Beauregard

From Muppet Wiki

Beauregard is the thick but lovable janitor at the Muppet Theater who took over the mantle from George the Janitor beginning in episode 310 of The Muppet Show. He also does duty as one of the Stagehands. Although he tries to be helpful, his dimwitted efforts frequently result in disaster. Affectionately known as Beau (or Bo), his slow wit is often exploited by characters who use him to their own purposes. He has a characteristic blink and often turns to the camera and says, "Right." Bo has superhuman strength, which is illustrated by his ability to effortlessly lift and carry around objects that are far too heavy to carry, such as an anvil, couch or piano.

Beaker has occasionally assisted Beauregard with stagehand duties.

Bo appeared onstage in various sketches and skits, including an appearance in the Veterinarian's Hospital sketch in episode 501. However, Bo was more comfortable backstage. It was here that a bunch of rats convinced him that he was an honorary rat, so that he would let them eat food out of the refrigerator (episode 503). To his delight, they even elected him president. When Kermit delivered an ultimatum -- either the rats go or Beau does -- Beau heroically took the burden upon himself, offering to leave.

Beauregard originally wore a gray jacket over his plaid shirt, but sometime during the fourth season, he stopped wearing the jacket.

Beauregard's most notable movie appearance was in The Great Muppet Caper, where he played a taxi driver. He brought Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo to the Happiness Hotel -- and right through the front door, into the lobby. Bo makes an oft-quoted joke in the film -- when Kermit says that they'll catch the thieves red-handed, Bo asks, "What color are their hands now?" It was also in this film that Beauregard once again displayed his heroic side by grappling with Nicky Holiday while the rest of the Muppets played "keep away" with the Fabulous Baseball Diamond.

Bo's other major role was in the 1990 special The Muppets at Walt Disney World, where he dragged Miss Piggy onto a series of thrill rides.

He has also made occasional cameo appearances in other Henson projects, including The Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppets Tonight, and The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years. He had a brief, non-speaking cameo in the 2002 TV-movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. Bo returned into a speaking role on Disney Xtreme Digital in 2009, teaming up with Bobo the Bear in a series of videos called "Better Living with Bobo". Beauregard also starred in a book, Bo Saves the Show.

It is revealed in The Muppet Show On Tour that he calls his mop "Belleregard."

In the book Of Muppets and Men, Dave Goelz explains that Beauregard was based on the clumsy Wendell Porcupine from Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. The main reason why Bo never became a star was because the writers thought he was too passive; he didn't desire anything. This made Beauregard difficult to write for.

Filmography

Book appearances

• It's The Muppet Show!
• The Comic Muppet Book
• Fozzie's Big Book of Sidesplitting Jokes
• Fozzie's Funnies
• Two for the Show
• Bo Saves the Show (1982)
• The Muppets Take Manhattan (comic book)
• The Phantom of the Muppet Theater (1991)
• The Muppet Show Comic Book (2009)
  • Issue 1: Kermit's Story
• The Muppets Go Camping (1981)

Merchandise

• Beauregard Action Figure
• Beauregard Bust