Muppet Generation 2 Performers

I covered what performers there were there for muppets back in the day but here are those who took over for the old performers for various reasons. Where one performer cover 5 Muppets or more, there are performers who split them up.

 Kermit the Frog

Famously Kermit was performed by Jim Henson,  when he passed away, the family had to make the decision if Kermit would continue and ultimately Steve Whitmire. Jane Henson reflected on the recasting, in a 1990 interview: "Steve Whitmire as Kermit: "When Jim was alive, he said if anything happened to him, Kermit must go on right away. Because of Kermit's significant place, Jim had essentially chosen who he thought could do it. But we don't want to say who it is before the show. The performer needs time. Kermit won't come back so strong at first. Then little by little, he will get his whole personality back."

  Miss Piggy

 Eric Jacobson took over in 2001 from Frank Oz. Frank Oz only did voice over for Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets in Space. Eric Jacobson started working with the Muppets in 1994 as a puppeteer on Sesame Street, and rose through the ranks of Sesame puppeteers. In order to keep the characters of Frank Oz - who was focusing more on directing and other pursuits - alive and visible, Jacobson was selected due to his strong puppeteer talent and extremely similar vocal range. Jacobson is currently the principal performer of Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Animal and Sam the Eagle – as Frank Oz had retired as their performer in 2000.

 

 Fozzie the Bear

Frank Oz originated the role, Eric Jacobson took over in 2001.

Gonzo

David Goelz still performs Gonzo. He also performs Beauregard, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Boober Fraggle, Uncle Traveling Matt, Stinky the Skunk, and Rugby Tiger, as well as succeeding the role of Waldorf from Jim Henson.

Scooter

He was originated by Richard Hunt in 1976 until he passed away in 1991. David Rudman took over in 2008. Though Scooter never made any appearances between 1992 and 1999, a framed photo of him appears on-screen in Muppets Tonight episode 106. Following the death of Richard Hunt, Scooter would not have a consistent performer for 16 years until David Rudman took over.

 

Janice

Janice was originally performed by Fran Brill in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot in 1975, and in the first set of Muppet Meeting Films. Eren Ozker performed Janice in the first season of The Muppet Show. Richard Hunt took over the character in season two, and gave Janice her familiar Valley girl voice and attitude. David Rudman has since taken over.

Statler and Waldorf

Richard Hunt did Statler from 1976 - 1991, Jerry Nelson originated it in 1975 and took over 1992 - 2003. He died and Steve Whitmire took over 2002 - present. Jim Henson did Waldorf from 1975 - 1990 and Dave Goelz took over 1992 - present.

Rowlf the dog

Jim Henson started it in 1962 to 1990. Bill Baretta took over in 1996. Jim Henson would usually perform the head (and voice) and left hand, while another Muppeteer (including, at various times, Frank Oz, Jerry Juhl, Jerry Nelson, Louise Gold, and Steve Whitmire) performed his right hand.

Beaker

Richard Hunt started the role, Steve Whitmire took over in 1992.

Floyd Pepper

Jerry Nelson started it and stopped performing in 2003. He died recently. Matt Vogel took over in 2006. Since joining Sesame Street in 1996, Matt Vogel has become most familiar for his work as Caroll Spinney's understudy for Big Bird on Sesame Street, including the "Journey to Ernie" segments, several street scenes and other appearances whenever Spinney is unavailable. He has also taken over some of Jerry Nelson's characters (Robin the frog and Count von count), by the recommendation of Nelson himself, multiple years before Nelson's death.

Grover and Bert

 Frank Oz performed Bert and Grover. In 1997, Eric Jacobson started performing Bert on a semi-regular basis, and the next year he added Grover to his list as well; he began to perform both characters full-time with Play with Me Sesame. Today, Jacobson is the principal performer of these two Sesame stars – however Frank Oz occasionally comes in to record new material with them.

 Cookie Monster

Frank Oz originated it, David Rudman took over in 2001. Rudman first started working with the Muppets in a summer internship with the Muppet Workshop in 1981, when he was 18 years old. His friend Richard Hunt helped him get a job as a Muppet performer.

Ernie

Steve Whitmire took over in 1993 from Jim Henson.

Top 5 Superheronies who need Films

I always love superheronies and always think there should be women-lead superhero or action movies. There have been quite a few but of course none where hits or concerned 'successes' like Elektra, Catwoman, Ultraviolet, Tank Girl, Resident Evil and Aeon Flux. Resident Evil is a moderate success, spawning various sequels. But inspired by the article below here are 5 I believe deserve movies, not only comic books but TV shows and manga.

 

HitFix.com's "10 Superheronies who need a Movie."

Source: http://www.hitfix.com/news/marvel-studios-has-scripts-for-ms-marvel-and-a-new-blade-movie 

 

5. Sailor Moon

This can be a thorny issue with fans. For those who don't know, she is an Anime superstar. Having started in Manga back in 1992, her Anime was dubbed in various countries like the United States in 1995. She had a live-action series in Japan in 2003. An English North American Live-Action film was rumored back in 1995, I still think it would work and be cool to have one. But there are so many issues. How can you take seriously an American movie with teenage girls in skirts and leotards spinning around?

 

 4. Spider-Woman

Many women have been Spider-Woman in the comics but the first--Jessica Draw, is the most interesting. She is part of Hydra and victim of genetic experiments and her loyalty questioned. Unlike Spider-Man, she is an adult and has her own fighting techniques. I think concentrating on her differences from Spider-Man and separating her from Peter would be better. She can also be launched from Avengers.

 

3. Batwoman

Batwoman has been recreated recently as Lesbian heroine who fights more magic-influenced villains than Batman and doesn't rely on him to fight evil in Gotham. I think it would be interesting to concentrate on this version of her. Now where a Lesbian lead character in an action franchise would be a hard sell, but stranger things have happened. Now why Batwoman should have a movie other than Batgirl because like Robin and Nightwing, Batgirl sort of relies on Batman. And what with two and possible three film franchises of Batman, it is better to step away from him.

 

 

 2. Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel

Linda Darvens a.k.a Ms. Marvel and now Captain Marvel. She is the source of Rogue's powers in X-Men comics. She has had different origin stories through time. I was hoping she'd appear on Avengers 2 but it looks like she might not but who knows. I think simplifying her origin story and powers should be done. There was confusion over Green Lantern's powers in his film because they aren't so concrete. I think they should concentrate on her humanity.

 

1. Wonder Woman

The most wanted and the one in development hell. Joss Whedon was once attached by Warner Bros and then let go. It is a tough cookie to bake but there was a TV series in the 70's by Linda Carter. Basic story is that she is an Amazon from an island of women and comes to our world, not knowing much of it and having superstrength, a lasso of truth, bracelets and an invisible plane. I think an experienced actress but not big name actress should lead it, probably someone in her 30's, not someone too young.

Best and Worst episodes of Family Guy Characters Part 2

You can agree or disagree a bunch of times on the quality of Family Guy. It can be considered pandering to the lowest common denominator. Funny part is that Seth Mcfarlane finds himself cultured and loves show tunes and has smart references. Anyway, I like the show or liked the show, I can't stand the characters now, they are completely nonredeemable now. I decided to dissect them by characters. Notice how most 'redeemable' episodes are from earlier seasons and 'nonredeemable' are from recent seasons.

Brian's Top Seven Best Episodes

 7. The Perfect Castaway

When Peter is thought to be dead, Brian and Lois marry. When Peter returns and Brian sees how much Lois misses him, he decides to break it off.

 

6. Brian Does Hollywood 

Brian leaves his family to become a porn director and finds out what was missing in his life was his family.

5. 'Brian: Portrait of a Dog'

Not a great episode, a little trite but Brian shows his intellgence.

4. "Saving Private Brian"

Brian joins the army thanks to Stewie, he finds it hard but he sees it through. 

3. "Brian goes to College"

Brian goes back to college after dropping out, he doesn't cheat and fails, but he says he learned his lesson, the family doesn't agree.

 2. 'Brian in Love'

Brian has urination problems because he loves Lois.

1. "You may now kiss the guy"

Brian defends his cousin Jaspar to make gay marriage legal in Quahog.

Brian's Top Ten Worst Episodes

 10. 'Brian the Bachelor'

Not the first instance, but Brian starts going crazy. He stalks the bachelorette. 

 

9. 'Back to the Pilot'

Stewie and Brian go to the past where Brian fights the terrorists on 911, preventing 911 with jackass quips.

 8. '420'
Stewie and Brian attempt to legalize marijuana. Lois' father Carter makes Brian sell out by making his book real but it doesn't sell a copy.

 7. 'Play It Again, Brian'
He finally makes his play on Lois.

 6. 'Brian Griffin's House of Payne'
Brian sells out on a crappy sitcom.

 5. 'Tiegs for Two'
Quagmire and Brian battle it out for Cheryl Tiegs and looses both her and Jilian.


 4. 'Brian's Play'
Brian's confidence is shaken when he reads a play Stewie wrote that's much better than his


  3. 'Brian Writes a Bestseller'
Brian becomes full of himself when he writes a self-help book that is a bestseller and gets ripped a new one by Bill Myer.

2. 'Brian's Brand New Bag'
Brian cheats on his older girlfriend.

 

1. 'The Blind Spot'

Brian lies to a blind woman.. twice.

Stewie's Top Five Best Episodes

 5. 'The Courtship of Stewie's Father'
Stewie and Peter bond and he makes a cute motion when he finds out he is going to Disneyworld.

 4. 'Sibling Rivalry'
 Stewie battles Bertram for playground supremacy.

 3. 'Stewie Loves Lois'
Stewie starts to love Lois.

2. 'Emission Impossible'

Stewie cutely tries to stop from his parents having sex.

1. 'From Method to Madness'

Stewie endears us with falling in love.

Stewie's Five Worst Episodes

   5. 'The Hand that Rocks the Wheelchair'

Evil Stewie is way too brutal for TV.

 

 4. 'Chick Cancer'

Stewie seemingly kills two other babies, this one that she married.  I know he has killed kids before but he is a douchebag here.

  3. 'Stewie Kills Lois' / 'Lois Kills Stewie'

It is all a dream but Stewie goes real evil.

 2. 'The Man with Two Brians'

Stewie kills new Brian in a brutal manner.

1. 'Brian and Stewie'

It was great that they did an episode with no cutaways but there is so many disgusting and deplorable moments, I just can't sit through the episode again. Especially with Stewie trying to convince Brian to eat his poop and then being mean to him.

Peter's Top Five Best Episodes

 5. 'Mr. Saturday Night'

Peter endears us with becoming a knight and fighting his idol who turns out to be a dick.

4. 'A Fish Out of Water'

Peter and his friends go after Daggermouth.

 3. 'Petarded'

We find out Peter is special but we still find him endearing.

2. 'Peter's Daughter'

Meg winds up in the hospital in a coma, Peter is very protective of her, so he drives cute intern Micheal away. But when Meg reveals to the family that she is pregnant, Peter forces them to get married. 

 1. 'Meet the Quagmires'

Peter goes to the past, messes up his chances with Lois and returns to the present to find that Lois married Quagmire. In this fun episode, he corrects things in a "Back to the Future" manner.

Peter's Five Worst Episodes

 5. Any time Peter is mean to Meg

People know the family is mean to Meg but they might forget that Peter was the first one to be mean to her, forgetting her name or how she looked like. And even thinking she was a house cat.

 

4. 'The King is Dead'

Peter ignores Lois and ruins her play.

 

3. 'Family Gay'

This episode makes no sense! They make Peter gay and he leaves the family. Then when the serum wears off, he's straight again.

2. 'April in Quahog'

He tells the kids he hates them but then fixes it with just promising to buy a X-Box?

1. 'Big Man on Hippopotamus'

Peter looses his memory, cheats on Lois and is just a jerk.

Related: http://spanengrish.blogspot.com/2013/09/redeemable-and-nonredeemable-episodes.html