“List on the 3s:” Shiny’s Top 9 Favorite Muppets

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“List on the 3s” needs little to no explanation.



Hey, kids! It’s Friday the 13th! It’s that time again when people are superstitious, thinking of impending doom and going to see slasher movies. It also happens to be a day that (coincidentally?) I had to wipe a nasty virus off of a co-worker’s computer. Gotta love this one day which seems to play not-so-nicely with the fabric of our lives…



My list has nothing to do with Friday the 13th. Sorry…

Shiny’s Top 9 Favorite Muppets

(Note: There is some controversy regarding what constitutes a “Muppet.” Purists will cry foul if any characters which are not “marionette puppets” are given the Muppet moniker. However, my interpretations are a bit more loose than that — which is why you’ll see some potentially questionable content on my list.)

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9. Jim Henson

Direct YouTube Link

This song is from the first season. The first bearded guy singing is and playing banjo is… well, Jim Henson.

Great guy. What a pioneer…

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8. Rowlf the Dog

Direct YouTube Link

Singer. Piano Player. Philosopher. Rowlf and Kermit are the oldest muppets in the bunch. Yet Rowlf is the one with whom I identify. Watch this clip of him singing “You and I and George.” It’s a deleted scene from the first episode of the original Muppet Show series (although it aired in the UK version).

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7. Mahna Mahna

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Yes. His name is “Mahna Mahna.” And he appeared occassionally throughout The Muppet Show. Kind of looks like a young Regis Philbin, doesn’t he?

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6. The Swedish Chef

5. Beaker

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Both of these characters from The Muppet Show live on by communicating without superb verbal skills. Yet they’re effective at conveying their message. (And I’ve always thought it was cool, if not creepy, that the Swedish Chef has human hands.) Here’s a clip celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

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4. Wembley Fraggle

I love the shirt.

I love that he volunteers as the siren for the Fraggle Rock Fire Department.

I love that he’s named after Wembley Stadium.

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3. Mr. Snuffleupagus

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Fun Fact #1: Mr. Snuffleupagus’s first name is Aloysius

Fun Fact #2: In 1992, the producers of Sesame Street tested an episode where Mr. Snuffleupagus’s parents get a divorce. It didn’t sit well with audiences, so it was shelved.

Possibly the most fascinating story revolving around Snuffy was the revelation to adults that he was, indeed, real — and not just the product of Big Bird’s imagination. This occurred in a show in 1985 when the show’s creators decided that the notion of a child reporting something important to his/her parents and just being brushed off as “oh, that’s just your imagination” might not be a good idea.

Watch the clip. It’s a play on the whole “It’s just your imagination” theme. Doesn’t Mr. Snuffleupagus sound exactly like Kevin from The Office?

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2. The Muppet Formerly Known As Prince

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This is a poorly synced up video from Muppets Tonight when the Artist Formerly Currently Known As Prince gave us a cute rendition of Starfish and Coffee. The accompanying video has him among some Muppets — including a replica of himself. After seeing him lower himself from his pedestal to appear on Muppets Tonight, I felt that he was a bit cooler and more down-to-Earth than I thought he ever was. Kudos, Prince!

And then I saw Kevin Smith talk about his experiences with him and I went back to my original opinions about him. Great musician, though…

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1. Animal

Direct YouTube Link

How can you not love someone with that constant Rock and Roll attitude? He’s more Keith Moon than Keith Moon ever was — but cuddlier. This is possibly one of my favorite Muppet Show clips of all time — featuring Rita Moreno singing “Fever” with the furry one accompanying on drums.