Muppetology 101: Recasting of Muppet Show Characters, Pt. 2

Ryan Dosier - Welcome back to class, class! Hope you brought your purple gloves and your rubber chicken because today is all about Frank Oz and Eric Jacobson. We're continuing our series of Recasting of Muppet Show Characters today. As you'll recall, last week we explored the recasts of characters performed by Jim Henson. The only logical second step is to take a look at the characters performed by Jim Henson's right-hand man (sometimes literally), Frank Oz. Frank retired from performing with the Muppets in 2002 and since then all of his characters have been passed on to the incredibly talented Eric Jacobson, who, for the most part, has given near-perfect performances of every character on this list.

Take notes! That quiz is coming up! (Eventually, probably. First I need some lunch.)

• MISS PIGGY
• Originally performed by FRANK OZ (1976-2002)
• Currently performed by ERIC JACOBSON (2001-present)
• Miss Piggy was the first of Frank Oz's characters to be recast after Frank's retirement from working with the Muppets. It didn't prove too difficult to cast the porcine diva once the exceptionally talented Eric Jacobson took over. In fact, at Eric's first performance as Miss Piggy at MuppetFest in 2001, most people in the audience had no idea that it wasn't Frank performing--the voice and mannerisms were that spot-on. Frank performed Piggy a few more times before officially retiring from the character in 2002.
• Frank Oz first performed Miss Piggy in The Muppet Show Season One (1976), trading off the character with Richard Hunt for the first few episodes but finally settling in as Piggy's permanent performer before the season ended. Frank Oz's last performance as Miss Piggy was on The Today Show in 2002 for the 50th anniversary special.
• Eric Jacobson first performed Miss Piggy during a video insert in "The Muppet Show: LIVE" at MuppetFest in 2001. Eric Jacobson has continued to perform Miss Piggy in every appearance of the character after 2002, including The Muppets in 2011.

• FOZZIE BEAR
• Originally performed by FRANK OZ (1976-2000)
• Currently performed by ERIC JACOBSON (2002-present) 
• Fozzie Bear remained silent and unseen after Muppets From Space in 1999, and did not physically perform the character again after that. Three years later, Eric Jacobson donned the role of the bear in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002, solidifying himself as Fozzie's permanent performer. Eric's Fozzie remains one of the best recasts in Muppet history, as Eric's characterization of the bear is reminiscent of what Frank did with Fozzie on The Muppet Show.
• Frank Oz's first performance as Fozzie Bear was on The Muppet Show Season One in 1976. Frank Oz remained Fozzie's sole performer for over 20 years, up to Muppets From Space in 1999. Frank's final vocal performance as Fozzie was in the Muppet RaceMania video game in 2000.
• Eric Jacobson's first performance as Fozzie Bear was in the TV movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002. Eric Jacobson has performed Fozzie for the past decade, including Fozzie's major role in The Muppets in 2011, and will continue with Fozzie for the foreseeable future.

• ANIMAL
• Originally performed by FRANK OZ (1975-2000)
• Currently performed by ERIC JACOBSON (2002-present)
• Animal is without a doubt one of the most popular Muppets, but even he was not recast permanently after Frank Oz's retirement for two years. Even during Muppets Tonight, 1996-1997, Frank began phasing his way out of the character as Kevin Clash performed Animal in a few of his appearances, with Frank looping the dialogue later. However, when it came time for It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002, Eric Jacobson was the obvious choice for the permanent recast of the drummer. A few other performers took on Animal in the 2000s (most notably John Kennedy, who did Animal's voice for Muppet Party Cruise, a 2003 video game), but Eric has been the only performer of Animal from 2005 onward.
• Frank Oz's first performance as Animal was in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot in 1975. Frank Oz gave his last physical performance as Animal in Muppets From Space in 1999, but also did Animal's voice for Muppet RaceMania in 2000.
• Eric Jacobson's first performance as Animal was in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002. Eric would be the main Animal throughout the 2000s, with a few other puppeteers doing the character's voice. But from The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005 to Animal's semi-starring role in The Muppets in 2011 and beyond, Eric Jacobson has been Animal's only performer.

• SAM THE EAGLE
• Originally performed by FRANK OZ (1975-2000)
• Currently performed by ERIC JACOBSON (2005-present) 
• Sam the Eagle was perhaps the most difficult of Frank Oz's characters to recast after his retirement. In It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002 and the Muppets Party Cruise video game in 2003, Kevin Clash was the voice of Sam Eagle. It wasn't until The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005 that Eric Jacobson performed Sam for the first time. Since then, Eric has been the only performer of Sam, giving another near-perfect performance as the pompous eagle. Eric performed Sam in such hits as "Stars and Stripes FOREVER!", "American Woman," and "Bohemian Rhapsody" in 2008 and 2009.
• Frank Oz's first performance as Sam the Eagle was in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot in 1975, where Sam was one of the main characters alongside Nigel and Floyd Pepper. Frank Oz's final, physical performance as Sam Eagle was in Muppets From Space in 1999, but Frank did provide Sam's voice for the Muppet RaceMania video game in 2000.
• Eric Jacobson's first performance as Sam the Eagle was in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005, where Sam played the Emerald City gate guard. Eric Jacobson has continued to perform Sam the Eagle ever since, including Sam's role in The Muppets in 2011.

• MARVIN SUGGS
• Originally performed by FRANK OZ (1976-1981)
• Currently performed by ERIC JACOBSON (2011-present)
• One of Frank Oz's stranger characters was Marvin Suggs, a minor character who would appear various times throughout the run of The Muppet Show. Marvin Suggs would continue to appear in silent roles after The Muppet Show ended in 1981, but Frank Oz never spoke as the character after that. Marvin disappeared after a brief, silent cameo in Muppets From Space, but in 2011 director James Bobin revealed that one of his favorite Muppets was Marvin Suggs, so the character had a semi-resurgence in The Muppets and the OK Go music video for "The Muppet Show Theme Song," performed by Eric Jacobson both times.
• Frank Oz's first performance as Marvin Suggs was in The Muppet Show Season One, Episode 105, in 1976 where Marvin and his Muppaphones performed "Lady of Spain." Frank Oz's last known performance as Marvin Suggs was in The Muppet Show Season Five, Episode 506, in 1981 playing the Wonderland Judge.
• Eric Jacobson's first performance as Marvin Suggs was in OK Go's "The Muppet Show Theme Song" music video in 2011. Eric Jacobson has only performed Marvin Suggs in 2011, but even this was enough to have Marvin Suggs and the Muppaphones sang a line in the finale version of "Life's a Happy Song" in The Muppets in 2011.

Well, that'll do it for class today... I'm letting you out early, be grateful! Next week we'll jump back into it with a look at the recast characters of The Muppet Show characters performed by Richard Hunt! Now, be gone with you!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

The Ramblings of Jarrod Fairclough, Muppet Nerd - Part 5

Jarrod Fairclough Presents: The Ramblings of a Muppet Nerd – The Museum Of Jarrod Art

Jarrod Fairclough - Hello. Me again.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I'm studying animation, about to begin my third and final year. It means that I'm constantly doodling and drawing, and various times this had led me to draw Muppets, both of The Muppets and Sesame Street categories. Now, I am no professional by any means. I'm no Dave Hulteen, or Chris Smigliano, or anyone like that. I do this for a bit of fun, and I thought maybe I could indulge myself a little. Speaking of indulging myself, remember when I wrote that love letter to Jason Segel a while back? I have to admit I got a little self-conscious when I found out he reads this website. It means he read the letter.  Do... do you think he likes me? Anyway, awkwardness aside, allow me to talk about each of the drawings, and look out for special comments by a mystery guest, which I'm pretty sure I already revealed was going to be Joe Mathieu ages ago...

This was a very quickly drawn picture while I was waiting for some tech guys to come fix the computer I was using. When I say quick, I mean maybe 3-4 minutes tops. Bert is a frequently drawn character by me, I just find his head shape to be really interesting to draw. Plus it's great fun making different expressions just with his eyebrow. This one is nonchalance. I don't really like drawing Ernie too much. His head shape is really confusing, and its delicate to draw, because if you don't get the head just right, you'll end up having Ernie look like a cross between Elmo and Stewie from Family Guy. You'll also notice Ernie doesn't seem to have a left hand. As I said, 3 to 4 minutes.

JOE MATHIEU:  Cute, sketchy version of Ernie and Bert looking somewhat embarrassed about something. The Ed Koren line makes them appear insecure and a bit nervous. Their hair is exactly how I used to draw it in the early 70's when I drew them with pen and ink.

I call this one "1930’s Cartoon." I love the look of those old rubbery characters, like when Mickey Mouse used to have eyes like that. Also done in class between work, I started with Kermit, and went from there. To get the good grey look, I coloured each of the characters their proper colours, i.e. Kermit was green, Fozzie was orange, etc., and then I "grey-scaled" the layers, which turned them black and white and grey. Sam was a last minute addition. I loved this picture so much; I slightly edited it and attempted to enter it into the We Love Fine t-shirt contest. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, it was too much hassle to enter and I didn't bother. Which is good, because much more talented people deserved to win.

JOE MATHIEU: 1936; the year Jim was born. The Muppets have a period, sort of Steamboat Willie, look about them. I have to admit that I first saw Sesame Street on black and white TV!

This picture was done while I was testing out a new drawing tablet I had acquired. I don't have a whole lot to say about it.  n the final piece, I ended up editing Elmo's eyes so they didn't look so oddly proportioned. My sister really liked it, and the final piece got printed out and is now hanging in my little niece's bedroom.

JOE MATHIEU:  Very nice. I would still like to see everyone bunched together, though. Aren't rainbows beautiful?

This one got done during class as well. It's amazing I actually get anything done there. Originally I was going to just draw Gonzo. I was trying to find a good way to draw his nose. Then I drew Camilla, which, can I say, is my favourite part of this drawing. Then I drew the other two. I'm not 100% happy with either. Kermit's top half of his mouth is a little too exaggerated, and I should change it, but meh. Fozzie's too skinny, and he has a weird lover half of his mouth. I complain, yes. But I'm still happy enough with it to share it.

JOE MATHIEU:  Everyone seems happier now that they are in color! I think they would be even happier if they were mashed closer together. Jim always liked the characters smashed together; look at all the group photos with Jim in the middle. He liked all the heads touching, making an all-over pattern. Where's Miss Piggy?

This next one was done for a woman at work. She had asked me to find a good Sesame Street poster for her son's room. His name is Rohan, and he's now 3, I think. When we were talking about it one day, my best friend's mum was there and said, "Why don't you draw a poster?" So I did. But it wasn't this one. Originally I started one with Elmo holding an R, Grover with an O, etc., but then I started doodling in class and drew the background you see here. And I loved it. You'll notice that Grover, Cookie and Oscar look slightly blurry, as does the background. That's because they were all done at one size, and scaled up to make the image the size of two normal pieces of paper together. I really like Oscar and Big Bird in this. And Cookie. Cookie looks dumb. And I love the Count. I love all of them but Elmo, and even then he's pretty good too.

JOE MATHIEU: There's a handsome group! I love the funky architecture growing out of a grassy field, especially with the addition of a medieval castle on the right! I always loved drawing the Count, but the underside of his cape always gave me fits; working digitally would have been a god-send. What exactly is Grover carrying?

Joe, Grover is carrying a cape.

I love this picture. I love this picture more and more every time I look at it. I love the effect of the lights, I love the crazy mouths. I should point out; the mouths were partially inspired by Evan Cheng, after I saw his zombie pictures on ToughPigs. Every time I've attempted to redraw this picture, I've failed. I've only just been able to draw Elmo's head the same without the mouth looking weird. I'll sound a tad arrogant here, but I just really like this drawing, it's one of, if not my favourite one I've ever done!

JOE MATHIEU: I have no idea what this is about, but I love it! These drawings are a lot of fun. I can't help but remember that when we started drawing the Muppets for books and products in the early 70's, Jim did not want a codified style where everyone was forced to draw the characters in the same style with the same technique. He encouraged everyone to interpret the Muppets in their own way. I think it has gone a bit in the other direction these days, but that was how Jim liked it. Also, he didn't think that the drawings had to be overly accurate representations of the puppets, either. I think he felt that the puppets had their physical limitations that the illustrators didn't have to be hobbled by. Good job, Jarrod!

Okay, before we continue, two things. One, "I have no idea what this is about, but I love it!" may just be my favourite review ever. I'm currently getting a website together, and at the top of it I've put that line. Two, I've often thought that the characters are all looking too much the same in all the Sesame books lately. It's nice to know that Jim loved a different look, and it may just be my delusional state, but I read that also as "Jim would have loved this drawing."

Okay, now, next are a few images I didn't get Joe to comment on, because I either forgot or I didn't expect him to comment on it.

This one is Kermit working on his Jim Henson puppet. His pupils are a bit small. Other than that I really like this picture. But then on that Scandanavian fan art site I saw a much better Kermit-Jim Puppet picture, one I love so much I'm considering printing and framing it.

Fozzie's Comedy Club. Just a really quick picture, don’t think I really even outlined Fozzie roughly first. I do these while listening to music, so I tend to zone out. I love the rubber chicken. Also, I want to point out, it was after these that I realized Fozzie's hat flips up, not goes down.

Thanks again to Joe Mathieu. I genuinely cannot put into words how good he has been to me over the last year or so! We've traded e-mails back and forth, and he's become a bit of a mentor in my eyes!

So that's just some of my Sesame Street and Muppet drawings. I'm sure in another six months or so I'll have enough to do another MOJA article. Next time I'll be talking about the wait for The Muppets, and how I managed to see it so many times for free (and no, I didn't download it).

Life is a happy song, my friends. And it's also a fillet of fish. Yes it is.

Jarrod.







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

(Kind of) Weekly Muppet Quotes Spotlight: Angus McGonagle

Casey Daron - Have you ever wondered what it would sound like to gorgeously gargle Gershwin? You will soon find out! (As soon as Disney releases Season 4 of The Muppet Show.) Anyway, today I will be spotlighting the great, gracious Argyle Gargoyle, Angus McGonagle! Try saying that three times fast!

"Look! It's Luke Skywalker and C-3PO, and R2-D2! They'd make much better guests than Mr. McGonagle!"

"What?!"
~ Scooter and Angus McGonagle, The Muppet Show, Episode 417

"I don't even know what an argyle gargoyle does!"

"I GARGLE Gershwin!"

"The argyle gargoyle gargles Gershwin?"

"GORGEOUSLY!"
~ Kermit the Frog and Angus McGonagle, The Muppet Show, Episode 417

"The stage is empty! My chance at last! GARGLE! (to the tune of "Summertime")"
~ Angus McGonagle, The Muppet Show, Episode 417

"GARGLE!"

"Terrible! Trapped by Dirth Nader, our weapons useless, and now we're being tortured by gargling Gershwin!"
~ Angus McGonagle and Luke Skywalker, The Muppet Show, Episode 417

 






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Muppet Fan Testimonials: Justine Sautjeau

Justine Sautjeau - First of all, let me tell you that I could write on the Muppets for hours. But I will try to be brief. If I can.

Today, I throw my love for red monsters, talking frogs, and mee-meeing scientists in the world's face, and I love it. Yet, it seems easier to do so in England than in France, where I live now. Probably because, even though The Muppet Show had a big impact decades ago, it is not such a big deal there anymore.

The Muppet Show was very famous in France in the 1970s/80s in its initial run. Then, years later, a few episodes were broadcast, and my TV turned into a house for strange creatures I had never seen before. I remember finding it scary, too adult, too rude, and above all, too political for me (even though I can't really remember now if it was that much about politics). I was too young to understand. Where did those creatures come from? Could animals talk? Now that I'm writing this, I search for videos on the Internet... and watching it today, I must admit that the French version does not make me laugh... while the English/US one does a lot! Maybe the translation/humour was not good enough for my little brain.

Even though I was a bit scared of the Muppets and didn't understand them, I developed a growing interest in puppetry and was fascinated by a puppeteer's work. Punch and Judy didn't get much of my attention, but my toys did. Making them talk, play, creating their personalities... it quickly became a part of my life and a way to escape reality. I guess all kids do that. Apart from those toys at home, I didn't have much of a "Muppety life." I forgot about The Muppet Show even though I kept Kermit somewhere in my mind, thinking I would give him another chance at some point. I kept an interest for puppets, going to some theatre performances, admiring the craft I couldn't do myself. Geniuses. They are geniuses. The guys who can go on the stage, control puppets, and make the audience forget about their presence are just geniuses. They can sing, act, do everything, become the ONLY actor on stage, and everybody will stare at the puppets, not the puppeteers. They are just shadows and let their creations have all the attention and compliments. I fell in love with puppetry when I understood how great those guys were. I wished I was one of them, but it sounded too crazy.

So I just focused on watching rather than creating. I watched TV shows, but also films such as Labyrinth (mainly because I am a huge fan of David Bowie). I've never managed to say what genre this film is. Comedy? Fantasy? Drama? For me it was just wonderfully weird (in a good way!). But unfortunately, in France, puppetry on TV just included a show with a big orange dinosaur called "Casimir," and his friends, living in The Children's Island. He was supposed to be the sweetest monster on Earth. Our Elmo, in some way. I just found it ugly and scary... sorry, Casimir...

Then, a few years later, I discovered Sesame Street--which made up for all the Muppets in the world. Sesame Street didn't appear in France before 2005, but the internet threw the nice monsters in my face overnight. Elmo, this adorable red monster, quickly became one of my favourite TV personalities. It was a sweeter introduction to Muppets, probably what I needed–even though the Muppets are the sweetest creatures on Earth, which I realized later. Yet I don't like the show for its innocence, but for Elmo's hyperactivity which turns him into a crazy uncontrollable creature. To me, Sesame Street is not just for children--nor The Muppet Show. They're grown-ups shows. This self-awareness, this sarcasm, this craziness and chaos are the representation of what we need in our sad adult life. We need fun, madness, and we need to rediscover kindness and friendship. Realizing that Kermit and his friends just wanted to spread these ideas, I decided it was time to give them another chance.

I figured that the Muppet films would be a good way to go back to them, and rediscover them. I was right! I love their kindness, their idea of a world of acceptance, of keeping a team spirit whatever happens... And seriously, when I watch them, I could pee my pants laughing (it was time to say something a bit gross, I hope you appreciate it). Crazy Miss Piggy fighting, Kermit in ecstasy on his bike, the hospital scene from The Muppets Take Manhattan... these are exactly the kind of scenes that will always make me laugh, even after watching them 1000 times. And, whatever people say, I love Muppets From Space! It might not have had the promotion and production it deserved at its release time, but if you watch it now, you'll see that it's all about supporting friends and accepting them for what they are; in short, a real Muppet movie! I was so happy to make up with them. Especially with Fozzie, who is nothing but my alter ego, making jokes whatever people think of them (you're funny, never give up buddy!).

I sadly realized that Elmo couldn't play with his Muppets friends anymore since Disney bought Jim Henson's creatures... and trying to find footage of them all together, I found the videos of Jim Henson funeral, which are just incredible. I've never cried that much before. Big Bird's tribute is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, really. Once again, my love for puppeteers grew more and more while watching those videos...

But now, we're in 2012, things are not the same... or are they? Last weekend, I happened to see a preview of The Muppets (nope, not released yet in the UK). I was really scared to be disappointed. How could the modern world recreate the amazingness of the Muppets? Will there be too many human scenes? Will it translate the humour and sarcasm of the Muppets? Well, congratulations Jason Segel and team, you did it!! It's just incredible. I wanted to sing, to cry, I had shivers. I felt the impact of the Muppets' absence in people's lives, I felt happiness and nostalgia. The non-stop jokes, musicals scenes, and self-mockery are hilarious. Bret McKenzie deserves his award, and the puppeteers... oh my God... I can't even find the words to tell you how amazing they are! Hearing "Rainbow Connection" made me think of all the great moments I spent watching either Sesame Street or the Muppets. And it made me feel like something was missing in my life–not only the Muppet Show, but something bigger. Cause the Muppets are also about something deeper that you can't really explain.

Yes, it is probably a very personal script by Jason Segel; the script of a fan desperate to see his favourite comedians back on screen. Yet, it is a great tribute to Jim Henson's world and creation. Thank you, Mister Henson.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com