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EarlyGroverandKermit

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.

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.

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 board game, one trivia question reveals that Grover was originally green, indicating that the two characters are the same. Additionally, sesamestreet.org has "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.

Previous appearances

Before Sesame Street began, the Fuzzyface Muppet had appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show as "Gleep."

Other uses

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 of The Muppet Show.

See also

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