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Changes: Rizzo the Rat

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[[Image:Gonzo06.jpg|thumb|300px|Rizzo playing sidekick to [[Charles Dickens]] in ''The Muppet Christmas Carol'']]
  
[[Image:Gonzo06.jpg|thumb|300px|Rizzo playing sidekick to [[Charles Dickens]] in ''The Muppet Christmas Carol'']]
 
[[Image:Gonzo_rizzo_deleted_scene.jpg|thumb|300px|Deleted scene from ''Muppets from Space'']]
  
[[Image:Gonzo_rizzo_deleted_scene.jpg|thumb|300px|Deleted scene from ''Muppets from Space'']]
−
[[Image:TheMuppets-Behind-The-Scenes-Interviews-Rizzo&Gonzo.jpg|thumb|300px|Behind the scenes on the set of ''The Muppets'']]
 +
[[File:TheMuppets-Behind-The-Scenes-Interviews-Rizzo-Gonzo.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Scratching the Surface|Behind the scenes]] on the set of ''The Muppets'']]
 
[[Image:Rizzo11.png|thumb|300px]]
  
[[Image:Rizzo11.png|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:D23-eFX-Rizzo-FullBody.jpg|thumb|300px|The unproduced [[Rizzo the Rat photo puppet replica|Rizzo photo puppet replica]]]]
  
[[Image:D23-eFX-Rizzo-FullBody.jpg|thumb|300px|The unproduced [[Rizzo the Rat photo puppet replica|Rizzo photo puppet replica]]]]
 
[[Image:Rizzo_concept.jpg|thumb|300px|Conceptual art of Rizzo's outfit for ''Muppet Treasure Island'']]
  
[[Image:Rizzo_concept.jpg|thumb|300px|Conceptual art of Rizzo's outfit for ''Muppet Treasure Island'']]
  +
[[File:Muppets_Most_Wanted_Teaser_29.png|thumb|300px|Rizzo appearing in the teaser for ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''.]]
 
'''Rizzo the Rat''' is a [[rat]] who has a tendency to crack mocking jokes at others or make fun of them. Sometimes, as seen in ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'', he tries to cheat people into getting something he wants. However, he also has a sensitive side (according to [[Tim Hill]] and [[The Great Gonzo|Gonzo]] during an audio commentary for ''[[Muppets from Space]]'') and is good friends with a couple of characters. He was created by Steve Whitmire after he took a fascination to a bunch of old rat puppets made from bottles by [[Don Sahlin]] for ''[[The Muppet Musicians of Bremen]]''. Whitmire made costumes for Rizzo, and the [[Muppet Show Fan Club]] newsletter (vol. 2, no. 4, 1980) claimed that "It is Rizzo's greatest ambition to wear a different costume every time he appears in a shot! Watch out for this well-dressed rodent -- he has every intention of succeeding. Rat on, Rizzo!"
  
'''Rizzo the Rat''' is a [[rat]] who has a tendency to crack mocking jokes at others or make fun of them. Sometimes, as seen in ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]'', he tries to cheat people into getting something he wants. However, he also has a sensitive side (according to [[Tim Hill]] and [[The Great Gonzo|Gonzo]] during an audio commentary for ''[[Muppets from Space]]'') and is good friends with a couple of characters. He was created by Steve Whitmire after he took a fascination to a bunch of old rat puppets made from bottles by [[Don Sahlin]] for ''[[The Muppet Musicians of Bremen]]''. Whitmire made costumes for Rizzo, and the [[Muppet Show Fan Club]] newsletter (vol. 2, no. 4, 1980) claimed that "It is Rizzo's greatest ambition to wear a different costume every time he appears in a shot! Watch out for this well-dressed rodent -- he has every intention of succeeding. Rat on, Rizzo!"
   
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He had a minor role in ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' and a larger supporting part in ''The Muppets Take Manhattan'', but his "big break" occurred when [[Jerry Juhl]] paired him with [[Gonzo]] to narrate ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]''. He has since become one of the principal Muppet characters, also starring in ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'', ''Muppets from Space'', ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', and ''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'' (appearing in the latter as the [[Mayor of Munchkinland]]).
  
He had a minor role in ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' and a larger supporting part in ''The Muppets Take Manhattan'', but his "big break" occurred when [[Jerry Juhl]] paired him with [[Gonzo]] to narrate ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]''. He has since become one of the principal Muppet characters, also starring in ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'', ''Muppets from Space'', ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', and ''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'' (appearing in the latter as the [[Mayor of Munchkinland]]).
   
−
Since ''The Muppet Christmas Carol'', Rizzo and Gonzo have been best pals. However, that wasn't their first pairing together. They had previously interracted in ''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]]'', and appeared in a sketch together on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', broadcast March 10, 1992. Rizzo and [[Pepe the King Prawn]] also seem to have a strong friendship in ''Muppets from Space''. Although Rizzo has no lines in the newest film, ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]'', he and Gonzo were [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ0WdNmtyLo interviewed together behind the scenes.] In an interview, [[Nick Stoller]] explained that they tried to include as many characters as possible, but couldn't find a spot for him (or [[Bean Bunny]]) in the movie.<ref>[http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/11/21/the-muppets-nick-stoller-reveals-films-origins-his-beaker-obsession/ The Muppets’ Nick Stoller Reveals Its Origins, His Beaker Obsession]</ref>
 +
Since ''The Muppet Christmas Carol'', Rizzo and Gonzo have been best pals. However, that wasn't their first pairing together. They had previously interracted in ''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]]'', and appeared in a sketch together on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', broadcast March 10, 1992. Rizzo and [[Pepe the King Prawn]] also seem to have a strong friendship in ''Muppets from Space''. Although Rizzo has no lines in the 2011 film, ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]'', he and Gonzo were [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ0WdNmtyLo interviewed together behind the scenes.] In an interview, [[Nick Stoller]] explained that they tried to include as many characters as possible, but couldn't find a spot for him (or [[Bean Bunny]]) in the movie.<ref>[http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/11/21/the-muppets-nick-stoller-reveals-films-origins-his-beaker-obsession/ The Muppets’ Nick Stoller Reveals Its Origins, His Beaker Obsession]</ref>  His absence is referenced in ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'', in a scene where he and [[Robin the Frog|Robin]] point out that the previous film replaced older characters such as themselves with the new character [[Walter]].
   
 
In the 1999 book ''[[Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic]]'', Whitmire said: {{quote|[Playing Rizzo] was tough at first. I was much more inhibited about the performance because I wasn't sure who he was or what I should do with him. Plus, they wanted him to be a sarcastic sort of New York character. I'm from Atlanta, you know? I mean, I didn't know anything about a sarcastic New York character, so I sort of had to grow into him.}}
  
In the 1999 book ''[[Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic]]'', Whitmire said: {{quote|[Playing Rizzo] was tough at first. I was much more inhibited about the performance because I wasn't sure who he was or what I should do with him. Plus, they wanted him to be a sarcastic sort of New York character. I'm from Atlanta, you know? I mean, I didn't know anything about a sarcastic New York character, so I sort of had to grow into him.}}
   
  +
Rizzo also tried to impersonate [[Mickey Mouse]] in [[Muppet Vision 3D|Muppet Vision 3-D]] to get money from [[Sam the Eagle]], though his disguise didn't work.
⚫
Rizzo is named after Ratso Rizzo, a character from ''Midnight Cowboy'' portrayed by [[Dustin Hoffman]]. This name was suggested by [[Frank Oz]]. <ref>[http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/whitmire2.shtml Muppet Central interview with Steve Whitmire]</ref>
  
   
  ⚫
Rizzo is named after Ratso Rizzo, a character from ''[[Midnight Cowboy]]'' portrayed by [[Dustin Hoffman]]. This name was suggested by [[Frank Oz]]. <ref>[http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/whitmire2.shtml Muppet Central interview with Steve Whitmire]</ref>
⚫
===Filmography===
  
   
  ⚫
===Filmography===
−
<div class="appear">
  
 
*''[[The Muppet Show]]''
  
*''[[The Muppet Show]]''
 
**[[Episode 418: Christopher Reeve]]
  
**[[Episode 418: Christopher Reeve]]
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*''[[I Love Liberty]]''
  
*''[[I Love Liberty]]''
 
*''[[The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show]]''
  
*''[[The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show]]''
−
*''[[Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets]]''
 +
*''[[Rocky Mountain Holiday|Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets]]''
 
*''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]''
  
*''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]''
 
*''[[The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years]]''
  
*''[[The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years]]''
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*''[[Inaugural Celebration for Children]]''
  
*''[[Inaugural Celebration for Children]]''
 
*''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]''
  
*''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]''
−
**also DVD [[Live-Video Menus|video menus]]
 +
**also DVD [[Live-Video Menus|video menus]] and the [[Audio Commentaries|video's commentary]]
  ⚫
*''[[Muppet Classic Theater]]'' (performed in one part by [[Dave Goelz]])
−
**also [[Audio Commentaries|video commentary]]
  
⚫
*''[[Muppet Classic Theater]]''
  
 
*''[[Muppets Tonight]]''
  
*''[[Muppets Tonight]]''
−
**"[[Muppets Tonight Theme]]"
 +
**''all [[:Category:Muppets Tonight Episodes|episodes]] save [[Episode 202: Rick Moranis|episode 202]]''
−
**[[Episode 101: Michelle Pfeiffer]]
  
−
**[[Episode 102: Garth Brooks]]
  
−
**[[Episode 103: Billy Crystal]]
  
−
**[[Episode 104: John Goodman]]
  
−
**[[Episode 105: Cindy Crawford]]
  
−
**[[Episode 107: Sandra Bullock]]
  
−
**[[Episode 108: Jason Alexander]]
  
−
**[[Episode 109: Whoopi Goldberg]]
  
−
**[[Episode 201: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince]]
  
−
**[[Episode 203: Heather Locklear]]
  
−
**[[Episode 208: The Cameo Show]]
  
−
**[[Episode 209: The Best of Muppets Tonight]]
  
 
*''[[Muppetisms]]''
  
*''[[Muppetisms]]''
 
*''[[Larry King Live]]'', 1994 (CNN bumpers)
  
*''[[Larry King Live]]'', 1994 (CNN bumpers)
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*[[Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.]] commercials
  
*[[Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.]] commercials
 
*''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]''
  
*''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]''
−
*[[Virmup]]
 +
*[[Muppet viral videos]]
 
**Rolling with the Skateboarding Dog
  
**Rolling with the Skateboarding Dog
 
**The Skateboarding Dog Gets Served
  
**The Skateboarding Dog Gets Served
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*[[The Muppet Show Theme]] Music Video
  
*[[The Muppet Show Theme]] Music Video
 
*''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''
  
*''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''
−
*''''[[Bounty|Kermit's Party]]''''
 +
*''[[Bounty|Kermit's Party]]''
  +
*''[[The Case of the Stolen Show]]''
−
</div>
  
  +
*''[[Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular]]''
  +
*[[Toyota]]
  +
*''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''
   
 
===Book appearances===
  
===Book appearances===
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*''[[Muppet Treasure Island (Little Golden Book)|Muppet Treasure Island]]'' (1995)
  
*''[[Muppet Treasure Island (Little Golden Book)|Muppet Treasure Island]]'' (1995)
 
*''[[Muppet Time (book)|Muppet Time]]'' (1996)
  
*''[[Muppet Time (book)|Muppet Time]]'' (1996)
−
*''[[Rizzo's Bike Sale]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Rizzo's Bike Sale]]'' (1996)                             
 
*''[[The Rat Pack: A Muppet Countdown Adventure]]'' (1997)
  
*''[[The Rat Pack: A Muppet Countdown Adventure]]'' (1997)
 
*''[[Kermit's Mixed-Up Valentines]]'' (2000)
  
*''[[Kermit's Mixed-Up Valentines]]'' (2000)
−
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book]]'' (2009)
 +
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book]]'' (2009-2012)
 
*''[[Muppet Robin Hood]]'' (2009)
  
*''[[Muppet Robin Hood]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Peg-Leg Wilson]]'' (2009)
  
*''[[Peg-Leg Wilson]]'' (2009)
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*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: Pigs in Space]]'' (2009)
  
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: Pigs in Space]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: On the Road]]'' (2010)
  
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: On the Road]]'' (2010)
  +
*''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: The Four Seasons]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Muppet King Arthur]]'' (2010)
  
*''[[Muppet King Arthur]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Muppet Snow White]]'' (2010)
  
*''[[Muppet Snow White]]'' (2010)
  +
*''[[Kermit's Costume Caper]]'' (2012)
  +
*''[[The Muppets Character Encyclopedia]]'' (2014)
   
 
===Albums===
  
===Albums===
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===Video Games===
  
===Video Games===
  +
*''[[The Muppet CD-ROM: Muppets Inside]]''
 
*''[[Muppet RaceMania]]''
  
*''[[Muppet RaceMania]]''
  +
*''[[Muppet Monster Adventure]]''
 
*''[[The Muppets: On with the Show!]]''
  
*''[[The Muppets: On with the Show!]]''
 
*''[[Muppets Party Cruise]]''
  
*''[[Muppets Party Cruise]]''
  +
*''[[My Muppets Show]]''
   
 
==Sources==
  
==Sources==

Revision as of 18:54, 4 July 2014

Template:Performer

RizzoTheRat
Rizzo-Rat
Swrizzo
TMGTTM-Rats

Rizzo as he appeared on The Muppets Go to the Movies.

Notmytable

Rizzo working at Pete's Diner in The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Gonzo06

Rizzo playing sidekick to Charles Dickens in The Muppet Christmas Carol

Gonzo rizzo deleted scene

Deleted scene from Muppets from Space

TheMuppets-Behind-The-Scenes-Interviews-Rizzo-Gonzo

Behind the scenes on the set of The Muppets

Rizzo11
D23-eFX-Rizzo-FullBody

The unproduced Rizzo photo puppet replica

Rizzo concept

Conceptual art of Rizzo's outfit for Muppet Treasure Island

Muppets Most Wanted Teaser 29

Rizzo appearing in the teaser for Muppets Most Wanted.

Rizzo the Rat is a rat who has a tendency to crack mocking jokes at others or make fun of them. Sometimes, as seen in The Muppets Take Manhattan, he tries to cheat people into getting something he wants. However, he also has a sensitive side (according to Tim Hill and Gonzo during an audio commentary for Muppets from Space) and is good friends with a couple of characters. He was created by Steve Whitmire after he took a fascination to a bunch of old rat puppets made from bottles by Don Sahlin for The Muppet Musicians of Bremen. Whitmire made costumes for Rizzo, and the Muppet Show Fan Club newsletter (vol. 2, no. 4, 1980) claimed that "It is Rizzo's greatest ambition to wear a different costume every time he appears in a shot! Watch out for this well-dressed rodent -- he has every intention of succeeding. Rat on, Rizzo!"

Rizzo first appeared in episode 418 of The Muppet Show, as one of a group of rats following Christopher Reeve around backstage.[1] He can be seen mugging and reacting to practically every line of dialogue. His first known mention by name on-screen was by Kermit in episode 422. He remained a scene-stealing background figure through the final season, occasionally performing with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

He had a minor role in The Great Muppet Caper and a larger supporting part in The Muppets Take Manhattan, but his "big break" occurred when Jerry Juhl paired him with Gonzo to narrate The Muppet Christmas Carol. He has since become one of the principal Muppet characters, also starring in Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space, Muppets Tonight, and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (appearing in the latter as the Mayor of Munchkinland).

Since The Muppet Christmas Carol, Rizzo and Gonzo have been best pals. However, that wasn't their first pairing together. They had previously interracted in The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson, and appeared in a sketch together on Good Morning America, broadcast March 10, 1992. Rizzo and Pepe the King Prawn also seem to have a strong friendship in Muppets from Space. Although Rizzo has no lines in the 2011 film, The Muppets, he and Gonzo were interviewed together behind the scenes. In an interview, Nick Stoller explained that they tried to include as many characters as possible, but couldn't find a spot for him (or Bean Bunny) in the movie.[2]  His absence is referenced in Muppets Most Wanted, in a scene where he and Robin point out that the previous film replaced older characters such as themselves with the new character Walter.

In the 1999 book Muppets from Space: The Making of Muppet Movie Magic, Whitmire said:

“[Playing Rizzo] was tough at first. I was much more inhibited about the performance because I wasn't sure who he was or what I should do with him. Plus, they wanted him to be a sarcastic sort of New York character. I'm from Atlanta, you know? I mean, I didn't know anything about a sarcastic New York character, so I sort of had to grow into him.”

Rizzo also tried to impersonate Mickey Mouse in Muppet Vision 3-D to get money from Sam the Eagle, though his disguise didn't work.

Rizzo is named after Ratso Rizzo, a character from Midnight Cowboy portrayed by Dustin Hoffman. This name was suggested by Frank Oz. [3]

Filmography

Book appearances

Albums

Video Games

Sources

  1. ↑ The Muppet Show Fan Club Newsletter - Volume 2, Number 4
  2. ↑ The Muppets’ Nick Stoller Reveals Its Origins, His Beaker Obsession
  3. ↑ Muppet Central interview with Steve Whitmire
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