Big Bird in Japan
Dir: Jon Stone
1989
***
I love Big Bird, it's so nice to see that Carroll Spinney has continued to perform for all these years and long may he continue. Big Bird in Japan is a little odd at times but if you love Big Bird/Sesame Street/The Muppets as much as I do you will forgive the questionable storyline, the weird Bamboo lady and the unintentional racism. Hats off to Brian Muehl as well, how he controls Barkley and stays on all fours for so long is beyond me. It's may not be as memorable as Big Bird in China but it's a must for fans.

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
Dir: Jon Stone
1978
*****
Once you get past the Ice-skating bit whereby the Sesame Street characters are actually people dressed as the puppets, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is pure Sesame Street gold. I'm talking old school Sesame Street though. Everyone has their versions of perfect Christmas viewing, generally based on their childhood Christmas viewing and this is it for me. Pure nostalgia that really gets me in the mood for Christmas and makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. The Burt & Ernie story gets me ever time.

Big Bird in China
Dir: Jon Stone
1983
****
Caroll Spinney is great and I still can't work out how he and Brian Muehl (Barkley) make the characters come to life. The Monkey King was pretty annoying but this early 80's introduction into China was pretty groundbreaking stuff back then and really good for kids. I love everything Henson/Muppet/Sesame Street, so I obviously loved it.