Random Muppet #31: Clarice Lemons

On the Muppet Wiki, there is a "Random Muppet" button which sends you to the page of one of the thousands of Muppets in existence. I will press the button and discuss the importance of the Muppet that comes up, no matter how obscure. No skips. No redos. This is the Random Muppet Challenge.

Random Muppet #31: Clarice Lemons

A trusty companion.

Performer:  Unknown

Muppet Universe of Origin:  Sesame Street

Most Significant Appearance:  Sesame Street, May 3, 1988, "Episode 2477"

Sesame Street parodied the Boss's "Born to Run," with the similarly named "Born to Add."

This song was also the hit single for the Born to Add album, whose cover mocked the famous pose in which Springsteen leaned on the legendary Clarence Clemons, his saxophone player.

       

But, as we can see, Bert and Cookie don't appear in the video.  Instead, we get Bruce Stringbean and Clarice Lemons.  Now, the Springsteen parody is pretty spot on, but it seems as if someone made a fact checking error when they went to make a Muppet version of Clemons.

Whoops!

Why Is She the Most Important Muppet?

Eventually, every celebrity will find themselves Muppetized. But some go through a bit of a historical tweaking as they make the transition from human to puppet. Why did Clarence become Clarice?

Well, let's look at the songs.

"Born to Run" takes the perspective of a young adult talking to his girlfriend Wendy, attempting to get out of the horrid life they have found themselves in, living on the streets, moving from place to place.  The aimless spirit of these unprepared individuals is supposed to clash with the notion that America is a magical land that will instantly provide better lives for everyone.  The singer only has Wendy's company to find solace in, because he needs something permanent in his life to hold on to.  Because tramps like them, baby they were born to run.

"Born to Add" is about two kids who like adding, a toddler's greatest fear.

They live on the edge of society.  Mathematical society.

Clarice fulfills the Wendy role of the original. Bruce pleads with her to join him, adding all day long. Apparently, addition is as much of a societal issue as homelessness, because these tramps also have their run-ins with the law.

Addition?!  Not on our street!

Clarice/Clarence are the rocks that the Bruces rely on. Whether during a performance or in the context of the songs, these individuals support each other. Without that connection, the two would be lost, without direction. So yes, Clarence and Wendy had to merge into "Clarice," to become that single pillar of support that you can always...

...COUNT ON!  

O Christmas Tree

Yesterday I spoke of Christmas traditions that we take for granted and the Christmas tree is certainly one of the oddest.  It began as an outdoor festivity, being decorated in the town square.  Soon, upper class citizens began erecting their own smaller versions in their domiciles, just because they were wealthy enough to do so.  And when the wealthy start a fad, everyone else starts to mimic them.  While it has logical historical roots, it has since evolved into a custom we just do instinctively, for without one, "it wouldn't feel like Christmas."

The decoration of Christmas trees is their main appeal, as neighbors involuntarily "compete" to create the prettiest tree.  Some enjoy decorating with family keepsakes and gifts while others pick a theme and go for style.  Regardless, the end result is alway pleasing to the eye and it gives us a symbol to remind us of the holidays.  But, as with any technique, if it can be done, there is always a way to do it better.  Decorating trees became an art form unto itself, as each decoration represents the unique personality of the designer.

This was the theory that served as the driving force behind the charity auction "Night of 100 Trees."  Beginning in 1982, one hundred trees designed by celebrities from entertainment and sports would be auctioned off to raise money for charities such as "Save the Children."  Throughout the 1980s, as the AIDS epidemic took strong effect, money also went towards research for the disease.  The night itself became an enormous gala, a Christmas party to end all Christmas parties (for the upper class, of course).

Most trees followed the same form of presentation.  A basic (fake) tree was used as a starting point for ornaments and other decorations to bedazzle the plastic plant.  Trees of many colors were created over the many years, and starting in 1986, Jim Henson joined in the action.  Muppety decorations adorned the first tree, and in 1987, Miss Piggy donated her own special arboreal artwork.

Then, in 1988, this guy entered the field:

Meet Spruce Springsteen

Of course a "Muppet Christmas tree" should be a Muppet himself!  The tree base was adorned with Muppet images and art based around current rock musicians (which had appeared in Muppet Magazine) just to remind the owner that this was indeed a Muppet product.  Spruce Springsteen was designed by Sesame Street designer Ed Christie and the base was sculpted by a freelance artist named Karl Wendelin, but a tag was attached with the official Jim Henson signature of approval.

It's legit.

The tiny snowmen roadies that surround the tree are actually repurposed Doozers from Fraggle Rock.  So not only did the recipient get a custom built puppet, they also received a couple of artifacts from a Henson production as a bonus!

Even as a snowman, a Doozer doesn't stop working.

This was the final year Henson's company entered the auction, and the event itself did not last too many years afterwards.  So any tree from that era is truly a rarity.  But of all the trees created for the events, it makes sense that the Henson-sanctioned one would be the most unique and interactive.

Sure, the pun in the name and theme may seem a little silly, but the Night of 100 Trees was supposed to inspire joy and happiness.  The tradition of Christmas trees is inherently ridiculous, but because it has become such a staple of our holiday, they are treated with the respect and dignity of a religious icon.  Leave it to Henson to remind us to loosen up and have fun with your decorations.  At Christmas, everyone deserves a little goofiness.

Tannenbaums like us,

Baby, we were born to run!

(And shed needles on the carpet.)

And just think about all the presents you could fit under this thing!