Sesame Street Parody of Birdman Stars Big Bird and Is Perfect (and For Your Oscar Consideration)—Watch!

The movie is nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture

By Corinne Heller Feb 20, 2015 7:28 PMTags
Big Bird, Birdman, SpoofYoutube

Big Bird, how did we get here?

A Sesame Street parody of the Oscar-nominated dramedy Birdman was released this week, days before Sunday's 2015 ceremony, and it's simply perfect.

The original movie, which stars Batman alum Michael Keaton, 63, depicts a troubled, possibly schizophrenic actor known before his role in a superhero film franchise who is trying to revive his career with a Broadway play. Throughout the film, he hallucinates and hears the voice of his movie character, Birdman.

The Sesame Street parody, posted on YouTube by Mashable Watercooler and titled Big Birdman: The Unexpected Virtue of Orange Pants, features Big Bird and the actor who provides the beloved Muppet's voice, Caroll Spinney, 81.

 "For your Oscar consideration, we present to you: Big Birdman," read a tweet posted on Sesame Street's Twitter page on Thursday.

The video spoofs several scenes from the movie, during which Keaton's character is followed by a camera most of the time and including a continuous shot from the film in which he walks down a street in New York City while imagining that his on-screen character is following him. The parody also features a drum score like in the film.

"How do we get to Sesame Street?" the 8'2" Big Bird asks Spinney, standing over his shoulder. "Doesn't matter! You're the original! A movie star, remember?"

Watch the video, which features a superb ending.

FOX

The topic of seemingly imaginary friends hits close to home for Big Bird. During the first 16 years of Sesame Street, the character often talks about seeing his pal Mr. Snuffleupagus, or Snuffy, a wooly mammoth Muppet that the adults never see and don't believe exists. They finally meet him in a 1985 episode.

Big Bird's official Twitter account is the only one that can view Mr. Snuffleupagus' private tweets, which equal five in total. Big Bird is the only user the character is following and is also the only one allowed to follow him.

Twitter
Twitter

Spinney has portrayed Big Bird since the children's show's debut in November 1969. He also provides the voice for Oscar the Grouch.

Keipher McKennie/WireImage

Birdman is nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Keaton. Other nominees include Edward Norton, 45, who plays an egotistical, confrontational but brilliant actor who stars in his play, Emma Stone, 26, who plays his rebellious daughter and director Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Fox Searchlight Pictures


The movie is considered a frontrunner for the top Academy Award, as is Richard Linklater's Boyhood. Check out a full list of 2015 Oscar nominations.

Tune in to E!'s Live From the Red Carpet for all the glamour of Hollywood's biggest night on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT.

Also check out the E! After Party: The 2015 Academy Awards special at 11:30pm / 8:30pm ET/PT