Wow, I haven’t been so riveted by an election since, well, Obama. Part political race, part sports contest, the Muppet Madness Tournament pitted 16 pairings to determine who might be the most beloved Muppet. Here’s a rundown on the results.
The contest divided the candidates into four categories: The Show [The Muppet Show], The Street [Sesame Street], The Rock [Fraggle Rock] and The Rest [various]. Full results are here. You may want to consult this page, as I’m not discussing every single result. This is a gleefully biased commentary.
When Muppet fansites the Muppetcast and Toughpigs first unveiled the Muppetcast Tournament – a sports contest for the rest of us – I thought it was going to be a small, fun poll. But I soon found myself riveted as over 15,000 people voted and the tournament was discussed everywhere from the mental_floss magazine blog to the San Francisco Examiner.
Richard Hunt had only two characters in the tournament. Yes, sadly, “had,” past tense.
First, in The Show, Beaker lost narrowly to Animal, 57 to 43 percent. Joe Hennes of Toughpigs had said he expected Beaker to win due to his recent internet popularity with videos such as Beaker’s Ballad. But Animal won out, as he always seems to do. He must have insta-grow votes! Beaker has been played by Steve Whitmire since Richard’s death, so technically they would have shared the honor.
Second, Richard’s Junior Gorg was trounced by Whitmire’s Sprocket — everybody’s favorite dog besides Barkley — in The Rock. This was the widest margin in the election, 81 to 19 percent. Ouch. I think people don’t like Junior Gorg because he was mean to the Fraggles. Also some fans swear Sprocket is a real dog.
I love Sprocket and Animal, but I’m sorry to see both of Hunt’s characters eliminated in the first round. Maybe next time – this is going to be annual, right guys? – we can have a Richard/Richard pairing, like the pairings of Cookie/Grover (both Frank Oz) and Big Bird/Oscar (both Carroll Spinney) in The Street. I’d particularly love to see a Nelson/Nelson pairing – perhaps Floyd/Lew Zealand in The Show, or Pa Gorg/Marjory from The Rock.
Three Jerry Nelson characters lost by very slim margins. First, on The Street, Bert and Ernie beat The Count, 52 to 49 percent. That one I don’t begrudge so much because, well, it’s Bert and Ernie, the gayest Muppets on Sesame Street (besides Gladys). But I am sad to see sweet, indecisive Wembley strike down brave, companionable Gobo. I love Gobo, especially the song “Follow Me” used in this touching Henson tribute.
Finally, in The Rest category, Nelson’s character Emmet Otter lost to Noel MacNeal’s Bear, which, I must admit, broke my heart. This contest pits modern vs. old-school Muppets; Bear is the lead in The Bear in the Big Blue House, which ran from 1997 to 2003, while Emmet is from “Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas,” a delightful 1977 Christmas TV special with music by Paul Williams (who also wrote “The Rainbow Connection”). Bear’s narrow win – 52 to 48 percent – is a little too symbolic in my eyes. Go watch Nelson, Hunt, Henson and Dave Goelz harmonizing here and understand just how excellent Emmet Otter really is.
Another triumph of new-school over old-school is Elmo’s (Kevin Clash) tiny victory over Telly (Martin P. Robinson) in The Street – by 74 votes. That one was so close it almost should have gone to the Supreme Court. I enjoy Elmo – I think he has some direct line to my biological clock – but I love Telly too, so I’m glad this was so close, that classic Sesame gave the modern World a run for its money.
Predictions for Round 2:
The Show
Kermit vs. Animal, Piggy vs. Fozzie.
Crank the Black Sabbath, this is an Oz-fest. Kermit – the only non-Oz character left in this category – is favored to win the tournament. I predict a pig vs. frog showdown. I hope the pig will win. Let’s take this one for the ladies.
The Street
Oscar vs. Cookie, Elmo vs. Bert and Ernie.
Cookie vs. Oscar will be tight, but I hope our resident Grumpy-Pants wins, if only so he can enjoy being annoyed at how many people love him.
If Bert and Ernie do not beat Elmo, there is no justice.
The Rock
Wembley vs. Red, Boober vs. Sprocket.
I am rooting for the underdog in both categories here. Red Fraggle (Karen Prell) is a spunky, spirited tomboy; Boober (Dave Goelz) is a morose, loveable weirdo. I want both to win, but neither is favored. Probably this category will go to Whitmire, who has 2/4 characters here, and is currently leading in both categories.
The Rest
Hoggle vs. Skeeter, Bear vs. the La Choy Dragon
Skeeter, from Muppet Babies, is a tip of the hat to Richard’s character Scooter, so she’s getting my repeat vote.
Bear vs. the La Choy Dragon is another battle between classic and modern, this time even more so. Henson invented the La Choy Dragon for chow mein commercials in the mid-sixties. Henson did the voice and Oz wore the costume;
Oz hated the costume so much he subsequently performed few full-body Muppets. Did Frank Oz suffer in a puppet suit for nothing? I think not. Go look how awesome The La Choy Dragon is. Then go vote for him.
But most of all, have fun! See you next week to discuss Round 2!