Sesame Street "Episode 847" (found "Wicked Witch of the West" episode of children’s educational TV series; 1976): Difference between revisions

From The Lost Media Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m (just added this to the new puppet category since other Sesame stuff is there)
No edit summary
 
(83 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{InfoboxLost
{{InfoboxFound
|title=Sesame Street episode 847
|title=<center>“Episode 847”</center>
|image=Margarethamilton-witch.jpg
|image=SesameStreet847-HamiltonGrayscale.jpg
|imagecaption=Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Oscar the Grouch.
|imagecaption=Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Oscar the Grouch in a still from the episode.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|status=<span style="color: green;">'''Found'''</span>
|datefound=18 Jun 2022
|foundby=Anonymous
}}
}}
On February 10th, 1976, one of ''Sesame Street''’s most controversial episodes to date aired for the first and only time. '''"Episode 847"''' starred Margaret Hamilton, reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from the classic 1939 film ''The Wizard of Oz''.


On February 10, 1976, what is arguably ''Sesame Street''’s most controversial episode to date aired for the first and last time. The episode (ie. '''Episode 847''') starred Margaret Hamilton, reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from the classic 1939 film ''The Wizard of Oz''.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton Wikipedia article on Margaret Hamilton.] Last retrieved 28 Sep 2014.</ref><ref>[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton Muppet Wiki article on Margaret Hamilton.] Last retrieved 28 Sep 2014.</ref><ref>[http://lostmediawiki.com/images/9/9a/Margarethamiltonarticle.jpg Scan of a newspaper article on the then-upcoming episode; 08 Feb 1976.] Last retrieved 03 Oct 2014.</ref>
The central plot of the episode involves the witch losing her magic broom whilst flying over Sesame Street, only to have it wind up in the hands of David, who refuses to return it, skeptical towards the witch's intentions. As a result, she threatens to turn both Big Bird and David into inanimate objects (a feather duster and a basketball, respectively), also suggesting that she would make it rain inside Mr. Hooper's Store if the broom was not returned. Out of all the Sesame Street residents, the only one to react favorably towards the witch is Oscar, even to the point of developing a crush on her, although Big Bird also eventually warms to the witch and is saddened when she leaves, comically dropping her broom for a second time as the episode ends.


The central plot of the episode involves the witch losing her magic broom whilst flying over Sesame Street, only to have it wind up in the hands of David, who refuses to return it, sceptical towards the witch's intentions; as a result, she threatens to turn both Big Bird and David into inanimate objects (a feather duster and a basketball, respectively), also suggesting that she would make it rain inside Mr Hooper's Store if the broom was not returned. Out of all the Sesame Street residents, the only one to react favourably towards the witch is Oscar, even to the point of developing a crush on her, although Big Bird also eventually warms to the witch and is saddened when she leaves (comically dropping her broom for a second time as the episode ends).
==Reception==
[[File:SesameStreet847-BehindTheScenes.jpeg|thumb|250px|Margaret, alongside Caroll Spinney in between takes.]]
In the days following the episode's airing, a barrage of complaints was received by the Children's Television Workshop, the majority of which were from angered parents whose children had been traumatized by Hamilton's frightening guest appearance. Due to the episode's overwhelmingly poor reception, several additional test screenings were held the following month, although the results were generally inconclusive, with a large portion of the test audience appearing fascinated by the witch, rather than scared, on account of her green face (as, during this period, some families didn't have access to a color TV). Despite the tests' inconclusive results, the initial complaints were enough for Anna Herera (of the CTW Research Department) to declare the episode unsuitable for re-airing. It has not been aired or shown publicly in any form since.


In the days following the episode's airing, a barrage of complaints were received by the Children's Television Workshop, the majority of which were from angered parents whose children had been traumatised by Hamilton's frightening guest appearance. Due to the episode's overwhelmingly poor reception, several additional test screenings were held the following month, although the results were generally inconclusive, with a large portion of the test audience appearing fascinated by the witch, rather than scared, on account of her green face (as, during this period, most families didn't have access to a colour TV). Despite the tests' inconclusive results, the initial complaints were enough for Anna Herera (of the CTW Research Department) to declare the episode unsuitable for re-airing; it has not been aired or shown publicly in any form since.<ref>[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_0847 Muppet Wiki article on Episode 847.] Last retrieved 28 Sep 2014.</ref>
Notably, Hamilton had made appearances a year earlier on ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' (as herself) dressing up in her witch costume at the end of the Mister Rogers segment, in order to reassure children that the Wicked Witch of the West didn't actually exist and was simply a character.<ref>[https://metv.com/stories/in-1975-the-wicked-witch-went-on-mister-rogers-so-kids-would-not-be-afraid-of-her MeTV article on Hamilton’s appearance on ''Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood''.] Retrieved 15 Feb '19</ref> She also appeared months after her ''Sesame Street'' appearance on  "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special" (as the witch), acting more fun-loving and wacky. Both were not met with any controversy and were generally well-received.


Notably, a year earlier Hamilton had made a brief appearance on ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' as herself (dressing up in her witch costume at the end of the segment, in order to reassure children that the Wicked Witch of the West didn't actually exist and was simply a character), although said segment was not met with any controversy and was generally well received.
==Release==
In February 2019, it was announced that over 4500 episodes of ''Sesame Street'' over its 49 seasons would be archived in the American Archive of Public Broadcasting.<ref>[https://loc.gov/item/prn-19-019/?loclr=twloc&fbclid=IwAR30aFhut7n1NMhbJNHEZpUNuhYbc5g8ZAbi_Sc5e_RPBgCBds_EiyO94Fs The announcement of the archiving of ''Sesame Street'' episodes.] Retrieved 15 Feb '19</ref> Episode 847 was later confirmed as being included in the AAPB catalog, but it's only available for viewing at the Library of Congress.<ref>[https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-3063f0820ab Episode in the AAPB catalog] Retrieved 12 Jun '22</ref>


== References ==
Jim Henson Legacy president Craig Shemin hosted a screening of clips from the episode at The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City on November 24th, 2019, as part of a "Lost and Found" event celebrating Sesame Street's 50th anniversary. The screening was also accompanied by an unaired segment from [[Sesame Street "Snuffy's Parents Get a Divorce" (partially found episode of children's puppetry TV series; 1992)|"Snuffy's Parents Get a Divorce"]], and a discussion panel with puppeteer Stephanie D'Abruzzo, former Sesame Street head writer Norman Stiles, and Sesame Workshop's Rosemarie Truglio.<ref>[http://movingimage.us/visit/calendar/2019/11/24/detail/sesame-street-lost-and-found The Museum of the Moving Image's official website where it announces "''Sesame Street'' Lost and Found."] Retrieved 02 Oct '19</ref>
<references />


== External links ==
The episode in its entirety was leaked online anonymously in June of 2022.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6kpcPD8bks Margaret Hamilton's 1975 ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' appearance, via YouTube; Dec 26 2011.] Last retrieved 28 Sep 2014.


[[Category:Lost TV]][[Category:Lost puppetry]]
'''Admin note: DO NOT attempt to share links to the episode ANYWHERE on the LMW (including the forums and Discord server). There is a reason this article was locked and comments removed, and it's for yours and our legal safety. Furthermore, we DO NOT want another instance of a leak being misattributed to us and bringing all the drama that comes with that. Thank you.'''
 
==Gallery==
===Images===
<gallery mode=packed heights=275px>
847 newspaper article.jpeg|''Chronicles Telegram'' newspaper article on the then-upcoming episode; 08 Feb 1976.
SesameStreet847-SampleLetter.jpeg|One page of one of the letters sent after the initial airing.
SesameStreet847-ColorScreenshot.jpg|A still of the episode in full color.
0847 AAPB.jpeg|A different still, courtesy of the AAPB.
</gallery>
 
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =2
  |service1    =youtube
  |id1          =O1dRuP9zLDE
  |description1 =Blameitonjorge's video on the subject.
  |service2    =youtube
  |id2          =3BSutzdofO0
  |description2 =Scribbles to Screen's video on the subject.
}}
==See Also==
===Episodes===
*[[Sesame Street "Snuffy's Parents Get a Divorce" (partially found episode of children's puppetry TV series; 1992)]]
*[[Sesame Street Mecha Builders (partially found test pilot of Cartoonito CGI-animated spin-off series; 2020)]]
*[[Sesame Street (partially found test pilots of children's educational TV series; 1969)]]
 
===Segments===
*[[Cracks aka "Crack Master" (found animated "Sesame Street" short; 1975)]]
*[[Deena and Pearl (found "Sesame Street" sketches; 1980-1981)]]
*[[Granny Fanny Nesselrode (found "Sesame Street" sketches; 1970-1972)]]
*[[Leslie Mostly (found "Sesame Street" sketches; 1980-1981)]]
*[[Professor Hastings (found "Sesame Street" sketches; 1969-1971)]]
*[[Sesame Street "Gymnast Segments" (found segments of children's educational TV series; 1973)]]
 
==External Links==
*[http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_0847 Muppet Wiki article on "Episode 847".]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
[[Category:Found media]]
[[Category:Found_puppetry]]
[[Category:Found_TV]]
[[Category:Historic]]
 
__NOTOC__
<no-comment-streams />

Latest revision as of 22:27, 2 December 2023

SesameStreet847-HamiltonGrayscale.jpg

Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Oscar the Grouch in a still from the episode.

Status: Found

Date found: 18 Jun 2022

Found by: Anonymous

On February 10th, 1976, one of Sesame Street’s most controversial episodes to date aired for the first and only time. "Episode 847" starred Margaret Hamilton, reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

The central plot of the episode involves the witch losing her magic broom whilst flying over Sesame Street, only to have it wind up in the hands of David, who refuses to return it, skeptical towards the witch's intentions. As a result, she threatens to turn both Big Bird and David into inanimate objects (a feather duster and a basketball, respectively), also suggesting that she would make it rain inside Mr. Hooper's Store if the broom was not returned. Out of all the Sesame Street residents, the only one to react favorably towards the witch is Oscar, even to the point of developing a crush on her, although Big Bird also eventually warms to the witch and is saddened when she leaves, comically dropping her broom for a second time as the episode ends.

Reception

Margaret, alongside Caroll Spinney in between takes.

In the days following the episode's airing, a barrage of complaints was received by the Children's Television Workshop, the majority of which were from angered parents whose children had been traumatized by Hamilton's frightening guest appearance. Due to the episode's overwhelmingly poor reception, several additional test screenings were held the following month, although the results were generally inconclusive, with a large portion of the test audience appearing fascinated by the witch, rather than scared, on account of her green face (as, during this period, some families didn't have access to a color TV). Despite the tests' inconclusive results, the initial complaints were enough for Anna Herera (of the CTW Research Department) to declare the episode unsuitable for re-airing. It has not been aired or shown publicly in any form since.

Notably, Hamilton had made appearances a year earlier on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (as herself) dressing up in her witch costume at the end of the Mister Rogers segment, in order to reassure children that the Wicked Witch of the West didn't actually exist and was simply a character.[1] She also appeared months after her Sesame Street appearance on "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special" (as the witch), acting more fun-loving and wacky. Both were not met with any controversy and were generally well-received.

Release

In February 2019, it was announced that over 4500 episodes of Sesame Street over its 49 seasons would be archived in the American Archive of Public Broadcasting.[2] Episode 847 was later confirmed as being included in the AAPB catalog, but it's only available for viewing at the Library of Congress.[3]

Jim Henson Legacy president Craig Shemin hosted a screening of clips from the episode at The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City on November 24th, 2019, as part of a "Lost and Found" event celebrating Sesame Street's 50th anniversary. The screening was also accompanied by an unaired segment from "Snuffy's Parents Get a Divorce", and a discussion panel with puppeteer Stephanie D'Abruzzo, former Sesame Street head writer Norman Stiles, and Sesame Workshop's Rosemarie Truglio.[4]

The episode in its entirety was leaked online anonymously in June of 2022.

Admin note: DO NOT attempt to share links to the episode ANYWHERE on the LMW (including the forums and Discord server). There is a reason this article was locked and comments removed, and it's for yours and our legal safety. Furthermore, we DO NOT want another instance of a leak being misattributed to us and bringing all the drama that comes with that. Thank you.

Gallery

Images

  • Chronicles Telegram newspaper article on the then-upcoming episode; 08 Feb 1976.

    Chronicles Telegram newspaper article on the then-upcoming episode; 08 Feb 1976.

  • One page of one of the letters sent after the initial airing.

    One page of one of the letters sent after the initial airing.

  • A still of the episode in full color.

    A still of the episode in full color.

  • A different still, courtesy of the AAPB.

    A different still, courtesy of the AAPB.

Videos

Blameitonjorge's video on the subject.

Scribbles to Screen's video on the subject.

See Also

Episodes

Segments

External Links

References

  1. ↑ MeTV article on Hamilton’s appearance on Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood. Retrieved 15 Feb '19
  2. ↑ The announcement of the archiving of Sesame Street episodes. Retrieved 15 Feb '19
  3. ↑ Episode in the AAPB catalog Retrieved 12 Jun '22
  4. ↑ The Museum of the Moving Image's official website where it announces "Sesame Street Lost and Found." Retrieved 02 Oct '19


Retrieved from "https://lostmediawiki.com/w/index.php?title=Sesame_Street_%22Episode_847%22_(found_%22Wicked_Witch_of_the_West%22_episode_of_children’s_educational_TV_series;_1976)&oldid=247517"