Ep 3. Koala / Ostrich
- TV-G
- January 15, 1994
- 24 min
In the third episode of Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake, our beloved animal hosts, Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear, are visited by a special guest from Down Under - a Koala. Stinky and Jake are thrilled to meet the fluffy eucalyptus-loving marsupial, and they get to learn all about its behavior, diet, and way of life.
Stinky and Jake start by introducing their guest to the audience and asking him about his home in the Australian bush. The Koala, voiced by a puppet performer, explains how he spends most of his day sleeping in a tree, munching on eucalyptus leaves, and occasionally playing or socializing with other koalas.
As Stinky and Jake listen attentively, they ask their guest about some of the challenges koalas face in the wild, such as habitat loss, disease, and climate change. The Koala explains how conservationists and scientists are working to protect koalas and their forest homes and why it's important to care for all species, big and small.
To add a bit of fun to the show, Stinky and Jake ask the Koala to participate in a game of "Eucalyptus Ping-Pong", which involves hitting a leaf back and forth between them and the Koala's nose. The Koala proves to be a skilled player and wins the game, much to the delight of Stinky and Jake.
Later in the episode, Stinky and Jake are joined by a towering and fast-moving bird - an Ostrich. The Ostrich, voiced by another puppet performer, is a fascinating animal with some truly remarkable features. Stinky and Jake are intrigued to learn that Ostriches are the largest birds in the world and that they can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour!
As the Ostrich struts around the set, Stinky and Jake ask it questions about its diet, lifestyle, and natural habitat. The Ostrich reveals that it is mostly a herbivore, eating plants, insects, and small animals when available. The Ostrich also tells Stinky and Jake about how it uses its long neck to see long distances and how its strong legs help it run away from predators.
To demonstrate some of the Ostrich's abilities, Stinky and Jake set up an obstacle course for the bird to navigate, complete with a balancing beam, a hurdle, and a tunnel. The Ostrich impresses everyone with its agility and speed as it hops over the hurdles and weaves through the tunnel.
Throughout the episode, Stinky and Jake use humor and imagination to keep the audience engaged and entertained. Their playful banter and curiosity reflect Jim Henson's love for teaching and inspiring kids about the wonders of nature. The episode leaves us with a greater appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the animal kingdom and a sense of awe at the marvels of evolution.