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Changes: Big Mean Carl

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{{performer|Bill Barretta}}
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{{character|image=BigMeanCarl.png|performer=[[Bill Barretta]]|debut=1992}}
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[[Image:BigMeanCarl.jpg|frame]]
  
 
[[Image:Carl.jpg|thumb|300px]]
  
[[Image:Carl.jpg|thumb|300px]]
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[[File:Big Mean Carl close-up.jpg|thumb|300px]]
  
   
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'''Big Mean Carl''' is a shaggy monster who continued the proud tradition of [[Muppets eating other Muppets|Muppet characters with voracious appetites]].
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'''Big Mean Carl''' is a shaggy monster who continues the proud tradition of [[Muppets eating other Muppets|Muppet characters with voracious appetites]].
   
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Although Carl made his first appearance in the [[1992]] [[Muppet Meeting Films|Muppet Meeting Film]] "[[Muppet Meeting Films#Muppet Mayhem (1992)|Think Bigger]]," in which he was called Chairman Budget and performed by [[Dave Goelz]], he is best known for his role on ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', where he received the name Carl and his new performer, [[Bill Barretta]]. He also appeared in some audience shots.
 +
Although Carl made his first appearance in the [[1992]] [[Muppet Meeting Films|Muppet Meeting Film]] "[[Muppet Meeting Films#Muppet Mayhem (1992)|Think Bigger]]," in which he was called "Chairman Blodgett" and performed by [[Dave Goelz]], he is best known for his role on ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', where he received the name Carl and his new performer, [[Bill Barretta]].
   
 
On ''Muppets Tonight'', Carl's stage name would change slightly from appearance to appearance, always starting with "Carl the Big Mean" but usually ending with a different appellation depending on what kind of act he was performing. But the acts, which ranged from [[Bagpipes|Bagpipe]]-Eater to [[Ventriloquism|Ventriloquist]], were usually just a cover for Carl's real intentions: to eat another character. Always a performer, though, Carl would usually end the with a triumphant "Thank you!"
  
On ''Muppets Tonight'', Carl's stage name would change slightly from appearance to appearance, always starting with "Carl the Big Mean" but usually ending with a different appellation depending on what kind of act he was performing. But the acts, which ranged from [[Bagpipes|Bagpipe]]-Eater to [[Ventriloquism|Ventriloquist]], were usually just a cover for Carl's real intentions: to eat another character. Always a performer, though, Carl would usually end the with a triumphant "Thank you!"
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−
He made six such appearances on ''Muppets Tonight'':
  
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*[[Episode 104: John Goodman|Episode 104]]: Carl the Big Mean Bagpipe-Eater
  
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*[[Episode 106: Tony Bennett|Episode 106]]: Carl the Big Mean [[Rabbits|Bunny]]
  
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*[[Episode 109: Whoopi Goldberg|Episode 109]]: Carl the Big Mean Ventriloquist
  
⚫
*[[Episode 201: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince|Episode 201]]: Carl the Big Mean [[Bill the Bubble Guy|Bubble Guy]]
  
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*[[Episode 206: Paula Abdul|Episode 206]]: Carl the Big Mean [[Porcupines|Porcupine]]-Eater
  
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*[[Episode 211: Andie MacDowell|Episode 211]]: Carl the Big Mean Psychic
  
   
 
Carl also appeared regularly in one the show's recurring [[UK Spots (Muppets Tonight)|UK Spots]], the game show ''[[Swift Wits]]'', in which he always ate the contestants. He also performed with [[the Smashing Pumpkins]] in [[Episode 210: The Gary Cahuenga Episode|episode 210]] and was visited by his mother, [[Carla the Big Mean Mom]], in [[Episode 212: Daryl Hannah|episode 212]].
  
Carl also appeared regularly in one the show's recurring [[UK Spots (Muppets Tonight)|UK Spots]], the game show ''[[Swift Wits]]'', in which he always ate the contestants. He also performed with [[the Smashing Pumpkins]] in [[Episode 210: The Gary Cahuenga Episode|episode 210]] and was visited by his mother, [[Carla the Big Mean Mom]], in [[Episode 212: Daryl Hannah|episode 212]].
   
  +
A modified version of the puppet appeared as "The Grox" (performed by [[Leslie Carrara-Rudolph]]) in ''[[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]]'' episode, "[[Episode 216: There Is Nothing To Fear In Here|There Is Nothing To Fear In Here]]."
⚫
In a more recent appearance, Carl played the "boss," lording it over the director [[Mr. Easy Peasy|Pokey]] and a control room full of [[Rats|rats]] on the November 13, 2008 broadcast of ''[[Today]]'', in which [[The Muppets Take Over Today|the Muppets took over the show]] to promote the newly opened [[Whatnot Workshop]]. He also appeared in ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]'' and "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" and recently starred in the [[Muppet viral videos|viral video]] "[[Stand By Me]]".
  
   
  ⚫
In a more recent appearance, Carl played the "boss," lording it over the director [[Pokey]] and a control room full of [[Rats|rats]] on the November 13, 2008 broadcast of ''[[Today]]'', in which [[The Muppets Take Over Today|the Muppets took over the show]] to promote the newly opened [[Whatnot Workshop]]. In this appearance, he was performed by [[Steve Whitmire]]. He also appeared in ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]'', the "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" and "[[Stand By Me]]" [[Muppet viral videos|viral videos]] and the feature films, ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]'' and ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'' (his first speaking role in a Muppet movie).
   
  +
Carl auditioned for [[Kermit]] and [[Scooter]] as "The Amazing Carl," a magic act that makes his assistant [[Bunny|Albert]] (performed by [[Dave Goelz]])<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/barretta19/posts/10201816159300486?comment_id=6435197&offset=0&total_comments=1&notif_t=feed_comment Bill Barretta's Facebook]. Dec. 11, 2013. Barretta remarks that "He's the best rabbit to eat."</ref> disappear (by eating him), in ''[[Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular]]''.
  +
  +
==Acts==
  +
<gallery widths="209" orientation="square" captionalign="center" spacing="small" hideaddbutton=true >
  +
MT104-18.jpg|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean [[Bagpipe]]-Eater|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 104: John Goodman|episode 104]]}}
  +
Image:BigMeanCarl.jpg|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean [[Rabbits|Bunny]]|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 106: Tony Bennett|episode 106]]}}
  +
Carl-Ventriloquist.jpg|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean [[Ventriloquism|Ventriloquist]]|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 109: Whoopi Goldberg|episode 109]]}}
  +
MT201-09.jpg|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean [[Bill the Bubble Guy|Bubble Guy]]|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 201: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince|episode 201]]}}
  +
Big Mean Carl Porcupine.png|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean [[Porcupines|Porcupine]]-Eater|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 206: Paula Abdul|episode 206]] (omitted from some versions)}}
  +
Carl-Psychic.jpg|{{GNH|Carl the Big Mean Psychic|''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 211: Andie MacDowell|episode 211]]}}
  +
Carl-Albert.png|{{GNH|The Amazing Carl (and [[Bunny|Albert]])|''[[Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular]]''}}
  +
</gallery>
 
==Filmography==
  
==Filmography==
  ⚫
[[File:Big Mean Carl close-up.jpg|thumb|300px]]
   
  +
*[[Muppet Meeting Films]]
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<div class="appear">
  
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* [[Muppet Meeting Films]]
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**"[[Muppet Meeting Films#Muppet Mayhem (1992)|Think Bigger]]"
  +
*''[[Muppets Tonight]]''
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** "[[Muppet Meeting Films#Muppet Mayhem (1992)|Think Bigger]]"
  
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* ''[[Muppets Tonight]]''
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**"[[Muppets Tonight Theme]]"
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** "[[Muppets Tonight Theme]]"
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**[[Episode 102: Garth Brooks]]
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** [[Episode 102: Garth Brooks]] (audience cameo)
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**[[Episode 104: John Goodman]]
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** [[Episode 104: John Goodman]]
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**[[Episode 105: Cindy Crawford]]
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** [[Episode 105: Cindy Crawford]] (audience cameo)
 +
**[[Episode 106: Tony Bennett]]
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** [[Episode 106: Tony Bennett]]
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**[[Episode 109: Whoopi Goldberg]]
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** [[Episode 107: Sandra Bullock]] (audience cameo)
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**[[Episode 110: Martin Short]]
  ⚫
**[[Episode 201: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince]]
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** [[Episode 109: Whoopi Goldberg]] ("Carl the Big Mean Ventriloquist" act and audience cameo)
  
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** [[Episode 110: Martin Short]] (audience cameo)
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**[[Episode 203: Heather Locklear]]
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** [[Episode 201: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince]]
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**[[Episode 204: Pierce Brosnan]]
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** [[Episode 203: Heather Locklear]]
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**[[Episode 206: Paula Abdul]]
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** [[Episode 204: Pierce Brosnan]]
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**[[Episode 209: The Best of Muppets Tonight]]
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** [[Episode 206: Paula Abdul]]
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**[[Episode 210: The Gary Cahuenga Episode]]
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** [[Episode 209: The Best of Muppets Tonight]]
 +
**[[Episode 211: Andie MacDowell]]
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** [[Episode 210: The Gary Cahuenga Episode]]
 +
**[[Episode 212: Johnny Fiama Leaves Home]]
  ⚫
*''[[Today]]'' ("[[The Muppets Take Over Today]]")
⚫
** [[Episode 211: Andie MacDowell]]
  
  ⚫
*''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]''
⚫
** [[Episode 212: Johnny Fiama Leaves Home]]
  
−
* ''[[Today]]''
 +
*''[[Disney Xtreme Digital]]''
  +
*[[Haunted Holidays|Disney.com's Haunted Holidays]]
⚫
** "[[The Muppets Take Over Today]]"
  
  ⚫
*[[Muppet viral videos]]
⚫
* ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]''
  
  ⚫
**"[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]"
⚫
* ''[[Disney Xtreme Digital]]''
  
−
* [[Haunted Holidays]]
 +
**"[[Stand By Me]]"
  +
*[[Lost|Lost Slapdown]]
⚫
* [[Muppet viral videos|Virmup]]
  
  +
*[[AMC Theatres|AMC Movie Theater Policy Trailer]]
⚫
** "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]"
  
  +
*''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''
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** "[[Stand By Me]]"
  
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* [[Lost|Lost Slapdown]]
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*''[[Bounty|Kermit's Party]]''
  +
*"[[All I Need is Love]]" music video
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</div>
  
  +
*''[[Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular]]''
  +
*[[QVC]]
  +
*''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''
  ⚫
*''[[Disney Drive-On with The Muppets]]''
  +
* [[The Muppets 2015 Presentation Pilot]]
  +
*''[[The Muppets (2015)|The Muppets]]''
  ⚫
**[[Episode 101: Pig Girls Don't Cry]]
  ⚫
**[[Episode 102: Hostile Makeover]]
  +
**[[Episode 107: Pig's in a Blackout]]
  +
**[[Episode 108: Too Hot to Handler]]
  +
**[[Episode 109: Going, Going, Gonzo]]
  +
**[[Episode 110: Single All the Way]]
   
 
==Book appearances==
  
==Book appearances==
 
*''[[Great Muppets in American History]]''
  
*''[[Great Muppets in American History]]''
 
*''[[Muppet Snow White]]''
  
*''[[Muppet Snow White]]''
  +
*''[[The Muppets Character Encyclopedia]]''
  +
  +
==Sources==
  +
<References/>
 
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
  
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
 
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
  
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
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[[Category:Muppets Tonight Recurring Sketches]]
  
[[Category:Muppets Tonight Recurring Sketches]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Monsters]]
  
[[Category:Muppet Monsters]]
  +
[[Category:The Muppets (2015) Characters]]

Revision as of 23:02, 5 December 2015

BigMeanCarl
PERFORMER Bill Barretta
DEBUT 1992
Carl

Big Mean Carl is a shaggy monster who continues the proud tradition of Muppet characters with voracious appetites.

Although Carl made his first appearance in the 1992 Muppet Meeting Film "Think Bigger," in which he was called "Chairman Blodgett" and performed by Dave Goelz, he is best known for his role on Muppets Tonight, where he received the name Carl and his new performer, Bill Barretta.

On Muppets Tonight, Carl's stage name would change slightly from appearance to appearance, always starting with "Carl the Big Mean" but usually ending with a different appellation depending on what kind of act he was performing. But the acts, which ranged from Bagpipe-Eater to Ventriloquist, were usually just a cover for Carl's real intentions: to eat another character. Always a performer, though, Carl would usually end the with a triumphant "Thank you!"

Carl also appeared regularly in one the show's recurring UK Spots, the game show Swift Wits, in which he always ate the contestants. He also performed with the Smashing Pumpkins in episode 210 and was visited by his mother, Carla the Big Mean Mom, in episode 212.

A modified version of the puppet appeared as "The Grox" (performed by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) in The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss episode, "There Is Nothing To Fear In Here."

In a more recent appearance, Carl played the "boss," lording it over the director Pokey and a control room full of rats on the November 13, 2008 broadcast of Today, in which the Muppets took over the show to promote the newly opened Whatnot Workshop. In this appearance, he was performed by Steve Whitmire. He also appeared in A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, the "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Stand By Me" viral videos and the feature films, The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted (his first speaking role in a Muppet movie).

Carl auditioned for Kermit and Scooter as "The Amazing Carl," a magic act that makes his assistant Albert (performed by Dave Goelz)[1] disappear (by eating him), in Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular.

Acts

Filmography

Big Mean Carl close-up

Book appearances

Sources

  1. ↑ Bill Barretta's Facebook. Dec. 11, 2013. Barretta remarks that "He's the best rabbit to eat."
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