1 The Muppet Mindset: Weekly Human Wednesdays: Doc Hopper

Oct 17, 2012

Weekly Human Wednesdays: Doc Hopper

Today's article is written by frequent contributor Kyle Mahoney.


DOC HOPPER

Performed by...
Charles Durning

Only appearance...
The Muppet Movie (1979)

Best known role...
Owner of Doc Hopper's French Fried Frog's Legs; businessman; ruthless hunter of Kermit the Frog and company

Friends...
He thought Max was his friend, but he was wrong.

Memorable Quotes...
"No frog's gonna make a monkey out of me!"

WHO IS DOC HOPPER?
Doc Hopper is the main antagonist of The Muppet Movie. He owns a chain of fast food restaurants aptly named Doc Hopper's French Fried Frog's Legs. He first finds Kermit after his assistant Max spots him performing with Fozzie Bear in the El Sleazo Café. Shortly after Kermit and Fozzie join forces, Doc approaches Kermit and proposes that Kermit be the new spokesfrog for his restaurant.

After Kermit's refusal, Doc relentlessly pursues him by putting up billboards and even kidnapping Miss Piggy to lure Kermit. But Doc is not alone, he is aided by his assistant Max who eventually has a change of heart. He also hires Dr. Krassman, the world's leading authority in frog mind control. One of the last people to associate with Doc Hopper is Snake Walker, a bounty hunter who specializes in frogs. He is hired by Doc to kill Kermit because if Doc can't have him, then no one can.

A FUTURE OF FROG'S LEGS?
In the 2002 TV movie It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, the angel Daniel brings Kermit into an alternate reality in which he was never born. While in Bitterman Plaza they come across a Doc Hopper's Frog Legs Restaurant. Since Kermit was never born, Doc Hopper had nothing in his way to achieve his life's dream.

In the 2003 Nintendo Game Boy Advance and PC game Spy Muppets: License to Croak, Pepe (as villainous King Prawn) at one point defeats Kermit (Agent Frog) and tells him they he will end up on at plate at Doc Hopper's.

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED DOC HOPPER?
He's a villain, that's why! Doc Hopper may seem like a gentle southern businessman, but he is actually ruthless and greedy. He was an important part in Kermit's history, and without him Kermit wouldn't have met all of his friends on his way to Hollywood. The recurring use of his franchise also shows what an important character he is and how he affected the Muppet world.






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

1 comment:

  1. I loved this doc hopper is my favorite villian! Thanks kyle! Great article! My friends dressing up as doc hopper for halloween if I can get the measurements and a written contract lol hugs and giggles ~maria

    ReplyDelete

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