120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 7

Ryan Dosier - Can you believe there's only 30 songs left on our list of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs to get through? For the past six weeks we've been spotlighting songs, so it seems crazy that next week will be the end. But enough about that, let's dive right in to Part 7 of our countdown! But don't miss out on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6 for all of the Awesome Muppet Songs!

91.   “Rubber Duckie” from Sesame Street
I can't think of a better way to start the list this week. A true, undeniable classic and the first true big-time Muppet hit song, "Rubber Duckie" was and is huge for Sesame Street. Most of us obviously know this song by heart and have been singing it since we were kids. It's joyful and fun as Ernie sings about how much he loves his Duckie. I really don't know what more I can say about this one... other than, "You're the one!" Favorite lyrics: "Rubber Duckie, joy of joys/When I squeeze you, you make noise/Rubber Duckie, you're my very best friend it's true!"
92.   “Cabin Fever” from Muppet Treasure Island
Another fantastic song from Muppet Treasure Island and one of the craziest numbers the Muppets have ever done. The amount of wacky things going on here is great. The lyrics are equally manic and goofy. My favorite part about this song is how many different voices Jerry Nelson does. So many different, one-off characters sing in the song and Jerry sings for most of them in different voices. It's amazing. Favorite lyrics: "Grab your partner by the ear/Latch him to the wheel/Do-si-do, step on his toe/Listen to him squeal!"
93.   “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from The Muppet Show
This list has been chock full of great Floyd Pepper songs, which is no surprise since Floyd was Jerry Nelson's most musically talented character. This marks the second time on this list that we've picked a Beatles cover of Floyd's. Again, I think Floyd's version is superior to the original, but that's just me. I love how soulful and purposeful Floyd is while he performs. It's true magic watching this character play his guitar, so the song about how much he loves it is perfect for him. Favorite lyrics: "I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping/While my guitar gently weeps/I look at the floor, and I see it needs sweeping/While my guitar gently weeps."
94.   “The Batty Bat” from Sesame Street
I'll have to add it all up when the list is done, but I think Jerry Nelson sings the most songs on this list. It wouldn't surprise me in the least, given the wide array of characters and songs he sung. "The Batty Bat" is my favorite Count von Count song, one whose music and lyrics make for a true, under-appreciated Sesame Street classic. The Count and Jerry are having a great time singing this and it shows. Favorite lyrics: "One, two, three spread out the cape/One, two, three twirl round the floor/One, two, three left foot you swing/One, two, three then start to sing/One, two, three loud as you please/One, two, three counting with ease!"
95.   “Yes, We Can” from Fraggle Rock
Well what do you know, another Jerry Nelson song! (This will happen four more times before the end of today's list.) This is a fantastic Doozer song led by Architect Doozer with harmonies by Cotterpin and two other young Doozers. The lyrics spell out the entire Doozer way of life in one convenient, catchy song. It's a spectacular display of Doozer greatness. Favorite lyrics: "Do you know the Doozer lord/Love it as your own?/Do you dream of Doozer chores/Sleeping in your home?/Yes we do, yes we do/Yes we really, really do/Yes we do, yes we do/Yes we really do."
96.   “Feelings” from The Muppet Show
Yup. Beaker sings lead in two songs on this list. He really is talented, you know. Or... I guess you don't know, since none of us know what he's saying. Anyway, this classic from The Muppet Show is the first example of Beaker's desire to be a performer. The audience hates him, of course, but Animal is on Beaker's side and controls the situation. It's a hilarious number that makes great use of a great character. Favorite lyrics: "Meeeee me! Me me mee me meeeeee me!"
97.   “I Seen Troubles” from Fraggle Rock
Ah, my favorite Marjory the Trash Heap song. Who knew that a heap of garbage would be the most soulful, enticing singer on Fraggle Rock? Obviously the producers did when the cast Jerry Nelson in the part. Marjory performed some fantastic numbers throughout the course of the show, but none of them quite reach the heights of this soaring, introductory song for the character. It's fun, lively, and 100% Marjory. Favorite lyrics: "Everybody that I meet/Just seems to make my life complete/Bring me troubles/Bring me pain/They bring me woe!"
98.   “Brothers in Our World” from Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
Ooh, it's my favorite mash-up! The revelation at the end of the special when Ma Otter's "Our World" and Emmet and the Jug-Band's "Brothers" mix to make the perfect song is fantastic. The song really is perfect. In fact, I don't even think of it as two songs coming together, I usually only think of it as one song. The lyrics weave together so brilliantly that it's hard to separate them. Favorite lyrics: "Our world says welcome stranger/Everybody's a friend/(We could always use a friend)/Favorite stories don't end/In our world."
99.   “Halfway Down the Stairs” from The Muppet Show
The only song from The Muppet Show to reach top 10 (in the UK) is performed by the wonderfully sweet Robin the Frog. His only real appearance in Season 1 is this magnificent number. Jerry Nelson always brought such wonder to Robin's songs when he performed and "Halfway Down the Stairs" is Robin's greatest. It's because of this song that I count stairs when I walk up them, just in case I need to know where halfway is. Favorite lyrics: "Halfway up the stairs isn't up and isn't down/It isn't in the nursery, it isn't in the town/And all sorts of funny thoughts run 'round my head/It isn't really anywhere, it's somewhere else instead."
100. “Just One Person” from The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
It honestly came as a shock to me when I first found out that the Muppets didn't originate this song. It just fits everything they stand for so perfectly. Yes, the Muppets first sang it on The Muppet Show, but it wasn't until 1990 when it took real, deep meaning after Jim Henson passed away. The choice to perform it in the special that honored him was a perfect one. Robin leads the song and the other Muppets (loads of them) join in when appropriate. It's one of the greatest Muppet moments of all-time. Favorite lyrics: "If just one person believes in you/Deep enough, and strong enough believes in you/Hard enough, and long enough, before you knew it/Someone else would think... if he can do it, I can do it."
101. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
I had an impossible time choosing which Muppet version of this song to choose for this list. There's John Denver and Rowlf's amazing version from A Christmas Together, or Kermit and Miss Piggy's duet in A Muppet Family Christmas, and Kermit's perfect rendition from Green and Red Christmas, but I finally decided that Bert and Ernie's performance in Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is the greatest one. The duet between Jim Henson and Frank Oz was impossible to resist and it's one of the best moments that Bert and Ernie have shared. Favorite lyrics: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/Let your heart be light/From now on, our troubles will be out of sight."
102. “This Frog” from Sesame Street
I love this Kermit song way too much. Not only is it some of Kermit's finest vocal work, but it speaks volumes to his character and his plight as a character. He sings about how he chooses his own path and makes his own choices. He sings about how he knows that he's worthwhile and important even though he's just a frog. It's powerful and inspiring. Favorite lyrics: "This frog has a song to be sung/This frog isn't gonna spend his life in a swamp/Catching flies with his tongue/This frog may slip and stumble/But this frog has to try/This frog is gonna make it/Or know the reasons why!"

103. “Right Where I Belong” from The Muppets Take Manhattan
Another magnificent Kermit song and another that speaks volumes about him. This song also leads into the medley that both opens and (apparently) closes "Manhattan Melodies." But it works as so much more than that. What I love about this song is that it works out of context from the movie as well. It's just an uplifting, heartfelt song from our favorite frog. Favorite lyrics: "Look at me, here I am/Right where I belong/I see that face comin' back to me/Like an old familiar song/What better place could anyone be?/'Cause you're here with me."

104. “Gone Fishin’” from Rocky Mountain Holiday
One of the very few moments from Rocky Mountain Holiday that I legitimately enjoy is this amazing duet between John Denver and Floyd. Zoot accompanies on saxophone, but the stars are Mr. John and Mr. Floyd. A real friendship is hinted at between these two in this song. Did you know that Floyd and John also performed this song at the Grammy Awards? They did! Favorite lyrics: "Gone fishin' by a shady wady pool/Gone fishin', man you really play it cool/We don't wish to be annoyed/Mr. John and Mr. Floyd/We're fishin' instead of just a'wishin'."
105. “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady” from The Muppet Show
Ah yes, Lydia the Tattooed Lady. Not only is the puppet wonderful, with tattoos drawn by Jim Henson, but the song was one of Jim's favorites. Kevin Clash sang the song as Elmo at Jim's memorial service and it's hilarious and wonderful. But Kermit's rendition remains the consummate classic. It's just a fun, bouncy song with a fun, bouncy tattooed pig. Favorite lyrics: "She can give you a view/Of the world in tattoo/If you step up and tell her where/For a dime you can see/Kankakee or Paris/Or Washington crossing the Delaware."

Mother always said never try to follow a dancing tattooed pig. So... with that, we bring this week's list to a close! Check back with us next week for the final installment of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs!





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

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - Our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs, presented in completely random order, continues today! Be sure to check out the first 30 songs on Part 1 and Part 2 before jumping in to the 15 we've got for you today. Remember, the song order was chosen by iTunes shuffling, which explains why there are three Fraggle Rock songs in a row (not that there's anything wrong with that). Tune up and get down!

31.   "Merry Christmas, Baby" from The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas
Oh goodness I adore this little number. Bill Barretta and Pepe have never been in better voice than they are in this classic, rocking Christmas tune. Pepe is clearly in yuletide heaven as he sings with a backup chorus of girls. This song is so perfect and fitting for everyone's favorite King Prawn. It's a crying shame that Pepe doesn't get to sing more, because when he does, he absolutely kills it. Favorite lyrics: "Santa came down the chimney, half past three/With lots'a little presents for my babies and me!"

32.   "Fun is Here to Stay" from Fraggle Rock
Brace yourselves, we've got four songs from Fraggle Rock in Part 3. Blame the shuffling iTunes! Anyway, "Fun is Here to Stay" is both an exceptionally accurate title for the song and a magnificent motto for Fraggle Rock as a whole. Led by Boober's alter-ego Sidebottom as he manipulates Junior Gorg into thinking he's a Fraggle, the four other Fraggles join in as well. It's rollicking and joyful and uplifting and great. Favorite lyrics: "Fraggles come for fun from near and far/Fraggles know that fun is what they are!/No one could be dumb enough to say/Fun could come in any other way/Any Fraggle's brave enough to say--Fun is here to stay!"

33.   "Petals of the Rose" from Fraggle Rock
This song is so incredibly beautiful. With this song alone, Jerry Nelson shows unequivocally that he is the greatest singer the Muppets ever had. Gobo's heart-wrenching lyrics and the melodic ups and downs of his voice are just pure perfection. This is the song that made me cry the first time I listened to it after Jerry passed away last year. It's so fitting and it will break your heart every single time. I still tear up listening to it. I probably always will. Favorite lyrics: "Ain't it just the way it seems/We pull the petals off our dreams/Our hearts can say we're here to stay/But we always say goodbye/We always say goodbye..." 

34.   "Wemblin' Fool" from Fraggle Rock
(Please ignore the odd YouTube video.) Another one of Gobo's best songs also happens to be one of Wembley's best too. This is a personal favorite--maybe in my top ten Muppet songs--and it was one of Jim Henson's as well. Jerry Nelson and Steve Whitmire sang this song at Jim's public memorial. The song is bouncy and lively and fun as heck. Wembley's trademark grunts are fantastic, Gobo's scatting is great, and the entire song plays perfectly every time you listen to it. Favorite lyrics: "When we're wemblin' south/We stick our feet in our mouth/And we just wemble, wemble, wemble as we ride!"

35.   "Sing After Me" from Sesame Street
If there is a more hysterical Grover sketch out there, someone please let me know. My favorite blue monster's antics and banter with Madeline Kahn in this song are top notch. Frank Oz was truly at the apex of his powers here, even cracking up a seasoned pro like Kahn. But Madeline was no straight-woman, she gives it back to Grover just as much and just as hilariously. The lyrics are sort of nonsense, but the performance makes it a true classic. My favorite lyrics actually aren't lyrics, they're just a line spoken near the end by Grover, who says, "You've got to be putting me on!" after Madeline hits an amazing note.

36.   "It's Hard to Be Humble" from The Muppet Show
This may be the most random song choice in the entire list, but this song performed by Mac Davis and Link Hogthrob on The Muppet Show is another of my favorites. The duo sings about how difficult it is to remain humble when one is as handsome and perfect as they are. It's such a defining song for Link to sing and Jim handles it deftly. For the final chorus, a bunch of Muppets join in. It's fairly ironic for Lew Zealand to sing "I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better lookin' each day," but I love it. Favorite lyrics: "To know me is to love me/I must be a hell of a man/Oh lord, it's hard to be humble/But we're doin' the best that we can."

37.   "Dance Myself to Sleep" from Sesame Street
One of the greatest Ernie and Bert songs ever. It defines their relationship perfectly. Bert is sound asleep, but Ernie fall asleep. What does he do? A soft-shoe tap dance around his bed while playing the bugle and enjoying the company of the Boogie Woogie Sheep. This wakes Bert up, and he is just completely baffled by the whole thing. Eventually he's taken out of the room by the sheep and left outside. It's funny, it's fun, and it allows Bert to ask the immortal question, "When did sheep get tap shoes?" Favorite lyrics: "Well I'm gettin' kinda drowsy so the moment has come/To grab my Rubber Duckie while the sheep take my chum/Time to shuffle off to dream-land, got a date to keep/I'll dance myself to sleep!"

38.   "New York State of Mind" from The Muppet Show
Right now I cannot come up with a Jerry Nelson/Floyd Pepper song that I enjoy more. I truly believe that this is far and away the best version of this song ever performed--and I adore this song. Floyd sings with such soul and such longing that it is incredibly difficult to match. I'll give a shout out to Rowlf's version from Old Brown Ears is Back, but Floyd is still king. Jerry owns this song completely when he performs it. Pure perfection. Favorite lyrics: "Come down to reality and it's fine with me 'cause I let it slide/Don't care if it's Chinatown or rounded riverside/I don't have any reasons, left them all behind/I'm in a New York state of mind."

39.   "Ode to Joy" from YouTube
The new-age Beaker classic that first brought attention back to the Muppets with their hugely popular viral videos. This 2008 piece of brilliance might be Beaker's best vocal work (but don't worry, "Feelings" is coming later on the list). His obvious dedication to performing properly is a really interesting aspect to Beaker's character. He longs to be a great singer but at the end of the day he's just a squeaky red head with awful luck... and we wouldn't have it any other way. Favorite lyrics: "Mee me mee me/Me mee me mee/Me me me me mee me me."

40.   "One Small Voice" from Sesame Street
One of the most beautiful and touching songs written for Sesame Street. It has been performed a handful of times over the years, but my favorite is from Elmopalooza sung by Kenny Loggins, joined in by the kids and, more importantly, Big Bird. The lyrics are indescribably great, singing the importance of both music itself and knowing you can do anything. The music video for the song (which you can see above) makes my spirit soar every time I watch it. I dare you not to feel totally moved when Big Bird says, "Alex, you did great!" and Alex replies, so honestly, "Thanks Big Bird, I had fun!" Favorite lyrics: "No tune is too simple/No voice can be wrong/Music can come from any heart/And anyone's voice can lead the song."

41.   "Imagination" from Sesame Street
Another classic Bert and Ernie song. This beautiful tune is all about finding comfort and happiness by retreating into your own imagination and I think that's a wonderful notion. What I think makes this song truly special is that it is Bert, not Ernie, who first sings of the power of an imagination. One would think Ernie would be in touch with his imagination already, but I love that it is Bert who puts him in touch with it by singing him this song. Also... "I like big balloons!" is a line that is delivered perfectly. Favorite lyrics: "Here in the middle of imagination/Right in the middle of my mind/I close my eyes and the night isn't dark/And the things that I lose, I find."

42.   "Together Again" from The Muppets Take Manhattan
I wish that I could whistle well, if only so I could whistle the opening to this lovely tune. It's fun and pretty free-wheeling. I love the colorful vests the Muppets wear in the movie when they sing this. But mostly, this song works as a perfect reminder of the fact that the Muppets will always get back together. This is easily proven by my favorite lyrics: "I just can't imagine that you've ever been gone/It's not starting over, it's just going on./Together again, now we're here and there's no need remembering when."

43.   "Convincing John" from Fraggle Rock
It's strange to think that Convincing John was only on Fraggle Rock three times. The amount of energy and fun that Jim Henson poured into the character makes it seem like he was there constantly. John was never better than when he sang his titular song. It's fast, it's lively, it's erratic, and it's just plain awesome. Jim performed this song incredibly well and I can't imagine what a strain it must've put on his voice to sing it. And what would the song be without the Fragglettes providing back-up? I absolutely love it. Favorite lyrics: "C'mon listen to me Fraggles/With your Fraggle mouths a'waggle/You can chew a Doozer tower till you're blue/But there's a mighty day a'comin'/When the food'll hit your tummy/And you'll know that what I'm tellin' you is true!"

44.   "What's the Name of That Song?" from Sesame Street
How am I supposed to talk about this song? It just says "What's the Name of That Song?" If we don't even know the name of that song, how am I supposed to know which song to talk about?! It's confusion like this that makes this song so delightfully wicked and incredibly fun. In fact, the entire 35th anniversary DVD special What's the Name of That Song? is based around this confusion. My favorite version of this Sesame classic is probably from Bert & Ernie Sing-Along with the whole cast, but I also love the more recent version that Bert and Ernie sing. Favorite lyrics: "I've heard it said with words and music, a fella can't go wrong/So la de da de dum, la de da de dum... What's the name of that song?"

45.   "Just a Dream Away" from Fraggle Rock 
This is one of the few songs on this list that is sung by a one-shot character. In this case, it's the Mudbunny, who appears to Wembley in an episode of Fraggle Rock. Performed by Richard Hunt, this creature had a very interesting life cycle that played out in the episode. Before all that, however, the Mudbunny sings this gorgeous, much too short song. Richard Hunt's voice has never sounded better than it does here. He sings with such mystery and even some omnipotence. It's gorgeous. Favorite lyrics: "Once I wasn't here and then I suddenly appeared/And now I seem to be at home in earth and air/Just like water flowing, I know where I'm going/Look beneath your boots and I'll be there."

Well that's it for today, Muppet fans! Check back next week, same time, same place, for 15 more tunes on our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs!





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

Danny Beckwith's Muppet Monster Mash-Ups, Pt. 3

Today we're so excited to present the final pieces in our friend and contributor Danny Beckwith's Muppet Monster Mash-Ups series! Today we've got two more Muppets who have been monsterized as well as a final picture collecting all seven Muppets in one--which makes a fantastic desktop background... just sayin'. Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2, as well as Danny's DeviantArt page for the rest of his fantastic work!

Beaker as Frankenstein

Miss Piggy as The Bride of Frankenstein

Fozzie Bear as The Phantom of the Opera, Scooter as The Mummy, Miss Piggy as The Bride of Frankenstein, Beaker as Frankenstein, Rowlf the Dog as The Wolf Man, The Great Gonzo as The Invisible Man, and Kermit the Frog as the Creature from the Black Lagoon

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

Muppet Halloween Costume Spooktacular 2012, Pt. 2

Ryan Dosier - We're back again with the next installment of our Muppet Halloween Costume Spooktacular series, where we put a snarky spin on this year's crop of Muppet and Sesame Street Halloween costumes! Don't forget to check out Part 1 before reading on... or just read on, it doesn't really matter.

"SASSY" TUTU ANIMAL, KERMIT, AND MISS PIGGY COSTUMES - $49.99 (each)

 LIKENESS - ...Huh? What? Did somebody say something? I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. I was... definitely not staring at these girls. Just the costumes. Yes. Very professionally just looking at the costumes. Anyway... there's no real likeness here (although props to the Piggy costume for including gloves, pearls, and pig ears--and to that girl for pulling it off so perfectly), but despite the lack of likeness I'm still all about these costumes... for some reason. 1 STAR
FUN FACTOR - I'm choosing to abstain from answering this one with a number... but yes, fun could definitely be had. N/A
SCARE FACTOR - Shockingly enough, I actually am scared of these. Not the costumes, per se, but if I ever saw a girl looking like that, wearing this, I would be so scared and intimidated that my head might explode. So... yeah. Spooky. 3 STARS

ADULT SWEDISH CHEF COSTUME - $49.99

LIKENESS - Wow! Color me impressed! Quite frankly, I'm blown away by the effort some company somewhere put into this awesome costume. Honestly, it's perfect. The combination of the nose, mustache, and eyebrows really, really sells this. It's hilarious and everything about the outfit is really well thought out and well done. 5 STARS
FUN FACTOR - SO much fun can be had with this! Gosh, I'm just imagining someone wearing this and carrying around a stuffed chicken and sputtering mock Swedish nonsense. Perfect. 5 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - If this costume came with the Swedish Chef's famous blunderbuss or penchant to cook anything that moves, then I would up the scare factor... but alas, it does not. 2 STARS

ADULT BEAKER COSTUME - $49.95

LIKENESS - Wow. Again, PERFECT likeness. That mask is truly incredible. Why has it taken this long to get such a wonderful Beaker mask?! This is amazing. Also, HUGE bonus points for the gloves with only four fingers on them, a detail that no one asked for but make this costume that much more excellent. 5 STARS
FUN FACTOR - This costume would be a lot more fun if there was a Bunsen Honeydew costume to go along with it... but I guess for that all you need is a bald friend to paint his head lime green. Get on that, people who buy this costume! Even by itself, though, this costume is a ton of fun. I know I would absolutely go around the whole night meeping. 5 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - It is scary to think that everything bad happens to Beaker, so perhaps everything bad will happen to the person in the Beaker costume as well... maybe keep your distance from someone if you see them wearing this near anything sharp or flammable. 2 STARS

ADULT KERMIT THE FROG COSTUME - $49.95

LIKENESS - In the past, I've been very much opposed to giant head costumes like this... but for some reason, this one really works for me. I love the spindly-fingered globes, the facial expression is great (even though the man's face peeking out of the mouth is horrifying), and the collar is excellent. I don't really understand why this doesn't come with green pants and green, fuzzy flipper slippers... but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose. 4 STARS
FUN FACTOR - This costume makes a perfect couples costume. Kermit and Piggy are always a hit at Halloween parties (I assume, I've never experienced any of these in person), and with a costume that looks this surprisingly good, you'll get some compliments! Also... you can't not have fun if you wave your arms around and go "Yaaaaaaaaay!!" just like Kermit. 4 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - I will admit... the man's head looking out of Kermit's mouth freaks me out. It looks like Kermit was aiming to catch a fly and caught this dude with his tongue instead. DON'T SWALLOW, KERMIT!! 3 STARS

ADULT KERMIT, FOZZIE BEAR, AND GONZO COSTUME KITS - $50.00 (each)

LIKENESS - AHHHH!!! NO!! BURN IT!! What... why... these are just horrendously awful. Especially Kermit and Fozzie. Kermit's head is a bulbous mass of weird and Fozzie looks like a bad semi-truck accident. And then there's Gonzo... with his droopy eye, this floppy nose, and chili pepper shirt, there's not much more that could go wrong with that costume. Good lord. This also begs the question... WHO would pay $50 to wear THESE?! 1 STAR
FUN FACTOR - Nope. Nuh uh. No fun to be had here. Unless you're burning these costumes with fire. Or acid. Then you'll have a bang-up time. Otherwise these are just hideous creatures you want to flee from before they ingest you like the poor saps already inside. 0 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - Yup. All about the scary here! Not only does it look like your favorite Muppets have been skinned and worn as battle symbols... but they're also just awful, awful costumes. Gonzo especially. Ugh. I hate that Gonzo. Even the guy inside these costumes looks miserable!! 4 STARS

THE MUPPETS FOZZIE BEAR COSTUME - $35.00

LIKENESS - Now see, costume makers, THIS is how Fozzie Bear looks! Honestly, this is the best Fozzie costume I've ever seen. I'm pretty impressed. Maybe it's just lingering horrors of the previous Fozzie costume... but this is not bad at all. The mask is fantastic, the tie is perfect, and the gloves are four-fingered! Accuracy! I really love this. Well done, costume makers! 4 STARS
FUN FACTOR - Ahh! So, what did the pharaoh say when he got scared? I want my MUMMY! Ahhh! Get it? Wocka! Wocka! See? FUN. Even more fun can be had if you bring a pie to throw in someone's (or your own) face. 5 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - I guess if you got cornered by this mask in a dark alley it could be kind of/totally freaky. But mostly this is just good ol' Fozzie, the least scary bear on the planet! (Except maybe Winnie the Pooh.) 2 STARS

THE MUPPETS ANIMAL COSTUME - $35.00

LIKENESS - Huh. This costume works too! Don't you costume making people know that I can't be as snarky if the costumes actually look good?! The mask is surprisingly great, the torn clothes are wonderful, the orange arms are nice, and again the four-fingered gloves seal the deal. Even though Animal has never worn a shirt that looks anything like that... this is still a wonderful likeness. 4 STARS
FUN FACTOR - Oodles of fun could be had with this one! Just don't chase around the girls in the first costumes shouting "WANT WOMAN!!" That might not end well for you. However, if you can get four other friends to dress as the rest of the Electric Mayhem, send me a picture and I'll say, "You win!" (Which sounds great, but really mans nothing.) 5 STARS
SCARE FACTOR - Unless you're one of the aforementioned girls being chased by someone in this costume... scare factor is relatively low. 2 STARS

Well, that's it for this week's edition of the Muppet Halloween Costume Spooktacular 2012! Come back again next Tuesday when we look at Sesame Street costumes for kids! Including this one below, which I like to call "Mitt Romney's Granddaughter Loses Her Inheritance":

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

Muppetology 101: Recasting of Muppet Show Characters, Pt. 3

Ryan Dosier - Welcome back to class, class! We're continuing our series on the recasting of characters from The Muppet Show. Today we're looking at the characters of Richard Hunt, who died far too soon in 1992 after 25 years of performing and bringing joy to countless people. Richard's characters were some of the most genuine and personal characters ever to appear on The Muppet Show. Each of Richard's characters had an engrained aspect of Richard channeled through them, which made them that much harder to recast. In fact, his main character on The Muppet Show wasn't permanently recast for almost 20 years after Richard's passing. Since 2008, however, all of Richard's recurring Muppet Show characters have found permanent performers and excellent recasts.

• SCOOTER 
• Originally performed by RICHARD HUNT (1976-1990)
• Currently performed by DAVID RUDMAN (2008-present)
• Scooter was the alter ego of Richard Hunt on The Muppet Show; young, naive, wicked sense of humor, Scooter channeled Richard just as Richard channeled Scooter. This very personal connection to the character is what made it so difficult for the character to even return on the screen, let alone find a new permanent performer. Scooter didn't return to a Muppet production for eight years after Richard's death, in Muppets From Space in 1999, where he was performed by Richard's brother, Adam Hunt for the first and only time. Matt Vogel did Scooter's voice for the Muppets Race Mania video game in 2001, while Brian Henson took on the character for a small return to his go-fer role in 2002 in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. Rickey Boyd gave a great performance as Scooter in his secondary role in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005. When Disney began to pursue a Muppet renaissance in 2008, David Rudman, a close friend of Richard Hunt's, was chosen to perform Scooter permanently. David's Scooter has both the voice and personality of Richard's and is a true testament to how close David and Richard were.
• Richard Hunt first performed Scooter in the first episode of The Muppet Show Season One and continued to be the only performer of Scooter through The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson in November 1990, plus Scooter's major role in the Muppet*Vision 3-D pre-show, filmed in 1990.
• David Rudman first performed Scooter in Studio DC: Almost Live! Hosted by Selena Gomez in 2008 and continues to perform Scooter currently, including Scooter's return to prominence in The Muppets in 2011.

• BEAKER
• Originally performed by RICHARD HUNT (1977-1991)
• Currently performed by STEVE WHITMIRE (1992-present)
• Due to his popularity, Beaker was one of the first of Richard Hunt's characters to be recast after his death. Steve Whitmire began performing Beaker in 1992, first in The Muppet Christmas Carol, alongside Dave Goelz's Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. Steve would discover that Richard would inhale when he made Beaker's famous "mee-mee" sounds, rather than exhale, which made the recast transition near perfect. Steve performed Beaker through a string of YouTube video hits including "Ode to Joy," "Beaker's Ballad," "Habanera," and more throughout 2008 and 2009.
• Richard Hunt first performed Beaker in The Muppet Show Season Two: Episode 202 with Zero Mostel in 1977. Richard's final performance as Beaker was for Muppet*Vision 3-D which opened in 1991 and was filmed in 1990.
• Steve Whitmire first performed Beaker in The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992 and continues to be the sole performer of Beaker, including his major star-turns in YouTube videos and his role in The Muppets in 2011.

• STATLER

• Originally performed by RICHARD HUNT (1976-1991) 
• Performed by JERRY NELSON (1975; 1992-2002)
• Currently performed by STEVE WHITMIRE (2002-present)
• Statler, one of the old hecklers in the balcony on The Muppet Show was performed by Jerry Nelson in his first appearance in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence in 1975. Jerry was drafted into the army before Season One of the show so the heckler character was given to Richard Hunt to perform alongside Jim Henson as Waldorf. When Richard died in 1991, it was only fitting that his close friend Jerry Nelson take on the character that he originated. Starting with The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992, Jerry would perform Statler until his retirement from the Muppets in 2002. Due to health reasons, Statler was puppeteered by Steve Whitmire in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002, with Jerry dubbing the dialogue later. Steve Whitmire was then given the character to make his own later in 2002. He has continued to perform Statler almost exclusively (except for the later episodes of From the Balcony where Statler was performed by Drew Massey) for a decade now.
• Richard Hunt first performed Statler in The Muppet Show Season One in 1976. Richard performed Statler alongside Jim Henson's Waldorf until Muppet*Vision 3-D in 1991.
• Jerry Nelson first performed Statler in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot in 1975, but could not perform the character for the beginning of Season One of The Muppet Show so the character was given to Richard Hunt. Jerry became Statler again in The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992 alongside Dave Goelz's Waldorf and performed him until his retirement after It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002.
• Steve Whitmire first performed and voiced Statler in Weezer's 2002 music video with the Muppets, "Keep Fishin'." Steve continues to perform Statler in every production, including The Muppets in 2011.

• JANICE

• Originally performed by ERIN OZKER (1976-1977)
• Performed by RICHARD HUNT (1977-1990)
• Currently performed by DAVID RUDMAN (2008-present)
• Janice, the lead guitar player for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, was also not originally performed by Richard Hunt. Erin Ozker, one of the only female Muppet Show performers, performed Janice in the first season. When Season Two came along and Erin Ozker left the show, Richard Hunt was given Janice so that every main Muppeteer had a character in the Electric Mayhem. Janice remained silent for over a decade after Richard's death, until Matt Vogel did the voice for Janice in the 2001 video game Muppet Race Mania. Janice didn't speak again in puppet form until she was performed by Brian Henson in 2002's It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. Like Scooter, Janice was not permanently recast until Studio DC: Almost Live! in 2008, where once again David Rudman was chose to take over.
• Erin Ozker performed Janice in The Muppet Show Season One in 1976 until she left the Muppets in 1977.
• Richard Hunt first performed Janice and made the character truly his own in The Muppet Show Season Two in 1977. Richard's final performances as Janice were in The Muppets at Walt Disney World and The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson in 1990.
• David Rudman first performed Janice in Studio DC: Almost Live! Hosted by Dylan and Cole Sprouse in 2008. David continues to perform Janice with the rest of the Electric Mayhem, including their return in The Muppets in 2011.

• SWEETUMS
• Originally performed by RICHARD HUNT (1976-1991)
• Performed by JOHN HENSON (1996-2005)
• Currently performed by MATT VOGEL (2009-present)
• Sweetums was one of the only full-bodied Muppets performed by Richard Hunt. Richard gave Sweetums a lovable but gruff attitude with his voice and mannerisms throughout the run of The Muppet Show and in The Muppet Movie. Sweetums took a five year hiatus after Richard's death, until Jim Henson's son John Henson took over the character starting in Muppet Treasure Island in 1996. John Henson made many appearances as Sweetums for almost ten years until The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005. The next permanent performer to take on Sweetums became Matt Vogel in 2009. Matt has performed the character since then in various appearances.
• Richart Hunt first performed Sweetums in The Muppet Show Season One in 1976. He continued to both operate and voice Sweetums until 1991, when he performed only Sweetums' voice in Muppet*Vision 3-D due to his deteriorating health.
• John Henson performed Sweetums starting in Muppet Treasure Island in 1996, doing both the voice and body work. John continued to perform Sweetums, one of the only characters he performed, until The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005.
• Matt Vogel first performed Sweetums in the "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." promotions in 2009. He first did both Sweetums' body and voice in "The Muppet Show Theme Song" music video with OK Go in 2011 and continued to perform Sweetums in The Muppets in 2011.

Well, that's class! I promise that quiz is coming eventually... I've just got to buy a printer. And ink. And a computer. Yeah... we're not having a quiz. Never mind.

See you next week when we'll cover the recasts of Jerry Nelson's characters!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com