Bear in the Big Blue House Season 2, Episode 9: The Great Pretender

Ooh, Baby, Baby

Grandma Flutter drops her granddaughter, Baby Blotter, off at the Big Blue House while she goes to her dance class. Bear helps Tutter learn how to care for a baby -- but everyone's at a loss when Blotter starts to cry. The day is saved by Treelo, who comforts the baby and gives her his rattle.

25 min

Raiders of the Lost Cheese

Bear opens the door and greets the viewers, saying he was wondering when we were going to get here. He invites us to come in the Big Blue House. He starts to say that he was on the way to the kitchen, but then stops and sniffs, asking if we were just outside in the backyard, because we smell "all fresh and grassy." He suggests that maybe it's just that we smell this good all the time and then heads into the kitchen, where he has something he wants to show us. It turns out to be a microscope... Notes ■This episode was adapted in storybook form as a book by the same name. ■During the song, "Let's Go Exploring", puppets from The Animal Show (including Randall the Zebra and Julie the Flamingo) appear. ■The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits quacks like a duck.

25 min

The Big Sleep

It's nighttime at the Big Blue House and Bear is all set to sit on his swing and read a good book. Then, Ojo shows up --- it turns out that there's a sleepover scheduled tonight that Bear completely forgot about. Before he knows it, Tutter, Ojo, Treelo, Pip and Pop are all there and ready for the big sleepover, despite his protests that they're not ready. He tries to settle back down to his book, but there's a lot to do during a sleepover. He prepares the kids a snack, reads them a story and supervises as they all brush their teeth. Finally, everyone is ready to go to bed, after some final, special good-night touches. Ojo has difficulty getting to sleep, but eventually dozes, only to be awakened by a bad dream. Bear soothes her back to sleep and then finds Shadow. Shadow sings her own special version of the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby." Songs ■Under Your Blanket ■Brush Brush Bree ■Go to Bed, Sleepy Head Notes ■The title of this episode is a reference to Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel The Big Sleep. In the novel, the phrase refers to death, not sleep itself. ■Tutter holds a sleepover of his own in the fourth season episode "Tutter's First Big Sleepover Bash."

25 min

Clear As A Bell

Bear gets a new Spanish-language tape in the mail, but just as he's about to try it, he's waylaid by Tutter, who, it seems, has a touch of laryngitis. He cant talk at all. A concerned Bear gives him a small bell to call him when he needs some-thing, and Tutter keeps bear running back and forth his Spanish lessons with Pip&Pop to a misunderstanding between Ojo and Treelo. During the course of Bear's busy day, we discover how to communicate with words and without them.

25 min

Good Times

Everyone has slept over at the Big Blue House, and with the rising of the Sun (who shares some words with Bear), they're soon waking up and starting a new day. Before they can go out on their adventures, Bear helps them with some healthy morning rituals, from breakfast to brushing teeth. Children will relate to the various experiences on display, from coming to terms with a wild but believable dream to having to immediately take a bathroom break.

25 min

You Learn Something New Every Day

Today, everybody wants time with Bear, and he gets the big idea to make a schedule that will accommodate everyone's wishes. Everyone's happy with this arrangement except for Treelo, who's having a hard time waiting for sunset time, his scheduled time with Bear. He even goes as far as to change the clock to make his time come faster! Eventually, Treelo sees the sun - Bear's good friend, Ray V set...right at the end of the day, at the right time.

25 min

Back To Nature

Bear gets a new Spanish-language tape in the mail, but just as he's about to try it, he's waylaid by Tutter, who, it seems, has a touch of laryngitis. He cant talk at all. A concerned Bear gives him a small bell to call him when he needs some-thing, and Tutter keeps bear running back and forth his Spanish lessons with Pip&Pop to a misunderstanding between Ojo and Treelo. During the course of Bear's busy day, we discover how to communicate with words and without them.

25 min

The Ojolympics

Bear gets a notice in the mail that he¡¦s just received a free mambo lesson! Everyone is inspired by the subject of learning, including Ojo, who plays make-believe school with Treelo, Snow and Rock Bay. And everybody¡¦s extra excited to learn the mambo with Bear when the instructor turns out to be Grandma Flutter!

25 min

It's All In Your Head

Ojo gets the idea to put on some Olympics games out by the pond. Everyone's excited, especially Tutter, who predicts that he¡¦s going to win every event. He doesn't, he realizes that you don't have to be good at everything to be a winner, but when the limbo competition rolls around K it turns out nobody can get lover than a mouse!

25 min

Oops, My Mistake

Everybody's pretending and having a great time, expect for Tutter, who, after a little questioning, blurts out that he really doesn't know how to pretend. Through a little friendly trickery, Bear shows Tutter that he's better at pretending than he thought.

25 min

Bear's Birthday Bash

Bear's getting ready for a trip to the fair and there's a lot to remember. He gets a little help from his friends and from a bunch of strings tied around his fingers. Along the way, they even find time for some fond memories, and for learning about the joy and importance for remembering.

25 min

Picture This

Bear mistakenly receives a piece of Doc Hogg's mail, and decides to give him a call and let him know. This begins a day full of mistakes, including wrong numbers, a broken vase, and Pip & Pop's accidental discovery of a new type of sandwich. Eventually, Doc arrives, the vase is mended, and, hey, those baloney-on-the-outside, bread-in-middle sandwiches are delicious! Maybe mistakes aren't such bad things after all.

25 min

The Big Blue Housecall

It's Bear's birthday. He goes to check the mail and finds a nice card from his friend Ursa. He then settles in to enjoy a relaxing day. He wants to do nothing at all, but the kids of the Big Blue House have other ideas. When they find out about Bear's plans for the day, they talk about just what they can do to show Bear how much they appreciate him. Ojo decides that they should give him a surprise party. With our help, they work hard to put together the party, while making sure the surprise isn't spoiled. Shadow even helps out, first by distracting Bear and then by telling him a story about the children of the week. Songs ■"The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha" ■"Everybody in the Tub" ■"Happy, Happy Birthday (to Bear!)" Notes ■This episode contains many references to "Mouse Party" from the first season. It features the same basic idea of giving someone a surprise party. The characters generally fall into the same party-preparation roles they had in that episode. Tutter, joining in on the preparations this time, prepares a four-cheese cheesecake (the same type of cake he had at his party) with the aid of the book Cooking with Cheese. He was seen reading from this book in the song "When I'm Older" in "Mouse Party." Pip and Pop once again get tangled up in the decorations. Finally, the kids perform for Bear the "Happy, Happy Birthday" song that was heard in "Mouse Party." ■In the closing credits, "Happy, Happy Birthday" appears by that title; it was listed in the closing credits of "Mouse Party" as "The Birthday Song".

25 min

Change Is In The Air

Since Bear's friend Ursa has never seen the Big Blue House, he's decided to take some pictures of things around the Big Blue House and make an album to send to her. As he searches for good opportunities, he finds that the kids of the Big Blue House are curious about his camera. Tutter seems to keep popping up whenever he tries to take a shot in the kitchen, so he finally has Tutter pose for a photo. The other kids have their photos taken as well. Treelo is a bit reluctant because he doesn't understand how the camera works and is worried he'll be sucked into it. While taking everyone's photos, Bear also notices that his camera seems to keep disappearing, but by the time he looks for it again, it's back where it was. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells an unusual version of the traditional "Roses are Red" poem. It ends with an alligator eating a pair of blue-suede shoes. Songs ■Picture This Notes ■Ursa later sees the Big Blue House in person when she surprises Ojo for her birthday in "You Never Know."

25 min

Look What I Made

Doc Hogg pays a special visit to the Big Blue House to give everyone a checkup. Before he arrives, Pip and Pop dress up as doctors and pretend to give a checkup to Treelo. Bear tells the viewers all about Doc Hogg and what doctors do. Later, Doc Hogg gives everyone their checkup, but Ojo seems to have disappeared. Bear finds her hiding with Snow Bear --- it turns out that she's scared of getting a shot. Bear helps her out by teaching her a special song that Doc Hogg once taught him. Songs ■Old Doc Hogg ■Everybody Say Ah ■Just Say Ow Notes ■This episode was adapted in book form as The Big Blue House Call. ■There is no Shadow segment in this episode. ■The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits laughs like Doc Hogg instead of barking.

25 min

If At First You Don't Succeed...

Bear is expecting Doc Hogg to show up for lunch, but busy ol' Doc keeps changing the plan. Bear and his friends learn to "roll with it" in a day of all kinds of change.

25 min

All Weather Bear

At the Big Blue House, Bear finds that his friends are all making inventions. Tutter has decided to create a "mouseapult," hoping to reach the cheese drawer more easily. He finds that it still has some kinks to work out. Ojo and Treelo create a device called an "everything machine." It's just pretend, but it's still a lot of fun. Additionally, Bear finds that Pip and Pop's ball is stuck in a tree, but he finds that he's not quite tall enough to reach it. He ends up inventing a ball-grabber device, but it turns out to be more of an "everything-grabber." In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of Yankee Doodle, or tries to anyway. She finds, though, that Yankee Doodle has different ideas about the type of animal he should be riding on and what he sticks in his hat. Songs ■Look What I Made Notes ■Treelo appears at the end of the episode, flexing Bear's "everything-grabber" and saying "grabby grabby." During the closing credits, the dog in the Shadow Projects logo also says this in Treelo's voice.

25 min

I Built That!

When Ojo decides to pretend that she's a big bear, Bear invites her to join him on a berry-picking expedition at the Otter Pond. He's going to make a triple-berry pie, but first needs the most important ingredients. He teaches Ojo the essentials --- showing her what types of berries are good to pick. After she learns the basics, Bear leaves her to the picking so he can prepare the crust for the pie. He and Ojo also find that Pip and Pop are trying something new. They each have a new toy --- their very own otter hoops. When they can't them to work, they express concern that they're broken. Bear and Ojo help them to see that often you have to practice at something before you can be good at it. In the Shadow segment, Shadow puts her spin on "Here We Go 'round the Mulberry Bush." In her version, a dog and a woman are washing clothes by hand, but decide instead to take them to a laundromat. They're then freed up to go perform in a circus, until a man sends them back to work on the laundry.

25 min

Tutter's Tiny Trip

Last night there was a big storm, but today it's a warm, sunny day outside, so Bear and the kids have decided to go swimming out at the Otter Pond. They've even come up with something tempt Tutter out of the Big Blue House and into the water --- a floating chair that even includes a place for him to put his cheesarita. Everyone goes outside for some summer fun, but they find that the pond is covered in debris blown in by the storm --- leaves and branches everywhere. They all work together to clean it up, but then it starts raining. Tutter scatters at the first sign of rain. Pip and Pop want to stay outside, but when the lightning comes, in they go. Inside, Ojo and Treelo find themselves bored, until Bear gets their imaginations going for a weather-filled trip to Ojo Island. Pip and Pop despair the rain, but learn that without the rain, they could never have fun at the pond. Then, once the rain stops, Ray provides a special surprise for everyone. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells a story of a robin who manages to have fun even in snowy weather. Songs ■Good Morning ■Weather Notes ■In "Summer Cooler," Tutter creates his own swimming club using the kitchen sink and remains inside on a summer day. In this episode, Bear and the kids finally manage to tempt him to go outside for a swim in the pond.

25 min

Dance Fever!

Bear is really excited about building the new birdhouse kit that he got in the mail, but Pip & PopTM and TutterTM are more excited about making something out of the box it came in. After gladly surrendering the box to his friends, Bear sets out it build the birdhouse on his back stoop, only to find that Jacques, an industrious local beaver, has bigger plans for Bear's seemingly simple subject.

25 min

Afraid Not

Tutter is nervous when Grandma Flutter plans to take him on a trip outside the Big Blue House. Tutter'sTM going for a trip with his grandma today and is a little worried about the whole "big world, little mouse" thing. BearTM assures him that traveling is a really great thing. "Although the world is big, its bigness makes a lot of wonderful things to see and learn, and all of his friends will be waiting for him right here in the Big Blue House when he gets back..." Notes ■This episode was adapted in storybook form as Tutter's Tiny Trip.

25 min

I Gotta Be Me!

It's a peaceful, relaxing day in the Big Blue House, or at least it would be if it weren't for Treelo. While Ojo draws a picture, Pip and Pop create a still-life, Bear swings and Tutter naps, Treelo wants to dance-dance-dance! Nobody wants to join him at first, but Treelo's persistence soon has everyone dancing. First, Bear does The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha. Next, Tutter feels like doing the limbo. Later on, Grandma Flutter pays a visit. Treelo has finally become all tired up, but Grandma Flutter gets him up-and-going to do the mambo. Songs ■Take it Lower ■Dance Fever ■The Grandma Mambo Notes ■There is no Shadow segment in this episode. ■Portions of the events of this episode were adapted for the book Time to Cha-Cha-Cha!.

25 min

Buggin'

When Bear talks to Ray in the morning, he learns that there's a thunderstorm coming. He gets things ready for the upcoming storm, and then hears Ojo and Treelo racing inside. They got scared by the storm and are worried that they're still in danger. Bear assures them that he's prepared at that they're safe inside the Big Blue House. Tutter gets scared too, and everyone's really scared when the power goes out. Bear allays their fears with his Bearcraft flashlight, but then Tutter gets scared by his shadow. Eventually, the power comes back on, and the kids start a game of hide-and-seek. Tutter then comes across Pip and Pop pretending to be a purple flower monster and is scared into hiding himself. Although they were just trying to have fun, they eventually realize their mistake and apologize. Together, everyone summons Shadow, who tells the tale of Little Miss Muffet. In Shadow's version, Little Miss Muffet isn't the least bit scared of the spider who sits down beside her and invites it to share her curds and whey. Songs ■Good Morning (Shortened Version) ■Nothing to Be Afraid Of Notes ■The theme for this episode, "Afraid," was later reused in the third season episode "Nothing to Fear."

25 min

Love Is All You Need

BearTM searches for a new look, but along with everyone eise in the Big Blue House, he finds that when you feel good about yourself, just about anything is possible.

25 min

It's A Mystery To Me

There's a bug loose in the Big Blue House. The house is divided between bug lovers and, well, bug not - lovers. That is, not until TutterTM, a bug not-lover, learns that this particular bug is one of the best gardeners around.

25 min

As Different As Day And Night

Bear is having a hard day -- he misses Luna, who he loves very much. Pip and Pop make up a song, "Otter Love", to express their love too. Meanwhile, Ojo is furious with Tutter when he accidentally breaks her new toy airplane. She eventually forgives him, learning that friends are more important than things. Notes ■This episode was adapted in storybook form as Love Is All You Need. ■This episode won a DGA Award in 1999 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs.

25 min

Grandparents Just Want To Have Fun

There's nothing like listening to a good mystery on the radio. But when Ojo's ribbons, Pip & Pop's sticks and Treelo's feathers mysteriously disappear, the gang puts on their own detective caps and gets ready to solve a real mystery in the Big Blue House. Notes ■This episode was adapted in book form as Mystery at the Big Blue House.

25 min

The Way I Feel Today

One morning, Bear is trying to decide on what type of tea to have --- cold iced tea or hot tea. With the viewers' help, he decides on the iced tea. He also finds Tutter trying to get some tea as well, but needing his help to get a glass and the sugar. At first, Tutter is bothered by how his small size keeps him from doing anything. Then, he helps Bear and he finds that being the opposite of big isn't so bad after all. More opposites are explored when Bear keeps filling his lemonade glass and Pip and Pop keep emptying it. He also shows Ojo and Treelo how they can dance together, alternating their opposite favorite styles of music. In the Shadow segment, Shadow presents a feature called "Tales of Incredible Opposites," featuring a story about Jack Sprat and his wife. Songs EditGood Morning (Shortened Version) Opposites Notes The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits shouts "Go, Daddy!"

25 min

You Go, Ojo!

Pip & Pop can hardly wait for their grandma Etta and grandpa Otto to visit. But when Bear unexpectedly has to leave the Big Blue House, the gang is a little uncertain what to do with their elderly visitors. That is, until they find out that grandparents just want to have fun.

25 min

Scientific Bear

The characters of the Big Blue House find themselves feeling many different ways and Bear is there to help sort it out. Things all start when Pip and Pop are happy and excited after they receive a fantastic new toy in the mail --- Clammy, a talking clam. Later, they're extremely sad when they think Clammy's broken. Elsewhere, Treelo gets angry with Ojo for spilling his feathers out the window, but Ojo is hurt and worried because it was only an accident. Treelo says he wants to stay angry forever, but Bear helps to see that this may not be what he really wants. Later, Tutter's hilarious impressions have everyone feeling silly. In the Shadow segment, Shadow explores the feelings of a girl who's good at rock and roll but has a curl of hair pointing out of her forehead. Songs The Way That You're Feelin' Today Notes This episode was adapted in book form as The Way I Feel Today. Bear in the Big Blue House episodes typically include a single segment featuring thoughts from real kids. This episode features a series of three of these segments in which kids talk about feelings. The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing-credits says "yep yep" in a voice that sounds like a child's.

25 min

Boys Will Be Boys

When Bear receives a photo of Ursa in the mail, Ojo is off and running, discovering her "girlness." But as she and everyone else in the Big Blue House learn, it's not being a boy or a girl that matters. It's just being yourself.

25 min

I Was Just Thinking

When Tutter decides to investigate new uses for Swiss cheese, Bear suggests a scientific experiment. Soon the whole gang is taking a look at the world around the Big Blue House, and before long, they find that, with a little curiosity and a question, you can be scientists, too.

25 min

Wish You Were Here

When Bear reads Tutter the story of "Mousy the Great," Tutter wants to be just like his hero. But when Ojo rescues him from the "dragon," he's not too sure he's very good at it. With a little help from Bear, Tutter learns that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. And every single one is great.

25 min

And To All A Good Night

Bear has received a book of brainteasers and is eager to try some of them. As he tries them out and shares them with the viewers, he finds that the kids of the house are doing some thinking as well. Tutter found a piece of string and is delighted because there's all sorts of things he can do with it. A couple of things he does include using it as a lasso for cheese and as a trail to direct Bear to a present --- his very own ball of string. While out at his favorite thinking spot, Bear talks with Pip and Pop. They try to do some thinking of their own, but can't figure out anything to think about. Bear helps them to see that they are in fact, thinking, and helps them to recap several things they thought about later during the day. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells a story about a man in the wilderness. It finally comes time for a break from all that thinking and Ojo and Treelo decide they want in on whatever fun thing Bear is going to do. It turns out that it's time for the Bear Cha-Cha-Cha! Songs Think About It The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha Notes Tutter mentions his Great Aunt Twizzler Tutter in this episode.

25 min

Call It A Day

When the gang all leaves the Big Blue House for the day to go to a square dance, BearTM is looking forward to getting a lot of chores done. However, each chore he starts somehow reminds him of one of his friends, and before long, the house seems awfully quiet. By the time his friends return, Bear has realized that the Big Blue House just isn't the same without them.

25 min

We Did It Our Way

It's a special night in Woodland Valley --- tonight is the night of Harvest Moon. There's a special party out at the Otter Pond and Luna even has a special surprise for Bear. Bear and his friends enjoy the delights of the night, such as fireflies and constellations. Tutter does his best to stay up, but Bear allows him to catch a little sleep before the big celebration. Bear searches for party lanterns for the celebration, but it's ultimately Pip and Pop who find them. Everything is finally ready for the big party and it's drawn quite a crowd --- besides Bear and the kids, Doc Hogg, Lois, Otto and Etta, Grandma Flutter, Christine, Jacques the Beaver, Doc Owl, and even Big Old Bullfrog are there. In fact, everyone's there except Luna --- they're worried she may have disappeared behind a cloud. But it turns out she was just getting her special surprise ready --- an old friend Bear hasn't seen in a long time! In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells a wild story about a man who takes a trip to the moon in a balloon. Songs Beauty of the Night The Goodbye Song (Full Cast Version) Notes This episode includes a brief segment, introduced by Luna, in which real kids talk about things they do at night. These include playing on a swingset, catching lightning bugs, looking at the stars and the moon, putting on pajamas and reading a story. In this special episode of the program, viewers get to see a lot of a character who is normally only seen at the end of each episode --- Luna. Luna also gets to perform in a song other than the "Goodbye Song." Ray is also seen at the very beginning of the episode. The closing credits for this episode include a special bonus featuring Bear and Ursa. The episode's title is a reference to the last six words of "The Night Before Christmas".

25 min

What's The Story?

25 min

When You've Got To Go...

Bear and Tutter are trying to have a fun game of checkers, while Ojo and Treelo are having their own fun playing. For some reason, though, everyone seems to be talking about the toilet and the bathroom. It all starts when Tutter needs to use the toilet during his game of checkers with Bear, but doesn't want to leave the checkers game. Bear assures him it will still be waiting for him. Tutter uses the bathroom and then washes his hands, stating that his Grandma Flutter taught him to. Later, Ojo has an accident and is very embarrassed, but Bear lets her know it's okay --- accidents can happen to anyone. When Pip and Pop hear about the day's events, they invite everyone to join their secret club --- The Mystic Order of the Toileteers. It's for everyone who uses, or is going to use the potty. In the Shadow segment, Shadow introduces a song with some new twists on the phrases "party party" and "potty training."

25 min