Sprout
A Sprout fanfic
By Madeline Fretz
Loosely based on a screenplay by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I did practically get the Sprout Gang back together again to get Apple TV+ to revive their shows, but most of the characters are fictional, and this story takes place in a world where fictional characters and humans interact. Based on something I really wanted to do - reunite the old gang. You may notice this story is similar to The Muppets. That's because I have trouble writing original stories, but I'm working on it. But still, there's a lot about this fic that's original. Please enjoy!
Hi, I'm Madeline Jane Fretz, but you can call me Maddie. I live with my mom, Margaret, and my dad, Robert ("Bob"), and my two sisters, Abigail ("Abbie") and Ella, we're triplets - we were born on the same day even though we mostly look nothing alike. Together we live in Virginia, the best state you could ever live in. I have autism, the only one of my parents' triplets to have that diagnosis. That's why I see the world in a different way. My mom works at Blue Edge Capital, my dad works at Netjets, my sisters and I all go to school, Ella rides horses, and Abbie dances ballet, but we still hang out a lot.
Like many, many autistic people, I am obsessed with shows aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. In fact, I've been so ever since I watched my first Baby Einstein video. Since then, my sisters and I have watched the likes of Sesame Street, Barney & Friends, LeapFrog videos, Bear in the Big Blue House, Dora the Explorer, Kipper, Little Bear, Strawberry Shortcake (the 2003 version), Preschool Prep videos, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. But one day, my life changed.
My whole family - my parents, sisters, and me, were all piled up in my parents' room and about to watch a cute little show called Caillou on-demand. Before the show, an ad for an underrated kids' channel called Sprout played, it was a song advertising their shows. Needless to say, I was hooked.
As time went by, we watched more and more Sprout - both on TV and on-demand. I also went on the channel's website, , every day in preschool, owned most of the channel's apps, and watched many videos on YouTube. I was scared of one of their "programming blocks," The Sunny Side Up Show, which aired LIVE! from 9AM to noon (12PM) ET, because they would often have special guests from Sprout shows and blocks. Because of this, I threatened not to watch Sprout or Sunny ever again, but I kept my cool a few years later.
The years went by. Sprout became Universal Kids in 2017 and my family moved from Richmond to Midlothian a year later. From then on, I started editing on the PBS Kids Sprout TV Wiki, created a Sprout fan blog, and uploaded Sprout videos on my YouTube channel. I guess you could say I was their biggest fan.
Before you ask "Maddie, what's your favorite show? Did it ever air on Sprout?" Here's something surprising - my favorite show is not a Sprout show. My favorite show, Yo Gabba Gabba!, used to air on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but then they lost the rights to the show. When it ended, I got so upset I started creating many petitions for a fifth season. Fast-forward to 2021. Apple TV+ announced they were bringing back the show for a new original series and putting the original four seasons on its streaming service. But something was missing.
Once I heard the news, I got so excited that I wanted Apple TV+ to also revive Sprout, a name that hasn't been heard in years, but I knew that in order to get that to happen, I would have to get Sprout fans together and spread the word.
One day, I told my mom the idea. "Mom," I said, "Apple TV+ is bringing back Yo Gabba Gabba!". I then showed her a drawing I made where the Gabba gang says so.
"Maddie, your dream came true!" My mom exclaimed, and reminded me of when I made endless petitions to revive my favorite show.
"Hey, Mom. You know what else?" I asked.
"What?"
"I also want Apple TV+ to bring back Sprout as well."
"Sprout's not as big as Yo Gabba Gabba!, and it's owned by a different company now, so I don't think that will happen." Mom explained.
"I know, but we can convince the NBCUniversal and Apple TV+ people to bring Sprout back, and we can do it with a telethon to raise money, we can get the band back together!" I suggested.
Mom was unsure about my idea. "Get the band back together?!"
I nodded.
"Get the-. Honey, they haven't done a show together in years. Honestly they all went their own ways now, it wouldn't matter much to them."
"But Sprout means a lot to both them and their fans. I know they'll do it! We can put on a show to bring back Sprout! The Muppets have done that." I insisted.
"Stop it, Mads. We could one day." Mom told me. I went to my room.
We were driving to Richmond Ballet to take Abbie and her friend June to dance class, and Mom was calling Dad on the phone. He's normally at work.
"Maddie wants Apple TV+ to get Sprout back since they got Yo Gabba Gabba! back, and she wants to get the band back together." Mom told Dad.
"They could do it." Dad told Mom. I agreed after hearing this.
"Yeah! I even know where they live and work." I said.
A few hours later, I was in my bedroom watching Sprout on YouTube, and Mom was talking to my Aunt Mary on the phone in her room.
"What are you doing tomorrow, Margaret?" asked Aunt Mary.
"I'm helping Maddie reunite the Sprout gang."
Mary decided to call my grandparents - Mom's parents who live not too far from us. "Mom, dad, did you know the Sprout characters are getting back together again?"
Grandma called Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Dave. "Cynthia, the Sprout characters are getting back together."
Cynthia called my cousins Anna and Sarah. "Anna, Sarah, the Sprout team is getting back together."
Anna and Sarah called Uncle Robert. "Robert, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout team."
Robert called Uncle Dan and Aunt Karen. "Dan, Maddie's getting the Sprout cast back together again."
Uncle Dan called Cousin Emma. "Emma, did you know that Cousin Maddie's reforming the Sprout characters?"
Emma called Cousin Ben. "Ben, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout gang."
Ben called Cousin Andrew. "Andrew, Maddie's getting the Sprout gang back together."
Andrew called Cousin Caroline. "Caroline, Cousin Maddie's reuniting the Sprout characters."
Caroline called Aunt Lisa, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Lisa, Maddie's getting the Sprout characters back together."
Lisa called Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave. "Julie, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout gang."
Julie called my grandparents - my Dad's parents who live in Williamsburg. "Did you know that Maddie's reforming the Sprout team?"
My grandfather called Uncle Jim and Aunt Sandy. "Jim, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout cast."
Jim called Aunt Paula. "Paula, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout characters."
Paula told Cousin Nick, who called Aunt Carol on the phone. "Carol, Maddie's getting the Sprout characters back together."
Carol called my cousins Hannah and Rachel. "Hannah, Rachel, did you know Maddie's reforming the Sprout team?"
Hannah and Rachel called my cousins Danny and Mackenzie. "Danny, Cousin Maddie's getting the Sprout gang back together."
Danny called my cousins Emily and Romin. "Emily, Maddie's reuniting the Sprout cast."
Emily called my middle school teacher, Sarah. "Sarah, Maddie's reforming the Sprout characters."
Sarah called my current teacher Anna, who called the Mary Munford Elementary School principal Greg, who called Mary Munford teacher Simone, who called my elementary school classmate Pierce, who called Ashley, who called Eila, who called Noah, who called James, who called June, who called Maria, who called Keagen, who called Leif, who called Anna, who called Josie and Cassidy, who called Parker, who called Ulysses from Argentina, who called Chloe, who called Helen, who called Temple, who called Addie, who called Vivi, who called June (Abbie's friend from ballet), who called Maya, who called Joshua, who called Vincent, who called Ethan, who called Charlotte, who called Sophia, who called Fiona.
Fiona told her mom, Amanda and little brother Gavin. "Mommy, Maddie's putting the Sprout gang back together." Amanda smiled.
I was watching Sprout videos, but then got tired and fell asleep, launching into a dream.
In my dream, I was on the couch, watching the Sprout Gang on TV. "Maddie, come join us!" Nina told me.
I ran over to the TV, but the glass broke.
The next morning at 3AM, I was asleep, when Mom woke me up. "Maddie, time to go."
I woke up. "Huh?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.
"We're reuniting the Sprout gang, remember?" explained Mom.
"Oh yeah, I remember."
"Get dressed and get packed."
After I did so, we got into the car, ready to pick everyone up. First we picked up my husband Muno, the red cyclops from Yo Gabba Gabba!. Even though I'm a teenager, we're still married. Once we got in the car, Muno sat in the front seat by Mom's driver's seat.
"Muno, why is it, when the Gabba Gang rides in their car and Plex drives, why do you always sit in the back seat?" I asked the red cyclops.
"I just like it." he told me. "Who are we gonna pick up first?"
"I wanna pick up Nina from The Good Night Show." I explained.
"Where is she now?" questioned Mom.
"She lives in an apartment in New York City."
We drove to New York City - the Big Apple itself. After a while, we got to Nina's apartment.
"New York's a magical place for children." Mom told Muno and I. Muno was about to go into another apartment building, but I stopped him and dragged him to the correct one - a brownstone not too far from Central Park.
"Remember, Maddie, first impressions are the best ones. You're in New York, the city of good manners." said Mom.
"I know. And I say 'How do you do?' to Nina too, right?" I remembered. Mom nodded, and we went inside.
Nina lives in Apartment 2B. Her cousin Michele Lepe, who was visiting, opened the door. "Hey, you're Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba!, right?"
"Yeah." Muno exclaimed. "And you must be Nina, right?"
"Actually, I'm her cousin Michele." Michele corrected the cyclops as she welcomed us inside. "Nina'll be here in a while. She's in her room."
"I have a signed picture of her and Star." I told Michele as we sat on Nina's couch.
"That's amazing! Where is it?"
"It's in my room, in my closet. It's between my room and the attic."
"You live next to your attic? How lucky." Michele pointed out. "We're also friends on Facebook, right?"
"Right." I replied. "I'm also friends with Sean. Remember him? He was on The Sunny Side Up Show all the time."
"Yeah."
Suddenly, a young-looking Latina woman wearing red pajamas walked in the room. It was Nina. I was so star-struck I fainted. "Maddie, don't be nervous." Mom explained.
"You're Muno, right? I've seen Yo Gabba Gabba! before. And you must be Maddie!" Nina said. "I read your Sprout fansites all the time."
"Really? I'm glad you like them." I told her. "I even have a signed picture of you in the closet. I've always wanted to meet you! I'm your biggest fan."
"Me too." replied Nina. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"
"We're here because I'm reuniting the Sprout gang for one last show, because I want Apple TV+ to revive Sprout." I explained. "Muno, tell her why."
"Apple TV+ is reviving my show for a new original series, and they're also putting on original episodes." Muno said. Mom nodded.
"Wow, that's exciting!" Nina exclaimed. "But…Maddie, are you really reuniting the old gang?"
"Yep." Mom said. "She really wants to."
Muno and I started singing a song from Sprout's early days. "Come on, let's grow, come on, let's grow, come on, let's grow now with Sprout! Sprout!"
Nina sighed. "I miss the good old days, I miss the old gang. I wonder if they miss me. I know I miss them." Luckily, she still had pictures of the old gang in her apartment so she could remember them.
Is there more I could've said?
Now they're only pictures in my head
That's why I'm feeling grey,
Sometimes even I have rainy days.
Nina turned to her picture of the Sprout House Band.
Remember when the stage caved in when you were rockin' out?
She then turned to a picture of her and Star.
Who'd've thought our crafts and stretches would be hard to live without?
If we could do it all again,
Just another chance to entertain.
Would anybody watch or even care?
Or did something break we can't repair?
Nina turned to a picture of Chica and the Sunny Side Up Show hosts.
Your birthday cards and weekly themes, they always gave me hope
She then turned to a picture of Miles and Banjo.
I always loved the adventures you went on on your show.
Is there more I could've said?
Now they're only pictures in my head.
Suddenly, the portraits of the gang came to life. Chica was squeaking.
"That's right, Chica! This week we're talking all about pets." Kelly Vrooman said.
"And tonight's adventure is all about our bodies." Star added.
"Where are we going today, Miles?" asked Banjo.
"This staccato beat is bringing me down! Patty, a beat. One, two, and a half!" Curtis E. Owl said. Everyone in the portraits burst into song.
Could we do it all again?
Teach children like we did then,
Miles:
In this place where we belong,
All:
We could harmonize for one more song.
The portraits were then back to normal.
Nina:
But I'm standing here instead.
Now they're only pictures in my head.
Nina started crying. Muno, Mom, Michele, and I sat next to her and comforted her.
"Nina, cheer up. We're going to bring back our old friends and everything will be fine." assured Michele.
"Nina, name the world's three greatest gifts. What are they?" I asked.
"I don't know." Nina said silently. "What are they?"
"The Muppets say the world's three greatest gifts are children, ice cream, and laughter." Muno explained.
"Children, ice cream, and laughter." I agreed. "The third greatest gift ever!"
"Laughter, ice cream, and children. Got it! The world's three greatest gifts." Nina said.
"So, who's ready to pick up the gang?" I wondered.
"I am! I can't wait to see them again!" perked up Nina. We all headed out of the apartment building and into the car.
Once we got in the car, we all buckled our seatbelts and started driving. "Why can't we drive Carla the Car like Miles and Banjo did?" Michele asked.
"None of us can fit in her." I told Nina's cousin. "I think there's only room for Miles and Banjo."
We were all driving to Reno, Nevada. "Who are we gonna pick up next?" asked Muno.
"We're gonna pick up Chica." I told my husband, then turned to Nina and Michele. "Hey, Nina. Remember when you hosted The Sunny Side Up Show several times? She was along for the ride."
"Oh yeah." Nina nodded. "Back in 2007, Barney the Dinosaur and I were on with Chica for Thanksgiving and showed viewers' drawings."
"I remember that." Michele replied.
"Whatever became of Chica?" asked Mom.
"She now works at a Sprout tribute channel in Reno called Sproot." I told my mother.
"Seriously? A chicken who works for a TV channel?" Muno laughed.
"Seriously." Mom and I rolled our eyes.
"R-E-N-O, that spells Reno." I said as Mom kept driving.
"Margaret, can you please turn up the radio? 'California Gurls' by Katy Perry is on." Muno asked. "The version without Snoop Dogg."
Once we got to Reno, we put on our masks and went to the Coomcoost Center, where Sproot was operated and Chica worked.
I was showing Nina and Michele pictures and drawings from my Sprout scrapbook. "Nice scrapbook." Michele told me.
"Thanks. I've been working on it forever." I replied.
"It's been so long since I've last seen her, I wonder how much she's changed." Nina told me as we walked to the Coomcoost Center.
"Well, Nina, you've changed." I told her.
"That's right!" Nina gasped. "I've changed." We then walked inside.
"Hello." The receptionist greeted us. "Oh my gosh! You're Nina from The Good Night Show and Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba!. What are you here for?"
"Can you take us to the Sproot floor please?" I questioned. "We'd like to see Chica the Chicken."
"OK." the receptionist said, and led us to the Sproot floor.
Once we entered the control room, we noticed a familiar chicken working there. "…And coming up next is Soosoome Stroot, with Boorney & Froonds after that, Fooreman Soom and Play with Me Soosoome later on, only on Sproot." the TVs said.
"Hey, Chica, over here!" Nina waved.
Chica ran over to hug Nina. She also noticed Muno and me.
"That's right, Chica. I didn't know you were reading my blog too! I've always wanted to meet you." I told the chicken.
"And how do you know me?" Muno wondered. Apparently Chica saw Yo Gabba Gabba! on TV once, and he was on it. "Cool!" the red cyclops exclaimed.
"Anyways, we're here to reunite the Sprout gang." I explained.
"Right, and that's because she really wants Sprout back." Mom added. I nodded.
"Wanna join us? We really need you." Nina asked.
Chica decided to tag along. "What's up?" a Sproot employee asked.
"Chica here is joining us as we reunite the Sprout team." Michele told the employee.
"Hmph! You were hired, now you're fired!" the employee snapped. "Now we have to find a replacement!"
Another employee arrived with Chooca, the poultry star of Sproot's the Soony Side Up Shoo. "Chooca, you would be a great replacement for Chica." the employee told Chooca.
A while later, we picked up Chica and were now heading off to a toilet plumbing business in Ohio.
"Remember when we were at a fiesta and she hit the piñata?" Nina asked.
"I wasn't there, but I've seen a video of it on Facebook." Michele told her cousin.
"Me too." I replied, before noticing a nervous Nina. "What's wrong?"
"It's been so long." Nina shuddered. "What if she doesn't want to rejoin?"
"I'm sure she'll wanna rejoin." Muno told her.
"But if she doesn't wanna, it's fine. We can go without her." Mom replied.
We went into the toilet plumbing business, walking down the hallways. A worker then noticed us. "We don't allow visitors. What are you doing here?" The worker asked in a quaint British accent.
"We're looking for someone named Banjo the Dog." Michele told the worker.
"We thought she worked here." I added.
"Oh, she does. Follow me." The worker told us as he led us to Banjo. The pink dog was very busy, assigning several workers a job.
"Hi, Banjo!" Nina waved.
"Nina, Chica, what a surprise! I missed you!" Banjo exclaimed as she ran over to hug the Latina woman and the chicken.
"Have a seat." Banjo said as she led us to toilets that we sat on. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Banjo, we're getting the old gang back together again. Wanna join us?" asked Nina.
"Get the band back together?! No thanks. Good day!" We were all shocked.
"But Banjo, my wife Maddie here really needs you." Muno told the pink dog.
Chica squeaked something to Mom, which she told me. "Maddie, don't forget to tell her about Apple TV+."
"Banjo, Apple TV+." I yelled.
"What about Apple TV+?" wondered Banjo.
"Since Apple TV+ is reviving my show for new episodes, Maddie wants them to revive Sprout, so we're putting on a show and getting the Sprout gang back together to do so." Muno said.
"We really need you. We can't do a show without you." explained Michele.
"Yeah! Didn't you sing about the colors of the rainbow?" I asked Banjo.
"And remember the time everyone was putting on a Christmas show, but thought you were lost, and they set out to find you?" Muno asked.
"Yeah. Now I see you have a point. I wanna rejoin you guys now." Banjo told us. And we were off, but not before Banjo blew up her plumbing business.
It was nighttime and our car was still driving. Muno, Chica, Banjo, and I have fallen asleep. "You know, after all these years, whatever happened to Star?" Nina wondered.
"Saw him a few years ago." Michele told her cousin. "He's still the same four-year-old who's always asking to stay up late."
"So what's he doing?" asked Mom.
"He's now living a quiet life in Boston." explained Michele.
"Huh?" Nina and Mom questioned.
Later on, Star was relaxing in a hammock on his front porch and drinking chocolate milk. Mom, Muno, Nina, and I went up to him.
Once Nina encountered Star, her old memories of being with him floated through her head.
"Hello, Sproutlets! I'm so happy to see you! Are you ready for another good night?"
"And how much food do we give him?" "Just a pinch."
"Well, Star, can you guess what sweet Sprout friend is coming up next to play?"
"Nina, don't be nervous." I told the Latina woman.
Star noticed us. "Please don't tell me you're reuniting the old gang." Star complained.
"Star, we're reuniting the old gang!" Nina told him.
Once Star got into the car, we decided the car has been pretty full.
"Uhh, Margaret, we should get a bigger car." Michele told Mom. She nodded and agreed.
We got a bigger car at Mad Man Mooney and Sons. JB the Juicebox chased after us once we drove off.
The next morning, we drove to a daycare center in New Jersey. Once we all got out of the car and walked into the building, a daycare supervisor greeted us. "Hello. What are you here for?"
"Have you seen someone named Miles around here? We want to see him." Mom told the supervisor.
"Sure." the supervisor replied, and led us to a room in which Miles was playing with a bunch of toddlers and preschoolers.
Seeing Miles again brought back so many memories for Banjo.
Miles then noticed us as we walked by.
"Miles, over here!" I waved.
"Nina, Chica, Star, Banjo! It's so nice to see you here." Miles exclaimed.
Banjo ran to hug Miles. "I missed you, Miles!" "I missed you too, Banjo."
"Miles, we need to talk to you for a second." Mom told the black man.
"We're getting the Sprout gang back together. We need you to drive Carla the Car and explore again." Star told Miles.
"Maddie here, she's our biggest fan, really wants Apple TV+ to bring back Sprout, so she got us back together." Nina explained.
"Maddie? I read her blogs! Doesn't she also run the wiki?" Miles asked.
"I sure do. Wanna join us?" I asked.
"I'm fine with that, but I don't think they'd let me." Miles told us before walking over to a daycare supervisor feeding a baby. "Uhh, is it fine if I rejoin my old friends? They need me for a reunion show."
"OK, if it's fine with you." the supervisor said.
"Bye!" Miles waved goodbye to everyone at daycare and got in the car with all of us. We drove over to a bar where Miles' cousin Milton Barnes worked.
Milton was conversing with the restaurant's owner, when he saw us. "You guys, it's been so long! What are you doing here? Going on a nostalgic field trip or something?"
"We're here because we're getting the Sprout team back together. We really need you." I told Milton.
"Get the band back together? Can I rejoin these guys?" Milton asked the owner.
The owner was unsure, until she went with a "Sure." Milton waved goodbye, and went off to rejoin us.
Once we got in the car, Michele had an idea. "Cousin Nina, I have a suggestion!"
"What is it, Michele?" asked Nina.
"We can save time by picking up the others in a montage."
"Great idea, Michele!" Star told his former-and-once-again best friend's cousin.
"Let's do it!" everyone in the car exclaimed.
We then picked up the rest of the gang in a time-saving montage set to "Back in Black" by AC/DC. Patty, Ricky, Curtis E. Owl and the Stage Mice were playing music in a New York subway station while Sharon Pig, Reginald Rabbit, and Otis Owl were watching, Sean Roach was working on his art, Kelly Vrooman and Kevin Yamada were both filming movies, Liz Filios was in a play in Philadelphia, Dennisha Pratt was writing books, Carla the Car was working for a carwash, Hush the Fish was a class pet goldfish, Lucy the Firefly was a nightwatcher, Kaitlin McKreckson served as security guard on the set of a music video, Mr. Mailman was still a mailman and worked for a post office, Coo the Cuckoo Bird was working for Google, and JB the Juicebox was still chasing our car. Everyone was back together!
"Wow! Everyone's here! Even those that weren't in the montage." Banjo pointed out.
"Why did you leave us out of the montage?" Brussel asked.
"Yeah, our story was pretty interesting." added Alfalfa.
Nina and I went to the Sprout Diner. "Hey, Brussel, Bean, Alfalfa, wanna get back together?" asked Nina.
"OK!" the Sprout Family replied, and joined us in the car.
"Well, I think that's just about everybody." Nina sighed. "We can put on a show now!"
"…but Nina…" I moaned.
"What?" Nina asked.
"Where…" I started.
"…is…" Mom continued.
"…Bean from The Super Sproutlet Show?" Muno asked.
"In Paris." Nina replied.
"In Paris?!" we were all surprised.
"This is gonna be a long drive." Mom sighed.
"How about we travel two oceans to get to Paris?" Patty suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea, Patty." Michele told the pig emcee. We all agreed.
Back at my high school, my algebra teacher Beth was conversing with my eighth grade English teacher Debra. "…Anna says they've gotten back together again." Beth told Debra.
"The Sprout gang got back together?" Debra laughed before bursting into song. "…Together again, gee, it's good to be…"
"STOP SINGING!" Beth yelled.
"A certain bespectacled autistic kids show-loving teenager must be behind this." Debra told Beth.
"Yep, it's her." Beth nodded. "Maddie!"
Once we got to Paris, France, we entered a high school where we heard Bean worked. The principal greeted us. "Hi, everyone. What are you here for?"
"We're here to see Bean." I told the principal.
"Where does she work?" asked Nina.
"She's the gym teacher." the principal explained, and led us to the school gymnasium. Nina, Star, Coo, Brussel, Chica and Banjo were stacked together and dressed as a tall man, entering the gymnasium. Bean was already teaching a class.
"Hello, Bean." "he" said, moving very wobbly.
"What do you want?" the blue-haired gym teacher asked. Chica waved nervously at Bean.
"Remember, left foot, right foot," Nina whispered from inside the coat.
Suddenly, Chica bumped into a lamp, causing the top to fall off.
Chica struggled to keep her balance as Star and Coo walked towards the desk. They finally stopped and Chica tried to look professional.
Banjo's arms swung in a full circle.
The man fell down, and everyone got out of the suit. Mom, Muno, and I walked in and helped them get out.
"Huh? You again?" Bean was surprised.
"Yup." I nodded. "Apple TV+ really needs to bring back Sprout. They're bringing back Yo Gabba Gabba!." I turned to Muno. "Right, Muni-Wuni?" I asked Muno in a cutesy voice.
"Right, and we got the Sprout gang back together. Razzle Dazzle!" Muno explained.
"And we need you to do the show. We really need you." Nina told Bean.
"No thanks." Bean told us. "I'm fine on my own." She then kicked us out, and we got back in the car.
"Bean doesn't wanna rejoin us." Banjo sighed.
"We need a replacement. Let's see, who's a great replacement?" Nina wondered.
Chica then got an idea. We went to Reno, and the squeaky chicken forcefully dragged Boon from The Sooper Sprootlet Shoo as a replacement for Bean, thinking she looked a lot like her.
"Hey, everyone. I have a great idea!" Nina told us.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I hope it's good." Star added.
"How about we hold a telethon to convince Apple TV+ to bring back Sprout?" the Latina woman suggested.
"No way! That's the same idea I came up with." I replied. "Why didn't I think of this sooner?"
"Instead of calling in because they like something, people can call in to pledge money and make a stop." Nina said.
"That's a great idea, Nina!" exclaimed Miles.
"Come on everyone, let's pitch our telethon and get Sprout back on TV!" Nina insisted.
ABC, NBC, and CBS all said no to our telethon idea. Once we got to EBN, the TV executive told us we were no longer famous. She showed us one of their most popular kids shows, Fun with Kakapo.
Another executive came in and told the executive that Fun with Kakapo was cancelled due to low ratings. He then ripped Fun with Kakapo off the schedule. "Good riddance! That's what I say." Nina exclaimed.
"But we need to host a telethon to get Apple TV+ to revive our shows." Nina told the executive.
"It was all my idea." I added. Everyone murmured in agreement.
"Well, let me look at the schedule", said the network executive, "We've got an empty hour-long time slot at 8PM tomorrow night. Maybe you can be on there."
"Really?!"
"Really, but…"
"…But what?" asked Michele.
"…but you need to have a celebrity host. No host, no telethon! I'll have to rerun two episodes of Dora the Explorer if I need to, and I hate that show."
It was settled. We would have a celebrity host for our telethon.
We then drove to the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, where we would hold our telethon. Once we walked inside, we noticed it all derelict.
"Man, this place looks old." I noticed.
"Yeah, looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a day!" Mom replied.
"Hey guys, I have an idea!" Nina told us.
"What is it, cuz?" questioned Michele.
"You always come up with the best ideas." Patty explained.
"We can clean up this theater to make it as good as it used to." suggested Nina. Everyone agreed, and we got to work cleaning the theater.
Miles started by sweeping with a broom. I walked up to him. "You're the Sprout Gang, you do this to music." I told the adventurous black man.
"Well, alright." Miles shrugged.
Dennisha turned on the radio, and everyone started singing along, with Miles at the center.
We built this city
We built this city on rock and roll
Built this city
We built this city on rock and roll
Patty started cleaning the curtains, but saw Ricky peeking through them, scaring her in the process.
Say you don't know me or recognize my face
Say you don't care who goes to that kind of place
Kaitlin McKreckson started by cleaning up the orchestra pit.
Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight
Too many runaways eating up the night
Chica walked up a flight of stairs all by herself.
"CHICA!" Kelly yelled as she caught the chicken and stopped her.
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Sean handed a small lamp shade to Mom and she put on one of the theatre lights.
Curtis and Otis had brought out their old vacuum bot to help them clean.
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Kevin hit one of the curtains with a broom to get the dust out.
Mom lifted a piece of wood while Kelly sat on the other end.
Someone's always playing corporation games
Who cares, they're always changing corporation names
Sharon and Reginald shone the lights on Kaitlin McKreckson, who was onstage.
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Brussel, Bean, and Alfalfa skated across the floor with scrubbing brushes on their feet as they cleaned the floor.
JB worked on fixing a hole that the chandelier left in the floor when it fell.
Reginald opened the old fridge and saw food that was old and rotten. And really stinky.
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Mom and Muno showcased the costumes they just made.
"Nice costumes, Margaret and Muno." Nina told my mother and the red cyclops.
It's just another Sunday in a tired old street
Police have got the choke hold, oh, then we just lost the beat
Mr. Mailman, Kevin, and Kelly put out a collection of Sprout memorabilia in the lobby - including a 2014 Sprout Channel Cubby, several plush dolls, the Sprout media kit, Sprout puzzles, DVDs, books, a journal, a coloring and activity book, apparel, water bottles, and even unfinished material like electronic toothbrushes and a Sunshine Barn toy kitchen.
Who counts the money underneath the bar?
Who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?
Don't tell us you need us 'cause we're the superfools
Looking for America, coming through your schools
Miles opened the broom closet and saw someone inside, "Coo?"
Coo the Cuckoo Bird was in the closet, dusting until she heard Miles. She smiled and walked up to him, "Miles! Great to see you! Where's everybody been?"
Miles' eyes widened.
Nina was calling celebrities, asking them to come to our telethon.
Don't you remember? (Remember)
Muno walked into one of the rooms, "Hey Maddie, I thought we were gonna clean the balcony."
But I wasn't listening because Banjo and I were cleaning the support beams, humming the Let's Go Show theme song.
"You're doing a great job, pal," Banjo complimented.
I smiled, "No, Banjo, you're doing a great job. These beams could use a good feather dusting."
Muno frowned.
Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember?
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Muno and Mom scrubbed the walls while I whistled along.
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built, we built this city, yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city
We built, we built this city yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city
We built, we built this city yeah (Built this city)
We built, we built this city (Built this city)
The theater was all clean as a whistle. "Well everyone, we've done it! Great job!" Nina exclaimed.
"Yeah! The Dominion Energy Center looks as good as new!" Star replied.
"Well, Mads, I gotta go to work now." Mom told me. "Mr. Bowles needs me."
"Luckily, I had my iPhone and iPad. "Can I text you?"
"Always. Be a good girl for us tonight, OK?" Mom asked.
"OK. Always!" I replied. We all waved goodbye to Mom as she left, leaving Muno and I with the Sprout gang.
"So … uhh … what should we do now?" Ricky wondered.
"Wait, where are Maddie and Star?" Sharon wondered. Muno pointed to the stage.
Star and I were on stage, wearing hats and dancing with canes.
"Do you know Fu-Fu from Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat?" Star asked.
"Yep." I nodded.
"His name means Lucky Bat in Chinese." Star told me.
"Wow! I didn't know that!" I exclaimed.
"That makes him a lucky bat, and we're both lucky. Right, Maddie?"
"Uh-huh."
Nina walked onto the stage. "Maddie, I just wanted to let you know none of this would've happened without you." the Latina woman told me.
"Thanks." I said back.
"OK, everyone, today turned out to be a very long day, so why don't you find a place to sleep?" Nina told everyone.
"Uhh, Nina, I couldn't hear you. What did you just say?" I questioned.
"Maddie, make yourself at home." exclaimed Nina. My jaw dropped.
It was nighttime in Richmond and everyone was asleep. Kaitlin McKreckson, Kelly, Kevin, Sean, Dennisha, and Liz were all sleeping in sleeping mats, JB was sleeping standing up in a juicebox station/closet, Ricky was sleeping in the rafters with Reginald, Sharon, Otis, and the Stage Mice, above a curtain rail system whose installation date read September 26th, 2005, while everyone else was sleeping in hammocks directly above the stage. They were all asleep, except Nina and I.
"Hey, Nina, ya up?" I asked the Latina woman.
"Yup." replied Nina. "Look how much we cleaned this place up."
"Yup. Same old team, all pulling together." I explained, clearly talking about the cast of people and characters sixteen years in the making - both puppet and human, all catching forty winks.
"For now let them sleep. It's astonishing what the body can endure when the mind allows itself to rest. For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own." Nina recited. "Stars sure are pretty. Huh, Maddie?"
"Yeah, Nina. What's the weather like tonight?" I asked.
"Why are you asking me that?" wondered Nina.
"There's a hole in the ceiling, and I don't want it to leak or rain." I explained, while hugging my stuffed fox, Foxy, and my white blanket, Baby Einstein.
"I just don't want it to rain through the hole in the ceiling." Nina sighed. "Are we gonna be okay? We haven't been anywhere in a long time."
"I hope so." I replied.
"I guess we'll get that taken care of in the morning." Nina added. "Hold on! There's something I've gotta do."
Nina looked at a goldfish in a fishbowl between her hammock and Star's. "Is it time to say goodnight to Hush the Fish?" I asked.
"Yep." Nina nodded. "If you know it, you can join me."
She started reciting the poem she's always said to Hush every night for ten years. "Hush, Hush, little fish, we are here to make a wish. We close our eyes and then we start to make a wish with all our heart."
"How about you say it using sign language?" I suggested.
Nina reprised the poem, this time signing the words to it as well.
"What will you wish for tonight, Maddie?"
"I wish that Apple TV+ would bring back Sprout." I commented. "That way, all the old fans would be happy."
"I wish I wouldn't have to go back to New York." Nina added. "And most importantly, I wish for all of you to have sweet dreams." She then started singing a song she's sung every night for ten years.
Hey, OK
We've had another fantastic day
But now it's time to say goodnight.
Cause we've got places to go, bubbles to blow
Stories to share and dreams to grow
So goodnight, goodnight, goodnight.
"Buenas noches, Maddie. That means goodnight in Spanish." Nina told me as she finished signing.
"Night, Nina." I said back, and we both fell fast asleep.
The next morning, the sun was shining in Richmond and on the Dominion Energy Center. Nina was ringing a triangle bell. "Wake up everyone!"
We were all pretty tired.
"Do you know what today is?" the Latina woman asked us.
"Saturday?!" a sleepy Banjo asked.
"That's right, Banjo, but do you know what else?" asked Muno.
"Telethon?" I asked sleepily.
"That's right, Maddie, we're going to have a telethon. EBN agreed to broadcast it this evening and we're gonna have a celebrity host." Nina explained. "Isn't that exciting?"
"Yeah." we all replied sleepily, still pretty groggy.
Just then, a certain girl with blue hair arrived. It was Bean. "Hi, Nina, hi everyone! Did I miss anything?"
"You bet your bottom dollar you did, Bean." Nina told Bean. "We were cleaning up the Dominion Energy Center to make it as good as back in the old days. Isn't that right, everyone?"
"Yeah." we all nodded.
"OK, everyone. EBN told us that if we want a telethon, we need to have a celebrity host." Muno told us. "Get dressed and let's get going!" We were all still in our pajamas.
"She's here!" Boon gasped, noticing her doppelgänger. "That's it! I quit!"
Chica wondered where Boon was going. "Oh, I'm just going back to Reno. The Sproot team needs me." Boon angrily stomped off. "And now that Bean's here, you guys no longer need me."
"Fine." Nina, Muno, and I sighed.
"Mission accomplished! Over and Sprout!" Bean exclaimed.
Patty and I noticed someone was missing. It was Ricky Rabbit, who was still asleep.
"Ricky, wake up!" I yelled at the rabbit showman.
"Ricky, stop sleeping in the rafters!" added Patty.
"As I was saying, get dressed and let's get going." explained Muno.
Meanwhile, Mom was at a diner in Richmond. The waitress greeted her. "Hey, how's everybody doing? Hi, Margaret. Where's Maddie? She's with you all the time."
"She's with the Sprout gang. I helped her get them back together, and now they're putting on a telethon to bring back their shows." Mom told the waitress.
"The Sprout characters back together?" joked the waitress. "They inspired me to go after my dream to host children's shows."
"Did you make it?" Mom asked.
"I'm still working on it." the waitress replied. "I even do one of their songs, Me Party."
Mom laughed. "That old thing? Blow the dust off that one."
"Come on, sing it!" said the diner chef.
Mom:
I look around
And once again I'm on my own
My girl ain't here
She's gone and done me wrong
No one's gonna stop this girl from having fun
I throw my hands up high and have a party for one
I'm having a me party
A party by myself
A me party
I don't need nobody else
I'm having a me party
I'm the first and last to show
There's no one at this party that I don't already know
Meanwhile, Bean was in her dressing room, staring at a picture of Sportacus.
Bean:
I'm not gonna sit around
By myself and wait for you
Haven't you heard, "one is the new two"
I'm gonna make a scene
I'm gonna make a fuss
Tonight I'm gonna celebrate for just the one of us
I'm having a me party
I don't need no invitation
A me party
I just love the conversation
Me party
But no one else there too
You do the math, Sportacus.
It means I'm not with you
Mom:
I won't lie, there are times when I wish I was with you
There are days when all this girl can see is a world that's made for two
Bean:
At times like this I feel all alone and it's like nobody cares
But I only have to call my name and darling I'll be there
I'm having a me party
Haven't I seen you here before?
Mom:
A me party
I'm the last one on the dance floor
Bean:
Me party
A party just for one
Me party
It's a solo Mardi Gras
Mom:
Me party
I'm such great company
A me party
I'll save the last dance for me
What happens at a me party
Stays at a me party
"Order up!" the chef said.
"So, how do you like your eggs?" asked the waitress.
"Pretty good." Mom replied, and dug in.
Meanwhile, the Sprout gang and I were in the Dominion Energy Center.
"Sorry, Maddie. Your mom called me. I gotta go to your grandma's house." explained Muno.
"Why?" I asked.
"I don't know why." the red cyclops replied.
"OK. Fine." I added. "Bye, Muno!"
"Bye, Mads!" Muno waved as he left the building, leaving me with the Sprout gang.
"Nina said the EBN guy said we need a celebrity host for our telethon." Bean explained.
"Yeah, and I called a lot of celebrities last night asking if they wanna come." commented Nina.
Chica pointed to several pictures on the wall. "Chica says we've met many celebrities over the years - Rob Riggle and Lisa Edelstein, they were both great, and we also met Alyssa Milano and Jenny Slate and…" Miles said. Banjo and Patty shut his mouth.
"Chica's having so much fun already, she doesn't wanna go back to Reno." said Kelly.
"Come on you guys, let's go find a celebrity now!" I told the black man.
We were all around Richmond, looking for celebrity hosts. We were at a restaurant where we knew we were bound to find celebrities.
"Hey look, there's Gigi Hadid." Patty exclaimed, but accidentally spilled a drink on Hadid's dress.
"My dress!" Gigi Hadid wailed.
"Sorry, pretty lady." Patty told Hadid.
"Do you wanna host our celebrity telethon later on tonight?" asked Banjo.
"Eww, no!" Gigi Hadid exclaimed.
Nina and Star found Jon Heder. "Hey, Jon, do you wanna host the telethon?" Star asked.
"No way!" Jon Heder exclaimed.
"Oh." Nina and Star replied as they walked away.
Miles and Banjo found another celebrity - Elmo from Sesame Street. "Hey, Elmo. We've known you for years! Wanna host our celebrity telethon tonight?" Banjo asked Elmo.
"Elmo'd love to, Banjo, but he cannot due to legal reasons."
"Aw."
Chica and I came across Lady Gaga. "Do you wanna host the telethon?" I asked.
"I'd love to, but they won't let me be on anything with you." Lady Gaga told me and the chicken.
Curtis E. Owl dragged Otis, Dennisha, Liz, Michele, and Milton to a park. "Why are we at the park, Curtis?" asked Dennisha.
"There's bound to be celebrities here." the beatnik owl told the crowd. "What celebrity can resist a park?" Everyone groaned, as Curtis came across a non-anthropomorphic rabbit. "Hey, you there, weren't you in Watership Down?"
Coo, Mr. Mailman, Lucy, Carla the Car, Sharon, and Reginald came across Jimmy Fallon. "Hey, you're a celebrity." Coo pointed out.
"Yeah. Wanna host our telethon?" asked Reginald.
"I have to host the Save SNL telethon." Jimmy Fallon explained.
The two Beans, Brussel, and Alfalfa came across Betty White.
"Do you wanna host the telethon?" Bean from the Super Sproutlet Show asked.
"No thanks." Betty White told them.
Back at Dominion Energy Center, we were all moping around about not finding a celebrity.
"No one wants to host our telethon." I pointed out.
"Yeah. They had to do more important jobs like babysitting." Sean explained.
Suddenly, Bean and Patty ran by with two celebrities they had just found.
"Hey guys, I found a celebrity." Bean said, pointing to Ariana Grande.
"Me too. The Weeknd's hosting!" Patty exclaimed, pointing to The Weeknd.
"Sorry, Ariana. Better luck next time." Bean told her celebrity.
"Man! I never get to host these telethons!" Ariana Grande sighed, walking away.
A while later, Patty the Pig kidnapped The Weeknd, hit him, and threw a pie in his face. "OK everyone, and go!"
"Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!" Star, Banjo, Coo, and Chica were dressed as a barbershop quartet.
"2, 3, 4…" Patty said.
Banjo:
Come down to town, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
Star:
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word
Hello
Banjo:
Hello
Coo:
Hello,
Chica squeaked.
Star:
Hello
Banjo:
Hello
Coo:
Hello,
Chica squeaked again.
Star:
Hello
Banjo:
Hello
Coo:
Hello,
Chica squeaked again.
Hello, Hello, Hello
Star:
With the lights out,
Chica:
(squeaking)
Coo:
Here we are now
Chica:
(squeaking)
Banjo:
I feel stupid
Chica:
(squeaking)
Star:
Here we are now
Chica:
(squeaking)
Coo:
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
"Is this Nirvana? You're ruining one of the greatest songs of all time." The Weeknd explained.)
"Then it's settled! We got a celebrity host!" Nina told us.
"The Weekend has graciously agreed to host the telethon." replied Bean.
We were all preparing for the telethon. Miles and Banjo were practicing their musical number, their first one in years.
Banjo started singing. "Baby, you light up my world like nobo…"
Suddenly, the pink dog's voice became labored. This confused us. "Sean! Sing it!" Michele instructed Sean Roach, who had to sing her lines.
The Stage Mice handed Banjo a glass of water, but then she regained consciousness and collapsed.
"-What the?" I frowned.
"We gotta do something!" Star wailed.
Milton and Miles began to drag Banjo offstage.
Nina walked over to me. I was fixing one of the curtains.
"Hey, Maddie?"
"Yes, Nina?"
"Wanna help us? Maybe be in the show?"
I sighed, "Nina, you know, you've been so nice to me, but I have to face the facts. See, the Sprout Gang is so talented- -"
"Hey guys, check it out! Chica shoes!," Patty was wearing very squeaky shoes that squeaked like Chica everytime you walked in them, "Patent pending!"
Nina and I rolled our eyes.
"Uhh…Patty…" I stuttered.
"Sprout has always been about artistic integrity, not cheap jokes." Nina complained.
In my grandparents' house in Williamsburg, everyone - Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Jim and Aunt Sandy, Danny, Mackenzie, and their children Eli and Nora, Emily, Romin, and their daughter Bailey, Aunt Carol, Uncle James, Hannah, and Rachel, Aunt Paula and Nick, Abbie and Ella, Dad, Mom, and even Muno, sat down in the living room to watch EBN. "And coming up next on EBN is the Sprout telethon. The Sprout gang holds a star-studded gala with special guest star The Weeknd!" the announcer said.
"Why are we watching it?" asked Grandma.
"Maddie and I got them back together for the show." explained Mom.
"Yup, and she was the one who had the idea for the telethon thing." added Muno.
"Wait. Maddie … on TV?!" Aunt Paula asked. Mom and Muno nodded.
"For real." Muno told her.
"…Or we hope she is." Mom replied. "We don't know if she'll be on."
"Has she been on TV before?" wondered Danny.
"I have." Ella replied. "My fourth grade class was on TV before."
"Whoa!" the Fretz Family was surprised.
It was 6:57, and almost showtime. Michele and Milton went over each act for the telethon. "OK, almost time for the opening number." Milton explained, before turning to Nina. "Nina, you come out and introduce Patty."
The EBN executive and Nina were having a chat. "Nina, listen. I'm glad that you managed to bring back your sweet egg-laying, cardboard car-driving, amateur troupe-hosting, star-shaped pillow on a crescent moon couch, Ann Curry, Brian Williams, Giuliana Rancic and Mario Lopez-hosting, letter and number-teaching, craft-making, birthday wishing, singing and dancing kids' stuff, but the show is a disaster. Look!"
The executive pointed to the seats. There was no audience! "Further proof that you guys aren't famous anymore." the executive told Nina.
"What about Snug and TJ?" asked Star.
"Who?" Nina wondered.
Star pointed to Snug the Dog and his human friend TJ. "Why does everyone keep forgetting about Sprout House?"
Miles and Banjo arrived. "Well, we've been around Richmond hanging up posters and flyers." Banjo explained.
"Good." Nina replied, before turning to the executive. "Don't worry. We'll think of something."
The executive grabbed Nina, looked her in the eye, dropped her and walked off.
"Hey, everyone! We're the audience!" Snug waved.
Ricky Rabbit went into The Weeknd's dressing room. "Abel Makonnen Tesfaye, almost showtime!"
The Weeknd was tied to a chair, and saw Brussel, Bean, and Alfalfa.
"What's up with me?" frowned The Weeknd.
"Well, see you later." Ricky sighed and stomped off.
"Stop it NOW!"
"Nice dentures, Abel!" Bean told The Weeknd.
Snug and TJ sat in the audience, waiting for someone to notice them.
Suddenly, it was showtime. We were ready for stardom.
"Ladies and gentlemen," exclaimed the announcer. "Please welcome your host: Nina from The Good Night Show!"
Nina walked onstage.
"Hi, Sproutlets. Welcome to the Sprout telethon. We have a few hours to convince Apple TV+ to bring back Sprout. Here we have our telephone celebrities…" the Latina woman pointed to several characters and celebrities getting to their desks.
"…Anyways, and our special guest star The Weeknd."
The Weeknd was still tied to a chair, and struggled to get out.
"…and now here's tonight's first act." continued Nina.
"…Dennisha will eat a jelly donut with ketchup on it and Sean will wash it down with a mayonnaise shake."
The Fretzs were still watching the telethon. "Who would eat a mayo shake without raw eggs?" Uncle Jim yelled at the TV.
"Now remember. Everyone's welcome in the audience." Nina told the viewers.
"There's no one in the audience." Nick pointed out.
"Maddie needs us." explained Mom. Muno disagreed.
"But Margaret, I wanna stay here and watch the telethon. It's getting exciting." the red cyclops told my mother. They continued to watch with everyone else.
"What will Maddie even do?" Rachel asked Hannah. Hannah shrugged.
"I don't know if she's even gonna be on here." Hannah explained.
"…This is getting kinda exciting!" exclaimed Ella. Everyone agreed.
"Can you introduce the next act, Michele?" Nina asked her cousin. Michele agreed, and walked onstage.
"And now here's Cousin Nina and Star with 'Every Breath You Take.'" Michele introduced.
Nina:
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
Star:
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you
Nina:
Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
Star:
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take?
Nina:
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Star:
Since you've gone, I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
Nina:
I look around, but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
Nina and Star:
I keep crying baby, baby please
Nina:
Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
Star:
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take?
Nina:
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Every move you make
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
The Weeknd had a bowling ball on his head. "Now it'll never get off!"
Snug and TJ laughed.
Nina and Star:
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
(Every step you take) I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say) Whoo, hoo
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
"STOP SINGING!" yelled The Weekend.
Nina and Star:
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you…
The Parsons family - Grandma and Grandad, Aunt Cynthia, Uncle Dave, Sarah, and Anna, Uncle Robert and Andrew, Uncle Dan, Aunt Karen, Ben, and Emma, Aunt Mary and Caroline, were watching the telethon from my grandparents' house, and applauded.
"Is that The Police? I love the Police!" Ben exclaimed.
"Call em, Mom!" Aunt Mary told Grandma.
Sharon answered the phone. "Hello. Welcome to the Sprout telethon. Sharon Pig speaking."
"Hello." Grandma said. "I would like to pledge $30 dollars."
"OK. $30 dollars." Sharon commented before turning to the board. "We have made $30 dollars."
The tote board's number started going up.
And not only that, but the audience started to arrive. Star and Chica looked at the audience through the curtains.
"Hey look! There's Stacia Newcomb, Forrest Harding, Edward Pokropski, Jenn Santee, Shannon Reitz, Steven Binnig, Scott McClennen, Kimberly Diaz, Jackie Payton, Matt Fornwald, Brendan Gawel, Ali Eisner, Catherine Missal, Julianne Buescher, Andrew Beecham, Sandy Wax, Betsy Oliphant-Ross, Diana Kerekes, Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mike and Evelyn Pantuso, Tim Burns, Bernice Vanderlaan, Laura Kelly, Zach Maupin, Jesse Olanday, Jennifer Molod, Jenni Glenn, Danielle Burrows, Jeannie Stith, Marc Cantone, and Eric Hillegass." Star pointed out.
"And there's my sister Peggy!" Patty pointed to a female pig in the audience.
"And now it's time for Miles and Banjo to sing 'What Makes You Beautiful'!" Nina introduced the next act and walked offstage.
Banjo:
You're insecure, don't know what for
You're turning heads when you walk through the do-o-or
Miles:
Don't need make-up to cover up
Being the way that you are is enou-ou-ough
Banjo:
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else, but you, ooh
Miles and Banjo:
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground, it ain't hard to tell
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful
If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm lookin' at you, and I can't believe
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh
That's what makes you beautiful
Banjo:
So c-come on, you got it wrong
To prove I'm right, I put it in a song
Miles:
I don't know why you're being shy
And turn away when I look into your eye-eye-eyes
Banjo:
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else, but you, ooh
Miles and Banjo:
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground, it ain't hard to tell
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful
"I can't believe kids fall for this junk." The Weeknd frowned.
Nina watched from the audience.
The EBN executive was unsure.
If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm lookin' at you, and I can't believe
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh
That's what makes you beautiful
The audience enjoyed the song. The EBN executive frowned.
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na, na, na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na, na, na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
The EBN executive facepalmed as she watched from backstage.
"Finally! It's over!" The Weeknd sighed.
Miles:
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground, it ain't hard to tell
(You don't know, oh-oh)
You don't know you're beautiful
Miles and Banjo:
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground, it ain't hard to tell
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful
"Make it stop!" groaned The Weeknd.
If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm lookin' at you, and I can't believe
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh
That's what makes you beautiful
I had changed into a beautiful orange dress with a necklace, gloves, and fancy shoes.
I paced around and chewed on random objects, wondering what I was going to do.
Miles opened the door. "Maddie, almost time for your big act." the black man told me.
"No." I replied.
Nina saw three celebrities who had just arrived. "Tyler Perry, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keke Palmer, welcome to our telethon!"
"We heard you wanted to bring back your shows." explained Tyler Perry.
"And I knew I just had to come." added Jake Gyllenhaal.
"Weren't you on The Good Night Show?" asked Keke Palmer.
"Yep. There's something I wanna show you. It might help." Nina told the celebrities as she led them to the telephones.
"Millions of people are gonna watch you, and you're gonna become one of us." Miles explained as he dragged me onstage.
I watched the show nervously from backstage.
"And now here's the newest member of the team, the one, the only…Madeline Fretz!" Nina introduced. "…but you can call her Maddie."
The audience cheered.
I took a deep breath, but then screamed and ran away.
Banjo, Ricky, and Otis looked at me wide-eyed.
"That doesn't look good!" Otis exclaimed.
"Where's Maddie? Anyways, Sproutlets, now here's Chica and the Sunny Side Up Show hosts with 'Shake It Off'!" Nina introduced. The curtains opened to reveal Chica the Chicken, Kelly Vrooman, Kevin Yamada, Sean Roach, Dennisha Pratt, and Liz Filios. Kaitlin McKreckson served as their security guard.
Dennisha:
I stay out too late
Got nothing in my brain
That's what people say, mm, mm
That's what people say, mm, mm
Kelly:
I go on too many dates
But I can't make 'em stay
At least that's what people say, mm, mm
That's what people say, mm, mm
Kevin:
But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop moving
Sean:
It's like I got this music in my mind
Saying it's gonna be alright
All:
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Liz:
I never miss a beat
I'm lightning on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mm, mm
That's what they don't see, mm, mm
Kevin:
I'm dancing on my own (Dancing on my own)
I make the moves up as I go (Moves up as I go)
And that's what they don't know, mm, mm
That's what they don't know, mm, mm
Dennisha:
But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop grooving
Kelly:
It's like I got this music in my mind
Saying it's gonna be alright
All:
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Hey, hey, hey
Dennisha:
Just think while you've been gettin' down and out about the liars
And the dirty, dirty cheats of the world
You could've been gettin' down
To this sick beat
Liz and Kelly:
My ex man brought his new girlfriend
She's like, "Oh my God!"
I'm just gonna shake
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Sean and Kevin:
Won't you come on over baby?
We can shake, shake, shake (Yeah)
Yeah, oh
All:
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (Haters gonna hate)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake (And fake, and fake, and fake)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo)
Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (You got to)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
The audience applauded. The tote board reached three million dollars.
"And that was Chica the Chicken, Kevin Yamada, Kelly Vrooman, Sean Roach, Dennisha Pratt, and Liz Filios with 'Shake If Off'!" exclaimed Nina.
Backstage, I was still trying to decide what my talent was. Was it playing piano? I started playing a few bars to "There's Nothing Better Than Being All Together" from Preschool Musical on a Stick and sang along.
"You guys are up next." Nina told the Sprout House Band as she walked back onstage.
"And now here's Patty the Pig, Ricky Rabbit, and Curtis E. Owl, otherwise known as the Sprout House Band, with 'Forget You'!" Nina introduced.
I see you drivin' 'round town with the guy I love
And I'm like, "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough
I'm like, "Forget you and forget him too!"
I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shh—?
[Ain't that some shh—?]
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
Patty:
Yeah I'm sorry I can't afford a Ferrari
But that don't mean I can't get you there
I guess she's an Xbox and I'm more an Atari
Mmm, but the way you play your game ain't fair
I pity the fool that falls in love with you
[Oops, shh, she's a gold digger]
Well
[Just thought you should know it]
Ooooh, I've got some news for you
Yeah, go, run and tell your little girlfriend
I see you drivin' 'round town with the guy I love
And I'm like, "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough
I'm like, "Forget you and forget him too!"
I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Now ain't that some shh—?
[Ain't that some shh—?]
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
Now I know that I had to borrow
Beg and steal and lie and cheat
Tryin' to keep ya, tryin' to please ya
'Cause bein' in love with your face ain't cheap
Now, I pity the fool that falls in love with you
[Oops, shh, she's a gold digger]
Well
[Just thought you should know it]
Ooooh, I've got some news for you
Ooh, I really hate you right now
I see you drivin' 'round town with the guy I love
And I'm like, "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough
I'm like, "Forget you and forget him too!"
I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Huh, now ain't that some shh—?
[Ain't that some shh—?]
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
Now baby, baby, baby, why d'you wanna, wanna hurt me so bad?
[So bad, so bad, so bad]
I tried to tell my mama but she told me, "This is one for your dad"
[Your dad, your dad, your dad]
Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy baby?
Oh! I love you, I still love you! Ohhh!
I see you drivin' 'round town with the guy I love
And I'm like, "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough
I'm like, "Forget you and forget him too!"
I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya
Now ain't that some shh—?
[Ain't that some shh—?]
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a "Forget you!"
[Oo, oo, ooo!]
The song ended and the curtain went down. "And those were Patty, Ricky, and Curtis E. Owl!" Nina walked onstage.
The tote board was at four and a half million dollars.
Meanwhile, there were even more celebrity phone operators.
"Oh great. I got turned down as host, now I'm a phone operator." Ariana Grande told herself.
After minutes of thinking, I had finally decided on my act for the telethon. I whispered something to Miles, who whispered it to Nina, who introduced the next act.
"And now here's our newest addition Maddie Fretz, and she's drawing the Sprout logo!" introduced Nina.
"Hi, Sproutlets, and Grown-Up Sprouts too. Today I'm going to draw the Sprout logo and color it in." I told the audience. "Watch!"
I drew the Sprout logo, colored it in with my blue and green colored pencils, while whistling the Sprout jingle in the process, and showed it to the audience. Everyone was impressed.
"Yep, it's Sprouterrific, people!" I told the audience.
Back at my grandparents' house in Williamsburg, everyone was watching the telethon and noticed me.
"There she is! It's her!" Dad pointed at me on TV.
"See? I knew she'd be on there!" Aunt Paula admitted.
Meanwhile, at my other grandparents' house, everyone there was watching.
"Wait … is that Maddie?" questioned Uncle Dave, not paying attention to the television screen.
"Yep! I see her on TV." replied Aunt Mary.
"Say it ain't so." replied Uncle Dave.
Backstage, I showed Muno and Mom my drawing. "Nice drawing, Maddie!" complimented Muno.
"Yeah! Out of all the drawers in the world, you're the best." Mom told me.
Nina walked over to Muno and Mom. "Margaret, Muno, how did you get here so fast?"
"We traveled by map. It's faster." explained Muno.
"I just wanted to see my daughter get her chance to shine." added Mom.
"Miles, Banjo, could you please take over hosting duties?" Nina asked the black man and pink dog.
"I don't wanna." Banjo groaned.
"I know you don't want to, Banjo," replied Nina, "but it's something you just have to do."
"OK." Banjo said as she and Miles walked onstage.
"What's the next act, Nina?" Miles asked Nina.
"Otis Owl." Nina explained. Miles whispered to Banjo.
"And now here's Otis Owl and the Sprout House Band." Banjo introduced.
The curtains opened, and revealed Patty, Ricky, and Curtis in hula skirts.
"Aloha, Sproutlets! Who here likes to hula, hula?" Patty told the audience.
"Me!" Curtis and Ricky replied.
"You just move your arms, and you move your hips." explained Patty. "…And it looks a little something just like this!"
The Sprout House Band started dancing to "Aloha Oe." The audience laughed.
"A hula is a dance from Hawaii." Reginald told the audience. "And it uses your hands and your body to tell a story."
"This is getting too saccharine." groaned The Weeknd, who was watching from backstage.
"Oh wait!" Patty stopped the music. "We're missing something!"
"What?" asked The Weeknd.
"We're missing a Hawaiian instrument like a ukelele."
"No problem." replied Curtis, and he then whistled to his brother, Otis.
"Did somebody order a ukelele?" questioned Otis. Everyone laughed.
"Hit it, Otis!" Patty told Curtis' younger brother.
Otis played the ukelele while everyone danced. The audience both laughed and applauded.
"These guys again? I thought they also did the last act." the EBN executive complained.
"What's the next act, Banjo?" Nina asked.
"Maddie and Bean are gonna do a duet." explained Banjo.
"Speaking of Bean, where is she?" questioned Nina.
"I dunno." shrugged Banjo.
Nina told Muno about my act, and the two found me in my dressing room.
"Maddie, you're gonna do a duet with Bean next." Muno told me.
I was confused. There were two Beans in the Sprout gang. "Bean from Sprout Diner or Bean from The Super Sproutlet Show?" I asked.
"Super Sproutlet Show." the red cyclops replied.
Together, us three - Nina, Muno, and I, searched Bean's dressing room first. There, we found Bean and Kaitlin McKreckson practicing their dance routine to George Michael's hit "Faith."
"Bean!" Nina called. Bean didn't listen.
Nina whistled to the blue haired girl. "It's time for your song with Maddie." I waved at Bean.
"Huh?" wondered Bean.
"If we don't raise money, we'll never see each other again."
"It was all my idea." I added.
"Come on!" I told Bean. Miles and Banjo went onstage and introduced the act.
"And now here's Maddie again and Bean from The Super Sproutlet Show with an oldie but goodie." Banjo introduced.
"All you classic musical movie fans out there sing along!" added Miles.
The curtains went up, revealing myself sitting on a log and playing a banjo. I started singing.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows?
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
Well, we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Bean entered the stage on a rowboat.
Bean:
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered,
When wished on a morning star.
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it.
And look what it's done so far.
Bean and I:
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do you think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic.
Everyone joined in, with Ricky on keyboard, Curtis on bass, and the Stage Mice on drums.
All:
Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?
I heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
Me:
I heard it too many times to ignore it,
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Everyone in the audience and those taking calls were all teary-eyed.
All:
Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
"Well, that was a beautiful song." The Weeknd commented.
Just then, a loud buzzer went off.
"Well, have we reached our goal?" asked Star.
"No," Mom told him. "We're a penny short!"
"A penny short?!" Nina, Bean, Muno, and I asked.
Nina went back onstage. "Well, thank you for watching. We unfortunately didn't make it."
Everyone was backstage.
"I can't believe we were off by a penny." Coo complained.
"I can't believe it either!" JB replied.
"We were so close!" added Brussel.
I got up and gave a speech. "Listen, Apple TV+ may not bring you guys back, but we tried, we failed, we worked together, and when I've got a whole bunch of friends, isn't it all that really matters?"
"That was beautiful, Maddie." Nina replied.
"I'm sure we'll come back someday in one form or another." Liz said.
"Yeah, Liz, like on Universal Kids, Peacock, or even Apple TV+." I agreed.
"Children's TV nowadays is nothing like Children's TV back then." Sean said.
"You're probably right, Sean." I replied. "But we're all working together to make things great again!"
"We made 8 thousand hundred and 99 dollars and 99 cents." JB pointed at the tote board.
"That's a lot of cash!" noticed Star.
"Well, we gotta congratulate the people at Apple TV+ and NBCUniversal." Mom told everyone as she, Muno, and I left the Dominion Energy Center. Everyone else followed.
As we were walking, running, skipping, and jumping through the streets of downtown Richmond, Chica noticed a penny, and picked it up.
"Chica, it's too late." Michele told the chicken.
"I'm not crying, I've had the time of my life!" Banjo exclaimed. "It's great to have the old gang back together!" We all laughed.
We then approached NBCUniversal president Jeff Shell, Universal Kids president Frances Berwick, and Morgan Wandell, the head of Apple TV+.
"That was a great telethon of yours. I nearly cried when you and Bean sang that song from The Muppet Movie." said Jeff Shell.
"We're glad you liked it." Nina told him.
"You over there, are you Madeline Fretz?" asked Frances Berwick.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Well, there's something I want to tell you." explained Morgan Wandell.
"OK."
"Since we know how much you want Sprout back and you especially want Apple TV+ to bring it back, Apple TV+ is bringing back Sprout, for both new content and classic content." Wandell explained.
"REALLY?!" everyone asked.
"Really." Wandell told us.
"I think they deserve a superhero pose." Bean commented.
"Superhero pose!" we all exclaimed.
Suddenly, a herd of screaming fans came running by, defeating Shell, Berwick, and Wandell in the process.
"This is not over, Sprout gang!" yelled Berwick.
"You're coming back!" yelled Shell.
We were so amazed and surprised. All our fans were back!
"Well folks, here's the good news," I told our fans. "Morgan Wandell said Apple TV+ is bringing Sprout back for new, original content plus old content."
"Just like my show, Yo Gabba Gabba!" replied Muno. I nodded.
We saw the fans holding up signs. "This is amazing! They love us! They actually truly love us!" Star exclaimed.
"Hey, let's sing!" suggested Milton.
Nina:
Everything is great.
Star:
Everything is grand
Me:
We got the whole wide world at the palm of our hands.
Muno:
Everything is perfect,
Mom:
It's falling into place.
Miles and Banjo:
I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face.
Tim Kubart, Kaitlin Becker, Emily Borromeo, Carly Ciarrocchi, and Kaitlin McKreckson:
Life's a happy song,
Melanie Martinez and Leo:
When there's someone by your side
Squally, Cowbella, Apollo, and Sweetpea Sue:
To sing along.
Kelly:
Everything is great, we'll live happily ever after!
M'Goats was about to speak, but was interrupted by Meeka.
Meeka:
And we'll keep giving the world the third greatest gift, laughter!
Michele:
Our adventure's almost over, it's time to say so long
Milton:
I think a similar story had this exact song!
Apollo, Radar, Sputnik, Halley, and Sal:
Life's a happy song,
Stitches, Bunji, Jett, and Mr. and Mrs. C:
When there's someone by your side
Ruff-Ruff, Tweet, Dave, and Hatty:
To sing along.
Miles:
We've got everything that we need.
Banjo:
We can be whatever we wanna be.
Nina and Star:
Nothing we can't do.
Me:
The skies are blue when it's me and you and you and you and you and you and… well, all of you!
All:
We've got everything that we need,
We can be whatever we wanna be!
Nothing we can't do,
The skies are blue when it's me and you and you and you
Life's a happy song,
Noodle McNoodle:
When there's someone by your side to sing
All:
Life's a happy song,
Chica:
(squeaking)
All:
Life's a happy song when there's someone by your side to sing aloooooooooong…
I whistled, properly ending the song.
"STOP SINGING!" a girl shouted, "life's not a happy song!"
"What did you just say?" Star wondered.
"What's wrong?" asked Dennisha.
"I really want this streaming service to revive my favorite kids show, and now we have to reunite its cast for one last show to do so." explained the girl.
"Here we go again!" everyone exclaimed.
"Thanks for everything, Nina." I told the Latina woman.
"No, Maddie. Thank YOU for everything!" Nina replied.
"Yeah, without you, people would forget about Sprout." added Kevin.
"And Sprout would fade into obscurity, never to be seen again." added Sharon.
"You're one of us now!" Nina told me.
"Welcome aboard, kid!" Liz exclaimed.
"Maddie, you ready?" asked Mom, who started the car up.
"I am!" I replied as I got in the car, but not before saying goodbye to everyone.
I went home and drifted off to a peaceful sleep, knowing that Apple TV+ would revive Sprout and I was now part of the Sprout team.
THE END