The Muppets

About

The Muppets are a franchise of musical and comedic puppet characters, usually furred with large protruding eyes and an oversized mouth, known for their large catalogue of television shows, films, and other media. The characters, who were created by Jim Henson and later acquired by Disney, have been a pillar of American culture since their formation in the 1960s, and are continuously used in new media, including memes.

History

Jim Henson first created Kermit the Frog in the 1950s for segments on Sam & Friends, a variety show, and gradually added the other characters.^[1] After launching Sesame Street, which has many characters operated in the Muppet style, Henson created The Muppet Show, a sketch comedy variety show featuring many of the most common Muppets of today, in 1976. The show's popularity helped created the franchise, which as of September 2015 has been the basis for eight theatrical releases,^[9] nine separate television series, over twenty television specials, two direct-to-video releases, four web series, 15 original album releases, a theme park, six video games, and many other types of print and object-based merchandise. Jim Henson died in 1990, and the franchise was fully acquired by Disney in 2004.^[3]

The word muppet is a portmanteau of marionette and puppet, and was given to The Muppets to explain the signature technique by how the puppets are operated, by the combination of a hand fit into the body of the puppet and a rod operated by the other hand.

Film Adaptation (2011)

In 2011, The Muppets was released in American theaters. The film was meant as a renewal of the franchise, which had not released a full-length theatrical film since 1999's flop Muppets from Space.^[8] Directed by Jason Segel, the film followed the Muppets, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and others, as they attempted to restart their old film studio in Hollywood. The film was a huge success, obtaining a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes^[10] and reaping $165 million dollars at the box office worldwide.^[11]

TV Series Adaptation (2015)

On September 22nd, 2015, a new prime time sitcom entitled The Muppets" premiered on ABC. The series focused on the private lives of the characters, including the relationship between Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, as they create a late night talk show starring Miss Piggy. The show is executive produced by Bill Prady of The Big Bang Theory and Bob Kushell of Anger Management and as of September 2015 it airs Tuesdays at 8 pm.^[12]

Online Presence

The Muppets have two online portals, one at ABC^[2] and one at Disney^[1]. They also maintain social media presences through official Facebook,^[13] Twitter,^[14] and Instagram accounts.^[15] There is also a dedicated Muppets subreddit, which as of September 2015 has over 4,000 subscribers.

Fandom

Notable Characters

Kermit the Frog

Kermit the Frog earliest incarnation aired on the television show Sam and Friends, which aired in 1955.^[1] The puppet wasn’t supposed to be a frog, but eventually became one during the 1960s. In the 1970s, he appeared on Sesame Street, often in the role of a news reporter, and later on The Muppet Show as the host of the program. Since then, Kermit has appeared most notably in various movies, including Muppet Treasure Island in 1996 and The Muppets in the 2011. Kermit is again the star of the new Muppets series of 2015.

Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy is a pig, known widely as Kermit the Frog's romantic interest. She is known for her career as an entertainer, and in June 2015, she received the Sackler Center First Award from the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum.^[6] In August of 2015, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy announced that they were separating in advance of the new Muppets series premiering in fall of 2015.^[7]

Animal

Modeled after the drummer from the Who, Keith Moon, Animal is an integral part of the Muppets band. Animal doesn't speak in proper English, and often communicates through gesture. He is known for his craziness and unpredictability.^[4]

Swedish Chef

The Swedish Chef is a chef who communicates with a comically thick and unintelligible Swedish accent, often using the word "Bork." He is known for the physical comedy involved in his sketches.

Beaker

Beaker is a scientist who only speaks using the word "me" or variations on it (which often leads him to say the word "Meme" by accident). He often causes explosions in the laboratory he uses with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

Statler and Waldorf

These two old Muppets are very admired by trolls, as their roles on the show were often to insult the other characters from a stage balcony.^[5]

Other Notable Muppets^[4]

Related Memes

Mah Nà Mah Nà (Mahna Mahna)

Mah Nà Mah Nà is a popular song which is widely known for its use of comedy and tune. It's also known for its use of reenactments and use of the lyrics.

Cee Lo Bird

Cee Lo Bird refers to the colorful costume worn by R&B singer / songwriter Cee Lo Green^[1] during his memorable performance of the hit single "F*ck You" (Forget You)^[2] at the 2011 Grammys Awards ceremony. The live segment also featured Oscars-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and a band of muppets as back-up singers and dancers.

But That's None of My Business

But That’s None of My Business is a sarcastic expression used as a postscript to an insult or disrespectful remark said towards a specific individual or group. The phrase was popularized through an image macro series featuring Kermit the Frog from The Muppets and punchlines poking fun at a wide range of faux-pas and questionable behaviors in everyday social situations.

I Has a Shuvel

I has a shuvel is lolspeak for "I have a shovel." Statements concerning the posession of basic objectss is a common feature of many image macros, especially where the lolspeak word "has" is concerned; such as the Lolrus' declaration "I has a bukkit" and of course, Happy Cat's request of a cheezburger.
The image originated from the book "Muppet Babies Classic Nursery Rhymes" it was in the image for tongue twister "She Sells Seashells" pictured below.

Search Interest

External References