Interview with Legendary Muppeteer Jerry Nelson, Part 4

Ryan Dosier - It is always more than an honor to me when I get the chance to correspond with Muppeteers and ask them questions I've been wanting to ask ever since I found out who the talented men and women were that bring to life my favorite characters. Arguably, Jerry Nelson, whose fourth and final interview segment we're thrilled to post today, is the one who I've had the most questions for. Someone who has been a part of Muppet history almost since the beginning and who has brought life to countless wonderful, memorable, and delightful characters... Jerry is the epitome of Muppeteer and I, personally, and all of us here at The Muppet Mindset are beyond thrilled to welcome you to Part 4 of our interview with Mr. Nelson as we discuss his work on Sesame Street and provide some closing thoughts.


Be sure to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our interview with Jerry Nelson.

Interview with Jerry Nelson

Part 4

RYAN:   We’re back once again with Jerry Nelson for the fourth and final part of our interview. Today’s subject is Sesame Street. Jerry, what was the first Sesame Street sketch you worked on?

JERRY:   You don’t really expect me to remember this do you? This happened over forty years ago, my friend. Can you remember every little detail of anything that happened that long ago? Call me up when you are forty-one and tell me what you remember. I may have that in the files, but the colored wheel is spinning and spinning. If it ever pulls the file up I’ll let you know but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I do remember that we had just finished shooting The Great Santa Claus Switch in Toronto, when Jim asked me if I would like to work on Sesame Street in the second season. I had not worked the first season.

RYAN:   What is it about The Count that makes him one of the only characters you continue to perform?

JERRY:   Well Ryan, counting just never seems to go out of style. I mean it’s not as if they said, "What character would you like to keep doing?" Gush gush, gee, I would like to keep doing the Count until I fall off this mortal coil, please. With diminished physical capacity, I am lucky to be doing anything. I thank Sesame Workshop for letting me continue doing what I love.

RYAN:   In the beginning The Count was a rather frightening, foreboding presence. How did you change a vampire with the power to hypnotize Bert into a charming, passionate, truly awesome character?

JERRY:   I stopped relying on cliché darkness, and allowed the Count’s charming, passionate, truly awesome self to shine through.

RYAN:   The Count has had flings with a few different women (including Susan Sarandon). Can you tell us which one he fancies the most?

JERRY:   Flings indeed! A gentlecount never tells, Ryan. They each had their own charm and beauty.

RYAN:   What are your favorite Count songs?

JERRY:   "The Song of The Count," "Batty Bat," "Counting is Wonderful," "Coconut Counting Man," "Count on Me," "Bones," "Eight Beautiful Notes," "The Count's Lullaby," "I Want to Count," "Zig-Zag Dance," "Transylvania Polka," "The Number of the Day Waltz," "The Lambaba," "I Could Have Counted All Night," "Hands" (been werry good to me), "How Deep is Your Bathtub," "Cloud Nine," "Baby You Can Count on Me," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Little Miss Count Along," just to name a few and last but certainly not least... "Count Von Count's Continuous Country Cookin' Downhome Diner."

RYAN:   Which characters do you think The Count works with the best?

JERRY:   He has just two criteria. They must be either foam and fur fabric or flesh and blood. Other than that he’s not too picky.

RYAN:   What does The Count think of the Twilight craze? Does he enjoy counting the insane teenage girls?

JERRY:   You know the answer to this, Ryan, Count Von Count enjoys counting absolutely everything and anything, he can find or you can name.

RYAN:   Does The Count have a favorite number?

JERRY:   Of course! Doesn’t everyone? 34,969.

RYAN:   Where did the idea for thunder and lightning to accompany The Count’s counting come from?

JERRY:   You would have to ask Norman Stiles that question, I think it was he, or possibly Jon Stone?

RYAN:   The Count has also hobnobbed with a good amount of celebrities on the show. Who were some of your (and his) favorite celebrities to work with?

JERRY:   Harry Belafonte, Madeline Kahn, Whoopi Goldberg, Maya Angelou, Alison Krauss, Susan Sarandon, Jon Stewart, Dave Winfield, Mookie Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, to mention a few.

RYAN:   In recent years you’ve dubbed The Count’s voice while someone else performs him. What are the difficulties that come with this?

JERRY:   Matt Vogel does the puppet work with the Count. Matt worked with me doing right, and often both hands for a long time so he knows the way I work. Of course we rehearse and he can pick up the rhythms of speech from that. Matt is a very talented puppeteer in his own right, so most of the time there are no real difficulties. People often remark about how smoothly it all works.

RYAN:   One of my favorite Sesame Street moments in recent years is the "Outrageous Makeover: Home Addition" sketch with Grover and Mr. Johnson. What was it like to perform this hilariously fun sketch?

JERRY:   It was hilariously fun, Ryan, as they most always are. I can’t think of one that wasn’t and I’m not going to try.

RYAN:   Why does Mr. Johnson keep going back to Charlie’s Restaurant? Is the food really that good?

JERRY:   Would you rather for him to have never gone back? I don’t think so.

RYAN:   Is Grover really a bad waiter/salesman/exercise instructor/airplane steward/etc.? Or is Mr. Johnson just a difficult customer?

JERRY:   It is simply perfect chemistry for teaching and comedy. You’ve got this poor sap who continues to somehow always become saddled with furry, cute, adorable, inept Grover, who through his mistakes repeats the objective lessons, each time frustrating Mr J in (and you know it’s coming) an ever escalating temper, to the point of collapsing. Comedy.

RYAN:   Can you talk to us a little bit about Herry Monster? How was his character developed?

JERRY:   Herry is my tribute to Jimmy ("da nose knows") Durante, who, when I was growing up, was one of my favorite comedians. "Good night Mrs. Calabash, where-ever you are!" Remember to think radio here.

RYAN:   What was it like to work with real kids like John-John? Was John-John still thrilled to see Herry when they were reunited after he had grown up?

JERRY:   Kids can amaze you. John-John certainly did. He was so into it. Many times children are very shy, but they found a few like John-John that were just right there. Hmm, the reunion, I’m not sure "thrilled" is the word I would use here. It was certainly a happy moment for myself, Herry, John-John, his mother and others in the studio.

RYAN:   What are your favorite Herry moments?

JERRY:   The song, "I Can’t Help It," in the course of which, he destroys the Fix-It Shop. By the end of the song the shop is a shambles. The Special Effects Team, get kudos for that one and I had a ball. Scenes like that you rehearse over and over because it’s going to happen for real in only one take.

RYAN:   Whatever happened to Biff and Sully?

JERRY:   Biff is retired and worrying about the economy, social security and medicare. I don’t know for sure, but I heard that Sully is playing piano in a lounge out on City Island.

RYAN:   I know that you really enjoyed Sherlock Hemlock. What were some of your favorite aspects of his character?

JERRY:   He was so totally clueless. It was so much fun to play him unconditionally confident of his complete solution. I liked him best with Watson the dog trying to tell him at each step of the way what the real clues were and Sherlock’s lame restructuring when the truth is revealed.

RYAN:   One of the greatest moments in Season 40 was your cameo alongside Herry, Mr. Johnson, and Sherlock Hemlock. How did that come about?

JERRY:   I was visiting the set with my grandson and it just sort or happened, as I recall. I’m not saying that is what happened, just that is what I recall.

RYAN:   How has Sesame Street changed during your time on the show? How has it remained the same?

JERRY:  Segmentilization. Elmos World, Where’s Ernie. They still do great spoofs, which used to be called "inserts."

RYAN:   What does Sesame Street mean to you?

JERRY:   Do you mean aside from being part of a great career and contributing to children’s education and the uses of what was a new media in my lifetime?

RYAN:   If you had to pick one, what would you say is your favorite Sesame Street moment?

JERRY:   Being on set to hear Ray Charles sing, "It’s Not That Easy Being Green." Being in studio to share 40th Anniversary cake with my family of friends, who are my coworkers. Working with the best in the business. All that and more.

RYAN:   Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

JERRY:   I think you take the N, Q or F train to 36th Street, or is it Avenue? Ask my driver. He knows the way.

RYAN:   What would you like to be remembered for? If you could shape your legacy, what would it be?

JERRY:   Jerry Nelson. He was mostly on time.

RYAN:   Jerry, before we finish, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance I would personally thank you for autographing both a photo of The Count and a picture I drew of you surrounded by your characters for me. They are proudly framed and hanging on my wall. So thank you so much for that, sir.

JERRY:   Is that the one with the cowboy boots? No, that one is Smig’s, which I have on my wall.

RYAN:   Well Jerry, unfortunately those are all of the questions I have. I just have to thank you for everything. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person, for putting music in my heart, and bringing laughter to my life. I’m sure I speak for Muppet fans everywhere when I say that once again I wish I could stand up and applaud you.

JERRY:   Thank you, Ryan. If you think I made you a better person, you were a better person to begin with. You have my permission to applaud me any time you see me.  Thank everyone else for bothering to read these rambles.

We can't thank Jerry Nelson enough for taking the time to talk to us. Jerry is a true treasure... one we're so glad he shared with us throughout the course of this four-part interview. Thank you, Jerry, for all you've done and continue to do!






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Interview with Legendary Muppeteer Jerry Nelson, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - We're back once again with the indescribably awesome Jerry Nelson! This is the second to last part of our wonderful interview. I fully believe that this is the greatest thing The Muppet Mindset has accomplished thus far and I can't thank Jerry enough for his kindness, friendliness, and all-around awesomeness. But... enough about that. Enjoy the wisdom and brilliance of Jerry Nelson as he and I discuss Fraggle Rock!

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our interview with Jerry!

Jerry Nelson Interview

Part 3

RYAN:   Welcome back! I’m still here with Jerry Nelson: the man, the Count, the legend. Jerry, how do you like The Muppet Mindset so far?

JERRY:   Tough questions, Ryan. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, but thanks for giving me some space to try my memory and imagination yet again. Some of the events these questions refer to happened so long ago, they seem to have happened to some other mug.


RYAN:   The topic of part 3 of our interview is Fraggle Rock. Jerry, what was it like going from the well-known characters on The Muppet Show to starting all over again with the Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs?

JERRY:   This is a story-oriented tale. Whereas The Muppet Show was a series of strange, bizarre, comedic, entertaining and even beautiful showcase acts, stitched together with backstage pandemonium.

Fraggle Rock was an entirely different world inhabited by a panoply of creatures large and small. Their foibles were not unlike our own. I think we moved comfortably into that world and the spirit of that world and the inter-species relationships it created. Getting used to maneuvering in the caves was new but nothing we couldn’t handle and, in fact, revealed comedic and dramatic opportunity for all.

RYAN:   Another new aspect that came with Fraggle Rock was putting on a show without the eye of Jim Henson or the hand of Frank Oz on set. What was it like to sort of go out on your own to make this new show?

JERRY:   We didn’t really go out on our own. Jim Henson was there at all times in a way. With the exception of Frank, he had his A team there in all aspects of the production. He didn’t leave until he had worked with enough directors with correct focus to make the show work in a seamless way. And of course, he came back from time to time to join in the fun.
Once he got the show going and things kind of established, Jim, for the first time would leave us on our own to do other things. We understood this trust, realizing it was up to us to maintain the spirit of the show in Jim’s absence, to make sure the show was up to his standards. Everyone, in all phases of the production, was involved in that way. When we would finish shooting on Friday night, or sometimes early Saturday morning, director, writer, cast, production team and crew would all gather for refreshments (Frosty Friday) to discuss that weeks shoot, problems that arose and were dealt with and how we could better resolve those issues if they came up again.

RYAN:   For the first time, you were handed the “hero” character for an entire series of a show. What was it like to become Gobo? Was it difficult for you to become the leading character?

JERRY:   I think I said earlier that being an actor on stage prior to coming to puppets gave me a good foundation. I had played leads in some stage productions since returning from military service in the mid 1950s. Don’t forget too, I had been a kid, still am, yeah, I’m an old kid now.

RYAN:   Can you talk to us a little bit about Gobo’s hat collection? I always loved the episodes when he wore hats—if for no other reason than the fact that he was wearing a hat.

JERRY:   I am a hat man. I have always been into hats, even as a kid they were always telling me that if I wore my hat inside it would make me go bald. When I first started traveling, doing shows, I would buy a hat in each new town. At some point I asked our very capable shop people, if Gobo could have a variety of hats to wear. They applied their magic and Gobo had a fun variety of headgear for the series.

RYAN:   How do you think Gobo’s character changed throughout the run of the show?

JERRY:   Almost any Fraggle fan can answer that better than I. Did his character change? He certainly went through some changes, as did they all. I don’t think I intentionally changed anything but it would be strange if there were no growth over the course of the series. I’ll have to watch the entire series now, I guess, to find out.


RYAN:   One of my favorite aspects of the show was Gobo’s friendship with Wembley. Did this come from a rapport you have with Steve Whitmire, or was it more a scripted element?

JERRY:    Though Steve and I do have good working history and have played music together so we play well together, this was I think, character driven. Leader/sidekick always works well.  Of the five Fraggles, Boober is the loner, I suspect because he is so fussy about things (laundry, cleanliness, food, germs etc.). Since Wembley has a difficult time making up his mind, Boober would have been a disaster for Wembley as a roommate (think The Big Bang Theory), though they did get along well. Gobo is a better influence on Wembley because of Gobo’s basic optimism.


RYAN:   Kermit sometimes seems to sort of resent his role as leader of the Muppets, but Gobo was always very defensive of his position of leader of the Fraggle Five. Why do you think this is?

JERRY:   The Fraggle that challenges Gobo the most often is Red. They are both very competitive and Red never misses an opportunity to dispute the status quo. It’s usually good-natured, but as with anyone who is competitive there is an edge to it. Sometimes feelings are hurt but never in a mean spirited way.

RYAN:   Where does Gobo’s competitiveness come from? Is it his desire to hold his leadership role, or is there something more?

JERRY:   Gobo assumes he will follow in his Uncle Traveling Matt’s footsteps. He, of course, does not see Matt’s bumbling nature until later, so he thinks of Matt as explorer supreme, who is fearlessly facing the world of the Silly Creatures on his own. This is a role he wants to be ready to assume at some point in his life and as we see, he gets frightened by the simultaneous night time workshop, storm and hairy monster confrontation.

The caves too, can be very dangerous and of course these continuously test his mettle, so Red’s dares and confrontations are things that must be met bravely and with a desire to win.

RYAN:   Why does Gobo have such a strong desire to compete with Red that he doesn’t show with any of the other Fraggles?

JERRY:   I think I’ve just answered this. Anyway, she is the only one who really challenges Gobo in a confrontational way.

RYAN:   Gobo seems to both admire and compete with his Uncle Matt. How can you describe this extremely complex relationship the two of them have?

JERRY:   With tears in my eyes and joy/difficulty in my heart! It’s not easy to watch a lifelong hero turn into a bumbling fool, but there you have it.  In spite of all that, Gobo still adores his Uncle Traveling Matt, for after all, this is the hero of his youth and the benchmark of all his own explorations and adventures to come.

RYAN:   Arguably the most powerful moment of the entire series was when Gobo reached out and touched Doc. What was it like shooting this huge moment?

JERRY:   In that reaching out and touching, were we all touched deeply with the import of better contact and understanding in our micro/macro world. The entire studio felt it. That was a momentous occasion, in anybody’s book. Mine too.


RYAN:   Sprocket and Gobo always had a very interesting relationship. How did Gobo go from fearing the hairy beast to riding him through the Fraggle caves?

JERRY:   Of course originally Sprocket’s barking almost scared the Fraggle puck out of him, but Gobo spent many hours studying the large shaggy creature that is Sprocket and so, as is often the case, curiosity begins to tip the scale of relationships toward interest and as we all know that can lead to understanding and cooperation. Or at least wanting to ride the beast to save time when there is danger for the Fraggles. Let’s just say, it was a great adventure for them both.

RYAN:   What do you think is the most important aspect of Gobo’s character?

JERRY:   Though he is at times conflicted, he wants to do the right thing and usually works it out so that the right thing ends up getting done. Sometimes he comes to it on his own, sometimes with the help of his friends and at times even those he might think of as his enemy. The important thing is that he strives to be loyal, compassionate and honest.

RYAN:   What were some of your favorite songs from Fraggle Rock?

JERRY:  “We Always Say Goodbye” “It Maybe Trash, Bit It Sure Ain’t Junk”,   ,   ,   Unequivocally, there were no songs I didn’t like in that show. Philip Balsam and Dennis Lee put together a songbook for that show that in my opinion is unparalleled by anything else with the exception of Paul Williams songs in Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas, or The Muppet Christmas Carol. No wait!  How about, I loved every song I got to sing and was even envious for the ones I didn’t get wrap my vocal chords around.

RYAN:   Speaking of songs, can you talk to us a little bit about Marjory the Trash Heap? Where did she come from within you? Did she smell?

JERRY:   Marjory is my homage to Maria Ouspenskaya, a great Russian actress who was often cast as a Gypsy woman but that was Hollywood’s shortcoming, not hers. I think you meant, “How did she smell?” “With her nose, nyock nyock nyock!”

RYAN:   What do you think is the greatest advice that Marjory has ever given?

JERRY:   The most fun was, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.” Since that is not an adage in all languages, the idea of crying over spilt milk had to be demonstrated. Steve had lots of fun putting Wembley into that one. Red or Mokey was part of that also, I think.


RYAN:   Was it difficult to play off of Philo and Gunge and the Fraggles at the same time?

JERRY:   No, it wasn’t. Those guys always gave me everything I needed to play the character fully and then some. Did I mention their timing was great? It was!

RYAN:   Did anyone ever pitch a story that involved both Marjory and Cantus the Minstrel? It seems like that would be an electric combination.


JERRY:   Never in my presence. I would have loved it though. I always enjoyed working with Jim. Cantus and Convincing John were wonderful characters and it was even more fun to be in the studio when they were in a script.


RYAN:   What is the Marjory moment you enjoyed the most?

JERRY:   Singing. Did I mention I love to sing? She had several nice Blues to sing. I also loved the banter between Philo and Gunge. Nyahh!

RYAN:   Marjory was as much a set piece as she was a character. What was it like to perform a location?

JERRY:   Performing a location is similar to portraying a prop, but more prodigious.

RYAN:   Let’s move on to your third main character on the show, Pa Gorg. How satisfying was it for you to finally get to boss Richard Hunt around?

JERRY:   I never bossed Richard around, well, okay maybe in the early days when he was an over exuberant puppy. You are maybe referring to Pa Gorg bossing Junior Gorg around? Loved it, but I had to be careful because that was a combination of Richard Hunt and Rob Mills which can crack you up faster than a nano-second can shout Boy Howdy! Okay, a nanosecond can’t shout anything that we know of, but if it could…

RYAN:   How did you “become” Pa? Was he based on anyone you know?


JERRY:   My bad impression of Wallace Beery. If I did a good impression, people would say, “Oh, he’s just doing Wallace Beery, or Jimmy Durante.”

Doing bad impressions makes it seem like I do all kinds of characters. Shh, don’t tell anyone.

RYAN:   Why does Pa hate those Fraggles so much? Is he really that much of an avid gardener?


JERRY:   “They are scooty, sneaky little critters with tails, who are constantly raiding the garden.” No, Pa is not and avid gardener. Looking at his girth should tell you that he is an avid eater though.


RYAN:   What was it like to perform the main Fraggle while at the same time performing the character who despises the Fraggles the most?


JERRY:   Gobo is Gobo and has Gobo feelings. Pa is Pa and only has Pa feelings. Hey come on, you’re talking to a ex jar of marmalade. Does acting ring a bell?

RYAN:   How do Ma and Pa still keep the romance alive after 513 years together?


JERRY:  They are made for each other. She still cooks Peach/Garlic pie for him and he still warmly speaks to her with loving endearments. He’d do anything for her, except climb on the roof again.


RYAN:   Has anyone approached you or talked to you about coming back for the Fraggle Rock feature film being developed?


JERRY:   As far as I know they aren’t talking to anybody from the series yet, at least, that anybody has said. I can only guess. Maybe they are doing something totally different for this and since none of the people are involved to my knowledge, what we’ll have is a whole other thing. It could be Pre TV Fraggle Rock. Don’t ask me how I feel about this, but I would love to do something in Fraggle Rock the movie. Maybe Dr. Teeth could drive me out to Hollywood in their bus.


RYAN:   If you were one of Fraggle Rock’s three main species, which would you be? A Fraggle, a Doozer, or a Gorg?

JERRY:  I think I would opt to be a Fraggle, since they are the bridge to understanding between the species and that would be the role I would prefer to see myself in.

RYAN:   What do you think Fraggle Rock’s lasting impact is?

JERRY:  We are all dependent upon one another because we each make up a different piece of the whole.

RYAN:   What is the greatest lesson that Fraggle Rock can teach the world?


JERRY:  Until we learn to treat every person with humility and compassion, and the World with respect and not something to steal from, we fail as humanity.


RYAN:   And to close out part 3, Jerry, is there any advice that the All-Knowing Trash Heap give me?


JERRY:  Marjory would tell you and so would I, “Keep your sunny side up.” My friend Leslie Carrara Rudoplph would tell you, “Joy to you and pass it on too!”

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Interview with Legendary Muppeteer Jerry Nelson, Part 2

Ryan Dosier - Greetings, Muppet fans! And welcome back to The Muppet Mindset for Part 2 of our 4-Part interview with Muppet legend Jerry Nelson! Part 2 focuses on Jerry's contribution to The Muppet Show and the stable of characters he performed. Unfortunately, there wasn't time to ask about every character Jerry performed (since there were so darn many of them) but I think what you'll find is a wonderful inside look at some of Jerry's most influential characters (well... except Angus McGonagle--that question was for me) and his incredibly wise, incredibly hilarious thoughts concerning them.

Make sure you check out Part 1 of our interview with Jerry Nelson too!

Jerry Nelson Interview

Part 2

RYAN:   We’re back with the legendary Jerry Nelson. You know him as the long-time performer of such standards as Granny the Gouger, Thudge McGerk, and arguably the most influential Muppet of all time… the Jar of Orange Marmalade! Jerry, what was it like to perform these universally known characters?

JERRY:   I doubt that I ever thought about any of my characters being universally known. However, you can just imagine what a thrill it is to play Jar of Marmalade, or... perhaps you can’t.

RYAN:   As you all surely know, those three characters come from The Muppet Show. Jerry, what was it like to work on The Muppet Show? Did anyone ever consider that it would be so influential?

JERRY:   After we finished the first season, we came back to the US to film The Muppet Movie. It hadn’t taken off in the states yet. When we returned to England to start the second season, I don’t know about anyone else, but I was surprised to find that the show was a big smash hit there and Robin’s song “Halfway Down The Stairs” was on the Pop charts and eventually made it to #7. Of course, we did at some point realize that the show went to many countries and people, when they found out we did The Muppet Show, would do a big take and say, “You’re a MUPPET!!!!” “Good show, mate”

RYAN:   During the first season of the show, Floyd Pepper became very prominent. In those days he had a slightly different voice in some songs. How did his now well-known raspy tone come about?

JERRY:   Well, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is maybe what you are referring to. That’s the only one I’ve really noticed.. As I recall it was out of the range of my Floyd register and the song kind of felt Leon Redbone-ish, so I took it in that direction. My wife, Jan, said when she heard it, “That doesn’t sound like Floyd.” To which I replied, “I am he-and he is me-and we are all  together.”

RYAN:   Where does Floyd come from within you? How did you develop his character?

JERRY:   You have to remember he was a new character and you can see that as you become more familiar with a character, the character grows. When he walks, you find his walk. When he laughs you then have to discover all these subtleties about where his humor comes from so what you’re seeing is the personality evolving, much in the way all the characters who weren’t in existence prior to the pilot were. Remember too, that somewhere in his before-life he hung around a lot of jazz clubs and musicians.

RYAN:   Personally, I find Floyd to have the best singing voice of any Muppet. What were some of your favorite songs to sing as Floyd?


JERRY:   Thank you, Ryan. I’ll start with “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel. Well, here’s a melancholy tune that’s easy to get into if you are NOT in New York, which we weren’t. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison, another beautiful sad song. “Blackbird,” a beautiful song from Paul McCartney. How could you go wrong with all that fantastic music? I also really enjoyed singing “Lady Be Good” with  Zoot and Dr. Teeth and my little scat with Dizzy Gillespie, a duet with Roy Rogers, “In The Good Ol’ Summertime” with Pearl Bailey, hey, the list goes on and on. I love to sing.

RYAN:   Do you have any idea why Floyd’s covers of songs are often better than the originals?

JERRY:   I can’t believe you said that. I thank you. But I don’t see it that way. Not that it’s better. It’s my take on song and great professional players behind me, so maybe it’s just different in a way that strikes you as better. I suppose a singer is what I really wanted to be and the Muppets got me as close to that joy as I could be in this world. That and my album, "Truro Daydreams." I might remind you all that Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and Flying Spaghetti Monster Day is just around the corner, so head on over to www.cdbaby.com/cd/nelsonjerry/ and  give the gift of love to me and my grandson Tolin, by buying your beloved one a copy of Truro Daydreams, with ten songs by yours truly, Jerry Nelson.

RYAN:   To you, what is the most important aspect of Floyd? What about the most fun aspect?

JERRY:   Music and humor.

RYAN:   How did you develop Floyd’s trademark “anklin’” walk?

JERRY:   Mr. Natural’s Truckin’ from the pen and mind of Robert Crumb. Circa 1960’s.

RYAN:   When you spoke to Matt Vogel about your characters, what did you tell him about Floyd?

JERRY:   My multi-colored wheel is spinning while I try to retrieve that file. Hmm, I think you will have to ask Mister Vogel that when you interview him.

RYAN:   What are your thoughts about the importance of the Electric Mayhem in the Muppet world? How do they represent and share the Muppet dream?

JERRY:   First of all in The Muppet Movie you saw how they met the Frog following his own dream. I believe at that time Kermit did share that with the band and they did find him in order to join in the dream, as did so many others they met along the way. The Mayhem were an intricate part of the Muppets in everything they did: movies, television, records, CD’s. They had been struggling with the hardships of the road until they met K. the Frog. He (K the F) gave them a stability they had been searching for and they in turn gave the Muppets much of their musical celebrity and humor. They were the Muppet Show house band for the stars who appeared on the show.

RYAN:   What did Floyd think about Janice’s brief fling with Zoot?

JERRY:   I asked Floyd about that and he said, “Hey Man, I don’t own her. She is her own person. I think people acting that way, before she joined us, was why she left home in the first place.”

RYAN:   How long did it take you to master the art of puppet guitar playing?

JERRY:     I am a guitar player so it was second nature to translate that into an arm wire. It was a little more complicated than that though. Normally, for a right-handed person the right hand would control the rhythm playing the guitar. In puppeteering, since the right hand is manipulating the puppet’s mouth, the left hand has to do the strumming, and or picking for the guitar or bass guitar. It’s sort of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach.  

RYAN:   Can you talk to us a little bit about Floyd’s relationship with Miss Piggy?

JERRY:   Miss  Piggy has such a gargantuan ego, Floyd finds it diverting to try to bring her down a peg or two, whenever he can without putting himself in danger. Sometimes that doesn’t work out so well and Floyd would end up with a chop to the chops.

RYAN:   Moving on from our good friend Floyd, where on earth did you find the inspiration for Lew Zealand?

JERRY:   Lew is my tribute to Frankie Fontaine who was a comedian who worked with Jackie Gleason, Jack Benny and The Tonight Show. He was also a talented singer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Fontaine

RYAN:   Does Lew have a favorite boomerang fish?

JERRY:   Yes, Tommy Tuna, but there were various favorites through the years. I used to make up different names to try to crack up Dave Goelz. Mikey the Mackerel, Ichabod Cod, stuff like that.

RYAN:   If you had to pick one defining moment in Lew Zealand’s distinguished career, what would it be?

JERRY:  The time he didn’t get the hook. No, every time the boomerang fish did their job. There were times when he threw the fish a-way but they didn’t come back.

RYAN:   How about Uncle Deadly? Why was he phased out?

JERRY:   I don’t know that there was a reason. I guess there could be many reasons. Character didn’t payoff any longer, they had used up all the funny bits for him, or they simply had lots of ideas that did not involve him. I never thought about it so I never asked anyone, but you had to bring it up and "Take-a, take another little piece of my heart now Ryan. Break-a, break another little piece of my..." well, you get the idea. I hope you sang that part aloud.

I saw her live, you know, in San Francisco. Ah, those were the times. Out of work and out of money, just like Uncle Deadly. Uncle Deadly was, by the way, my tribute to John Carradine.

RYAN:   What about Crazy Harry? Does he have any motivation besides the urge to wreak havoc and laugh maniacally?

JERRY:   No, selective chaos is pretty much his game.

RYAN:   Did you ever notice that a majority of your main characters have facial hair?

JERRY:   No, I didn’t. What do you think that means? Type cast in radical, non-conformist roles?

RYAN:   Of course, one character that doesn’t and never will have facial hair is Robin the Frog. When was it decided to make Robin Kermit’s nephew?

JERRY:   I have no idea.  They said “jump”, I said, “How High.”

RYAN:   Did Robin help you to get in touch with your inner-child?

JERRY:   No, since I never grew up, my inner child has been extremely close to the surface.

RYAN:   Any particular reason why Robin is so fond of “They Call the Wind Mariah”?

JERRY:   It’s called a running gag, but I think Robin feels it makes him appear more grown up...

RYAN:   What are your thoughts on why Robin stays with Kermit as much as he does? Is it his desire to perform or is there more to it?

JERRY:   Robin looks up to his uncle, but of course he wants to have an impact in show business as well. Secretly he hopes he can grow up like Kermit and wear a nice pointy collar and hang out with great looking Starlets.

RYAN:   What about Robin’s relationship with Kermit? What makes it so important to the both of them?

JERRY:   Despite the fact that being frogs, they are both cold blooded they do have a warm spot for each other in their froggie little hearts. I think there is also a strong filial devotion.

RYAN:   Since Robin is so musically inclined, are there any instruments you think would suit him best?

JERRY:   A ukulele or maybe a piccolo.

RYAN:   Was introducing Robin’s mother and father ever discussed? Which one do you think is Kermit’s sibling?

JERRY:   It may have been discussed, but never in my presence. Is that psychologically important? Because with all those eggs hatching at the same time, and Robin being another generation apart, I think it would be difficult to tell, unless you were a scientist.

RYAN:   What do you think it is that draws Robin to Sweetums?

JERRY:   Since it’s me you’re asking, I’d say script. Robin would say “Cuz he’s the best pal a frog can have.”

RYAN:   Is Robin still five?

JERRY:   He would be a young teenager in human years, but in frog years he is five.

RYAN:   Are his brothers and sisters in the swamp jealous of his stardom?

JERRY:   Hey, all they know is sitting on lily pads, catching flies, and avoiding a whole swamp full of predators. 

RYAN:   Robin is also actively involved in the Frog Scouts. If he had to choose between the Frog Scouts and the stage, which do you think he’d choose?

JERRY:  What? Give up show biz. You must be kidding me. It’s in his cold blood.

RYAN:   What were some of your favorite songs to sing as Robin?

JERRY:  Ahh, in order of preference they are, "Halfway Down the Stairs," "Over the Rainbow," "I’m Five," "Yellow Submarine," and "Just One Person."

RYAN:   One of my very good friends is a huge fan of Robin. Do you think he’d be willing to say a few words in the interview to his biggest fan?

ROBIN:   I have a fan? Wow!! A fan. My fan? Gosh, I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures. You take very good care of yourself. You are important to me. Thank you for being my FAN !!!!!!!

RYAN:   Who were your favorite Muppets to interact with while performing your characters?

JERRY:   I loved singing and working with all of my workmates no matter who I was, or they were being at the time. New character old character, I didn’t care as long as I was playing.

RYAN:   That about does it for part 2 of our interview, so in closing... Jerry, whatever happened to Angus McGonagle the Gargling Gargoyle?

JERRY:   I wish there was footage of us trying to gargle and then sing. We all tried it, even Jim. We were all cracking up at each other. It was hilarious. We ended up with Richard Hunt doing the gargling and me singing the lyric. If you want a laugh, try it yourself.

Huge thanks to Mr. Jerry Nelson for this amazing interview and everything he's done! You're the best, Jerry! Remember, you can buy Jerry's beautiful album, "Truro Daydreams," right here for only $9.99. It really is the perfect Christmas gift for the Muppet fan in your life (or just yourself)!






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier