How are all y’all doing? I hope you’re enjoying wonderful weather and life wherever you are. It’s hard to believe it’s November already because our weather is more like late September! It’s been sunny for the most part, but a little rain would help a lot. Our yard is really dry because the irrigation system has already been winterized. Hopefully, you read my other post for today: Fashion Files. I wrote about my recent get away! But, it’s time for 10 on the 10th! I have been struggling with coming up with original prompts. So, when I found the factoid the Muppets had their official premier on “Sesame Street” on November 10th, I thought that would be a fine prompt! And, before you ask, the other puppets on “Sesame Street” were Muppets as well. So, I’m not 100% sure how the Muppets had their official debut when there’d been Muppets there all along. But, I digress! As Kermit would say, “On with the show!”
Now, you don’t have to put your list in order, but I’m going to start with my favorite couple of Muppets, then I’ll move on until I have ten!
My first favorite Muppet is…wait for it…Janice! What? You don’t know who Janice is? She’s the cool one in the band! Lore has it she was named after Janis Joplin, and Mick Jagger was the inspiration behind those lips. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but Janice is just groovy! And, I like groovy!
Next has to be Animal. I don’t know why he appeals to me so much. Maybe it’s his lack of control. He just, as the saying goes, “let’s it all hang out.” I love this quote I found…gotta love a Muppet who loves art and knows the difference between two great artists!
Kermit the Frog: What’s wrong with the drummer? He looks a little crazed.
Zoot: Oh, he’s just upset about missing the Rembrandt exhibit at the National Gallery.
Animal: [Correcting him in a wild, angry tone] Renoir!!
Then, there’s Fozzie Bear. I think I really identify with him. He’s insecure, tries so hard to be good at what he does and fails miserably. I’d like to meet a teacher who doesn’t have a little Fozzie Bear in her/him. He’s also Kermit’s best friend so what’s not to love, right?
Now, Gonzo is…well…Gonzo! I love a character that doesn’t fit into any kind of mold. Nobody knows exactly what or who Gonzo is. In fact, he’s been labeled a “whatever.” Most people would be devastated by such a description, but not Gonzo! He’s 100% Gonzo. Wait, that’s not right. He’s 200% Gonzo! I love this quote:
When asked about the [“Gonzorella”} episode, producer Tom Warburton said that early on the plan was to make Gonzo appear in a skirt as if it were no big deal, because ‘Gonzo is always 200 percent Gonzo 347 percent of the time.'”
OK, it’s time for Kermit. I know he’s probably at the top of most people’s lists. And, I do like Kermit. He has this huge heart, wants only the best for his pals, and truly wants to leave this world a better place. I love him for that. But, Kermit always takes center stage, doesn’t he? That’s not a bad thing, but sometimes, you gotta show some love to the background players! I’ve also read Kermit is Jim Henson’s Muppet characterization. And, I’d like to believe that’s true because it’s a good thing to recognize that being green is a gift. I thank you, Mr. Henson, for giving us Kermit.
OK, this may be a cheat, or I may end up breaking up this duo if I can’t come up with ten Muppets. Up next in my parade of all things Henson-y are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is the doctor you never knew you needed…just don’t accept any medicines or treatments from him! There’s just something about his unimpeachable belief in his own abilities that makes me smile. It’s strange to note Dr. Bunsen Honeydew premiered without Beaker but only for one season. Beaker is Dr, Bunsen Honeydew’s unfortunate lab assistant. Beaker exists as the “foil” to the good doctor’s universally ridiculous failures. These days I suppose we’d be up in arms about his treatment, but poor Beaker has been blown up, electrocuted, flattened, and crushed. Yet, we always see him back in top-ish form on the next episode. There’s something optimistic about poor Beaker who just squeaks or “meeps.” It makes me wonder if he wasn’t one of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s early creations. And, yes, you always have to say his full name!
Now, one cannot watch “The Muppet Show” and not appreciate Statler and Waldorf. Apparently, they were named for two New York hotels: The Statler Hilton and the Waldorf-Astoria. These two grumpy old dudes couldn’t find anything nice to say about anyone if they had to. Their favorite target was poor Fozzie Bear. They would hurl insults at the performer and then guffaw at what they considered to be quite articulate commentary. In their own way, I guess you could almost consider them loveable old farts!
I’m going to veer away from The Muppets as most people consider them and include characters from “Sesame Street.” I do believe Oscar the Grouch is my very favorite of those characters. Oscar is probably the Id of the Muppet world. He really doesn’t care what anyone thinks and lets them know without any kind of filter. He’s the voice of us all if we were only brave enough to say the things we really think.
Of course, Cookie Monster makes my list because who doesn’t love someone (something?) who loves cookies? I have to admit, though, his messiness really gets to me! I do wish there had been a way for those cookies to be “ingested” rather than just creating a mess. Did you know Cookie Monster has a first name? He’s actually Sid Monster! When he premiered on the show, he didn’t have a name at all. I rather think Cookie Monster exists in most of us, whether it’s cookies, shoes, or martinis!
Grover, ah, Grover! How could I not include Grover on this list? One of my kids’ favorite books was The Monster at the End of this Book. I remember one of my boys being terrified about the book because they never equated Grover with being a monster. I find Grover to be such an upbeat character, and he just makes me smile. Grover, in his imagination, can accomplish anything. And, I think that is a wonderful quality. We all need to believe we can accomplish anything, right?
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I do love believe I could have kept going with this list. There are so many Muppets when you start digging into it. I know I started with the ones who “premiered” on “Sesame Street on November 10, 1969. But, Muppets go back even beyond the first “Sesame Street” episode. The first Muppets appeared in 1955! I had no idea until I googled it! So, can we talk? Tell me about your favorite Muppet. What qualities do you value in a Muppet? With which Muppet do you most identify? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
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My list will be up on the blog tomorrow and is very Sesame Street heavy though I did enjoy the Muppet show and even the animated Muppet Babies as well as Fraggle Rock too.
I love that you also love Janice! My heart will always belong to Kermit first and foremost, though.
That was a lot more fun than I expected. I really wondered if I would make it to ten, but then it was so easy to do.
Thank you for this Marsha, I love the Muppets!