METEORA
Performed by...Camille Bonora
Only Appearance...
The Christmas Toy (1986)
Best Known Role...
Queen of the Asteroids, Our Brightly Shining Christmas Superstar
Memorable Quote...
"You dare to touch the queen? The inhabitants of planets have died for less."
WHO IS METEORA?
Meteora is the main antagonist of the 1986 Jim Henson television special The Christmas Toy. She is left under the Jones' Christmas tree as Jamie's big Christmas present. Unfortunately she is unwrapped early by the jealous tiger cub toy, Rugby, who wants nothing more than to be in her box and have her place as this year's Christmas Toy.
After being unwrapped she immediately becomes hostile towards the other toys, believing them to be "Grizzbots," possibly the minions of her enemies. After meeting Mew, a mouse toy, he become instantly enamored with her, even if she believes his catnip aroma is horrible. As Rugby stows away in her box, Meteora examines her surroundings believing the living room to be a planet and the tinsel on the tree to be vegetation. Soon, Meteora beings a feud with the family chess set. She begins to knock over the pieces making noise and alerting the parents, putting the toys in danger of becoming frozen forever. Luckily Mew had been spending so much time with WeeGee the cat that he fooled the parents into thinking it was just the cat.
But Meteora wasn't ready to return into her box, what she believes to be a prison. But through the power of song, Rugby, Apple, and Mew convince her that her box is "a one way ticket to stardom" by telling her how wonderful she is and how she must share her glory. She returns to her box and is opened the next morning. She is brought to the playroom and is told by Jamie that she promises to love her forever and ever, the same promise she made to Rugby the year before, and Apple the year before that. But Jamie adds that she loves all of her toys which makes Apple and Rugby feel better. Meteora then joins the rest of the toys in the playroom (and Kermit the Frog) for the finale of "Old Friends, New Friends."Many people have compared Meteora to the Disney/Pixar character Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films. Both are put in similar situations and have similar personality traits. They are both the new toy in the playroom and they threaten the top toy for the love of their owner. Another shared trait is that they both believe that they are actually from space, not toys.
WHY DOES THE CHRISTMAS TOY NEED METEORA?
They need Meteora because without her Rugby would have gotten away with his plan to be opened up on Christmas morning, which would have led to him being frozen. Plus, she is responsible for my personal favorite song in the special.
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com
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