meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Remembering Caroll Spinney, the voice and spirit of Big Bird

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

NPR

Society & Culture

4.72.7K Ratings

🗓️ 31 December 2019

⏱️ 30 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We're taking a moment to look back at a past Bullseye guests we lost this year, Caroll Spinney. He was Big Bird's puppeteer for 50 years, but he was so much more than the literal man inside the costume. Caroll was the voice and spirit of the iconic character many of us grew up watching.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hey all Jesse here. We're getting near the end of the year

0:03.1

I wanted to thank you for listening to Bullseye. Making our show isn't easy

0:07.3

We've got a very small staff that works tirelessly to book guests and edit interviews and keep things running smoothly

0:13.7

It is hard work that takes time, money and effort. It's also incredibly rewarding

0:18.9

When I hear that a guest is an NPR listener already it means a lot and it means something to know that you're listening as well

0:26.0

So I'll get to the point if you want to show your gratitude this holiday season

0:30.7

Consider supporting the NPR member station in your area any amount

0:34.9

It's the single most effective way to keep shows like Bullseye going

0:38.7

It'll make a huge difference to public radio in your community. It makes a huge difference to us too

0:43.5

To get started with your donation to an NPR member station visit donate dot NPR dot org slash bullseye or

0:51.9

Just text the word bullseye to the number 49648

0:56.3

We'll send you a text message with a link where you can find your local station and make your contribution

1:01.3

Message and data rates may apply you can visit NPR dot org slash SMS terms for privacy and text message terms

1:10.1

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of maximum fun dot org and is distributed by NPR

1:21.5

I'm Jesse Thorn. It's bullseye

1:30.9

We're looking back on past bullseye guests we lost in 2019

1:35.1

First up my conversation from 2014 with Carol spinning he died this past December at his home in Connecticut who's 85

1:43.4

Carol was of course the puppeteer and voice behind Big Bird

1:47.1

He also played Oscar the grouch if you're an American under 50 or so you probably grew up with Big Bird and in a way

1:54.3

You grew up as Big Bird because Big Bird isn't just Sesame Street's most popular character

2:00.2

He is the avatar of the children who watch he's physically huge, but inside he's a three or four year old kid

2:07.6

Working to understand the world around him just like you while you watch

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NPR, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of NPR and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.