"The Count" is a character from the children's television show Sesame Street. He is a vampire who loves counting everything around him. The Count is a friendly and affable character, always willing to teach children about numbers and counting. He has a distinctive appearance, with a pointed nose, sharp eyebrows, and a sweeping cape.
The Count is known for his catchphrase, "Ah ah ah," which he uses whenever he counts something. He first appeared on Sesame Street in the early 1970s and has since become one of the show's most popular and enduring characters. The Count is an important representation of diversity and inclusion on Sesame Street, as he helps to promote a positive and accepting attitude towards people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Is The Count a Vampire?
Yes, "The Count" from Sesame Street is a vampire. He is often portrayed with the classic vampire features such as fangs, a cape, and a love for counting. However, unlike the traditional vampire character, "The Count" is not depicted as scary or threatening. Of course, Sesame Street does not officially confirm that he is a vampire.
Origins of The Count
"The Count" was created by the Sesame Street team of writers and producers in the early 1970s. He was introduced on the show in the third season, which premiered in 1972. The character was originally performed by Jerry Nelson, who provided his voice and puppetry. The idea for the character came from a Sesame Street writer named Norman Stiles, who thought it would be fun to have a vampire who loved counting. The Count's original name was "The Count von Count," and he was created as a way to teach children about numbers and counting in a fun and engaging way. The character was an instant hit with children, and "The Count" has since become one of the most popular and beloved characters on Sesame Street.
The Count's First Appearance
"The Count" made his first appearance on Sesame Street in the show's third season, which premiered in 1972. He was introduced as a new character designed to teach children about counting in a fun and engaging way. In his first episode, "Counting 1-2-3," The Count meets Big Bird and teaches him how to count. The episode features The Count singing his famous song "The Song of the Count" and counting various objects around him, such as the feathers on Big Bird's head and the stripes on his own cape.
Personality of The Count
"The Count" has a distinctive and endearing personality that has endeared him to generations of Sesame Street viewers. He is a friendly and enthusiastic character who loves to count everything around him. The Count is also very proud of his vampire heritage and often makes references to his vampire ancestry, but he is not depicted as scary or threatening. Instead, he is portrayed as a lovable character who enjoys teaching children about numbers and counting. The Count is known for his playful sense of humor, and he often laughs heartily while counting objects. He is also shown to be quite meticulous and detail-oriented when counting, often pausing to ensure that he has counted every object correctly.
The Count's Family
Although not much is known about "The Count's" family, the character often makes references to his vampire ancestry on Sesame Street. He has been known to refer to himself as "Count von Count," which suggests that he comes from a noble family of vampires. In some segments, "The Count" has mentioned having a brother, but this character has never been seen on the show. In a few episodes, "The Count" has also interacted with other vampire characters, such as his friend "The Countess," who shares his love of counting.
The Count in Popular Culture
"The Count" has had a significant impact on popular culture, appearing in a variety of media and inspiring countless references and parodies. Here are a few examples of his appearances in popular culture:
- The Simpsons: "The Count" has been parodied in several episodes of the long-running animated series "The Simpsons." In one episode, the character Dracula appears as a parody of "The Count," complete with a cape and a similar laugh. In another episode, "The Count" himself appears in a cameo, where he is shown counting to 40,000.
- Family Guy: "The Count" has also been referenced in the animated TV show "Family Guy." In one episode, the character Stewie Griffin dresses up as "The Count" and sings a version of his famous song.
- Robot Chicken: "The Count" has been parodied in the stop-motion animated series "Robot Chicken." In one sketch, he is shown as a vampire who has trouble counting anything other than blood.
- The Big Bang Theory: "The Count" has also been referenced in the TV series "The Big Bang Theory." In one episode, the character Sheldon Cooper dresses up as "The Count" for Halloween, complete with a cape and a laugh.
- Goodnight Count: "The Count" has been the subject of parodies in books as well. "Goodnight Count" is a parody of the classic children's book "Goodnight Moon," featuring "The Count" counting various objects in his castle before going to bed.
- The Count Lucanor: "The Count" has inspired characters in video games as well. The game "The Count Lucanor" features a character named Count Lucanor, who is clearly inspired by "The Count" and shares his love of counting.
Who Voiced The Count?
"The Count" has been voiced by several performers over the years, each bringing their own unique interpretation to the character. Here are some of the most notable actors who have provided the voice for "The Count" on Sesame Street:
Jerry Nelson (1972-2012): Jerry Nelson was the original voice of "The Count" when the character was introduced on Sesame Street in 1972. Nelson was a talented puppeteer and voice actor who also performed other iconic Sesame Street characters such as Mr. Snuffleupagus, the Count's bats, and Sherlock Hemlock. He continued to provide the voice of "The Count" until his death in 2012.
Matt Vogel (2013-present): Following Jerry Nelson's death, Matt Vogel took over as the voice of "The Count." Vogel is a skilled puppeteer and voice actor who had previously worked on Sesame Street as well as other Jim Henson productions. He has continued to bring his own unique spin to the character of "The Count," while staying true to the character's original voice and mannerisms.
In addition to these two actors, other performers have provided the voice of "The Count" in various Sesame Street projects, such as Joe Raposo and Jim Henson himself.
When Is The Count's Birthday?
As "The Count" is a fictional character, there is no official or canonical birthday for him. However, since he first appeared on Sesame Street in 1972, it is sometimes celebrated on November 13th, which is considered the character's "anniversary" or "Sesame Street Day."
What is The Count's Real Name?
While he is often shown interacting with other characters on the show, his full name has never been revealed, and he is only ever addressed as "The Count." In some Sesame Street merchandise, he has been referred to as "Count von Count," but this is not considered his official name on the show.
What does The Count Say?
Here are some of the things he says:
- "Ah-ah-ah!": This is The Count's signature catchphrase, which he uses before he starts counting.
- "I love to count!": The Count is very enthusiastic about counting, and he often expresses his love for it.
- "One bat, two bats, three bats...": The Count loves to count all kinds of things, and he often counts bats, which are one of his favorite creatures.
- "That's 10! 10 wonderful bats! Ah-ah-ah!": When The Count finishes counting, he usually announces the total and gives his trademark "ah-ah-ah" laugh.
- "Greetings! I am The Count!": The Count often introduces himself in this way when meeting new people.
- "I count everything!": The Count takes his love of counting very seriously, and he will count just about anything he can get his hands on.
- "The answer is... 12!": The Count is very good at math and is often called upon to solve counting problems.
- "Ah-ah-ah! You didn't say the magic word!": The Count is also known for his mischievous sense of humor and sometimes likes to play pranks on his friends.
- "Let's count some more!": The Count is always up for counting, and he often encourages others to join in the fun.
- "Good counting!": The Count is always quick to praise others for their counting skills, and he loves to see people enjoy counting as much as he does.
What Songs does The Count Sing?
As a character on Sesame Street, The Count is known for his love of counting and music. He has appeared in many songs throughout the show's long history, both as a lead vocalist and as a backup singer. Here are some notable examples of songs The Count has sung on Sesame Street:
"Count it Higher": This catchy tune features The Count singing about how much he loves to count, and encourages kids to count along with him.
"The Batty Bat": In this song, The Count counts a group of bats and sings about how much he loves them.
"The Ten Commandments of Health": The Count sings about healthy habits in this song, counting out the ten commandments of health along the way.
"Count on Me": The Count joins Elmo and Abby Cadabby in this song about the importance of friendship and teamwork.
"The Letter of the Day": In this recurring segment on Sesame Street, The Count helps introduce the letter of the day by singing a catchy tune that highlights words that start with that letter.
"Count Me In": This upbeat song encourages kids to participate in all kinds of activities, and The Count counts along with each one.
"Just the Way You Are": In a spoof of the Billy Joel classic, The Count sings about how much he loves counting just the way it is.
"Let's Get Counting": The Count leads a group of kids in this energetic song that encourages counting and physical activity.
These are just a few examples of the many songs The Count has sung on Sesame Street over the years. Whether he's counting bats, letters, or healthy habits, The Count's catchy tunes are sure to get kids counting and singing along.
What Is The Count's Favorite Number?
While The Count loves to count all kinds of things, including bats, sheep, and even healthy habits, he is perhaps best known for his love of the number 3. In fact, The Count has been known to exclaim "Three! Three bats! Ah-ah-ah!" after counting a group of three objects. 3 seems to hold a special place in his heart, and he often emphasizes it with his trademark laugh.
What Did Parents Think of About The Count Character?
Parents have generally had a positive view of The Count character on Sesame Street. Here are some reasons why:
Educational value: Parents appreciate The Count's focus on counting and recognizing numbers as an important educational tool for their children. The Count's enthusiasm for counting and his catchy songs help to make learning fun and engaging for young viewers.
Humor: The Count's playful personality and Transylvanian accent add a touch of humor to Sesame Street that parents find entertaining. His trademark "Ah-ah-ah!" laugh is often imitated by kids and adults alike, adding to the show's overall appeal.
Cultural representation: The Count's accent and personality represent a unique cultural background that is rarely seen on children's television. Parents appreciate that Sesame Street promotes diversity and inclusivity by introducing their children to different cultures and ways of speaking.
Nostalgia: Many parents grew up watching Sesame Street and have fond memories of The Count character from their own childhoods. Seeing The Count again on the show with their own children can be a nostalgic and heartwarming experience for them.
What Are the Facts About The Count?
Here are some facts about The Count, the beloved Sesame Street character known for his love of counting:
- The Count made his debut on Sesame Street in 1972. He was originally designed as a parody of classic horror movie vampires, with a distinctive Transylvanian accent and a love of counting.
- The Count's real name is Count von Count, and he hails from Sesame Street's fictional location of "Countsylvania".
- The Count is voiced by veteran Sesame Street puppeteer Jerry Nelson, who performed the character from 1972 until his death in 2012.
- The Count's favorite number is 3, although he loves to count all kinds of things, from bats and sheep to healthy habits and letters.
- The Count is known for his distinctive laugh, which is punctuated by the phrase "Ah-ah-ah!" after each count.
- The Count has appeared in numerous Sesame Street skits and songs over the years, including "Count it Higher", "The Batty Bat", and "The Ten Commandments of Health".
- The Count has also appeared in various Sesame Street spin-offs and specials, including "Elmo's World", "Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting", and "The Street We Live On".
- The Count is often accompanied by other Sesame Street characters, including Grover, Elmo, and Abby Cadabby, who help him with his counting.
- In addition to his love of counting, The Count has also been known to enjoy other activities, such as dancing and playing the organ.
- The Count has become an iconic figure on Sesame Street and is recognized around the world. His catchy songs and trademark laugh have made him a favorite among children and adults alike, and he remains a beloved part of Sesame Street's rich history.
What Does The Count Character Don't Like?
The Count character on Sesame Street is known for his love of counting and positive attitude, but there are a few things that he has been shown not to like. Here are a few examples:
Messy things: In a sketch titled "The Messy Room", The Count appears to be bothered by the clutter and disorganization of a young girl's bedroom.
Being interrupted: In an episode of "Elmo's World", The Count becomes frustrated when Elmo repeatedly interrupts his counting.
Being scared: Despite his vampire-like appearance, The Count has been shown to be scared of things like thunderstorms and ghosts.
Not being able to count: In one sketch, The Count becomes upset when he is unable to count something (in this case, a song that doesn't have a clear beat).
Parodies of The Count with Celebrities
The Count character on Sesame Street has been parodied and spoofed in various forms of media, including television shows, movies, and even music videos. Here are a few examples of parodies featuring The Count and celebrities:
"Counting with Paula Abdul": In a sketch from Sesame Street's 30th anniversary special, The Count teams up with pop star Paula Abdul to count backwards from 10 and perform a dance routine.
"The Countess": In a sketch from Saturday Night Live, comedian Kristen Wiig plays "The Countess", a female vampire who counts everything in sight, much to the annoyance of her guests.
"The Count meets the Number Painter": In a segment from The Electric Company, The Count encounters the Number Painter (played by actor Morgan Freeman) and they engage in a counting competition.
"Counting Crows": In a music video for their hit song "Accidentally in Love", the band Counting Crows enlisted The Count to help them count out the beats of the song.
"Sesame Street is brought to you by the number 21": In a parody from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Count appears in a fake commercial for the number 21, claiming it is his new favorite number.
Filmography of The Count
He has appeared in many episodes of Sesame Street over the years, as well as in a variety of other media. Here are some notable examples:
Sesame Street (1969-present): The Count first appeared on Sesame Street in the early 1970s and has been a regular character on the show ever since. He has appeared in hundreds of episodes, counting everything from bats to cookies to sheep.
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984): The Count makes a brief appearance in this Muppets feature film, in which the gang tries to mount a Broadway show.
Follow That Bird (1985): The Count has a small role in this Sesame Street movie, which follows Big Bird as he tries to find his way back home after being kidnapped by a family of birds who want him to live with them.
Elmo Saves Christmas (1996): The Count has a prominent role in this Sesame Street Christmas special, in which he helps Elmo save Christmas by counting down the days until Santa Claus arrives.
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird Soundtrack (1985): The Count sings a song called "Counting on the Number 9" on this soundtrack album, which features music from the Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird.
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2009): The Count appears in this documentary special, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street.
The Muppets (2011): The Count makes a cameo appearance in this Muppets feature film, in which the Muppets reunite to save their theater from being demolished.
These are just a few examples of The Count's many appearances over the years. Despite not having a traditional filmography, he remains a beloved character among Sesame Street fans of all ages.