Muppet Wiki:Identifying Voices

As Muppet fans, we naturally want to know who performs our favorite character, or even every bit character. This generally means identifying the voice (usually but not always that of the puppeteer). However, doing so just by ear, with no other source, can be hazardous. Some voices, like Jim Henson and Frank Oz, are instantly recognizable, but others aren't (or have a broader range).

Here are some guidelines and resources. And remember, there's nothing wrong with creating a character page (especially for one who has only one line or just makes sounds) and not identifying a performer.

Guidelines

 * Use direct sources: The ear can be very fallible, and in many instances, the same character will sound different to everybody and prompt half a dozen guesses (see Talk:Nelson, Talk:Astoria, and others). Instead, use screen credits, album credits, resumes, and especially interviews with the actual performers or voice actors. Can these direct sources sometimes be mistaken as well? Certainly, but they constitute the best rsources and, at least 99 percent of the time, they're absolutely correct. When an error or contradiction is found, bring it up on the talk page or share evidence for it being another performer; sources can be weighed and compared, but personal "It sounded kind of like" reactions can't


 * Don't add your own guess: If you catch yourself thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder if that's so and so," then you're guessing. YouTube and forum guesses and assumptions are also discounted. If you're ever uncertain at all, there's nothing wrong in using the talk page to ask "Can anyone recognize/source who the voice is?" Keep in mind that this works best with major, recurring or otherwise notable characters, however, and not every Whatnot or Anything Muppet who shows up for one line.


 * Consensus: However, if you have strong reason to believe that a character has a certain voice but have no direct source (and it's a clip or line where the performer is open to question), it can help to link to a clip of the scene or character in question, *and* when possible a contrasting clip of your candidate in what you feel is a similar voice. Again, with minor characters who have little dialogue, this often just results in random guessing. However, sometimes it's a case of "I know that voice but I've forgotten the name," and others can weigh in. If no consensus is reached or direct evidence found, the Template:Performer-unknown is used. It does *not* have to be used on every character without a performer (only cases where the identity is in dispute or is actively being researched, as with the international Sesame Street characters where the names are still being translated or credits sought). -- Andrew Leal (talk ) 20:18, March 13, 2010 (UTC)