Episode 2998

	Sesame Street
	Wolfgang's stuck ball / Monty's interruptions
Air date	April 29, 1992
Season	Season 23 (1991-1992)
Written by	Nancy Sans
Production	November 22, 1991
Sponsors	H, S, 12

Picture	Segment	Description
	COLD OPEN	Big Bird tells the viewer that they'll be hearing how Wolfgang the Seal got a ball stuck on his nose. But, because he doesn't speak seal, a Honker (who can) translates for Big Bird (who understands honks, thanks to having geese relatives on his dad's side). The scene freezes and Monty slides into view to interrupt the program. He informs the viewer he'll be interrupting the show several times throughout "sometimes for a very good reason, and sometimes for no absolutely reason at all." The scene unfreezes and Wolfgang begins his story, which started out like any other sunny day on Sesame Street...
	SCENE 1	In a flashback, Wolfgang goes to Hooper's Store, where Linda teaches Gina the signs for today's sponsors. Gina understands from Wolfgang's barking that he wants fish; Linda comments how well Gina can speak both sign language and seal. Linda goes off and Gina begins looking for some fish for Wolfgang. Monty interrupts to present a fishy story...
	Animation	Fred the fish needs water to swim in, and Betty the bird needs air to fly in. Vanessa the vacuum cleaner sucks up all the air and water, but can't hold it all in. (new narration by Jim Thurman added) (First: Episode 2564)
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Monty resumes the action, where Gina reports that the store is all out of fish. She promises to get some from the fish store later, but now she has to tend to the store. Wolfgang brings her flowers and candy to try and change her mind, but she can't leave work. He tries once more by balancing a (trick) ball on his nose and dancing, but it doesn't work.
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Out in the yard, Susan shows the viewer the bowl of goldfish she's gotten for Miles. While she goes into Hooper's for some food, Wolfgang appears and spots the goldfish, all his for the taking. Just as he begins make his move, Monty appears with "a very curious interruption..."
	Cartoon	A man recites a poem about how curious he is. (First: Episode 2361)
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Monty returns the scene back to normal. As Wolfgang lunges for the goldfish, Big Bird snaps out of the story, appalled by Wolfgang's actions. Wolfgang assures him he didn't eat the goldfish and continues the story...
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Wolfgang pounces on the fishbowl, but the ball gets stuck in the top. He's able to free himself from the bowl, but not the ball. He sneezes, sending the ball flying all over the yard until it lands back on his nose, getting it much more stuck than before.
	SCENE 1 cont'd	In the present, Wolfgang has learned a lesson - "Don't try to eat fish that don't belong to you or you could end up with a ball stuck on your nose." Monty briefly interrupts the scene to issue an apology to all those who don't like interruptions. As the scene resumes, Big Bird offers to pry the ball from his nose. He succeeds and Wolfgang howls in pain; Big Bird recommends a bandage.
	Song	"Mom and Me" (First: Episode 2462)
	Cartoon	Six snakes spent Saturday on the sand. (First: Episode 1669)
	Muppets	Pageant: Where Milk Comes From (First: Episode 2837)
	Cartoon	"Ladybugs' Picnic" (First: Episode 0416)
	Cast	Maria as Chaplin gets their suspenders stuck on a wall while reaching for the door, demonstrating long, longer, and longest. (First: Episode 0786)
	Cartoon	With the help of his assistant, Dr. Geo shows the viewer what a mountain is. Artist: Fred Garbers (First: Episode 2772)
	Muppets	Bert is out of town, so Cookie Monster spends the night with Ernie. Cookie is frightened of a shadow on the wall, but Ernie shows him it's just a coat on a chair. (First: Episode 2027)
	SCENE 2	The camera scans past Monty, who states "This is a fast interruption."
	Muppets	Later, Cookie Monster has a bad dream in which he is surrounded by flying, singing cookies who won't let him catch them. (First: Episode 2027)
	Cartoon	"The Story of Princess Twelvia". Artist: Irra Verbitsky (First: Episode 1676)
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Monty cuts in during the segment for a faster interruption. The segment then resumes.
	Film	A gemsbok runs fast, then faster. Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0416)
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Monty (appearing from thin air) disrupts the segment once more for the fastest interruption. The segment continues afterward.
	Cartoon	Geometry of Circles #4 "Six Circles Connected" (First: Episode 1437)
	Muppets	"Honk Around the Clock" (First: Episode 1631)
	Cartoon	A man learns that it's better not to pick the flowers. (First: Episode 0416)
	Film	A boy who lives in Alaska narrates a film of himself going ice-fishing with his grandfather and sister. (First: Episode 2375)
	Muppets	Muppet and Kid Moments: Grover and Karlena talk about the word "love" on a sign. (First: Episode 2392)
	Film	Letter H hoist Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 0336)
	Cartoon	A runner leaps over letter H hurdles. (First: Episode 2519)
	Insert	Telly joins Bob's music class in a performance of "One Small Voice." (street story references cut) (First: Episode 2796)
	Animation	12 kids are counted.
	Muppets	The Three Little Pigs look for the Big Bad Wolf in a police line-up. (First: Episode 2541)
	Cartoon	Snacks on Parade: Peanut Butter Artist: Bruce Cayard (First: Episode 1301)
	Celebrity	Take 6 sings their own version of The Alphabet Song.
	Cartoon	A girl inflates a balloon in the shape of an S. (First: Episode 0414)
	Film	A zookeeper feeds some polar bears sardines. (First: Episode 1647)
	Cartoon	A boy gets lost in a mall, and a security guard shows him how to use a map. Artist: ArtistMike (First: Episode 2874)
	SCENE 3	Monty, hanging from above, interrupts the segment to report this will be his last interruption.
	Film	A boy draws a picture of his friend, Kerry. (First: Episode 2776)
	Muppets	Monsterpiece Theater: Waiting for Elmo — Telly and Grover wait impatiently.
	Cartoon	A pig sings "There Are Chickens in the Trees" until a rooster tells him that chickens don't live in trees. Artist: Jeff Hale (First: Episode 1394)
	SCENE 4	Big Bird, the Honker and Wolfgang continue their translation chain. Big Bird states that Wolfgang's nose is a little bruised (and bandaged), and Gina will be returning soon from the fish market. Everyone freezes when Monty appears once more, stating this is his final interruption (the previous was a mistake). Everyone unfreezes as Gina arrives with some fish for Wolfgang. Linda allows Gina to announce the sponsors on her own using sign language, with assistance from Big Bird. Monty pops up to try to add one more comment, but the show fades to black.