Let’s talk about what might be the most perfect two minutes in television history. Yes, I’m referring to “Good Grief, the Comedian’s a Bear“.
The Muppets have done some astonishing things over the years. They convinced the world that a puppet frog can ride a bicycle. They made a lady pig a movie star. They completely revolutionized television, the art of puppetry, and the world of comedy as we know it. But still, the most impressive thing they ever did involved nothing more than a clever piece of writing and two gifted performers.
As if you needed a reminder, give this bad boy a rewatch:
The gag in this bit is brilliant. Fozzie wants to tell a joke, Kermit inadvertently botches it, and it turns out that the joke was a dud all along. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could ever fathom writing something with such well thought-out layers.
I can only imagine how difficult it must be to write for Fozzie Bear. He’s a comedian who tells bad jokes. If you only write bad jokes, the character is equally as dull to us as he is to the groaning Muppet audience. If you write good jokes, he runs the risk of accidentally becoming a success. So you’ve got to write bad jokes being told in a funny way. That sounds impossible. And for most of us, it probably is.
Meanwhile, this is a perfect example of Kermit as the ideal straight man. He starts out just as fresh to Fozzie’s plan as we are, with a natural slow burn that builds to an epic explosion. Add all that to an iconic “sheesh face” as he sets up the punch line, and we are all Kermit as Fozzie rejoices, unaware that he just bombed.
Jim Henson and Frank Oz are in perfect sync with this bit. Their banter is so natural, yet it must be well-rehearsed, since the beats are so specific. You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of why these two are the greatest comedy duo of all time.
And man, let’s talk about that punchline and its lead-in. “Good grief” is such an old expression, and it’s funny to hear it repeated over and over. I also forget that Fozzie is a bear (despite all his bear-like qualities) because he’s a Muppet first and not a wild animal catching salmon in a river, which is why Kermit’s line comes as a shock, reiterating what someone might actually say if they discovered that the comedian is ursine in nature. And Fozzie (like many Muppets) is consistently near-naked, which is another fact that I often forget. But unlike Kermit or Rowlf, he’s not quite nude, which makes him the only main character who can actually live up to this stupid punchline.
Perhaps there’s more to it than just a misunderstanding and a naked bear. Maybe it’s a commentary on race, and how no one should pass judgment or jump to conclusions based on race, gender, or species. Or maybe it’s an argument in favor of the nudist lifestyle, and how someone can feel free from the shackles of clothing with the society-friendly compromise of a hat and necktie. Or maybe it’s all about communication, and why we as members of the human race need to do a better job at listening to each other, and maybe learn a new language to bring the world together as one. But most likely, it is none of these things, and I’ve just wasted a whole paragraph making stuff up.
To add to the sketch’s impressiveness, note how tight the camera frame is around the two characters, the lack of camera movement, and the fact that there are no edits. This is the reason “Good Grief” wouldn’t fly today. Modern television viewers apparently require more excitement to keep them entertained. The production value is (dare I say) boring. The good thing is that it allows for more attention to be placed onto the writing and performances, which are the real heroes of this story.
Although the sketch premiered in the Harvey Korman episode of The Muppet Show, it also appeared in audio version on The Muppet Show Album. Some YouTuber used the audio in this video, so give it a listen and don’t worry about the visuals.
The two versions have two key differences: First is that the audio version has no laugh track. Not that we need a fake audience to tell us where the jokes are, but the album version has a few awkward pauses because of it. Still, I think the lack of laughs helps keep that focus on the precision timing from Jim and Frank, and it’s so very impressive to hear their energy build and implode.
The other difference is in Kermit’s final line. In the broadcast version, despite his reluctance to play along with Fozzie’s game, Kermit delivers his last “Good grief” with a large amount of energy. But in the audio version, Jim re-recorded the line to allow for Kermit to take the energy way down and to add a heap of disdain. Kermit is beyond done with this ridiculous bit and with Fozzie’s poor instructions.
And there’s so much more to this sketch that I didn’t even touch upon. Fozzie telling Kermit “don’t grumble”. A rare case of Fozzie getting angry at Kermit. Kermit’s attempt at really selling his performance (right up until he doesn’t anymore). Fozzie affectionately calling Kermit, “frog of my heart”, which is just adorable.
Obviously, I could continue to go on and on about this sketch (I mean, I already have). Every time I see it, I’m blown away by its simplicity and its complexity. The writing and performances exemplify the Muppets at their best. It is truly among the most perfect Muppet moments of all time. And it’s a great reminder that Fozzie Bear is not actually naked, thanks to a strategically placed necktie.
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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
