The golden age of Sesame Street has finally been unlocked, but it comes with a stressful catch.
If you haven’t heard the news, Tubi recently dropped a massive treasure trove for Muppet fans: 250 classic Sesame Street episodes spanning Seasons 1 through 38. For purists who have been clamoring to see the street in all its original, unfiltered, slightly hazardous glory, this is the streaming event of the decade.
But Tubi is treating this collection like a sketchy landlord, kicking out 10% of the episodes every single quarter. With the next massive purge scheduled for July, the clock is ticking on some of the most fascinating television history ever aired.
Here is everything you need to know about the Tubi rotation, and which classic episodes you need to binge before they vanish back into the vault.
The “Weirdness” of 70s Sesame Street: A Beautiful, Gritty Mess
If you grew up with the highly polished, digitally composited Sesame Street of the 2000s, firing up a 1970 episode is going to be a jarring, hilarious, and mildly unsettling experience.
Early Sesame Street was raw. The street itself looked like a genuinely gritty New York alleyway, complete with scuffed brickwork and what looks like actual biohazards lying around. From a design perspective, the early puppet builds are a fascinating study in trial and error. The Muppets haven’t quite settled into their iconic proportions yet and occasionally look like they just survived a very rough night out.
This era is packed with an absurd, slightly dark humor that the show eventually scrubbed clean. You’ll find:
- Orange Oscar: Before he turned green in Season 2, Oscar the Grouch was a harsh, vibrant orange and significantly more of a menace to society.
- The Gaslighting of Big Bird: For the first 14 seasons, the adults on the street genuinely believed Mr. Snuffleupagus was Big Bird’s imaginary friend, subjecting a six-year-old avian to over a decade of psychological warfare.
- Fever-Dream Animations: The 70s episodes are heavily padded with independent animated shorts. Some are brilliant pieces of abstract art; others, like the infamous “Crack Master,” feel like they were brought to you by the letters L, S, and D.
The Tubi “Must-Watch” List: Stream These Before July
Because 25 episodes are on the chopping block this July, here is your definitive watchlist to prioritize while you still can.
1. Episode 1: The One Where It All Began (Season 1)
You have to start at the genesis. Watch Gordon introduce a much younger, slightly bewildered-looking viewer to the street. Pay special attention to the original Kermit the Frog lectures, which usually end with Kermit getting frustrated, screaming, or being physically assaulted by the letter W.
2. The Early Snuffy Episodes (Seasons 3-4)
Seek out any episode in the rotation featuring early Mr. Snuffleupagus. The sheer comedic timing of Snuffy lumbering off-screen just before an adult turns around is masterful physical comedy. Plus, it’s undeniably funny to watch the adults patronize a giant yellow bird about his delusions.
3. The “Stevie Wonder” Jam Session (Season 4)
If Episode 514 is currently in your Tubi rotation, drop everything. It features a seven-minute, completely live, unedited jam session of Stevie Wonder performing “Superstition” on the street. It’s a hilarious testament to how early Sesame Street used to let musical guests completely hijack the educational pacing of the show.
Feltzer’s Editor’s Note
Look, I love that Tubi is giving us the archives, but this “10% rotation” thing is a nightmare. It’s like a library that randomly burns a few books every three months just to keep you on your toes. Watch the Orange Oscar episodes while you can, folks. The man woke up every day choosing violence, and I respect it.
Bookmark Your Calendars
The beauty of the Tubi rotation is that it keeps the archives fresh. When July hits, 25 episodes will get the boot, but 25 rare gems will take their place.
We will be tracking the swaps every single quarter right here on Muppet Madness. Make sure to bookmark this page and check back in late June when we drop the ultimate guide to the Summer Sesame Street rotation.
Tags: Classic Sesame Street, Tubi Streaming, Jim Henson, 1970s Muppets, Oscar the Grouch, Sesame Street Tubi Rotation, Muppet History
Where to Watch
Ready to dive into the chaos before the July swap? You can start bingeing Orange Oscar, the great Snuffy gaslighting, and 250 other glorious retro episodes for free right now. Just head over to Sesame Street on Tubi and let the nostalgia trip begin!