My Favorite Muppets, Part 2: Frank Oz

Today, I'm looking at Jim Henson's partner-in-crime, Frank Oz.  He retired in 2000 to further focus on his directorial career (which includes one of my favorite films of all-time, Little Shop of Horrors), but many of his classic Muppet characters are still with us today.

Remember, just because I placed Animal at number 6 doesn't mean he can't be your favorite Muppet.  It just means that you need to get your priorities straight.

__________________________________________________________________

10) SkekSil, the Skeksis Chamberlain - The Dark Crystal

SkekSil is the best character in The Dark Crystal, by far.  Unlike the rest of one-dimensional "good guys" and "bad guys," the permanently-smirking Chamberlain actually keeps the audience guessing with his actions after he is shunned by his own kind.  While Barry Dennen supplied his voice (and his amusing grunts), it was Oz who managed to instill sympathy into this grotesque creature, making us care for his well-being and delight in his villainy.

__________________________________________________________________

9) The Snowths - The Muppet Show

"Mahna Mahna" only works because of these two creatures, and it helps that they only appear for reprises of "Mahna Mahna."  But unlike other one-hit-wonders, we don't want to see them do anything else.  It would be very strange to have them act in a scene or try to hold a conversation that wasn't "doo doo doo doo doo."  Their pink, bovine-esque design makes them visually appealing, but I think their unique foam tube mouths are their best feature.  What other Muppet comes close to looking like these things?  They are one-of-a-...two-of-a-kind.

__________________________________________________________________

8) Fozzie Bear - The Muppet Show

Before starting this blog, I was not a Fozzie Bear fan.  It's hard to write good comedy, but it may be even harder to write intentionally bad comedy.  Most of Fozzie's schtick was *sigh* unbearable to me.  But I discovered that Fozzie is more than just a bad comedian.  He is a hopeless artist who is redeemed by the fact that he is a genuinely nice person, and an even greater friend.  He wishes no ill-will towards anyone, yet he constantly is made to suffer.  His strongest moments come when he defends his companions or makes dramatic, inspirational speeches.  His jokes may fail, but he does not.

__________________________________________________________________

7) Yoda - Star Wars

"But wait," you cry.  "Did this blog specifically address the issue that Yoda is not a Muppet?"  Yes, but that was before Disney acquired the rights to Lucasfilm.  So, now that they own both Star Wars and the Muppets, I don't see any reason why Yoda shouldn't be considered for this Top 10 list honor.  Yoda is a great character, he's played by Frank Oz, therefore, he deserves a spot on the list.  Besides, who else would I put here?  Marvin Suggs?

__________________________________________________________________

6) Animal - The Muppet Show

Okay, Animal is a great character.  So, the fact that he's only number 6 shows just how wonderful Oz's creations are.  Like most Muppet monsters, Animal runs on pure id.  But he's technically supposed to be human as well.  If a person like Animal actually existed in real life, he'd be considered a threat to society.  As a puppet, he becomes cute and endearing.  I also appreciate that he's based on Celtic mythology.  So THAT'S why he is a Leprechaun Brother!

__________________________________________________________________

5) Grover - Sesame Street

Like Fozzie, Grover only wants to do good in the world, but his literal approach to life ends up getting him in trouble with the more "mature" characters.  Grover seems to represent all of those struggles that kids encounter.  Those kids who get punished for doing exactly what they had been taught by their family, friends, and the media.  Despite all of these burdens, Grover remains optimistic and takes the extra step to give back to society, even though society does nothing but crush him.

__________________________________________________________________

4) Miss Piggy - The Muppet Show

If there's one thing this blog has done, it's redeemed Miss Piggy for me.  She was legitimately my least favorite Muppet, due to her grating behavior.  Any Muppet production that featured her has a main component would be immediately written off as unworthy in my book.  And, when her negative qualities are the focus, she can drag down many a show.  Then this happened.  And now I love her.

__________________________________________________________________

3) Cookie Monster - Sesame Street

Cookie originated as a generic monster performed by Jim Henson for his IBM commercial, and not much changed in the character when he passed hands to Oz.  His enormous appetite was now more innocent and less malicious, but he was still just a thing that ate.  The reason he works so well is because of the relationship he has with his performer.  Despite many of the characters he plays, Oz was always the more reserved part of the Henson-Oz duo.  By allowing him to just bounce of the wall for an item as trivial as a cookie, Cookie Monster allowed Oz to have pure, unrestrained fun.

__________________________________________________________________

2) Bert - Sesame Street

And on the other side, Bert was where Oz was the most comfortable.  Playing a more extreme version of himself, Bert could play of Henson's Ernie while maintaining a sense of maturity and dignity.  It's just as fun to see Bert get upset as it is to see him win.  While most kids might not identify with the rigid Bert, I always appreciated his respect for the rules, because it allowed him to appreciate that in life which often would go unnoticed.  He may not have gone out for flashy, noisy entertainment like his partner, but if he can find beauty in a pigeon or a paper clip, who's to say his outlook on life is wrong?

__________________________________________________________________

1) Sam the Eagle - The Muppet Show

As a young, young child, I loved the Muppets.  But I don't know exactly how this came to be.  I did not get any channel which showed The Muppet Show regularly.  I guess through pop-cultural osmosis, I became aware of the main characters and eventually I ended up with two items that sealed my fate.  One was The Muppet Movie on VHS and the other was this old Muppets lunchbox.

This was exactly what I needed.  Something that featured all of the characters for me to study.  Each side featured different pictures of the gang, and I was most intrigued by the Muppets I didn't know, because, unlike those featured on the front of the box, they didn't have prominent roles in the movie.  It's strange, but thinking about it now, my favorite Muppets are each of the characters that I had to seek out and learn about.  I'd ask my parents who these characters were, but it wouldn't be until years later that I'd learn the names:  Link Hogthrob, Uncle Deadly, and Sam the Eagle (there's actually a fourth character featured on this box, but we'll get to him much later).

Visually, Sam was the most interesting to me.  His stern glare told me he was not a character to be messed with.  Was he an evil villain?  Or was he just upset a lot?  As I eventually learned, he was a dash of both.  Sam was the anti-Muppet of the gang.  A square who prevented everyone from having any fun.  Even Bert could let loose once and a while.  As I grew and saw Sam in more and more productions, my appreciation grew.  With all of the crazy Muppets out there, the funniest one had to be the guy who tried to stop it.  I've said it many times, but the Muppets are at their best when they fail.  And Sam never once achieved a victory.

Except for getting the number one spot on this list.

He's earned it.

Random Muppet #27: The Reindeer

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.

(This week is the special Christmas Edition. For Christmas.)

Random Muppet #27: The Reindeer

But do you recall the least famous reindeer of all?

Performers:  Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Juhl, Bob Payne

Muppet Universe of Origin:  General "Muppets"

Most Significant Appearance:  Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, December 20, 1965

Henson and his young crew had an appearance coming up for the Perry Como Christmas special, making this Henson's first foray into Christmas-related hijinks.  Jerry Juhl came up with a skit that involved a group of five reindeer, Dasher/Charlie, Dancer, Prancer, Donner, and Blitzen.  But what would five reindeer do without Santa or Rudolph there to give them material to work with?  Why, they would attempt to make snow fall with a "snow dance."

Socks + Twigs = Reindeer Puppets

Dasher/Charlie was the leader of the group and he command his platoon like a drill sergant, insulting them with antler-related puns (while the rest sang songs and had a lot of snow wordplay).  By the end of the tomfoolery, the reindeer succeeded in bringing about... rain.

Get it?!

Oh, but don't worry.  They continued to dance harder and eventually a large pile of snow came crashing to the stage, burying them.

Dasher (1823-1965).  He is survived by that one reindeer who could fly better than Rudolph.

Why Are They the Most Important Muppets?  What Is the True Meaning of Christmas?

Everybody dreams of a perfect, white Christmas.  But few are willing to put in the effort necessary to achieve this endeavor.  Many see the reindeer as Santa's transportation, but as we see, they are also in charge of bringing about the snowfall.  And, judging by previous years, their efforts don't always work.

Christmas is associated with high expectations that often come crashing down when they aren't met.  Food, family, gifts, decorations.  It's a lot of work.  But it's all worth it to see the smiles on the faces come Christmas morn.

Every year, the reindeer sacrifice themselves to bring about our happiness.  If they succeed, they are killed, knowing they have done their duty.  If they fail, they must live with the shame.

Three years later, on The Ed Sullivan Show, another group of reindeer attempt the same feat.  They too "succeed."

Christmas is dark, people.

Random Muppet #26: Original Grover

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.

(This week is the special Christmas Edition. For Christmas.)

Random Muppet #26: Original Grover

Grover, a.k.a. Gleep, a.k.a. Fuzzyface, a.k.a Grover's Mommy?

Performer:  Frank Oz

Muppet Universe of Origin:  General "Muppets"

Most Significant Appearance:  The Ed Sullivan Show, December 24, 1967

Grover, as we know him today, had to go through an awkward green phase to become the character we know and love.  It's hard to determine whether or not this character is actually Grover, since he was never referred to by that name.  He appeared as a general Muppet monster in early variety show sketches as well as in the first season of Sesame Street.  While on the show, he appeared in a couple sketches that were definitely "Grover-ish" in tone.  In one, he helped Kermit the Frog demonstrate "in" and "out," all while the frog insulted his intelligence, and referred to him as "Fuzzyface."

Old Kermit was a jerk.

In another sketch, he taught us about "first" and "last" as he gets trampled by a multitude of other Muppet monsters.  In neither appearance does he actually sound Grover (his voice is more like that of a teenaged Cookie Monster), but his constant suffering paved the way for the puppet who eventually became Grover.  In fact, in the second season, when traditional blue Grover made his introduction, the old Grover was used to play Grover's mommy.

Freud would have a field day.

But, his introductory appearance is his most important.  Because it has to do with Christmas.

Old Grover, then known as Gleep, appeared with a few other Muppets, crashing Santa's workshop at the North Pole.  They demanded that Santa (Arthur Godfrey) hand over all of his toys but, in a shocking twist, the toys were actually intended to be the monsters' Christmas gifts anyway.

Don't we feel sheepish?

Why Is He the Most Important Muppet?  What Is the True Meaning of Christmas?

Original Grover learned a valuable lesson that day.  Society had placed him and his peers into a category of criminals.  Because of their prejudiced labeling, the monsters took a path in life that became a self-fulfilling prophecy.  If they were going to be called monsters, then they were going to act like monsters.

But Santa knows all and sees all.  He knows that at the heart of these monsters lie scared children who are just trying to figure out their place in the world.  And so, he created toys for them.  They had turned into the very monsters they feared, but fortunately, Santa was kind enough to let them keep their gifts.

Everyone deserves to have a happy Christmas.  Even the monsters.  Because at Christmas, we should celebrate our virtues and personalities without fear of judgment.

Original Grover learned a lesson in humility.  And that is where Grover we know and love was born.

Love Any of Thy Neighbors

A few of the most memorable Sesame Street songs have been around since the very first season.  And, based on the premise of the show, it is quite fitting that one of these songs is...

5. The People in Your Neighborhood - Bob and the Anything Muppets

This song appeared many times, with many variations of singers, puppets, and occupations.  But each served the basic function of introducing children to the various people they might encounter when walking around their neighborhood.  Sesame Street was supposed to be the street that everyone could identify with, so the song went to great lengths to keep things familiar to the audience.

But rather than simply trot out various occupations, special puppets were used to drive home the concept of the song.  They are known as the "Anything Muppets," meaning that they start with a basic, colorful body shape upon which eyes, noses, hair, and other accessories can be affixed.

During the very first iteration of the song, the two puppets that Bob encounters (played by Henson and Oz) start out very nondescript.  It is not until Bob adorns them with some iconic imagery (a mail bag and a fireman's helmet) that the characters "become" productive members of their society.

Yep, all you need is the right hat and you are fully prepared for the job.

The first few incarnations of this song reused the same blue and orange Anything Muppets played by Henson and Oz respectively.  The ideas was not only that there are many interesting and helpful people in the neighborhood, but also that one person could be anything they wanted to be.

Except Bob.  He could only change his shirts.

The official audio release of this song is probably the best.  It takes the postman/fireman version of the song and includes some confusion as the two Anything Muppets struggle to identify their occupation (both think they are portraying Santa Claus at one point).  Still, you can view any clip of the song and the message comes along loud and clear.

As time went on, more occupations were added and different Anything Muppets were used.  But the core of the song remains the same.  Because as long as there are neighborhoods, there will be people that we should get to know.  That's what being a good person is all about.

You can be a doctor or a grocer, but you'll always be a neighbor first.

Random Muppet #19: Gorgon Heap

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 #19: Gorgon Heap

The monster that ate everybody.

Performer:  Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Golez, and Richard Hunt at various points

Muppet Universe of Origin:  The Muppet Show

Most Significant Appearance:  The Muppet Show, January 29, 1977, "Episode 119: Vincent Price"

Gluttonous monsters are no strangers to the world of the Muppets.  So, when Vincent Price brings in his two guests for a panel discussion on gourmet eating, it is clear from the start how the event is going to go down.

One of these guys is going to be dinner.

As the world's greatest chef Pierre LaCousse argues with Price about the world's greatest dish, the world's greatest eater Gorgon Heap slowly devours everything insight.  His glass, his silverware, his dish, his fellow guest Pierre, and finally the host, Kermit the Frog.  As Kermit begs for help, Price reminds him that Mr. Heap has an excellent taste in cuisine and prepares to join him.

Why is He the Most Important Muppet?

Gorgon was not a person.  Gorgon was not a monster.  Gorgon was not a "Chaos Muppet".

He was a representation of The Muppet Show's nihilism.

He was also a chorus girl.

Nihilism is not merely the belief that the world is pointless and morality is null and void.  It is the acceptance that the universe exists in this fashion.  Gorgon Heap was not nihilistic. He was merely hungry.  But his role served to support the nihilism of others.

Take his very first starring role in "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Disappearing Clues."

As Sherlock Rowlf is called in to investigate a murder, all signs point to the butler Gorgon as the culprit.  He claims his innocence and when Rowlf uncovers piece after piece of damning evidence, Gorgon swallows them up.

Even Miss Piggy, the maid who saw the crime, is quickly disposed of.

Rowlf accepts Gorgon's illegal tampering of the evidence and decides to arrest his partner Watson for the crimes...until Watson disappears.  Then it is decided that no crime ever even existed and everyone can go home.

This forced ignorance to the obstruction of laws and morals follows Gorgon wherever he goes.  His appearance may change, but his rationale remains the same.  And nobody on the show minds.  He eats Pierre?  Okay, that's fine.  Wayne is gulped down?  Doesn't bother us.  Miss Piggy too?  Ehh, she could get annoying at times.  Our beloved host Kermit the Frog?  Well, everyone's gotta go at some point.

Gorgon is the mirror that we must holdup to society.  Our natural ability to turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the world while be our inevitable downfall.  If we aren't safe, all those we care about can disappear in an instant.  It is not the monster we should fear.  It is ourselves.

I mean, with Kermit the Frog gone, who are we going to turn to to lead us...Lenny the Lizard?

It's a never-ending cycle.

Muppet Treasure Island, Part 1: A Call to Adventure

After the success of The Muppet Christmas Carol, Walt Disney Pictures produced another adaptation of a classic piece of British literature with the Muppets playing minor roles.  Production wise, this film would be exactly the same as it's predecessor.  Yet, despite (or because of) the similarities, the next film would be even more successful than the last three Muppet films.

This one's about pirates.

Treasure Island, like A Christmas Carol has been through dozens of film adaptations.  While the story may not be as memorable as the Dickens tale, Robert Louis Stevenson's novel established many iconic characters and elements that we associate with pirate tales.  Buried treasure, "X marks the spot," island paradises and eye-patch-wearing, peg-legged, parrot-totting pirates can all be found in this epic narrative.  Muppet Treasure Island is aware of this, and so it begins with a shanty called, "Shiver Me Timbers" glorifying the pirate life as the titular treasure is being buried.

But the focus of the novel is the young Jim Hawkins, who heads off on an adventure, leaving his life of squalor and poverty behind.  He is introduced working in an inn alongside Gonzo and Rizzo, who a basically fulfilling the same roles as they did in The Muppet Christmas Carol.  They are just being themselves, commenting on the situations they find themselves in.  But hey, that was one of the best parts of the previous movie, and they continue to be funny here, so who's complaining?

Billy Connolly is, apparently.

That's Billy Bones, one of the inn's permanent residents who amuses other patrons with his fanciful tales of life on the high seas.  Everyone considers him to be a crazy coot, and no one takes him seriously, except for Jim.  Having lost his father, who was also a seafarer, Jim dreams of having his own adventures on the ocean, and, with his girly voice, he and his pals sing of "Something Better."

After closing up the inn for the night, a late visitor comes barging in, demanding to see Billy Bones.  This is Blind Pew, an intimidating figure in the original book who is now a Muppet buffoon.  Still, he manages to be humorous and creepy at the same time.  I'm not sure why they didn't have Uncle Deadly play this role since they look extremely similar and are both portrayed by Jerry Nelson.  A missed opportunity, I say.

Maybe he's his long-lost twin?

Anyway, Blind Pew was a former member of Billy Bones' pirate crew, and he has come to deliver a sinister message: the Black Spot.

The simple spot signifies that the rest of the pirates are going to hunt Billy down if he doesn't turn over the treasure map he kept to himself all these years.  Bones instantly dies of fright, but then wakes up a bit to explain some of the situation and give Jim the map, only to die again (obviously this is different in the book, but, hey, it's a funny kids movie, let it go).

The pirates raid the inn and Jim narrowly escapes as the building burns down.  He decides that this is his chance to go on an adventure (since he has nothing to go back to) and heads into town to find someone willing to finance his voyage.  He ends up at the house of the rich Squire Trelawney who in the novel is completely normal and interested in the history of the map and it's treasure.  Here, it's Fozzie Bear and he talks to a man who lives in his finger named "Mr. Bimbo."

REDRUM!

This was Jerry Juhl's decision to add this trait, and initially, Frank Oz was turned off to the idea, since it didn't make sense for either Trelawney or Fozzie to exhibit this level of lunacy.  Yet, Frank grew to love this aspect.  And you know what?  It actually works for the movie.  It adds a whole new level to Fozzie's psyche and it's pretty interesting to see this play out.

Along with his companion Dr. Livesy (played by Bunsen) and Beaker (played by Beaker), Trelawney agrees to lend Hawkins his ship, and he arranges a crew to set sail on the Hispaniola.  And it is the most magnificent thing young Hawkins has ever seen.

 This movie is going to be EPIC.

Tomorrow, we meet the crew of the Hispaniola and learn why every move needs Tim Curry/Sam the Eagle.

An All-American Avian Ace

Sam the Eagle represents American patriotism at its worst and best.  He is extremely loyal to his country (or at least his idea of his country) but completely oblivious to what his country is all about.  Created to parody right-wing conservatives, Sam behaves like a buffoon, more so than the clowns he associates with.

He's a birdbrain...with standards.

Acting as The Muppet Show censor, Sam hoped to bring quality entertainment to the American public, removing any sense of indecency.  Compared to other forms of entertainment, the Muppets are quite wholesome.  They were quirky and weird, but they never aimed to offend.  So, adding a censor to their midst required that person to be the stuffiest individual imaginable.  Sam was always quick to naysay, but he never seemed to know what he wanted.  In one famous speech, he starts condemning every creature in the world for being naked under their clothes, fur, and feathers.

Kermit, as we know, was a very orderly host.  He was usually the straight man for bizarre shenanigans.  When you're trying to argue that he isn't wholesome enough, then you know you have issues.

When pressed to explain what exactly he wants out of The Muppet Show, Sam commonly calls for  "culture."  Yet, when he must prove his knowledge of "cultured" art, he often comes up short, mistaking opera for ballet or failing to recognize great artists when he is talking to them.

Of course, Liberace was going to be a tough sell on this eagle no matter what.

Because of his ignorance about art, the other Muppets would usually prank Sam into performing items that featured "crassness" in subtle ways.

He was definitely a punching bag for the liberal minded Muppeteers, yet, he was painted in such a way that even those he was mocking could appreciate him.  Stephen Colbert is a great example of a fake conservative who uses his character for satire, yet he stays so true to character that some can't tell the difference between him and an actual conservative.  Those conservatives who are aware that is an act are generally not fans, although many have a good sense of humor and are willing to engage with him.  Sam probably wouldn't offend as many conservatives as Colbert, though.  Because he is often the victim of his own hubris, audiences can sympathize with him, no matter their political affiliation.  He just tries so hard to be right that he can't help but stumble.  In one surprisingly serious moment, Sam reveals the nature of his family, having a wife who left him and two college-aged children who don't write to him.

He is so hard pressed to promote American family values that he is unable to value his own family.  That's tragically and comedically poetic.

No time for family.  He's got a country to protect.

No matter how absurd Sam's demands can get, he is still viewed as being a great American.  Being an American eagle, he has to do no more than just exist in order for an American citizen to feel pride.  Even if he stands against everything you believe, he loves his country and is willing to do whatever he can to defend it.

The best thing to come out of the Disney-Marvel merger.

Though his feathers get ruffled over any form of weirdness, he must remember that the greatest value of the American Way is exercising one's rights to freedom.  No matter how flustered his companions make him, they are being American by being themselves.  His is a difficult life, being the only Muppet who represses his own Muppet heritage.  But, he takes himself so seriously and to such an extreme that he can't help but belong with the other crazy Muppets.

They are all weirdos, and he is the weirdest of them all.

*      *      *

As a 4th of July bonus, here are Don Music and Grover reenacting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Happy Independence Day!

Annie Sue: The Other Boleyn Gilt

When we think of the original Muppeteers, we think of five men.  Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Golez, Richard Hunt, and Jerry Nelson.  These are the men who played the most well-known Muppets from The Muppet Show and related media.  But the Muppet cast is widely diverse and I wanted to take some time to focus on the unsung ladies.  These women were just as important to the cast as the men, and I have selected five to look at this week, each with their signature Muppet character.  These female characters proved to be strong role models and have earned their place in Muppet history among the guys.

First up is a young, female pig who had dreams of being a star and was romantically drawn towards Kermit the Frog.  I speak, of course, of Annie Sue.

Why? Who were you thinking of?

Annie Sue was created as a foil to the loud, obnoxious Miss Piggy.  Taking one of the female pig puppets that was used in background scenes, newcomer Louise Gold was allowed her very own character who was to join the main Muppet gang.  Like her performer, Annie Sue was new to show business and had a lot to learn, but she was eager and willing and her spirit shined through.  Louise believes she got the part because she was tall enough to perform with the other puppeteers, but her long career with the Muppet crew proves she also had what it took to be a Muppet.

Louise performing Annie Sue in her "introductory" episode.

Louise was actually left-handed, making Annie Sue the first right-handed Muppet (the above image is flipped, so don't let that fool you).  She used her left hand to control the body and the right to control the rod to the right arm.  This is one of those tidbits that you don't really notice until someone mentions it and then all you can do from that point on is watch the arms of the Muppets.

It's even more noticeable when you look beneath the bottom of the screen.

Annie Sue was formally introduced early in the third season, where Piggy instantly grew jealous of her youth and uniqueness.  In fact, watch Annie Sue's first number, and you'll notice something out of the ordinary.

She sings, she dances, everything seems to be running smoothly, right?  Exactly.  This is The Muppet Show.  Everything is supposed to go wrong.  Things are supposed to explode or get eaten.  Puns are supposed to be taken to their extremes.  Songs are supposed to be sung in incongruous settings.  But Annie Sue didn't mess up.  She performed adequately.  And even Statler and Waldorf enjoyed it.

What a star!

Case in point, Miss Piggy's recitation of "The Daffodils" is up next and she cannot get through the piece without the whole show caving in on itself.  She sneezes, Rowlf sneezes, and the whole audience sneezes her off the stage.

Allergies are the worst.

Annie Sue is so skilled that she even saves one of Fozzie Bear's disastrous talent acts, in which he attempts (and fails) to prove he has a photographic memory, and she twists the situation into a funny joke, making it seem as if the whole thing was planned.

Wow, that is some pig.

So she can sing, dance, and tell jokes.  It isn't any wonder that Kermit finds himself preferring her over some other hotheaded hog.

Kermit's playing with fire.

See?

Annie Sue is the complete opposite of Miss Piggy.  So, you'd think that she would view Piggy as some sort of antagonist, right?  Nope!  Annie Sue's best quality is that she is completely humble and kind.  In fact, she idolizes Miss Piggy and the whole reason she entered showbiz was to emulate her hero.  You know, the hero she had ever since she was a baby?

Oh Piggy, you just can't win.

Annie Sue would appear throughout the third season, usually to provide an opportunity for Miss Piggy to make a fool of herself, but also to appear in her own musical numbers.  However, Annie Sue had a problem of being too perfect.  She would rarely be the focus of her own acts as a result.  For example, during a duet of "Daddy Won't You Buy Me a Bow-Wow" with Rowlf, Annie sings normally and Rowlf complains about the songs lyrics.  But he continues to play lest he get savagely beaten by Annie's guardian/boyfriend/bodygaurd.

He's hiding behind the piano.

Annie Sue's role lessened from episode to episode.  She still remained in group numbers and sketches, but we never got to see more of her personality.  She never replaced Piggy, and Piggy seemed to have gotten over her jealousy of her.  The last big moment in Annie Sue's career was a sudden reappearance after a long hiatus in which guest star Roger Moore refuses Piggy's advances and instead chooses to date someone else.

 Someone more alluring.

Louise Gold remained with the Muppets through Muppet Treasure Island and continued to voice assorted characters in various projects, including the title role in The Ghost of Faffner Hall.  But to her, Annie Sue will always have a strong place in her heart.  The two were exactly alike in personality and spirit.  They were sweet, charming, and exactly the kind of Muppet every other Muppet aspired to be.

Dainty and witty.  A deadly combination.

Unfortunately, the Muppets are obsessed with the failures, the weirdos, and the screw-ups.  They needed us to feel sorry for them and to laugh at them.  If any Muppet had talent, they would no longer be on The Muppet Show.

Annie Sue was too perfect for this world.

Annie Sue, we hardly knew ye.

...Plus, having two blond, female, porcine main characters would have been way too confusing.