Attention everyone: The real Big Bird parodied ‘Birdman’—and it’s perfection
With the Oscars coming up at the tail end of the weekend, everyone’s getting pretty amped up – including one of our favorite feathered friends on Sesame Street. Over the past several years, Sesame Workshop has become known for its absolutely on-the-nose parodies. They’ve produced kid-friendly alternatives to all kinds of shows, from Mad Men and Sons of Anarchy to Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire. Now, they’ve turned the brilliance of the Oscar-nominated film Birdman into a lovingly-crafted parody. And, oh my god, it’s good.
The video, aptly titled “Big Birdman,” stars the famous yellow bird in the titular role – as well as the puppeteer responsible for bringing him to life. Caroll Spinney, who has played not just Big Bird but also Oscar the Grouch for several decades(!), assumes the role of the veteran performer (portrayed by Michael Keaton in the original film). It all revolves around Spinney (who plays himself and Big Bird) trying to get to a familiar street where the air is sweet.
It’s incredibly funny, and totally deserving of a few awards. Just saying, Academy. Check out the video below and see for yourself: