If you had asked me an hour ago what Teeny Little Super Guy was, I probably would’ve shrugged. But then I stumbled across that familiar old intro—the plastic cup dancing across the kitchen counter, the scratchy, soulful theme song—and suddenly, it all came flooding back. That tiny guy with the striped shirt and hat, living inside a cup, somehow made a big impression.
Teeny Little Super Guy was a series of stop-motion animated shorts created by Paul Fierlinger for Sesame Street in the early 1980s. The first segment aired in 1982, and while only eight episodes were ever produced (as well a spot for Nickelodeon), they became a beloved part of the show’s golden era. Each short was filmed in a real kitchen, using everyday household objects as the setting, which gave it a cozy, handmade charm. The Super Guy himself was animated on a clear plastic cup and voiced by Jim Thurman, whose gravelly narration gave the character his quirky, lived-in personality.
The segments tackled simple life lessons—sharing, problem-solving, confidence—all told from the perspective of a pint-sized hero navigating a world of towering cereal boxes and giant spoons. For many kids growing up in the ’80s and early ’90s, these shorts were pure magic.
Below, we’ve collected all the episodes we could find. If you remember the Teeny Little Super Guy, prepare for a wave of nostalgic joy. And if you’ve never met him before—well, you’re in for something special.
1. Baseball
First aired: February 17, 1984
2. The Red Hat
First aired: March 22, 1984
3. School
First aired: November 19, 1984
4. Swing of Cooperation
First aired: November 20, 1984
5. Danger
First aired: November 26, 1984
6. Practice Riding Eggbeaters
First aired: November 27, 1984
7. Pet Spoon
First aired: December 17, 1984
8. Sleep
First aired: March 12, 1985
9. Cereal (for Nickleodeon)
First aired: 1987
