Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Farley

Today's post was written by a contributor and fan who wishes to go by the pseudonym Rowlf the Dog. If you would like to submit an article for Weekly Muppet Wednesdays, email us at muppetmindset@gmail.com!

FARLEY

Performed by...
Jerry Nelson (1970-2000)

First appearance...
Sesame Street Season 2: Episode 0246 (1970)

Most recent appearance...
Sesame Street Season 30: Episode 3908 (2000)

Best known role...
Pet owner; being scared by Herry Monster

WHO IS FARLEY?Farley is the little Anything Muppet boy of Sesame Street that mainly appeared in episodes of Sesame Street in the 1970s. His first Sesame segment is one where he thinks of the wonderful things he can do with his mind such as imagining, remembering, and planning. He later used all these skills of his mind to escape from the "big, scary, ugly monster" (aka Herry Monster) who he thought was going to harm him.

Thankfully, this wasn't the last of Farley we got to see on the Street. We got to see his adventures going to hat shop with a less-than-helpful clerk, losing his toy box and searching the lost and found just to remember that it was in his pocket, eating peppermint sticks with Ernie and Cookie Monster, and using tools to make music after his record player breaks. Farley also sang many songs in his time on the show, including "Figure it Out," "Loud and Soft," and "When Will My Birthday Come?"

After the 1970s, Farley was phased out in favor of characters like Forgetful Jones, Telly, and Elmo in the 80s. However, during this period Farley did star in his own book: "Farley Goes to the Doctor," which introduced his father and teddy bear, TJ. This book is probably Farley's most prominent appearance both on and off the show.

Farley made a slight come back in 1996, lasting until 2000. During this time, he performed the catchy song "Pet at the Vet," which is about Farley bringing his pet cat to the veterinarian. Farley's most recent appearance came in a street story in the year 2000, later released on video on "Computer Capers." In the show, Farley sings the song "Computers in Your Neighborhood" with Elmo.

WHY DOES SESAME STREET NEED FARLEY?
Though one could argue that Farley is just some little background Anything Muppet, he is the Prairie Dawn equivalent for boys. Prairie Dawn played the role of a average girl and that was exactly what Farley played in his short time on the Street. Also, he was an Anything Muppet with a name, which Sesame Street have seen little of these days. So even though only Muppet fans and adults with good memories will remember the character, he would make the perfect Muppet for boys of today on a Sesame Street with a cute red monster and a pink fairy.

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