The evolution of Oscar the Grouch.

Image As seen in / Year Notes

Sesame Street

Season 1

(1969) The original Oscar puppet is orange. This version used in the early episodes of season 1 is built around a right-handed work glove, with no foam interior. At this time, the way the set is built forces performer Caroll Spinney to use his left hand, making this version of the puppet look awkward. This puppet's .

Sesame Street

Season 1

(1969) Oscar is refurbished for episodes 9 and 10 with an arm (he had no limbs before).

Sesame Street

Season 1

(1969-1970) This rebuilt Oscar, used for the remainder of season 1, has a larger foam head and an eyebrow mechanism. The set was changed to allow Spinney to work with his right hand.



Sesame Street

(late 1970-1986) For the second season, Oscar's eyebrow has reverted back to brown and his head has been remodeled into its final shape. Although the puppet would be refurbished occasionally during this time, the design stayed consistent. In The Wisdom of Big Bird, Spinney said that the current Oscar's eyebrow (as of the time the book was written) is still the same piece of fur used for the original orange Oscar puppet.

Sesame Street

Season 2

(1970-1971) This Oscar puppet can be seen in the 2-part sketch in which Ernie loses his Rubber Duckie, as well as in several closing signs.



Sesame Street

(1986-2012) Oscar's fur becomes matted over time, which makes it appear shorter and less messy.

Sesame Street

Season 25

(1990s) An alternate puppet used during the mid-1990s and was later used by Caroll Spinney in live appearances.

Sesame Street

Season 44

(2012-present) Oscar is refurbished with darker green fur and a solid pink tongue.

Sesame Street

Season 46

(2016-present) Another Oscar puppet that had been used for live appearances is used more regularly as a spare puppet starting with season 46. This puppet has shaggier fur, bushier eyebrows and the left side of his jaw is angled and crooked. The puppet is reworked with a fuller, rounder head by season 49, as seen in Episode 4912.

A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration (2019) A new Oscar is built with a more circular head and longer, shaggier fur.

Planning