Sony Wonder ("Only from Sony Wonder" Bumper)

Background

This bumper was used at the end of VHS releases of Sesame Street starting in 1997, likely as a disclaimer.

1st Logo (July 8, 1997-February 3, 1998, January 12, 1999-September 12, 2000, January 14, 2003)

Visuals: We see the last part of the second Sony Wonder logo flip in and out a la the second Family Home Entertainment logo, then we see a blue screen which flips in and out that says "Wherever children's videos, CDs, cassettes, and book-and-tape sets are sold".

Technique: Simple computer effects.

Variant: The last tape to use this, Elmo’s World: Head To Toe With Elmo, merely cuts to black after the announcer says “Only from Sony Wonder.” On said tape, if you look closely at the very beginning of the bumper, you can see the tail-end of the preview for Kids' Favorite Songs fading out.

Audio: An upbeat jazz theme with a rather loud and dramatic finish, accompanied by a male announcer saying "Only from Sony Wonder, wherever children's videos, CDs, cassettes, and book and tape sets are sold." This theme was actually the last seconds of the reprise of the song "Count with Me" at the end of 123 Count With Me. When this bumper was brought back in 1999, it used the 1969 harmonica version of the Sesame Street theme and a different, jollier-sounding male voiceover.

Availability: The original version was seen at the end of most Sesame Street VHS releases from 1997 to 1998, with 123 Count With Me coincidentally being the first to use this, and made a surprise appearance at the end of Elmo's World: Dancing, Music and Books. The later version was seen on releases from 1999 to 2000.

Legacy: This has been a source of some troubling memories for young children, mainly because this appeared at the end of tapes alongside music that was considered dramatic and loud.

2nd Logo (April 14-September 1, 1998, January 9, 2001-September 24, 2002)

Visuals: Just like the previous bumper, we see the last part of the second Sony Wonder logo, but this time, on the "WHEREVER CHILDREN'S VIDEOS, CDS, CASSETTES, AND BOOK-AND-TAPE SETS ARE SOLD" screen, the letters are in white and all capitals, and the screen constantly changes colors and spins.

Variant: A version of the bumper that includes the Sony Wonder logo only, omitting the "WHEREVER CHILDREN'S VIDEOS, CDS, CASSETTES, AND BOOK-AND-TAPE SETS ARE SOLD" screen, complete with the music, exists.

Technique: Footage from the Sony Wonder logo from the time, simple computer effects.

Audio: Same as the 1997 version of the previous bumper.

Availability: Seen at the end of Elmopalooza, The Alphabet Jungle Game, The Great Numbers Game, The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street, and the 1998 VHS reprints of Elmo Saves Christmas and Elmo Says Boo!. This version later returned in 2001, starting with Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and The Wolf and ending with Elmo's World: Happy Holidays!.

Legacy: Same as the previous bumper.