A blog exploring the sexy, shocking, surreal, and silly side of horror films.

May 18, 2010

Most Memorable Muppet Monsters

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Last Sunday was the 20th anniversary of Jim Henson's death. Like many children with wild imaginations, I was inspired by Jim Henson and his Muppets. When he died, I was six years old. I was old enough to understand the concept of death, but not ready for it to befall one of my childhood heroes. Perhaps what I most loved about Henson's Muppets were the various Muppet Monsters that appeared over the years on the Muppet Show. In celebration of Jim Henson's life, I thought I'd dedicate this late post to my memories of my most memorable Muppet monster sketches!

Doglion

A full-bodied Muppet monster, Doglion appeared in numerous sketches as well as several feature films, even appearing in the first shot of The Muppet Movie. I will always remember him for his impotent rage as he attempts to destroy Madeline Kahn's good mood. Recently before a showing of The Toxic Avenger Musical in Toronto, a friend and I went into a bar to grab some lunch and this very sketch was playing on the TV across from us.



Gorgon Heap

When this purple guy popped up, he actually scared me when I was little. Usually not featured with the elongated nose he sports in the following clip, he nevertheless gives Lenny the Lizard a taste of his own medicine.



Behemoth

This lovable orange mound with the big mouth appeared in several sketches, taking a starring role in an episode of Veterinarian's Hospital where he goes to Dr. Bob with a sore throat.



Uncle Deadly

One of the creepiest Muppets, Uncle Deadly premiered fittingly in an episode opposite Vincent Price although he'd get his own feature role in a later episode as the Phantom of the Muppet Theatre. In the following clip, Uncle Deadly's segment starts at 5:50

Vincent Price and Uncle Deadly in "House of Horror"

Beakie 

Beakie is a hideous bird creature made from a fright wig, but how can you not remember her for her loving duet with Alice Cooper as they sing "You and Me"



Thog

A lumpy blue monster with solemn eyes, Thog got the Godzilla treatment in a sketch featuring M*A*S*H's Loretta Swit singing "I Feel the Earth Move"

7 comments:

  1. BEST. COUNTDOWN. EVER!

    Uncle Deadly is officially my favorite monster muppet of all time. Great post!

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  2. In the UK the 'muppet' is used to describe a clownish type. One of me best freinds was nicknamed 'Gonzo'.

    A team of us was sat in a pub and a girl walked past. "What are you all watching?" she said. It was Kenny Rogers in a train singing The Gambler with a bunch of Jim's creations.

    20 years since he died? You wouldn't know it.

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  3. Miss Piggy always scared the crap out of me.

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  4. My love for the Muppets knows no bounds. I was 8 when Henson died and remember knowing exactly what that meant, and sobbing. I still get choked up hearing The Rainbow Connection or just about any interview with Henson.

    Are you familiar with The Jim Henson Hour, a series that ran around 1989 (I think)? Some really dark fairy/folk tales told with Muppet-like creatures. Interesting stuff to track down if you can.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emily,

    Oh yes! I am very familiar with the Jim Henson Muppet Hour. I used to watch it every night it was on. I loved the Story Teller segment and it's darker tone. In particular, I really liked the Dog City special episode.

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  6. The only ones fresh in my mind are the Icarus story, the one about the man wandering earth, purgatory, and hell, and one that I remember being really sad involving a big rock monster of sorts. Damn. Now I need to rewatch these!

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  7. This post made my day; love these Muppet monsters. Thog was so underused. I can't wait for Season #4 to come out.

    ReplyDelete

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