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[[Image:EarlyGroverandKermit.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:EarlyGroverandKermit.jpg|thumb|300px]]
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[[File:Around-the-mall-muppets-7.jpg|thumb|300px|On display in the [[Smithsonian]].]]
   
โˆ’
'''Fuzzyface''' is the unofficial name given by fans to and early version of [[Grover]] (or "proto-Grover".) The name derives from a comment made by [[Kermit the Frog]] in a [[Season 1]] sketch of ''[[Sesame Street]]''. The term "fuzzy face" was a smug remark made by Kermit about the then-unnamed monster because he literally had a fuzzy face. In the same sketch, Kermit also calls him "the hairy one" in a similar fashion.
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'''Fuzzyface''' is a name that has been unofficially given to an early version of [[Grover]] by fans. The name derives from a comment made by [[Kermit the Frog]] in a [[Season 1 (1969-1970)|first season]] sketch of ''[[Sesame Street]]''. The term "fuzzy face" was actually just a smug remark made by Kermit about the then-unnamed monster because he literally had a fuzzy face. In the same sketch, Kermit calls him "the hairy one" in a similar fashion (the monster also calls himself the hairy one).
   
 
The term "fuzzy face" was also used by [[Herry Monster]] in reference to [[Cookie Monster]] during the [[Season 2 (1970-1971)|second season]] version of [[Up and Down]] and by [[Floyd Pepper]] towards [[Animal]] in [[Episode 222: Teresa Brewer|episode 222]] of ''[[The Muppet Show]]''.
โˆ’
The season one proto-Grover was performed by [[Frank Oz]], just as the later Grover would be. However, the appearance and mannerisms of the season one character differed from the those of the later Grover. For example, the puppet had greenish-gray fur and an unkempt-looking face. In addition, the original character had a raspier voice and was gruffer than Grover, lacking the later character's trademark sweetness and consideration for others. Nevertheless, even in season one, some characteristics of the later Grover could be seen, including Grover's tendencies to get simple things wrong, to be stomped on or exhausted, and to slap Kermit on the back. Due to differences between the proto-Grover and the later Grover, who premiered in season two, fans applied the name "Fuzzyface" (see above) to the former, thus unofficially differentiating the two characters.
 
   
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The season one pre-cursor to Grover (previously seen on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' as a monster named "[[Gleep]]") was performed by [[Frank Oz]], just as the established Grover would be, but his appearance and mannerisms were somewhat different. His design consisted of a greenish-gray fur, and a slightly gruffer looking face. Oz also used a raspier voice for the character, and played him a bit more unkempt than Grover would later behave, certainly without any of the sweetness or consideration for others. Still, even in the first season, some characteristics of Grover could be seen, such as getting simple things wrong, being stomped on or exhausted, and slapping Kermit on the back. It was this early "proto"-Grover who first performed the well-known "[[Near and Far]]" sketch.
โˆ’
However, [[Sesame Workshop]] considers the green proto-Grover to have been Grover, even though he was not named as such until season two. In their 35th anniversary [[Sesame Street 35 Years Anniversary Game|board game]], one trivia question reveals that Grover was originally green, indicating that the two characters are the same. Additionally, [[Sesamestreet.org|sesamestreet.org]] has "[http://www.sesamestreet.org/browseallvideos?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=BrowseAndPlayContents_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_action=globalSearch&p_p_sesameKeywords=old%20grover&t=1252036491739& Old Grover]" as a tag in the "[[First and Last]]" sketch from season one. Furthermore, Oz used the early proto-Grover to perform the first version of the Grover's well-known "[[Near and Far]]" sketch; this observation demonstrates continuity in the identity of the early and later characters.
 
   
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Due to the differences between the season one Grover and the later Grover, who premiered in season two, fans applied the name "Fuzzyface" to his season one appearances based on the "fuzzy face" comment - creating an unofficial new persona designation for the character. However, [[Sesame Workshop]] considers this green character to have been Grover, despite not gaining the name until season two. In their [[Sesame Street 35 Years Anniversary Game|35th anniversary board game]], one trivia question reveals that Grover was originally green, suggesting that these characters are the same, albeit [[Grover Through the Years|models of the evolution]] of the character. Additionally, [[Sesamestreet.org|sesamestreet.org]] has "[http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player/-/pgpv/videoplayer/0/774da5d6-41c6-42c9-9ff6-cce945c4e1db/first_and_last Old Grover]" as a tag in the "[[First and Last (sketch)|First and Last]]" sketch from the first season (although the character has an orange nose in that sketch).
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==Previous appearances==
 
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Before ''Sesame Street'' began, the Fuzzyface Muppet had appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' as "Gleep."
 
   
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In 2013, the original Grover puppet from 1967 was donated to the [[Smithsonian|Smithsonian Institute]]. During restoration of the puppet, [[Bonnie Erickson]], executive director of [[The Jim Henson Legacy]], referred to the puppet as "old Grover."<ref>The Smithsonian Institute: [http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2013/09/jim-hensons-puppets-reunited-in-our-conservation-lab.html Jim Henson's puppets, reunited in our conservation lab]. September 24, 2013.</ref>
โˆ’
==Other uses==
 
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[[Herry Monster]] calls [[Cookie Monster]] "fuzzy face" during the [[Season 2]] version of [[Up and Down]]. [[Floyd Pepper]] also applies the moniker to [[Animal]] in [[Episode 222: Teresa Brewer|episode 222]] of ''[[The Muppet Show]]''.
 
  +
This original "proto"-Grover puppet appeared with the revised Grover puppet at the end of the "[[What Kind of Fool Am I?]]" sketch on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' in 1970 and was used in a [[season 2]] sketch, given a wig and a dress, to become [[Grover's Mommy]].
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<gallery widths=275 orientation=landscape>
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Fuzzyface-Grover.jpg|"Fuzzyface" and Grover onscreen together on ''The Ed Sullivan Show''.
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GroverMommy-1970.jpg|The proto-Grover puppet as Grover's mommy
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</gallery>
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==References==
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<references/>
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 22:22, 26 June 2015

EarlyGroverandKermit
Around-the-mall-muppets-7

On display in the Smithsonian.

Fuzzyface is a name that has been unofficially given to an early version of Grover by fans. The name derives from a comment made by Kermit the Frog in a first season sketch of Sesame Street. The term "fuzzy face" was actually just a smug remark made by Kermit about the then-unnamed monster because he literally had a fuzzy face. In the same sketch, Kermit calls him "the hairy one" in a similar fashion (the monster also calls himself the hairy one).

The term "fuzzy face" was also used by Herry Monster in reference to Cookie Monster during the second season version of Up and Down and by Floyd Pepper towards Animal in episode 222 of The Muppet Show.

The season one pre-cursor to Grover (previously seen on The Ed Sullivan Show as a monster named "Gleep") was performed by Frank Oz, just as the established Grover would be, but his appearance and mannerisms were somewhat different. His design consisted of a greenish-gray fur, and a slightly gruffer looking face. Oz also used a raspier voice for the character, and played him a bit more unkempt than Grover would later behave, certainly without any of the sweetness or consideration for others. Still, even in the first season, some characteristics of Grover could be seen, such as getting simple things wrong, being stomped on or exhausted, and slapping Kermit on the back. It was this early "proto"-Grover who first performed the well-known "Near and Far" sketch.

Due to the differences between the season one Grover and the later Grover, who premiered in season two, fans applied the name "Fuzzyface" to his season one appearances based on the "fuzzy face" comment - creating an unofficial new persona designation for the character. However, Sesame Workshop considers this green character to have been Grover, despite not gaining the name until season two. In their 35th anniversary board game, one trivia question reveals that Grover was originally green, suggesting that these characters are the same, albeit models of the evolution of the character. Additionally, sesamestreet.org has "Old Grover" as a tag in the "First and Last" sketch from the first season (although the character has an orange nose in that sketch).

In 2013, the original Grover puppet from 1967 was donated to the Smithsonian Institute. During restoration of the puppet, Bonnie Erickson, executive director of The Jim Henson Legacy, referred to the puppet as "old Grover."[1]

This original "proto"-Grover puppet appeared with the revised Grover puppet at the end of the "What Kind of Fool Am I?" sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1970 and was used in a season 2 sketch, given a wig and a dress, to become Grover's Mommy.

References

  1. โ†‘ The Smithsonian Institute: Jim Henson's puppets, reunited in our conservation lab. September 24, 2013.

See also