Being Big Bird: the Muppet Unmasked

BusinessBeing Big Bird: the Muppet UnmaskedBeing Big Bird: the Muppet UnmaskedThe Associated PressOn the street, Caroll Spinney is a 74-year-old of modest proportions. On the job, transformed into Big Bird, he stands 8 feet 2 inches tall and is 6 years old. (June 16)[Notes:UPSOUND SESAME STREET THEME SONG] For nearly 40 years, Big Bird has been entertaining kids and adults alike on Sesame Street. Since his first TV appearance, Big Bird has seen only a few changes. He's a bit bigger now and he's got a few more feathers - but underneath that fluffy exterior, Big Bird remains the same. Meet Carroll Spinney. Spinney is Big Bird. [Notes:UPSOUND: SPINNEY, (Out of Costume, On Set): OH, HI. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SEE IF I HAVE ANY MAIL TODAY....]Spinney has been inside the bird suit since the beginning. And while the Big Bird character remains a six-year-old, Spinney, it now 73. Continuing in the role however, suits him just fine. [Notes:SOT: Spinney]ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY ENJOY ABOUT SESAME STREET IS THAT I GET TO DO SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE ONLY DREAM OF. YEARS GO BY AND YOU'RE STILL THE SAME AGE.Sesame Street's longevity can be attributed to its wide appeal. For kids, it's often the engagement with the show, and parents can take comfort in knowing that their children are learning. [Notes:SOT SPINNEY]I FIND THAT KIDS REALLY ENJOY IT IF YOU TALK TO THEM LIKE YOU RECOGNIZE THEIR INTELLIGENCE. TRY TO BE AN EQUAL AND NOT TALK DOWN TO THEM. And with Big Bird being so, well, big. You'd think Spinney would be talking down to them regardless. But he's actually at about the same level as them, just separated by about six thousand feathers. [Notes:SOT SPINNEY:]HE IS 8 FEET-TWO. SO MY ARM IS IN HIS LEFT WING AND HIS RIGHT WING IS LIKE A CANTALEVER SYSTEM. YOU PLAY TO THE CAMERA AND IM WEARING A TINY MONITOR STRAPPED TO MY CHEST. .... .... .... Spinney also provides the voice of Oscar the Grouch. As Spinney puts it, a character based on a true New Yorker.I ACTUALLY WAS PICKED UP BY THIS CAB DRIVER WHO SAID, 'HEY MACK' AND THEN PROCEEDED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MAYOR LINDSEY. AND NEW YORK CITY WAS REALLY A MESS BACK THEN WITH GARBAGE LITERALLY PILED ON THE STREET. .... ... AND IS SAID GET AWAY FROM MY TRASH CAN AND JIM HENSON SAID THAT'LL DO FINE AND I HAD A JOBSpinney says that he'll continue with that job - as well as the Big Bird gig - for the foreseeable future. [Notes:UPSOUND SESAME STREET THEME SONG]UPSOUND: Sesame Street has been brought to you by the letter xx and the number xx. and, Jon Belmont, The Associated Press. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE:-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: Luke------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: APTN/Sesame Workshop--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL:------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS:----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: