In children's TV history, has anybody gotten screwed over more than Grover?
MikeM
We really need to write more about Grover on this blog. This post
appeared on Jan. 15, 2007. I'm still mad at myself for not asking
Frank Oz about this during his interview with The Poop.
In the history of children's programming, has anybody gotten screwed
over more than Grover?
Once one of the biggest Muppets in the universe, his job was stolen
practically overnight by Elmo -- a smaller, cuter and less pot-bellied
monster. Even worse, he's had to watch as Elmo became more popular
than he ever was, by basically dumbing down Grover's schtick.
... a support group?
Should they start ...
In more than 60 years of network television, I can think of only one
person who has endured humiliations equal to Grover's -- and that's
Willard Scott. While Al Roker gets all the screen time, cookbook deals
and his own featured blog, Willard gets trotted out every third or
fourth day to act like a goof and show a few pictures of some old
ladies. It would have been way better if they just fired him.
The treatment of Grover is especially strange, because much like KTVU
Channel 2, Sesame Street has a history of respecting its elders. Big
Bird shows up in the beginning of most episodes in kind of a classy
elder statesman role, kind of like Ross McGowan. Oscar the Grouch
(Dennis Richmond) and Cookie Monster (Mark Ibanez) have also continued
to do their thing.
Hell, even The Count (Tom Vacar?) gets to maintain his dignity, even
though he was always sort of a one-note character and probably
deserved to get fired.
But Grover? At one time the most beloved Muppet in the world, he's
lucky if he gets to put on his Super Grover outfit and fly into the
wall once or twice. Meanwhile, the people behind "Sesame Street" seem
to be introducing a stupid new character every episode.
Stop the humiliation, Sesame Workshop. Either give Elmo a spin-off, or
put Grover out of his misery and show him the door. And give him a
good enough severance package to retire gracefully. The last thing we
want to see is a little blue monster doing dinner theater.
CrossfaceWalls
Ask a kid born even in the mid 80's who Grover was, and they don't
know who you are talking about.
Obveeus
When you allow someone to shove their entire arm up your backside, you are
bound to feel that you have been screwed. I'm sure that Grover was paid
well for his time on the Street and he has paved the way for better
opportunities being afforded to the next generation of puppets that wish to
enter the entertainment business.
CrossfaceWalls
Cookie Monster swore on the lives of his cookies, he'd never screw
Grover.
jsl...@utnet.utoledo.edu
Ian J. Ball
I'm top-posting to make sure that everyone gets the word out:
FREE GROVER!!!
Mark Nobles
> This may be the most important posting in the history of RAT.
>
> I'm top-posting to make sure that everyone gets the word out:
>
> FREE GROVER!!!
I think you may be on something here. He needs to slightly modify his
act - by always wearing sunglasses and then whipping them off each time
he starts to talk.
William George Ferguson
Of course, you meant to say 'Fabricated-Americans'.
--
"Oh Buffy, you really do need to have
every square inch of your ass kicked."
- Willow Rosenberg
Michael Black
> Jimmy and Freddie Flute never got to go home.
>
They're not related. Jimmy (last name never known) found Freddie the
Flute.
Michael
Obveeus
To tell the truth I've never been keen on those hyphenated labels. However,
I believe that the current PC trend is to call them 'alternately abled'.
Poot Rootbeer
Elmo screwed Telly more than he ever screwed Grover.
At least Grover still got main-event billing at the end of this book.
-Poot
oh, "spoiler"
Eddy B.
Grover screwed Grover, correct answer is Wil E. Coyote