The Muppet Mindset: The Great Muppet Survey

Answers from Erica Rodriguez

1. Who are your three favorite characters from The Muppet Show, Muppets Tonight, The Jim Henson Hour, the Muppet movies, etc. and why?
My favorite Muppet Show character would have to be Fozzie Bear. He may not always be the funniest comedian, but he's the sweetest and I admire his determination to make people laugh and feel happy. My next favorite would be Miss Piggy because of her fabulousness and her unwillingness to take other people's nonsense. My third favorite is Walter because I relate to his nerdiness and he's a sweet and perfect representation of a passionate Muppet fan.

2. Who are your three favorite characters from Sesame Street and why?

My favorite Sesame Street character is definitely Bert. Like with Walter, I relate to his nerdiness, but I've also always related to how uptight and serious he usually is while still being able to loosen up and have fun. My second choice would definitely be Cookie Monster because he's always fun to watch and we both love cookies. My third choice would probably be Telly Monster because I relate to how excitable he is and like Cookie Monster, he's always fun to watch.

3. Who are your three favorite characters from Fraggle Rock and why?
My favorite Fraggle Rock character would probably have to be Wembley, because I relate to his indecisiveness and his wanting to please everyone. The second would be Cantus because of his mystical, musical presence and his words of wisdom. My third choice would be Junior Gorg because of his naïve, silly, and sweet-hearted nature.

4. What is your favorite television program starring any of Jim Henson's creations (e.g. The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Dinosaurs, etc.) and why?
As much as I've grown to love The Muppet Show, I would have to say my favorite is Sesame Street, more specifically the "old school" seasons because of its nostalgic value for me personally and also because of the great, revolutionary impact it made on television, especially for kids.

5. What is your favorite Muppet movie and why?
This was a really tough choice to make. I love all of the Muppet movies more-or-less equally, but for now I'll go with The Great Muppet Caper. I watched it recently on TV and it was so awesome, I watched it several more times after that. It's full of hilarious jokes, memorable songs, and it even has some awesome, action-packed moments, especially toward the end.

6. What is your favorite Muppet/Sesame/Fraggle song and why?
This was another tough decision to make. There are a lot of Muppet songs that I consider to be favorites of mine, but since I have to decide one, I'll go with "The Rock Goes On" from Fraggle Rock for now. It's such a fun, lively, upbeat song that never fails to make me want to tap to the beat or get up and dance.

7. If you could have dinner with any living Muppet performer who would you choose and why?
Now this was an easy question for me to answer! As much as I love all of the Muppeteers, I would choose Frank Oz without a doubt. He's my favorite Muppeteer of all time and one of my favorite celebrities of all time! Also, he has spent the longest time with the Muppets and still does (at least with Sesame Street) to this very day, so it would be really nice to listen to him talk about some of the amazing moments he has experienced with his fellow Muppet performers throughout the years.

8. If you could tell Jim Henson one thing, what would it be?
Thanks Jim. You truly have left the world a little better by having been here.

9. If the President called you and asked to discuss Muppet projects, what would you tell him was the "Greatest Muppet Moment of All Time"?
There are so many to choose from, but I guess I would have to go with the last scene from The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. Not only is it a very touching and amazing scene, but it also serves as a testament to how powerful and enduring the Muppets are even after losing Jim Henson.

10. What's the name of that song?
I don't remember. Try asking that Forgetful Jones fella.

11. If a judge ruled that Grover had to be your personal assistant for a month, what jobs would you have him do?
He would be my personal motivator. I tend to procrastinate, so having someone as happy-go-lucky, wiry, and hard-working as Grover around to be a constant source of motivation for me would be a perfect situation for both of us. Also, it’s one of the only jobs I could think of that he wouldn’t mess up.

12. In your opinion, what is the worst Muppet production ever made?
Studio DC: Almost Live. I only watched a few minutes of that and it was cringe-inducing. I'm usually a sucker for crossovers, but this crossover between Disney Channel show stars and the Muppets just did not work (not for me at least).

13. Who is one celebrity you would love to see cameo in the next Muppet movie?
Charles Grodin would be interesting.

14. If you could take a picture with any Muppet, who would you choose and how would you pose?
Probably with Bert while doing the "Doin' the Pigeon" pose.

15. What is your favorite piece of Muppet merchandise that you own? (Feel free to include a picture!)
I don't know if it counts, but it would have to be all of my old VHS tapes that my parents recorded several Sesame Street episodes, Muppet Babies episodes, and Muppet specials on. I have fond memories of watching those tapes countless times all throughout my childhood and I still occasionally watch them to this very day. They are my greatest Muppet treasure!