With Elmo's help, Big Bird sets out to prove once and for all to the adults of Sesame Street that his friend Snuffy is not imaginary.
Broadcast details:
- Season 17 premiere
- Original air date: October 8, 1985
- Sponsors: J, S, 6
Tropes seen in this episode:
- Bait-and-Switch: The second time Big Bird calls out the secret word, it would seem as if he is going to succeed getting the adults to see Snuffy with Elmo's help, but it was only Zoe in a costume, as it was just practice.
- Big "NO!": Delivered by Big Bird, Gordon, and Maria in response to Bob's dismissal of Snuffy when Big Bird's initial plan fails.
- Call-Back: In the opening scene as Big Bird is planning with Snuffy, we get a flashback to a majority of past episodes where the adults called Snuffy imaginary.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Elmo becomes this in the last quarter of the street plot, holding onto Snuffy long enough so he does not leave before the grownups arrive.
- Crying Wolf: As part of Big Bird's plan, the adults promise to come to the nest to see Snuffy once Big Bird shouts the secret word "Food!". When Snuffy was not there the first time, Gordon suggests he get help, to which Elmo comes in. When it seems as if it was going to work the second time, he was only doing it for practice, and Big Bird promises not to do that anymore. When Big Bird shouts the word the final time as Elmo is holding onto Snuffy's snuffle so he won't leave, the adults are hesitant at first, including those who sided with him last season, but then they finally decide to go anyway, and he succeeds.
- Jaw Drop: Most of the adults are shown with this in their Reaction Shot as they realize Snuffy is real.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Gordon was this to Big Bird the first time he failed to get the adults to see Snuffy, as he understands his pain and suggests he get help. This prompts Elmo to come in and play a crucial part in getting Snuffy to stay long enough to be revealed.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: A minor one delivered by Big Bird to the adults after they finally see Snuffy and he chews them out for not believing him.Big Bird: At last! Oh! Joy! Joy! I told you there was a Snuffleupagus! At last you've seen him! And you gotta believe it, right? I told you all along that there was a Snuffleupagus, my best pal. He's not imaginary but you never believed me!!
Gordon: No, but, Maria and Linda and I believed you, Big Bird.
Big Bird: Yeah, but... the rest of you didn't! - Rule of Three: It took Big Bird three tries this episode to finally get the grownups to see Snuffy.
- Running Gagged: The thought that Snuffy was imaginary has finally come to an end, to Big Bird's relief.
- Stunned Silence: The second the adults get their first look at Snuffy, they are reduced to about half a minute of silent shock.
- Wham Episode: Snuffy is revealed to the rest of the cityfolk, the adults especially.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Despite appearing in Big Bird's flashback, Olivia was strangely the only recurring adult at the time who was not around for Snuffy's big reveal.
