Mail your comments to me (Bob Pedersen) at robert-c-pedersen@uiowa.edu; however, those submitting questions unaccompanied by attempts at answers are in danger of becoming an assistant to Dr. Bunson Honeydew. We wouldn't want _that_, would we? ;^)
Note: I do not plan on issuing updates solely to reflect additions to the cast lists unless I've forgotten someone on the order of, say, Grover.
Have fun!
There have been several additions to the cast list in this edition.
Two sections have been removed. The performers list have been removed because a much better list will soon be available at the archive site. The section on when/where the Muppet Show can be seen has been dropped for a number of reasons, chiefly the difficulty in keeping it up.
Introduction
Acknowledgments
Subjects We are Tired of Hearing About
Welcome to alt.tv.muppets, the place where you can take a break from your life of insane solemnity and engage in some serious zaniness!
This frequently asked questions file exists to serve two purposes: one, to answer some questions often posed by persons new to the group, and two, to give its readership a few minutes of fun.
This FAQ is archived at cathouse.org. in the directory /pub/cathouse/television/muppets. Also at that site are William Sherman's wonderful Muppetography (occasionally posted to alt.tv.muppets) and a file of song lyrics. Soon, there will also be Chris Vaughn's comprehensive list of muppet performers.
Although it is already recommended in the Muppetography, I want to
strongly urge you to check your local library for the following
book:
Finch, Christopher. Of Muppets and Men: The Making of the Muppet
Show. c.1981 by Henson Associates, Inc. Alfred A Knopf.
The following persons, listed in no particular order, are made honorary members of the Electric Mayhem for their important contributions to this FAQ. May I be sat on by Sweetums if I left anyone out.
Jerry Alexandros Devjani Mishra Simon Rooney Chris Beck Rebecca Alice Metz Steven Newman Charles Evans Bryan Van Blaricom Brian J. Stokes Nicolle (Born to Recal) Sean P. Donahue Christopher Robin Philip N. Whitman Andrew Wolf Jean-o Max Ziff P. J. Geraghty Angela I. Davina Tung Kriss A. Hougland Steven Newman Laura Wasko Lore A. Guilmartin Steve Kaliszewski Erika Lindsay Reuven Wiliam Goren Tim Wright Benjamin R. Pierce Russell Schulz Scott McGuire Todd Liebenow B.J. Hughes Alex Rudd Douglass Glen Whitman Marny Helfrich Pratap Patnaikuni Stephanie M. Clarkson-Aines Laurie Cubbison Fred Weissman Felix Lee Robert Schonberg Todd LeBrasseur
Thanks are also due to William Sherman for arranging for the FTP site, and to Rebecca Walpole to posting this document on a regular basis.
The chief of these is the question as to whether Bert and Ernie are homosexuals. This is a question which has raised very strong feeling on both sides. Having recently spoken with the folks at Children's Television Workshop, I can pass along their firm view that Ernie and Bert are _not_ in fact gay. CTW's statements on other occasions indicate that the Bert and Ernie are puppets, not people ("they don't even have legs!" one person was told), and do not have sexual aspects at all. Whether or not you agree with this, please DO NOT post on this issue: it has been run into the ground repeatedly. Rest assured that your views, whatever they may be, have been stated by others.
Q1. IS ERNIE (or any other muppet) DYING? [Abstract: No.]
Several times a year, this group receives a panic-stricken posting from a new reader who has heard the rumor that the beloved Sesame Street character Ernie is dying. It is even rumored that Jim Henson's will requires that Ernie no longer be used after his death. This is not the case: several members of this group have gone so far as to contact Henson Productions and Children's Television Workshop, and been ABSOLUTELY ASSURED that this is not the case.
For those of you who need it from a published source, here is a quote from "Surely, no one believes the rat in the soda bottle story," written by Rachel Jones of Knight-Ridder Newspapers. (Des Moines [Iowa] Register, Dec.1, 1992, p.3T. Thanks to Lore Guilmartin for sending it along.) The story concerns 'urban legends,' stories that spread like wildfire with little or no basis in fact.
...But some rumors are just too bizarre to figure.
One of the most recent urban myths is one claiming
that Ernie, Bert's roommate on "Sesame Street", is
dying of leukemia.
"Oh no, not again," groaned Ellen Morgenstern,
spokeswoman for Children's Television Workshop in
New York, when asked about Ernie's health. "Ernie
is not dying of AIDS; he's not dying of leukemia.
Ernie is a puppet." The Ernie stories have
circulated for the past year, Morgenstern says. But
the furor is sort of flattering.
"It's amazing that a rumor like this could send
shock waves throughout the country," Morgenstern
says. "It's an indication of how much Ernie is
loved.
So, no: ERNIE IS NOT DYING!
Recently, this urban legend has been sprouting variations as to the manner of impending death or the muppet involved. The answer remains the same: Sesame Street has no plans to kill off any of the muppets.
The Old Lady who Lived in a Shoe
Kermit sets out to interview her, but first talks to a young lady who lives in a glove ("Does this look like a shoe to you?"), who also has a rhyme: "There was a young lady who lived in a glove, if you came to her door, she'd give you a shove! Now get out of here, frog!" Kermit then speaks to an old man who lives in a hat ("He could bark like a dog, and meow like a cat"). He eventually meets the old lady, who makes him take care of her children.
Humpty Dumpty
Kermit begins by interviewing one of the King's horses (played, essentially, by Buster), who feeds him a load of puns, which Kermit jots down on his notepad: "Well, he's a good egg." "Uh huh, good egg." "Not what you'd call hard-boiled." "Uh-huh, not hard-boiled." He then interviews Humpty Dumpty, who's safely on top of his wall. Eventually, Kermit gives him a hearty congratulatory slap on the back,and, of course, he falls off. Sirens go off, horses and men show up, and there's a lot of talking and confusion. We hear the voice of the horse from earlier talking with a man: "What happened?" "It was the frog that did it." "Somebody get the frog out of here!"
Old MacDonald had a Farm
Old MacDonald (terrific Scottish accent), has become wealthy and famous from his song, and in order to repay the animals who made him what he is, has converted the Farm into a health club. I remember two aristocratic pigs, "I'll meet you down by the pool, Muffy." They do a version of the song with a stretch, stretch here and a jump, jump there, and Kermit becomes exhausted (I believe -- can anyone help me on this?).
Peter Piper
Kermit goes to Piper's pickle patch and meets Papa Piper, Piper Piper, all sorts of Pipers except Peter. Eventually Kermit is covered with peppers.
There's also one from the Muppet Show where he broadcasts from the planet Koozbane, with the Koozbanian Foob, the most sought after food on the planet. Kermit's asking him how they survive. The answer is "evolution", as the Foob turns more and more into a Kermit look-alike, and it ends in a fight between who's the real one. (Thanks to Rebecca Alice Metz.)
Cinderella at the Ball
Kermit asks Cinderella to describe her outfit, and the Prince (brilliantly played by Guy Smiley) breaks in with a yuppie accent: "I'd be glad to. I'm wearing a sky blue velvet jumpsuit with ruffles at the neck and cuffs ... the crown that dad gave me, with jewels and sparkly things ..." Meanwhile Cinderella realizes it's almost midnight and leaves; after he's through describing his ensemble, the Prince finds her slipper ("Heigh ho, what's this? A glass slipper!"). He ends up dropping and breaking the slipper ("Easy come, easy go"), forgeting about "Cindy", and soliciting dances from other ballgoers "The prince is free to dance! Who wants to dance with the prince? Get your tickets! ... Hey, Frog, you wanna dance? No, I suppose not." (Thanks to Steve Kaliszewski)
George Washington's Father's Cherry Orchard
Kermit interviews George Washington's father about the famous cherry tree incident; meanwhile little George keeps chopping down trees, and telling the truth after each one: "I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down that cherry tree with my little hatchet". Kermit keeps count of the trees ("Let's see, there were 1776 trees, now there are 1775 trees; 1776 take away 1 is 1775") and George's father regrets giving him the hatchet ("I wish we'd gotten him that wagon instead"). He continues discussing his son's peculiarities with Kermit ("Chop, chop, chop; truth, truth, truth. Chop, chop, chop; truth, truth, truth."), finally explaining that there's one thing the boy has to learn: "TO STOP CHOPPING DOWN MY CHERRY TREES! C'mere, George! Gimme that hatchet!" The 1774th tree falls on Kermit, who returns us to our regularly scheduled program with cherries and sticks on his head. (Thanks to Steve Kaliaszewski)
The Sesame Street lists included here were compiled by Charles Evans out of the responses to a list posted by Bob Pedersen. Many people offered suggestions: most of these contributors are listed in the introduction to this FAQ.
These lists are not complete, nor do I intend them to be. Mr. Evans IS attempting a complete list -- see the newsgroup. [I, personally, would rather take over for Sisyphus, although I suspect Gonzo would find that role rather amusing. 8^)] This list is the first posted version of Mr. Evans' list, with some minor modifications. Please note: Version 3.0 saw a few removals from this list, mostly unnamed charaters from Sesame Street, as well as a few additions.
Bob : Music teacher
Buffy : Past; played by Buffy St. Marie
David : Deceased
Fanny : Old SS kid, Kermit interview
Gabriella : Marie and Luis's daughter
Gina : Teenager
Gordon : Married to Susan: more than one actor
Hiroshi : Artist
John-John : Frequently used child
Koty : Child of Buffy and Sheldon
Linda : Deaf; Librarian; owns Barkley
Luis : Married to Maria
Maria : Married to Luis
Miles : Adopted son of Susan and Gordon
Mr. Mcintosh : Past; owned fruit stand on wheels
Mr.Hanford : Currently own's Hooper's store
Mr.Hooper : Deceased; ran grocery store
Nina the Nice : Oscar's alter ego in a n'hood of
grouches
Olivia : Gordon's sister
Sabian : Teenager
Shola : Old SS kid, Kermit interview
Sheldon : Married to Buffy
Susan : Married to Gordon
Wanda the Word Fairy : New, in a few skits
Alice Snuffleupagus : Mr. Snuffleupagus's sister
Amazing Mumford : Magician; Grover often volunteered
Angry Guy : Sherlock Hemlock lookalike
Assorted Cows : Often used a backup singers
Baby Martian :
Barkley : Large dog: owned by Linda
Bart : Bert's brother
Bert :
Betty Lou :
Biff : Construction worker: partner of
Sully
Big Bird :
Boss : Lefty's boss with the Golden "An"
Brad : Bert's nephew
Bruce Stringbean and the : "Born to Add"
S Street Band
Bruno : Carries Oscar's can
Buster : Forgetful Jones' horse
Captain Vegetable : Guy Smiley lookalike
Charlie : as in "Hey, Charlie, a number 4!"
Chrissie and the Alphabets : several big hits!
Cinderella :
Clementine : Forgetful Jones' girlfriend
Cookie Monster :
Don Music :
Dr. Noble Price : Scientist
Elmo :
Ernie :
Farley : Little boy
Ferlengheti : Beat Poet
Flo Bear :
Forgetful Jones : Cowboy; lives up to name
Frank and Stein : The two-headed monster
Gina : Muppet; "Gina play"
Gladys : Cow
Grover :
Grover's Mommy :
Grungetta : Oscar's girlfriend
Guy Smiley : Real name: Bernie
Liederkrantz (we think!)
Guy from Alphabet Chat : Name???
Harvey Kneeslapper : Practical joker
Herbert Birdsfoot :
Herry Monster :
Hoots the Owl : Plays saxophone
How Now Brown Cow and The Moo Wave : Cow singing group
Humpty Dumpty : News Flash! star Irvine : Oscar the Grouch's niece Jackman Wolf : Guy with yellow hair and glasses, sung Kermit the Frog : Large Blue Wolf : In most scenes with the wolf Lefty : Shady guy: sells things to Ernie Little Bird :Little Jerry and the Monotones : "Telephone Rock"
Little Red Riding Hood : Red is liberated or non-traditional
Martians : The folks at CTW call them
the "Yip-yips"
Merryl Sheep :
Miss Muffett : News Flash! star
Mr. Snuffleupagus :
Mrs. Snuffleupagus : Mr. S's mother
Old MacDonald : Had a Farm
Oscar the Grouch :
Oscar's little niece :
Oscar's mommy :
H. Ross Parrot :
Pat Playjacks : America's _Second_ Favorite Game Show Host
Peter Piper :
Pied Piper : Really groovy, looked like Jim Henson
Placido Flamingo : Opera singer
Polly Darton : Country Singer
Prarie Dawn :
Prince Charming :
Purple Guy : In the skit with the guy with long nose
Roosevelt Franklin :
Rumpelstiltskin :
Sam the Robot :
Shaggy Singer and 2 backups who sing "Near, Far" and "Ball Tall Fall Wall"
Sheldon the Turtle :
Sherlock Hemlock : The World's Greatest Detective
Simon the Soundman : Made noises with his mouth
Singing pigs :
Sinister Sam : "I wanna know who bought the last box
of crayons and Y"
Sleeping Beauty :
Slimey : Oscar's pet worm
Small Green Wolf : Accused of a crime
Solid Citizen : Lady on stage with Mumford
Spider of Miss Muffett : News Flash! star
Sully : Construction worker; Biff's partner
Telly Monster :
The Amazing Mumford :
The Beetles : They sing "Letter B"
The Count von Count :
The Dingers :
The Honkers :
The Martians :
The Three Little Pigs : Various skits
Theodore : In the Count's classroom
Twiddle Bugs : At least four; live in Ernie's flowerbox
Vanna White lookalike : Name???
Very Large Grayish-Blue Wolf : Blew Kermit off the screen and screen white
Vincent Twice, Vincent Twice : Armchair announcer
Witches in a cave that COOPERATED to make some chicken soup
ZZ Top Lookalikes : Cool =)The guy at Grover's restaurants :
Basketball : Gave Kermit a hard time Cloud : "Here is Your Life" star for Oak Tree Dentist : "Here is Your Life" star for Tooth Farmer Brown : Who grew the wheat for someone Fred Chair : "Here is Your Life" star for Oak Tree Glass of Milk : House : 4710 Pleasant Street Loaf of Bread : "Here is Your Life" honoree Nose : On Name That Part Oak Tree : "Here is Your Life" honoree Pasty the ToothPaste : "Here is Your Life" star for ToothPeanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches : "HIYL" honoree From Tuscaloosa, AL
Spider of Miss Muffett : News Flash! star Tooth : "Here is Your Life" honoree Toothbrush : "Here is Your Life" star for Tooth Wilma Table : "HIYL" star for Oak Tree
Kermit
Miss Piggy
Statler
Waldorf
Fozzie Bear
Crazy Harry (likes explosions)
Lew Zealand (throws fish)
Scooter
J.P. Grosse (Scooter's uncle who owns the theatre)
Bobby Benson and his Baby Band
Tom, Dick, and Harry, the 3-headed creature
Annie Sue (Miss Piggy's rival)
Timmy Monster
Thog
George the Janitor
Rowlf
The Great Gonzo
Sam the American Eagle
Swedish Chef
Link Hogthrob
Camella the Chicken
Dr. Julius Strangepork
The Muppet News Reporter
Sweetums
Nigel the conductor (wrote theme music)
Showered Rosell (sports anouncer)
Muppy
Foo-foo
Robin
Andre the Artist
Hilda (from Wardrobe)
Dr. Bunson Honeydew
Beaker
Annie Sue
The Gargling Gargoyl
Marvin Suggs and his Amazing Muppephone
(Also, M.S. and his All-Food Glee Club)
Beauregard
Clifford (Jim Henson's last creation -- only two known appearences)
Mahna mahna
Wayne and Wanda
Rizzo and various other rats
Lewis Kezagger -- sportscaster
Uncle Deadly
Granny the Gouger
Flying Zucchini Brothers
Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
Dr. Teeth -- keyboards
Sgt. Floyd Pepper -- guitar
Zoot -- saxophone
Janis -- guitar, vocals
Animal -- drums
Lips -- trumpet (later)
Veterinarian's Hospital
Dr. Bob (Rowlf)
Nurse Piggy
Nurse Janice
Pigs in Space
The Swinetrek
Captain Link Hogthrob
Dr. Julius Strangepork
First Mate Piggy
Character Actor David Northern Calloway Luis Emilio Delgado Mr. Hooper Will Lee Susan Loretta Long Maria Sonja Manzano Bob Bob McGrath Gordon Hal Miller
The King and I
The Postman Always Rings Twice [a classic]
The Monsters of Venice
The Taming of the Shoe
The Old Man and the C
Upstairs, Downstairs, episode ___ [I forget which number]
Guys and Dolls
The 400 Blows ["with subtitles"]Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
I hope everyone has been entertained.
Bob Pedersen
--
Bob Pedersen
University of Iowa Library Science Student
Snail: P.O. Box 847, Iowa City, IA 52244
"I have a room for life at the Home for the Chronically Groovy!"
-- Sgt. Floyd Pepper
Back to Miranda's Muppet Fest