The AM monsters (Anything Muppet monsters) are a group of faceless Sesame Street monster puppets whose identities can be changed by altering eyes, noses, tongues, horns or other features as required. The puppets are similar to Anything Muppets in their simple design and interchangeable identities. However, they are also like the Whatnots used on The Muppet Show in that there is usually only one of each kind of monster puppet, whereas there are more than one copy of most Anything Muppets.
During the early years of Sesame Street, monsters needed for brief appearances were usually created by draping fur over parts of the body and head of an Anything Muppet. One of the most prominent monsters created in this manner is Frazzle. Later they were replaced by the AM monsters, allowing for a larger variety of designs.
Some AM monsters, such as Kermit the Forg, have features that are permanently attached, while others, such as Maurice Monster, have a single identity for an extended period of time. While most remain background characters, several monsters have developed unique personalities and become main characters, including Humphrey, Natasha, and, most famously, Elmo.
Designs
- Shaggy blue (Maurice, aka Kermit the Gorf, Dennis Monster)
- Large blue (Harvey Monster)
- Maroon-and-Yellow Monster (Stuie)
- Dark green
- Olive green with hair (Harry)
- Periwinkle (Bruce and Kermit the Grof)
- Light green (Phoebe)
- Tall gray (Kermit the Forg; sometimes has eyelids)
- Gray with pink-feathered hair (Annette Monster)
- Tan # 1 (McDougal Monster, Frankie Monster)
- Tan # 2 (originally used as Pearl)
- Purple with fat neck (Deena, Humphrey)
- Fat blue female (Mona, Juliet, and Ingrid)
- Red live-hand
- Fat purple
- Pink/lavender (Sherry Netherland)
- Orange with pink hair
- Orange oval-head (Andre Monster, Zostic)
- Flat-head blue (three copies exist, originally used for The Shagri-Las)
- Small yellow (Merry Monster)
- Yellow live-hand (Leo the Party Monster, Ruby)
- Tangerine live-hand (originally used for Preston Rabbit)
- Blue with white hair (has interchangeable live-hands or rod-arms, used for Parker Monster)
- Purple
- Gray/blue with snout
- Small light blue with snout
- Yellow live-hand with squarish head (Peeno Monster)
- Gray pear-head (interchangeable live-hands and rod-arms; used for Spalding Monster and the earliest version of Lulu)
- Blue-gray live-hand (Aristotle, Aunt Chloe)
- Shaggy purple with live-hands (originally used as a grouch, used for Sally Messy Yuckayel and Furline Huskie)
- Small hot pink (based on the Little Anything Muppets
- Bushy purple (Muppet Doctor)
- Tangerine/pink live-hand
- Orange FilFil-esque live-hand