Episode 3809

Sesame Street
Zoe's pet rock, Rocco
Air date	January 7, 1999
Season	Season 30 (1998-1999)
Written by	Joey Mazzarino
Sponsors R, 12 Syndication 123 Sesame Street

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	Zoe welcomes the viewer near the Arbor, holding a small rock in her hand - it's her new pet friend Rocco, whom she found in her backyard. Elmo runs up to Zoe, asking if she's ready to talk about the number of the day. She instead introduces him to Rocco, but Elmo doesn't know who (or what) Rocco is, and tries looking for him. He eventually sees Rocco is in Zoe's hands, but he claims it's a rock, and starts laughing at the fact Zoe considers it a friend. Zoe says he just hurt Rocco's feelings, but Elmo doesn't believe her.
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Gina walks by the two from around the corner, when Zoe asks her to say hello to Rocco. She greets him in a sweet, polite manner, and Zoe says that Rocco does the same. Elmo still doesn't believe how a rock could be a friend, but Zoe comments otherwise. Elmo decides to say hello to Rocco, but his first time is too loud, and ends up hurting Rocco's feelings again. Elmo tries it being softer, but is barely audible to Rocco's ears.
	Song	"They're Not Alive" (First: Episode 3661)
	Muppets	Ernie & Bert — Ernie plays house while Bert tries to guess who he's pretending to be. (First: Episode 3529)
	Film	A boy anticipates the arrival of his new baby sibling. He listens to the heartbeat of both his mom and the baby, then sounds them out with pots, colanders and a grater. (First: Episode 3643)
	Cartoon	Two men push two large bird eggs to the top of two hills. (First: Episode 0773)
	SCENE 2	Elmo now tries saying "Hola" to Rocco, but Zoe demonstrates the proper greeting - a nice, normal, "Hello, Rocco!" After another attempt, Elmo drops the greeting and chooses to talk about today's number. Zoe says it's okay with Rocco, but when Elmo starts presenting the number 12, Zoe interrupts and says Rocco wants to hear his favorite song instead. Elmo begins arguing with Zoe, and once again makes Rocco sad, who now starts crying this time. Zoe explains that the only thing which can make him feel better is singing his favorite song, which she demonstrates. Elmo asks if it worked, but as it turns out, Rocco wants Elmo to sing it. Once he finishes the song, he tries to get back to the number of the day, but Rocco wants him to sing it again, and again...
	Cartoon	A caveman sits on what he thinks is a rock, not realizing that it's a dinosaur, which is alive. (EKA: Episode 2064)
	Muppets	Camp Wannagohoma: Grover tries to show the campers what is alive in the forest, but they keep correcting him. (EKA: Episode 2163)
	Animation	A mother bird brings ten worms for her 9 babies and herself. (First: Episode 3370)
	Song	"See Like a Bird" (Pigeon) (First: Episode 3670)
	Cartoon	R /r paper fold (First: Episode 3127)
	Song	"Letter R Menu" (First: Episode 3526)
	SCENE 3	Now exhausted from singing, Elmo starts to introduce the number of the day, but Rocco wants to hear the letter of the day. Elmo begins complaining about Rocco, but Zoe explains it's because he wants to play a game involving the letter. Elmo excitedly asks her what they'll play, and she explains the rules: name as many words beginning with the letter "R." Elmo names a variety of R words, but Rocco only says "rock" every turn. Elmo notices Rocco's pattern and starts criticizing, when Zoe clarifies that the objective was to say the most R words, meaning Rocco wins. Elmo furiously claims how silly the rules are, causing Rocco to start crying again. Elmo realizes how wrong he acted towards Rocco, so Zoe forces him to sing the song again.
	Film	Kids sing the alphabet on an island. (First: Episode 3154)
	Cartoon	Noodles & Nedd: Noodles tries to get Nedd to feed him while Nedd is fixated on looking at the stars through his telescope. (First: Episode 3701)
	Muppets / Celebrity	Ernie and Aaron Neville sing "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon." (First: Episode 3242) This segment was cut during summer reruns.
	Cartoon	Campers don't want to play ring toss with Zork, until their counselor reminds them about being judgmental. (First: Episode 2761) This segment was cut during summer reruns.
	SCENE 4	After finishing the last line of the song, Rocco becomes happy again, and Zoe lets Elmo introduce the number of the day. Just when Elmo begins to say the number, however, Zoe intervenes again. Now, Rocco wants to see his favorite movie! Elmo snarkily tries to guess what it is (including Rocky), but Zoe reveals that it's the following video...
	Animation	Henson Films: Number Twelve Rocks (EKA: Episode 0218) The movie stops right after the rock sinks in quicksand.
	SCENE 4 cont'd	Zoe interrupts the movie and points out that Rocco wants to be in it. Elmo thinks it's ridiculous, but Zoe reminds him not to "crush little Rocco's dreams." Knowing he'll have to sing the song again if he does, Elmo complies, and Zoe and Rocco rush off.
	Animation	Henson Films: Number Twelve Rocks The film resumes where it left off; later, Zoe appears with Rocco over the last shot.
	SCENE 5	Outside Hooper's Store, Elmo prepares to present the number of the day when Zoe unexpectedly shows up, praising Rocco's appearance in the movie. Elmo assures it was great, and begins to present the number 12. Right before Elmo gets to the number, however, Zoe suddenly shouts, "Twelve! Rocco says the number is twelve!" Elmo quips that he's supposed to say the number, but Zoe says for Rocco that because he took so long, he couldn't wait any longer. Elmo launches into an angry tirade, and afterwards, Zoe tries to talk Elmo into playing with Rocco. Elmo furiously claims he's going to play by himself and storms off, leaving the two alone.
	Cartoon	Rubber Stamp #12 (First: Episode 2932)
	Film	Ornate 12s sail through the air. (First: Episode 3274)
	Muppets	Sesame Street Goes to Day Care Big Bird and Dora talk about different feelings.
	Cartoon	Bobby's dog narrates why Bobby is sad. (First: Episode 3455)
	SCENE 6	Zoe talks to Rocco, where they both start to miss Elmo. Gina encounters Zoe and asks what's wrong. Zoe mentions how Rocco ruined Elmo's opportunity to show the number of the day, among other things. Gina points out that regardless of whoever's actions it was, Elmo's feelings were hurt. Zoe comes to the conclusion that they should do something to make Elmo feel better. Rocco immediately comes up with an idea, and the two leave. Gina bids Zoe (and Rocco) good luck.
	Cartoon	A shy girl wants to join a group bouncing a ball. (audible dialogue) Artist: Joanna Priestley (EKA: Episode 2849)
	Song	"Big R and Little R" (Christopher Cerf) (First: Episode 3273)
	Cartoon	Leaves form R and r (First: Episode 3110)
	Animation	R for robot, rabbit, run, read, rock, rocket. (First: Episode 3088)
	Film	Kids observe different kinds of bugs and flowers. (First: Episode 3696)
	Muppets	Grover and Rosita explain the concept of "love" in 15 seconds. Grover exasperates about the assignment, but Rosita intervenes just in time. (First: Episode 3527)
	Animation	The word LOVE is formed on paper. (First: Episode 3586)
	SCENE 7	Zoe finds Elmo sitting on the steps of 123 Sesame Street, who bluntly tells her to go away. Zoe presents him with something she and Rocco created: a song. In a twist on Rocco's song, she sings a tune honoring Elmo. He becomes happy again and thanks her and Rocco for the present. Zoe also lets Elmo finally say the number of the day, and asks him if he'd like to play with Rocco tomorrow, since it's his naptime now. Intrigued by the thought that rocks take naps, Elmo agrees, then takes off. After he leaves, Zoe admires Rocco as he sleeps.
	Muppets	Elmo's World: Jackets (First: Episode 3806)
	SCENE 8	Zoe sits on the steps at night, telling the viewer that Rocco's sleeping. Referring to what Rocco would do if he were awake, she announces the sponsors, then continues observing Rocco.

Alterations

Picture	Segment	Description
	Cast	Chef Ruthée hosts "Cooking by the Numbers," in which she demonstrates a fruity way to cook the number 12. This segment replaced Rubber Stamps #12 during summer reruns.
	Animation	"Planets, Moon and Stars" (sung by Jerry Nelson) This segment replaced the three before Scene 7 during summer reruns.
	Muppets	Elmo's World: Water (First: Episode 3831) This segment replaced Elmo's World: Jackets during summer reruns.

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