!), and Slimey has to go out on a spacewalk to press the "Right Way" Button, at the tippy-tippy-top of the rocket!

*** At the end of the storyline, the rocket is on its way back to Earth, and the capsule separates, beginning to enter the atmosphere. The Count accidentally sends the return capsule veering off-course (with his ''[[HairTriggerSoundEffect thunder]]'' after laughing), and at first, everyone freaks out on learning that they're not landing in the ocean, but Sesame Street. Telly spells out that they'll crash on the concrete with no water. Then the worm scientists tell the humans they need a filled wash bucket to catch the worm capsule, and fast! Maria remembers that there is a wash bucket by her garage. She, Gabby, Lynne, and Gordon go to grab it, fill it with water, and carry it around Sesame Street to soften the landing. They ''keep'' moving around as the crowd gives them directions and the capsule zigzags on its parachute. The end result is the humans get splashed, but the worm astronauts are safe and Oscar goes to check on Slimey. Lynne wipes her face with dignity, looks into the camera, and says, "We ''have splashdown''." Everyone cheers, for a good reason. Now ''that'' is HeroicBystander, and AuthorityEqualsAsskicking for Lynne Thigpen as WASA commander.

*** Bringing in ''[[Music/TonyBennett TONY FREAKING BENNETT]]'' to sing a rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon", titled this time as "Slimey to the Moon".

* Slimey being the first worm in space. In fact, the entire storyline itself! Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, and the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach the alphabet), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards!

* Slimey being the first worm in space. In fact, the entire storyline itself! Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, and the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big stuff! Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over approximately one-third of a YEAR (18 weeks!), with frequent callbacks in the form of "Worms in Space" interstitial segments (to teach the alphabet), or even entire ''episodes'' based around the event, and after each episode in the season, in the vein of Series/BattlestarGalactica1978, the Wiggleprise's progress to the moon before landing, and its progress back to Earth afterwards!

* Slimey being the first worm in space. In fact, the entire storyline itself! Very young children may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its number counting, alphabetical teaching, shape and color recognition, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, and the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big stuff! (Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over one-third of a YEAR! [18 weeks])
** Every single story plot point may have been simplified for children, but it's no less serious:
*** Slimey becoming interested in going to the Moon, signifying his thirst for scientific knowledge, just as many have done before, exploring Earth.

*** Although simplified for children, it's no less poignant for describing what adults do for real for scientific knowledge:

---->'''WASA Official:''' ''[proudly]'' [[BluntYes Yes.]]

*** Plus, it's not just a stereotypical fireworks bottle rocket, its a freaking miniature mobile space station, much like the Space Shuttle was, or the International Space Station! (including a library bookshelf, beds, freeze-dried pizza, and a zero-g ''bowling alley!'')

*** The additional plot points that, yes, even the big things can go wrong (As the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Apollo 13, and multiple other launch missions have shown us). First, the rocket does not lift off. It's figured out that one of the oscillators wasn't oscillating. Then it still doesn't lift off, and it's stuck on the launch pad, even though it's giving all the thrust it can give. (Because it's being weighted down by a chicken hiding in the engine.) Thankfully, Snuffleupagus' allergy to the smoke from the rocket is enough to send it flying.

*** Again, another later plot point that highlights that even the big things can go wrong, as an emergency sounds at WASA mission control, and an accident veers the rocket off-course (A bowling ball hits the "Wrong Way" Button!), and the worms have to go out to press the "Right Way" Button, at the tippy-tippy-top of the rocket!
*** Bringing in ''[[Creator/TonyBennett TONY FREAKING BENNETT]]'' to sing a rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon", titled this time as "Slimey to the Moon".

---->'''WASA Official:''' ''[aghast, including some bystanders]'' Ah-- Uh-- '''Why?!''' ''[fanfare begins to play]'' [[RousingSpeech Because it's]]'''''[[RousingSpeech there!]]''''' ''[bystanders agree]'' [[RousingSpeech Because they want to explore space! They want to explore the moon!]]

** The fact that the late [[Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse Lynne]] [[Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego Thig]][[Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego pen]] played the WASA official.

** At the end of the storyline, the rocket is on its way back to Earth, and the capsule separates, beginning to enter the atmosphere. The Count accidentally sends the return capsule veering off-course (with his ''[[HairTriggerSoundEffect thunder]]'' after laughing), and at first, everyone freaks out on learning that they're not landing in the ocean, but Sesame Street. Telly spells out that they'll crash on the concrete with no water. Then the worm scientists tell the humans they need a filled wash bucket to catch the worm capsule, and fast! Maria remembers that there is a wash bucket by her garage. She, Gabby, Lynne, and Gordon go to grab it, fill it with water, and carry it around Sesame Street to soften the landing. They ''keep'' moving around as the crowd gives them directions and the capsule zigzags on its parachute. The end result is the humans get splashed, but the worm astronauts are safe and Oscar goes to check on Slimey. Lynne wipes her face with dignity, looks into the camera, and says, "We ''have splashdown''." Everyone cheers, for a good reason. Now ''that'' is HeroicBystander, and AuthorityEqualsAsskicking for Lynne Thigpen as WASA commander.

* Slimey being the first worm in space. In fact, the entire storyline itself! Kids may be hard to keep their attention on something, but the fact that Sesame Street; a series known only for its numbers, alphabetical teaching, colors, social studies for children, and comedy for children and parents alike, decided to tackle an idea as complex as space missions, training, scientific knowledge, and the unknown of science and the universe (brought down to just the level of the moon), for children from 3 to 8 years old, is pretty big stuff! (Plus, this was not just a one-and-done episode deal. This was spread out non-consecutively over one-third of a YEAR! [18 weeks])

*** An agency looking for individuals to train for a mission that requires skill, stamina,... and the ability to hold onto a spinning platform going faster and faster in the Worm-O-Hold-On-Tight-O test, (much like a High-G-Force centrifuge in real life), and the ability to not get dizzy and find their footing after being bounced around like a Slinky in the Upsy-Downs-Every-Way-Aroundsy-Wormsy-Bouncy test. (Much like real-life astronauts do in the Vomit Comet OR underwater with a spacesuit)
*** The emotional tension of Oscar being concerned for Slimey's safety, and not being able to see him for a long time! (Much like those who are on real-life missions.)
*** Sesame Street being the locale for the launch, with EVERYONE in the neighborhood here to see Slimey and the other worms off!
*** Plus, it's not just a stereotypical fireworks bottle rocket, its a freaking miniature mobile space station, much like the Space Shuttle was, or the International Space Station! (including a library bookshelf, beds, freeze-dried pizza, and a zero-g ''bowling alley!'')
** The fact that [[Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse Lynne]] [[Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego Thig]][[Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego pen]] played the WASA official.

** First worm on the moon, too. WASA doesn't mess around.
** And having former ''PBS [=NewsHour=]'' anchor Robert [=MacNeil=] anchor the in-universe news coverage (he retired about three years prior to the storyline).
** One from the worms landing on space; at first, everyone freaks out on learning that they're not landing in the ocean but Sesame Street. Telly spells out that they'll crash on the concrete with no water. Then the worm scientists tell the humans they need a filled wash bucket to catch the worm capsule, and fast! Maria remembers that there is a wash bucket by her garage. She, Gabby, Lynne, and Gordon go to grab it, fill it with water, and carry it around Sesame Street to soften the landing. They ''keep'' moving around as the crowd gives them directions and the capsule zigzags on its parachute. The end result is the humans get splashed, but the worm astronauts are safe and Oscar goes to check on Slimey. Lynne wipes her face with dignity, looks into the camera, and says, "We ''have splashdown''." Everyone cheers, for a good reason. Now ''that'' is HeroicBystander, and AuthorityEqualsAsskicking for Lynne Thigpen as WASA commander.

* Slimey being the first worm in space.

* This stereotype-busting skit shows two boys playing a stereotypical cowboys-and-Indians game, when an actual Native American boy shows up.

-->'''Boy Pretending to be Native American''': What do you mean Indians don't talk like that. Indians talked just like that on TV, didn't they, Rick?

-->'''Native American Boy''': '''I'm''' an Indian! ''(leaves)''

-->'''Melisandre:''' The monster is blue and full of errors! [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar (Oh my!)]]

* The 1983 TV movie "Don't Eat the Pictures" have the Sesame Street gang trapped in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art after it closes. Big Bird meets the ghost of a young Egyptian prince cursed by a demon, to never be with his parents in the afterlife for 4000 years unless he solves a riddle. Big Bird helps him solve it, and then when '''Osiris, god of the Underworld''' (filling in for Anubis, apparently) appears and judges the prince not worthy, Big Bird ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktnG_2-VXA0 tells him off]]'' and his support actually changes the nature of the child's soul so that it can ascend. Let me repeat, ''Big Bird'' overruled a god's judgement.

* The [[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2luo0u parody]] of the disaster-prone Broadway show ''Theatre/SpiderManTurnOffTheDark''. When '''''Sesame Street''''' is making fun of you, you've got problems.

-->'''Robb:''' Can we hurry this up? I've a wedding to get to. [[TooSoon (Oh, lordy!)]]

* The 1983 movie "Don't Eat the Pictures" have the Sesame Street gang trapped in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art after it closes. Big Bird meets the ghost of a young Egyptian prince cursed by a demon, to never be with his parents in the afterlife for 4000 years unless he solves a riddle. Big Bird helps him solve it, and then when '''Osiris, god of the Underworld''' (filling in for Anubis, apparently) appears and judges the prince not worthy, Big Bird ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktnG_2-VXA0 tells him off]]'' and his support actually changes the nature of the child's soul so that it can ascend. Let me repeat, ''Big Bird'' overruled a god's judgement.

** Bob would later confirm that they ''did'' try to do another take...and only lasted a minute before they all broke down.

* Big Bird ''finally'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEAX6eo55ss proving that Snuffy is real]]. And the reason it was done, to show kids that they could trust adults to believe them about things like sexual abuse.

** Oscar thinks that the snowglobe incident in ''Elmo Saves Christmas'' is funny. Maria responds with the best thing that she has ever said.