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− | [[File:Muppet Name Etymology.jpg|thumb|300px|Muppet Name Etymology by CollegeHumor]] |
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[[file:Jerry and jerry.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson and Jerry]] |
[[file:Jerry and jerry.jpg|thumb|300px|Jerry Nelson and Jerry]] |
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==Characters named after performers/crew== |
==Characters named after performers/crew== |
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===The Muppets=== |
===The Muppets=== |
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− | * [[Betsy Bird]] |
+ | * [[Betsy Bird]] — named after [[Betsy Baytos]] |
− | * [[Cynthia Birdley]] |
+ | * [[Cynthia Birdley]] — named after [[Cynthia Adler]] |
− | * [[Fletcher Bird]] |
+ | * [[Fletcher Bird]] — named after [[Graham Fletcher]] |
− | * [[Frank]] |
+ | * [[Frank]] — a [[Frank Oz]] lookalike |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Behemoth|Gene]] — named after [[Gene Barretta]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Jerry]] — a [[Jerry Nelson]] lookalike |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Jim]] — a [[Jim Henson]] lookalike |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Joe the Armadillo]] — named after [[Joey Mazzarino]] |
+ | * [[Lou]] — named after [[Louise Gold]] |
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+ | * [[Roger (Muppet Show)|Roger]] — named after [[Roger Knight]] |
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+ | * [[Walter]] — named after a puppet that [[Jason Segel]] owned |
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===Sesame Street=== |
===Sesame Street=== |
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− | * [[Big |
+ | * [[Big Jeffie]] — named after [[Jeff Moss]] |
− | * [[Jeffy]] |
+ | * [[Jeffy]] — named after Jeff Moss |
− | * [[Wet Paint (Pottle/Axlerod)|Calypso Calloway]] |
+ | * [[Wet Paint (Pottle/Axlerod)|Calypso Calloway]] — named after [[Northern Calloway]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Carmen (bird)|Carmen]] — named after [[Carmen Osbahr]] |
− | * [[Little Chrissy]] |
+ | * [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Chrissy]] — named after [[Christopher Cerf]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Little Chrissy]] — named after Christopher Cerf |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Davey Monkey]] — named after [[David Rudman]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Fran]] — named after [[Fran Brill]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Miss Fran]] — named after Fran Brill |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Farmer Frankie]] — named after [[Frank Oz]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Frances Oznowicz]] — named after Frank Oz |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Frannie]] — named after [[Fran Brill]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Little Jerry]] — named after [[Jerry Nelson]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Little Sammy Pottle]] — named after [[Sam Pottle]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Mr. Jerry]] — named after Jerry Nelson |
− | * [[ |
+ | * Nelson in [[Episode 3878]] — named after Jerry Nelson |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Joe Marley]] — named after Joey Mazzarino |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Joe Marley|Joey Dickens]] — named after Joey Mazzarino |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Joey Monkey]] — named after Joey Mazzarino |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Louisey]] — named after [[Louise Gold]] |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Marty (monster)|Marty]] — named after [[Martin P. Robinson]] |
+ | * [[Richard (Pumpkin AM)|Richard]] — named after [[Richard Hunt]] |
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+ | * [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Rockin' Richard]] — named after Richard Hunt |
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+ | * [[Pammy]] — named after [[Pam Arciero]] |
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+ | * [[Diva D'Abruzzo]] — named after [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]] |
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+ | * [[Mrs. Turow]] — named after [[Cathi Rosenberg-Turow]] (performed by [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]]) |
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+ | * Lara and Matt — in the video ''[[Learning is Everywhere]]'', two friends Elmo and Abby meet at the park are named after their performers, [[Lara MacLean]] and [[Matt Vogel]], respectively. |
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+ | * Matt from [[Episode 4224]] — named after Matt Vogel |
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===Fraggle Rock=== |
===Fraggle Rock=== |
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− | * [[Balsam]] |
+ | * [[Balsam]] — named after [[Philip Balsam]] (performed by [[Lee Armstrong]], [[Jerry Nelson]] and [[Karen Prell]]) |
− | * [[Gillis Fraggle]] |
+ | * [[Gillis Fraggle]] — named after [[Don Gillis]] (performed by [[Richard Hunt]]) |
− | * [[Phil Fraggle]] |
+ | * [[Phil Fraggle]] — named after [[Philip Balsam]] |
===The Animal Show=== |
===The Animal Show=== |
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− | * [[Dave the Human]] |
+ | * [[Dave the Human]] — [[Dave Goelz]] (puppet performed by [[Bill Barretta]]) |
===Other=== |
===Other=== |
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+ | * [[Queen Regina|Regina, Queen of Ka-Larry]] — named after writer's assistant Regina Calarie |
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− | * It was originally suggested that [[Zoe]] on ''[[Sesame Street]]'' be named after her |
+ | * It was originally suggested that [[Zoe]] on ''[[Sesame Street]]'' be named after her performer, [[Fran Brill]]. Brill didn't want a puppet named after her, so she suggested naming the puppet Zoe after the [[J. D. Salinger]] novel ''[[wikipedia:Franny and Zooey|Franny and Zooey]]''.<ref>''[[Sesame Street Unpaved (book)|Sesame Street Unpaved]]'', p. 87</ref> |
==Characters named after other people== |
==Characters named after other people== |
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− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Alphonso D'Abruzzo]] — named after [[Alan Alda]]'s real name. |
+ | * [[Bert]] and [[Ernie]] — ''see [[Are Bert and Ernie named after characters from It's a Wonderful Life?]]'' |
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+ | * [[Deena]] — named after a close friend of [[Norman Stiles]]. |
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− | * [[Donny Dodo|Donnie]] and [[Marie Dodo]] - Named after [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]]. |
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− | * [[Fozzie Bear]] - ''see [[Fozzie's name]]'' |
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− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Donnie Dodo|Donnie]] and [[Marie Dodo]] — named after [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]]. |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Fozzie Bear]] — ''see [[Fozzie's name]]'' |
+ | * [[Gloria Estefan (penguin)]] — named after [[Gloria Estefan]] |
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− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Humphrey]] and [[Ingrid]] — named after [[Humphrey Bogart]] and [[Ingrid Bergman]]. |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Kermit the Frog]] — ''see [[Was Kermit named after a childhood friend of Jim Henson?]]'' |
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− | * [[Ricardo Monsterban]] - named after actor Ricardo Montalbán. |
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− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Mokey Fraggle|Mokey]] — named after a childhood friend of [[Jim Henson]]. |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Prairie Dawn]] — named after an actress named Prairie Dorn. |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Rizzo the Rat]] — named after Ratso Rizzo from ''Midnight Cowboy''. |
+ | * [[Svengali]] — named after a character in George du Maurier's novel ''Trilby''. |
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+ | ''see also: [[:Category:Caricature Muppets]] and [[:Category:Parody Muppets]]'' |
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==Characters named after places== |
==Characters named after places== |
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− | * [[Astoria]] |
+ | * [[Astoria]] — named after the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] in [[New York City]]. |
− | * [[Belmont]] |
+ | * [[Belmont]] — named after the horse racing track Belmont Park. |
− | * [[The Bouncing |
+ | * [[The Bouncing Borsalino Brothers]] — named after the Italian hat company Borsalino. |
− | * [[Statler and Waldorf|Waldorf]] |
+ | * [[Statler and Waldorf|Waldorf]] — named after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. |
− | * [[Wembley Fraggle|Wembley]] |
+ | * [[Wembley Fraggle|Wembley]] — named after Wembley Stadium. |
− | * [[Signor Baffi]] |
+ | * [[Signor Baffi]] — named after Signor Baffi's Italian restaurant. |
− | * [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]] |
+ | * [[Statler and Waldorf|Statler]] — named after the Statler Hotel in New York City. |
− | * [[Oscar the Grouch]] |
+ | * [[Oscar the Grouch]] — named after Oscar's Tavern in Manhattan. |
==Characters named after filmmaking techniques== |
==Characters named after filmmaking techniques== |
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+ | * [[Limbo]] — used in video production to indicate a neutral or nondescript background. |
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− | * [[Gobo Fraggle|Gobo]] - Short for "go between"; a lighting term used in film, television and theatre. |
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− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Gobo Fraggle|Gobo]] — short for "go between"; a lighting term used in film, television and theatre. |
+ | * [[Uncle Traveling Matt|Traveling Matt]] — from "traveling matte," a technique used in television and film to insert a foreground object into a prerecorded background image. |
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− | * [[Waldo C. Graphic|Waldo]] |
+ | * [[Waldo C. Graphic|Waldo]] — after the [[Waldo (remote manipulator)|waldo]], the electronic device used to perform him. |
==Characters whose names are puns== |
==Characters whose names are puns== |
||
[[file:Abbyflies.jpg|right|300px]] |
[[file:Abbyflies.jpg|right|300px]] |
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− | * [[Abby Cadabby]] |
+ | * [[Abby Cadabby]] — a play on "abracadabra" |
− | * [[Anne Phibian]] |
+ | * [[Anne Phibian]] — a play on "amphibian" |
− | * [[A. Ligator]] |
+ | * [[A. Ligator]] — a play on "aligator" |
− | * [[Bestov Breed]] |
+ | * [[Bestov Breed]] — a play on "best of breed" |
− | * [[Gonnigan]] |
+ | * [[Gonnigan]] — a play on "gone again" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Gordon Blue]] — a play on the French baked chicken dish "cordon bleu" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Herry Monster]] — a play on "hairy monster" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Professor Hugh Mungous|Hugh Mungous]] — a play on "humongous" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Hypocritic Oaf]] — a play on "hippocratic oath" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Ida Claire]] — a play on "I declare" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Ida Nomer|Ms. Nomer]] — a play on "misnomer" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Isabel]] — she "is a bell" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Lew Zealand]] — a play on "New Zealand" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Link Hogthrob]] - a sausage link plus a play on "heartthrob" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Lotta Chatter]] — a play on "lot of chatter" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Mr. Mason Dixon]] — a play on "the Mason Dixon line" |
− | * [[ |
+ | * [[Dr. Nobel Price]] — a play on "[[Nobel Prize]]" |
+ | * [[Phil Harmonic]] — a play on "Philharmonic" |
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+ | * [[Sal Minella]] — a play on "salmonella" |
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+ | * [[Sopwith the Camel]] — a play on the "Sopwith Camel" biplane |
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+ | * [[Spa'am]] - a play on [[Spam]] |
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+ | * [[Spamela Hamderson]] - Spam plus [[Pamela Anderson]] |
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+ | * [[Tatooey Rat]] — a play on "ratatouille" |
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+ | |||
+ | ==Characters whose names are anagrams== |
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==Other name origins== |
==Other name origins== |
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− | * [[Beaker]] |
+ | * [[Beaker]] — named after the piece of lab equipment. |
− | * [[Boober Fraggle|Boober]] |
+ | * [[Boober Fraggle|Boober]] — named after an angry cow encountered by one of Jim Henson's daughters in Devon. |
+ | |||
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+ | ==See also== |
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+ | * [[Inconsistent character names]] |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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+ | |||
− | [[Category:Behind the Scenes]] |
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+ | __NOWYSIWYG__ |
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[[Category:Character Lists]] |
[[Category:Character Lists]] |
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[[Category:Rumors]] |
[[Category:Rumors]] |
Latest revision as of 16:46, 11 December 2023
Characters named after performers/crew
The Muppets
- Betsy Bird — named after Betsy Baytos
- Cynthia Birdley — named after Cynthia Adler
- Fletcher Bird — named after Graham Fletcher
- Frank — a Frank Oz lookalike
- Gene — named after Gene Barretta
- Jerry — a Jerry Nelson lookalike
- Jim — a Jim Henson lookalike
- Joe the Armadillo — named after Joey Mazzarino
- Lou — named after Louise Gold
- Roger — named after Roger Knight
- Walter — named after a puppet that Jason Segel owned
Sesame Street
- Big Jeffie — named after Jeff Moss
- Jeffy — named after Jeff Moss
- Calypso Calloway — named after Northern Calloway
- Carmen — named after Carmen Osbahr
- Chrissy — named after Christopher Cerf
- Little Chrissy — named after Christopher Cerf
- Davey Monkey — named after David Rudman
- Fran — named after Fran Brill
- Miss Fran — named after Fran Brill
- Farmer Frankie — named after Frank Oz
- Frances Oznowicz — named after Frank Oz
- Frannie — named after Fran Brill
- Little Jerry — named after Jerry Nelson
- Little Sammy Pottle — named after Sam Pottle
- Mr. Jerry — named after Jerry Nelson
- Nelson in Episode 3878 — named after Jerry Nelson
- Joe Marley — named after Joey Mazzarino
- Joey Dickens — named after Joey Mazzarino
- Joey Monkey — named after Joey Mazzarino
- Louisey — named after Louise Gold
- Marty — named after Martin P. Robinson
- Richard — named after Richard Hunt
- Rockin' Richard — named after Richard Hunt
- Pammy — named after Pam Arciero
- Diva D'Abruzzo — named after Stephanie D'Abruzzo
- Mrs. Turow — named after Cathi Rosenberg-Turow (performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo)
- Frank and Jerry — in a sketch about measuring (First: Episode 0905), two Muppets performed by Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson, respectively.
- Kevin and Kathryn — in a Professor Grover sketch about school (First: Episode 1969), two classmates named after their performers, Kevin Clash and Kathryn Mullen, respectively.
- Lara and Matt — in the video Learning is Everywhere, two friends Elmo and Abby meet at the park are named after their performers, Lara MacLean and Matt Vogel, respectively.
- Matt from Episode 4224 — named after Matt Vogel
Fraggle Rock
- Balsam — named after Philip Balsam (performed by Lee Armstrong, Jerry Nelson and Karen Prell)
- Gillis Fraggle — named after Don Gillis (performed by Richard Hunt)
- Phil Fraggle — named after Philip Balsam
The Animal Show
- Dave the Human — Dave Goelz (puppet performed by Bill Barretta)
Other
- Regina, Queen of Ka-Larry — named after writer's assistant Regina Calarie
- It was originally suggested that Zoe on Sesame Street be named after her performer, Fran Brill. Brill didn't want a puppet named after her, so she suggested naming the puppet Zoe after the J. D. Salinger novel Franny and Zooey.[1]
Characters named after other people
- Alphonso D'Abruzzo — named after Alan Alda's real name.
- Bert and Ernie — see Are Bert and Ernie named after characters from It's a Wonderful Life?
- Deena — named after a close friend of Norman Stiles.
- Bunsen Honeydew — named after chemist Robert Bunsen (of bunsen burner fame), and the honeydew melon.
- Donnie and Marie Dodo — named after Donny and Marie Osmond.
- Fozzie Bear — see Fozzie's name
- Gloria Estefan (penguin) — named after Gloria Estefan
- Humphrey and Ingrid — named after Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
- Kermit the Frog — see Was Kermit named after a childhood friend of Jim Henson?
- Miss Piggy — named after Peggy Lee[2]
- Mokey — named after a childhood friend of Jim Henson.
- Prairie Dawn — named after an actress named Prairie Dorn.
- Rizzo the Rat — named after Ratso Rizzo from Midnight Cowboy.
- Svengali — named after a character in George du Maurier's novel Trilby.
see also: Category:Caricature Muppets and Category:Parody Muppets
Characters named after places
- Astoria — named after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
- Belmont — named after the horse racing track Belmont Park.
- The Bouncing Borsalino Brothers — named after the Italian hat company Borsalino.
- Waldorf — named after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
- Wembley — named after Wembley Stadium.
- Signor Baffi — named after Signor Baffi's Italian restaurant.
- Statler — named after the Statler Hotel in New York City.
- Oscar the Grouch — named after Oscar's Tavern in Manhattan.
Characters named after filmmaking techniques
- Limbo — used in video production to indicate a neutral or nondescript background.
- Gobo — short for "go between"; a lighting term used in film, television and theatre.
- Traveling Matt — from "traveling matte," a technique used in television and film to insert a foreground object into a prerecorded background image.
- Waldo — after the waldo, the electronic device used to perform him.
Characters whose names are puns
- Abby Cadabby — a play on "abracadabra"
- Anne Phibian — a play on "amphibian"
- A. Ligator — a play on "aligator"
- Bestov Breed — a play on "best of breed"
- Gonnigan — a play on "gone again"
- Gordon Blue — a play on the French baked chicken dish "cordon bleu"
- Herry Monster — a play on "hairy monster"
- Hugh Mungous — a play on "humongous"
- Hypocritic Oaf — a play on "hippocratic oath"
- Ida Claire — a play on "I declare"
- Ms. Nomer — a play on "misnomer"
- Isabel — she "is a bell"
- Lew Zealand — a play on "New Zealand"
- Link Hogthrob - a sausage link plus a play on "heartthrob"
- Lotta Chatter — a play on "lot of chatter"
- Mr. Mason Dixon — a play on "the Mason Dixon line"
- Dr. Nobel Price — a play on "Nobel Prize"
- Phil Harmonic — a play on "Philharmonic"
- Sal Minella — a play on "salmonella"
- Sopwith the Camel — a play on the "Sopwith Camel" biplane
- Spa'am - a play on Spam
- Spamela Hamderson - Spam plus Pamela Anderson
- Tatooey Rat — a play on "ratatouille"
Characters whose names are anagrams
- Kermit the Forg — scrambling of the letters in "frog"
- Kermit the Gorf — scrambling of the letters in "frog"
- Kermit the Grof — scrambling of the letters in "frog"
- The Teppums — "Teppum" Muppet backwards
- Oznog — "Gonzo" backwards
- Timrek the Gorf — "Kermit the Frog" backwards
Other name origins
- Beaker — named after the piece of lab equipment.
- Boober — named after an angry cow encountered by one of Jim Henson's daughters in Devon.
See also
Sources
- ↑ Sesame Street Unpaved, p. 87
- ↑ "The Woman Behind Miss Piggy", Anika Gupta, Smithsonian magazine, October 2008.