Three of These Things
"Three of These Things" is the sorting song on Sesame Street that accompanies a game in which the singer points out "three of these things" that belong together, and a fourth item that does not. (In contrast to another song that asks the inverse question.)
A common variation of the song is "Three of These Kids" (referred to by scripts as the "Activity" series), which features a four-way split screen with three children performing one activity, plus a fourth child "doing his own thing."
According to Biff in Episode 1777, the "Three of These Things" tune is played as elevator music in the factory he works at.
Versions[]
| Picture | Singer | First Appearance | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
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Bob | Episode 0077 | Hammer, glue, nails, brush |
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Susan | Episode 0078 | Letters and a tree, animals and a clothes-dryer |
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Susan | Episode 0083 | Fork, knife, spoon, clock |
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Susan | Episode 0086 | Plate, spoon, glass and a number 2 |
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Bob | Episode 0095 | Chalk, pencils, crayons, clothespins |
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Susan | Episode 0112 | Groupings of circular shapes |
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Bob | Episode 0112 | Three letters and a number |
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Mr. Hooper | Episode 0122 | Sports balls and a balloon |
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Oscar the Grouch | Episode 0135 | Rancid sneaker, tattered glove, old sock, nice hat |
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Bob | Episode 0136 | Hot dog, mustard, bun, flower |
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Mr. Hooper | Episode 0148 | Pencils, scissors, balls, erasers |
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Bob | Episode 0152 | Shape patterns |
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Bob and Little Bird | Episode 0154 | Vehicles and tools |
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Bob | Episode 0158 | Fruit |
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Bob | Episode 0158 | Knick-Knacks |
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Susan and Bob | Episode 0171 | Kitchenwares and cleaning items |
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Mr. Hooper | Episode 0179 | Groups of candy |
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Bob | Episode 0188 | Percussion instruments and a bugle |
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Susan | Episode 0194 | Three R's and a P |
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Susan | Episode 0207 | Toy animals |
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Susan | Episode 0236 | Three Fs and a number 8 |
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Bob | Episode 0250 | Three trash receptacles and a drum |
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Susan | Episode 0271 | Triangles and squares |
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Gordon | Episode 0271 | Squares and circles |
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Kermit and Susan | Episode 0276 | Hammer, shoe, pliers, and a saw Three birds and a frog |
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Bob | Episode 0297 | Kitchen utensils and soap |
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Maria | Episode 0306 | Spanish foods |
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Luis | Episode 0315 | Vegetables |
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Gordon | Episode 0329 | Triangles and a square |
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Susan | Episode 0330 | Boxes |
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David | Episode 0338 | Seasonal wear |
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Susan | Episode 0351 | Shape patterns |
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Luis | Episode 0351 | Shape patterns (in Spanish) |
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Susan | Episode 0372 | A comb, soap, a toothbrush, and a fried egg |
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Susan | Episode 0376 | A saw, coin purse, wallet, and cash register |
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Susan and the kids | Episode 0384 | Three cones and a cylinder |
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Susan | Episode 0396 | Hammer, knife, spoon, and fork |
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Luis | Episode 0396 | A taco, a hamburger, a hot dog, and a sneaker |
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Grover and Susan | Episode 0406 | Car and three animals |
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David | Episode 0403 | Wheels |
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Susan | Episode 0436 | Three lights and a coffee pot |
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David | Episode 0449 | Flowers |
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Maria | Episode 0504 | Big and small barns |
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Luis | Episode 0506 | Three circles and one octagon |
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Luis | Episode 0515 | Trash cans and a frying pan (in Spanish) |
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David | Episode 0516 | Gardening tools and an iron |
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David | Episode 0517 | Buildings |
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Susan | Episode 0528 | Brushes and a cheeseburger |
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Luis | Episode 0552 | Tools and a flower pot |
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Susan | Episode 0582 | Newspapers |
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Maria | Episode 0589 | Oscar, David, and Luis' rotten moods and Bob's good mood |
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Bert | Episode 0593 | Winter apparel |
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Bob and Maria | Episode 0593 | Tools and a tricycle |
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Bob and The Kids | Episode 0597 | Shovels |
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Bob, Luis, and David | Episode 0598 | A scarf, hat, glove and book |
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Gordon, Chris, and Stephanie | Episode 0599 | Numbers and a triangle |
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David | Episode 0605 | Knife, fork, spoon, and pencil |
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Maria | Episode 0658 | Kitchen items |
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David | Episode 0667 | Pictures of a bed, a blanket, a pillow, and a camel |
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Maria | Episode 0682 | Tools and a soda can |
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Luis | Episode 0721 | Tools and a hamburger |
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David, Maria, and Grover | Episode 0722 | Mittens, boots, earmuffs, and socks |
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Gordon and Maria | Episode 0723 | Drinks and a potato |
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Cookie Monster | Episode 0725 | Cookies and store appliances |
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Biff and Sully | Episode 0735 | Lunch |
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Susan and Herry Monster | Episode 0765 | A book, magazine, newspaper, and a bowl of cereal |
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Sam the Robot | Episode 0798 | Sam's appliance friends |
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Mr. Hooper | Episode 0808 | Noodles, custard mix, soap powder, and cereal |
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Gordon and Novu | Episode 0826 | Pictures of a hammer, pencil, crayon, and paintbrush |
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Susan | Episode 0835 | Snow shovel, toboggan, wagon, and sled |
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Susan and the kids | Episode 0850 | Plants |
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Buffy | Episode 0868 | Shoes and an apple |
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Bob and the kids | Episode 0887 | Sources of light and a frying pan |
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Bob, Abby, and Percy | Episode 0894 | Pictures of animals and a carrot |
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Linda | Episode 0901 | Fruits and a shoe |
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Herry Monster, David, and the kids | Episode 0911 | Rocks |
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David and Maria | Episode 0913 | Blenders and a sandwich |
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Bob (with Ernie) | Episode 0915 | Vacuum, carpet sweeper, broom, and blender |
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Big Bird, Olivia, and the kids | Episode 0950 | Pictures |
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Mr. Hooper, Oscar, and Ernest the Grouch | Episode 0954 | Circles and squares |
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Bert and David | Episode 0958 | Stacks of bottlecaps |
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Gordon and the kids | Episode 0960 | Numbers and a letter A |
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Susan | Episode 0997 | Gardening tools and a lamp |
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Bob | Episode 1008 | Buildings and a piano |
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David | Episode 1017 | Hats and a glove |
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Luis | Episode 1020 | Groups of two and a group of one |
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Gordon and the kids | Episode 1032 | Images of food and a sweater |
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Mr. Hooper, Olivia, Luis, and Maria | Episode 1053 | Bags of trash |
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Gladys the Cow, Scotty, and Davey | Episode 1071 | Pictures of animals and a log |
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Luis | Episode 1096 | A pillow, pajamas, a bed and a bicycle |
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David | Episode 1181 | Hats and spaghetti |
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Oscar and the Trashmen | Episode 1182 | Grouches in trash cans |
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Biff | Episode 1777 | Sandwiches |
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Oscar the Grouch | Episode 1789 | Cards, a checkerboard, sandwiches, and a Pac-Worm arcade game |
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Oscar the Grouch | Episode 1801 | clean and dirty t-shirts |
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David and Forgetful Jones | Episode 1919 | Tools and a banana |
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Oscar and the Grouchketeers | Episode 1922 | Grouchy food items and a dish of mud |
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Bob, Luis, the kids, Oscar, and two Grouches | Episode 2044 | Violins and a flute |
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Oscar and Grundgetta | Episode 2052 | Pots and a spoon |
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Buster the Horse | Episode 2080 | Farming tools and a hat |
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Gordon, Oscar, Grundgetta, and two Grouches | Episode 2126 | Grouch instruments |
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Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus | Episode 2184 | Books |
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Buster the Horse | Episode 2192 | An enlarged Slimey and his small worm friends |
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Edith Prickley (Andrea Martin) | Episode 2203 | Boots and Pumps |
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The Big Bad Wolf, The Three Little Pigs, and Kermit - Sesame Street News Flash: The New Three Little Pigs Story | Episode 2329 | Three pigs and one frog |
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Oscar and worms | Episode 2406 | Trash and an apple |
| Jay Leno and Big Bird | Episode 2408 | Three triangles and one circle | |
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Luis, Telly Monster, and the kids | Episode 2421 | Three stars and one moon |
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Luis and the kids | Episode 2434 | Three houses and one car |
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Bob, Hiroshi, and Elmo | Episode 2459 | Fire engine, spoon, chopsticks, and fork |
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Snuffy and Alice | Episode 2477 | Brussels sprouts and balls |
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Uncle Wally | Episode 2526 | Painting supplies and a potted plant |
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Big Bird | Episode 2531 | Three pretend dogs (kids) and Barkley |
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Maria and Elmo | Episode 2556 | Clocks and a screwdriver |
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Snuffy and Alice | Episode 2588 | Groups of circles |
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adolescent Maria | Episode 2621 | Clock, doll, yo-yo, and toy car |
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The Count, Luis, and the kids | Episode 2692 | Three rectangular and one square envelope |
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Prince and the Charmings | Episode 2708 | Three sneakers and glass slipper |
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Snuffy, Flo Bear, and the kids | Episode 2714 | Carrot, squash, cauliflower, and Flo |
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Ruby and Gordon | Episode 2721 | Various noses |
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Big Bird and the Birdketeers | Episode 2725 | Three small eggs and one large egg |
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Big Bird | Episode 2728 | Three kids and Barkley |
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Oscar the Grouch | Episode 2738 | Toy car, checkerboard, cards, and sandwiches |
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Maria, Gina, and Telly | Episode 2746 | When Oscar shows up while Maria, Gina, and Telly are making Oscar's favorite dish - a hat with ice cream and a fish inside - they play an impromptu game of this, featuring a hat, fish, ice cream, and apple. |
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Big Bird | Episode 2747 | Big Bird, Susan, Luis, and Linda |
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Big Bird | Episode 2747 | Bob, Luis, Maria, and Gabriella |
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Big Bird | Episode 2747 | Big Bird, Bob, Gordon, Susan, Maria, Luis, and Linda |
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Bob and the kids | Episode 2748 | Homes for birds and a Snuffleupagus |
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Gladys the Cow | Episode 2754 | Flamingo, airplane, cow, and Bob as a bee |
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Oscar and Bob | Episode 2757 | Bunches of trash and Bob's orchestra |
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Herry Monster, Alice, and the kids | Episode 2816 | Blocks and a ball |
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Elmo | Episode 2867 | Instruments and a costume |
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Oscar the Grouch | Episode 2852 | Ice cream and balls |
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Elmo, Gordon, and Miles | Episode 2941 | The kids as flowers and Prairie Dawn |
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Telly, Savion, and the kids | Episode 2953 | A toy rocket ship, a pair of tap-shoes, a toy airplane, and a toy helicopter. |
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Ruby | Episode 2974 | Clothing items and a pot |
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Telly and Gina | Episode 2983 | Pieces of fruit and the letter W |
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Herry Monster and his football team | Episode 2987 | Glasses of water and a bowl of popcorn |
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Telly Monster | Episode 3115 | Three kids and Telly (on a pogo stick) |
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Ruthie, Telly, Merry Monster, and the kids | Episode 3164 | A roller skate, towel, soap, and a rubber duckie. |
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Stinky the Stinkweed | Episode 3220 | Three, non-sentient plants and Stinky himself |
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Big Bird, Elmo, and Gabi | Episode 3263 | Food items and Radar |
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Gabi and Luis | Episode 3305 | Bikes |
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Maria and Big Bird | Episode 3323 | Various tools |
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Big Bird and Zoe | Episode 3328 | Food items and a box |
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Oscar the Grouch and the kids | Episode 3329 | Bowls of broccoli, meatballs, mashed potatoes, and ice cream |
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Big Bird | Episode 3330 | The Birdketeers and Monty (dressed as a cow) |
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Bob | Episode 3365 | Brushes and the number 20 |
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Gina | Episode 3410 | a blue ball, a yellow ball, a blue pull-duck, and a blue block |
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Big Bird, Baby Bear, and Miles | Episode 3462 | A shoe, a tie, a hat, and a bowl of porridge |
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Big Bird, Maria, and Linda | Episode 3593 | Dogs (including an invisible Barkley) and a cat |
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Lexine | Episode 3650 | Sloppy's blocks and a ball |
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Sherry Netherland | Episode 3655 | Sherry and three Marias |
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Gina, Zoe, Snuffy, Alice, and the kids | Episode 3757 | A squirrel, a teddy bear, a penguin, and a drum. |
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Elmo | Episode 3791 | Pets and a toaster |
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Gina, Zoe, Rosita, and Miles perform "Three of These Dings" | Episode 3824 | Gina's ding hat, the Zoemobile bell, a hand bell, and a xylophone. |
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Gina | Episode 3853 | Three pretend animals and one real animal. |
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Elmo and Telly | Episode 3867 | Flowers, Telly, a butterfly, and a sign |
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Tarah, Big Bird, and Telly | Episode 3903 | Napkins, plates, cups, and a vase of flowers |
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Big Bird | Episode 3911 | A banana, a pineapple, a watermelon, and Snuffy |
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Cookie Monster and Ernie | Episode 3943 | A hamburger, a cookie, pizza and a fajita |
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Elmo and the viewer | Episode 3967 | A soccer ball, a jump rope, jacks, and Stinky the Stinkweed |
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Big Bird and Cookie Monster | Episode 3981 | A cookie, a hat, a t-shirt, and a shoe |
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Big Bird and Snuffy | Episode 3992 | Oscar, a hat, a mat, and a cat (Little Murray Sparkles) |
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Maria and kids | Episode 3993 | A kangaroo, a rabbit, a fish and a grasshopper |
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Ernie | Episode 4034 | Two party hats, a birthday cake, and a sweater |
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Big Bird, Elmo, Zoe, Luis, Maria, and H-Man | Episode 4115 | A helicopter, a hippopotamus, a ball and a hexagon |
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Oscar and Alan | Episode 4118 | Food scraps and a button |
| Picture | Singer | First | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
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Luis | Episode 0408 | Three kids holding umbrellas, one kid without an umbrella. |
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Luis | Episode 0408 | Three kids as police officers, one as a fire fighter. |
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Luis | Episode 0413 | Three kids, one of them is upside-down. |
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David | Episode 0415 | Three kids are jumping rope, but the fourth one is sitting down and reading a book. |
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Luis | Episode 0418 | Three kids playing basketball, one playing baseball. |
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David | Episode 0450 | Three kids riding a bicycle, two kids riding a tandem bike.
Kids clockwise from top left: Fran Kondek, Jay Tucker & Nancy Kim (on tandem), Barbara Noble, Kwame Montano[1] |
| Luis | Episode 0463 | Three kids wearing winter clothes, one kid in shorts. | |
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David | Episode 0474 | Three kids lifting weights, one kid sitting down. |
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Bob | Episode 0536 | Three kids playing baseball, one playing football. |
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Bob | Episode 0551 | Three kids dancing, one sitting. |
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Bob | Episode 0606 | Three kids playing basketball, one kid sweeping. |
Releases[]
- Audio
Sources[]
- ↑ Episode 0450 script
















































































































































































