1 The Muppet Mindset: Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: The Snowths

Feb 20, 2013

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: The Snowths

Today's article was written by Mike Baldasare with edits by Ryan Dosier.

THE SNOWTHS

Performed by...
Frank Oz
Various others

First appearance...
The Ed Sullivan Show (1969)

Most recent appearance...
Christmas in Rockefeller Center (2012)

Memorable quote...
"Doo do doo do doo."

WHO ARE THE SNOWTHS?
The Snowths are the pink, somewhat cow-like creatures with horns and yellow lipped mouths who sing the famous "Doo do doo do doo" backup vocals in the classic tune "Mahna Mahna." The Snowths are best known for their appearance on The Muppet Show when they performed the song in the very first episode. They first appeared singing the chorus on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, but the two Snowths have been doo do-ing lots of thing since.

After their groundbreaking performance of "Mahna Mahna" in the first episode, the Snowths only appeared in three more episodes of The Muppet Show. They were only seen in a few crowd scenes until 1996, when they made a triumphant and hilarious return in a psychiatrist sketch in Episode 107 of Muppets Tonight with Sandra Bullock.

The early 2000s saw a few more Snowth appearances. They performed "Mahna Mahna" for the first time in 25 years with Mahna Mahna in 2001 at The Muppet Show Live at MuppetFest. In 2002, the Snowths performed "Mahna Mahna" and "I've Got My Mind Set on You" with Kermit on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. A few years later, in 2005, they appeared in the "Bandanana" commercial performing the song again in green bandanas with Mahna Mahna for the Australian charity CanTeen.

The Snowths also appeared on Studio DC: Almost Live! in 2008 where they hit a low point singing backup for Miley Cyrus performing her song "G.N.O. (Girl's Night Out)." Thankfully, they returned to glory in 2009 in the "Bohemain Rhapsody" video. Their classic, time-tested performance ways came back in 2011 when they performed again with their old partner Mahna Mahna on Good Morning America. In 2012, after lots of practice, practice, practice, the Snowths performed at Carnegie Hall during Jim Henson's Musical World.

But perhaps the Snowth's biggest recent appearance was during the credits of 2011's The Muppets--their first showcased feature film appearance. In the film, the creatures appeared, doo do doo do-ing what they do best, in the credits singing along with Rico Rodriguez, Neil Patrick Harris, John Krasinski, Selena Gomez, Alan Arkin, Feist, Mickey Rooney, Kristen Schaal, Jack Black, Rashida Jones, Chris Cooper, Amy Adams, and Jason Segel. It was a true highlight of the Snowths' storied careers.

Most recently, the Snowths played a big vocal role in the Christmas single from CeeLo Green and the Muppets, "All I Need is Love." The song, which samples "Mahna Mahna" quite a bit, features the Snowths singing "Doo do doo do doo" throughout the chorus. The Snowths had a major appearance in the "All I Need Is Love" music video in late 2012 and even appeared to perform the song live on Good Morning America and Christmas in Rockefeller Center.

The Snowths have also appeared in Muppet comic books from BOOM! Studios. A PVC version of the two Snowths was released as part of Palisades Toys Mini Muppets line. Last year, Funko released a stylized vinyl figure of a Snowth and later this year a Snowth figure will be made in the third series of Muppet Vinylmation from Disney Parks.

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED THE SNOWTHS?
Well... if the Snowths weren't around, whatever would Mahna Mahna "Doo do doo do doo"?! (That's the last of those jokes, promise.)






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

3 comments:

  1. They need to keep Miley Cyrus and NPH as faaaaaar away from the Snowths as possible. End of story.

    But here's an interesting conundrum: how exactly are you supposed to pronounce "Snowth" anyway? That's been topic for debate among Muppet Freaks for ages and ages, and nobody seems to know what the official pronunciation is supposed to be, however, the two most common accepted suggestions are "SNOW-TH" (pronounced like it's spelled), and "SN-OWW-TH" (since the name is supposed to be derived from "snout" and "mouth", and they're cow-like creatures). I always hear the latter in my mind whenever I read the name, but it seems like most people actually speak the former, so it's really a lot of cause for confusion.

    But who cares? Snowths FTW!

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  2. The second one with snout mouth! But why NPH? He's awesome! So do do do do do do think the snowths are awesome? Manha manha in reply if you do do do do do!
    Hugs and Giggles~Maria Gayle K.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I always pronounce it rhyming with "mouth" as well. And I'm being corrected. A lot. Though I do doo do do do have my doubts about said correction...

    A related question for the author(s): Should it really be "Doo do doo do doo?" Seems to me that "Do doo do do do" would be more accurate.

    ReplyDelete

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