Prince Rogers Nelson (b. 1958) appeared as a guest star in episode 201 of Muppets Tonight on September 13, 1997. At the time, he was known as (dubbed by the media as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince). A Muppet caricature of the star appeared in the same episode.

Twelve years before, in 1985, Prince won the Academy Award for "Best Original Song Score" for the movie Purple Rain, defeating Jeff Moss, nominated for his work on The Muppets Take Manhattan.

He and Troy Beyer were romantically linked in the 1990s.

References

• "Purple Rain" was spoofed as "Piggy Reigns" by (Frog) Prince in the 1993 Muppet Trading Cards set.

• In episode 2558 of Sesame Street, The Cosby Kids argue over what is sadder, not making the Football team, a best friend moving away, or losing a purple pen with a picture of Prince.

• In the Abby's Flying Fairy School segment, "Sleeping Bloggy," Gonnigan turns into a prince and back again, and then Mrs. Sparklenose tells him that he'll always be "the fairy formerly known as a prince."

• The Muppets: The Movie Junior Novel refers to Gonzo (now a plumbing magnate) as the artist formerly known as The Great Gonzo.

• The Sesame Street song "Nineteen" spoofs Prince's song "1999."

See also

• Prince, Abby Cadabby's stuffed toy
• Princes

External links

• Official site
• IMDb