Del Zivic

Del Zivic is an eccentric puppeteer, portrayed by real-life Muppet performer Richard Hunt, in the Puppetman pilot. He works on a children's show called "DragonTime" with his friend Gary (played by Fred Newman). His main puppet characters, Earl and Gertha, often serve to express the different aspects of his personality. While Earl is jovial and easily endears himself to Gary's young son Zack, sarcastic Gertha delights in tormenting Rita, the conceited human lead of the show. A typical exchange between Del/Gertha and Rita would be as follows:

Rita: How dare you! Do you have any idea of my musical background?

Del/Gertha: Yes, I ride in elevators!

Eventually, Rita walks off the set after a particularly nasty argument with Del/Gertha. Gary anxiously encourages Del to make up with her, and is later very shocked to see Rita and Gertha on the show together singing You Are My Sunshine! Down below the set, Del painfully yet valiantly manages to get through the number!

In the end, Rita generously congratulates Del on his performance. Del returns the compliment, but soon faces the ire of his own creation:

Del: What did you expect me to say?!

Gertha: Why you two-faced worm!

Del: Oh, come on, Gertha.

Gertha: Come on, yourself!