PERFORMER | Jim Henson |
DEBUT | 1989 |
DESIGN | Bruce McNally designer |
Ed Christie builder |
Bugsy Them was the villain in Dog City, threatening Ace Yu because his (Ace's) father's money went to his son rather to him.
This mad bulldog was the leader of a canine mafia, and enjoyed anything senseless. He is also the owner of the longest known tail of a bulldog, though it was likely a prosthetic one well-groomed by Miss Belle, his go-to gal in crime. He has three henchmen: Mad Dog, Laughing Boy, and Scruffy.
He made a cameo in "Secrets of the Muppets" at the OMD, and in The Muppets at Walt Disney World during "I'm Doggin' It".
In the Dog City series, the animated sections reworked the character as Bugsy Vile, while the puppet was reused as Bruno in the Muppet segments.
He makes an illustrated cameo in Issue #1 of Muppet Snow White.
Since 2015, the Bugsy Them puppet is on display at the Center for Puppetry Arts as part of their permanent Worlds of Puppetry exhibit.