Now that the Jim Henson Company has their own YouTube channel, they’re able to post videos that go a long way to solving Muppet-related mysteries or allow us to see moving pictures of what was once just rumors. The latest of these uncovered goodies is a clip from the easy-to-forget Animal Show, which was a program where Jake the Polar Bear and Stinky the Skunk introduced the kiddies to new animal puppets every week. One of these animals is the elusive “human,” a creature known for its ability to look good in plaid, its habit to vote republican, and for its love of indoor plumbing.
Of course, not just any human would do for the honored job of representing the entire race. No, a special human must be chosen. A human whose abilities and resourcefulness would make every human being proud to be related to him on a cellular level. That human is none other than Dave Goelz.
It’s worth noting that Dave the Human is not actually performed by Dave the Human. Bill Barretta lost the coin toss there and had to do an imitation of his friend and coworker right in front of the real Dave (who is performing Stinky). The non-puppet version of Dave the Human is also performed by Bill Barretta, who probably had a difficult time fitting into a full-bodied Dave suit.
That last part isn’t true. That’s actually Dave’s real family in the episode. Can you spot all the Muppet goodies they forgot to hide away in their house?
While it’s pretty amazing to see a puppetized Dave Goelz, this is far from the first time when a Henson employee was given the felt treatment. From bigwigs like Bernie Brillstein and David Lazer to not-as-bigwigs like Jim Frawley and Frank Biondo. Jerry Nelson has the distinct honor of being caricaturized twice!
And on that note, I leave you with three of Dave the Human’s not-quite-human coworkers singing a classic song from The Muppet Show. Play us out, boys.
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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
