PERFORMER	Rick Lyon puppeteer
	Reg E. Cathey voice
DEBUT	1989

Blue Bird was a superhero character invented by Big Bird in Season 20 on Sesame Street.

The character only appeared in two scenes on the show. In his first segment (Episode 2544), Big Bird writes a story about Blue Bird fighting a villain played by Maria (who beforehand declined spending time with Big Bird due to her work schedule). In the second and final segment (Episode 2582), Bob wonders where missing socks go in the laundromat, prompting a story where Blue Bird fights the evil Sock Snatcher (portrayed by Richard Libertini).

Suit performer Rick Lyon explained the concept behind the character and the reasons the character was dropped so quickly:

“The idea was to give Big Bird a fantasy life - Blue Bird did heroic things Big Bird dreamed of, including flying. The idea was not entirely unlike the current Baby Bear fantasy character Hero Guy.

But the character tanked. One reason was the perception that Caroll Spinney was unhappy with the presence of another big bird character on the show. Another reason is that the bits were expensive to produce. And some people involved in SESAME objected to the sort of cartoon superhero violence implied in foiling the bad guy.^[1]”

Notes

• The puppet was modified from the blue-colored Big Bird outfit used in Follow That Bird, retaining only the torso (adding new arms, legs and head).^[1]

• The character's theme tune was written by Norman Stiles and Joe Raposo.^[2]

• An additional segment was written, but not shot, for Episode 2578, where Blue Bird goes after the nefarious Crayon Breaker (to be played by Linda).^[3]

Blue Bird in flight

See also

• Bluebirds

Sources