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TMM EM bus
TMM-EMBus-Group

The gang in front of the bus inside a ghost town.

Macys 1979 EM bus

1979 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

MuppMayhem-Bus02

The fully-restored bus in The Muppets Mayhem

The Electric Mayhem Bus is the mode of transport for The Electric Mayhem. It debuted in The Muppet Movie and has become one of the most iconic Muppet vehicles.

The psychedelic colored bus features the names of the individual band members adorning various sides of the bus, and is generally driven by Dr. Teeth. In The Muppet Movie, the bus (depicted as a 1966 International Harvester Loadstar Carpenter) allows for an intervention by the band, rescuing Kermit the Frog and friends from the desert, and carries the entire troupe to Hollywood. The bus resurfaced in the 1979 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The bus was also featured prominently in Muppets from Space, still boasting a 1970s paint job and interior decoration, to update the bus from the 1970s to the 1990s, the 45s that adorned the ceiling were replaced with CDs. The bus was also featured in Wendy's Kid's Meal promotions for the film.

Although visibly absent, it did merit a verbal tribute in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, however. Commenting on the band's lateness, Floyd Pepper remarks, "We've been driving the same lousy bus since 1978."

A reproduction of the bus (albeit as an International Harvester Loadstar Wayne) was included among the relics on the Muppet Studios lot in The Muppets.

A closer recreation of the original bus was featured in the Muppets' 2014 Toyota Highlander commercials. The bus is seen breaking down on the side of the road. Following this mishap, the band was later seen driving a van in The Muppets most notably in "The Ex-Factor" with Kristin Chenoweth. According to production notes for the van featured in the 2015 series: "Dr. Teeth and the Electic Mayhem have been touring since 1975, and their school bus imploded somewhere in Montana last year, so they needed a new mode of transport that was consistent with their vibe."[1]

The origins of the bus were explored in The Muppets Mayhem episode "Fortunate Son." The bus originally belonged to Tina and Gerald Teeth under the name "The Molar Express." When Dr. Teeth gives up the dentistry profession to join Floyd in becoming musicians, they make off with the bus, eventually giving the vehicle its iconic paint job once the entire band is formed. Later in the season, when the band's current van is absconded with by angry music fans, it is revealed that the original bus has been in the garage of the Shack for decades. The Mayhem use it to prevent Nora from leaving town, and then use it on their next tour (though it breaks down before they even get out of the driveway).

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem performing in their bus on The Muppet Movie.


Merchandise[]

Notes[]

  • In 1999, following the production of Muppets From Space, the original bus (along with a letter of authenticity signed by Brian Henson) was auctioned off on eBay for $50,000.[2] In 2004, the bus was sold again on eBay[3] and was purchased by Roger and Cindy Pfalzgraf of Staunton, Illinois.[4][5] The Pfalzgrafs showcased the bus in local parades and events (including many charity events and several weddings) between 2004 and 2009.[6] Apparently the Walt Disney Company was interested in featuring the bus in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, but they were unable to workout the logistics and a deal with the owners at the time. Roger Pfalzgraf tried re-selling the bus in December 2008 with an initial asking price of $12,000,[7] however no sale was made and on July 25, 2009 the bus went up in flames.[8] In 2010, Disney attempted to locate the original bus when they started production on The Muppets[9] but by that point the original had been destroyed and thus a recreation was used in its place.
  • There is a photo of Big Bird near the driver's seat.

Sources[]

See also[]

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