Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) was an American singer who was one of the most highly acclaimed male popular song vocalists of all time. Renowned for his impeccable phrasing and timing, many critics place him alongside artists such as Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and the Beatles as one of the most important popular and influential music figures of the 20th century. Sinatra also had a larger-than-life presence in the public eye, and as "The Chairman of the Board" became an American icon, known for his brash, sometimes swaggering attitude, as embodied by his signature song "My Way."
Sinatra recorded a version of "Bein' Green" in October of 1970. This recording would later be used on Sesame Street in an animated insert by Etienne Delessert.[1] His 1973 album Ol' Blue Eyes is Back featured four other songs composed by Joe Raposo. Though they were never used in Muppet productions, 1973 concert footage of Sinatra performing one of them, "You Will Be My Music," is included in the special Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music.
In a 1998 interview, Jerry Juhl discussed guest stars considered for The Muppet Show who never appeared, and recalled that "Frank Sinatra was another one we had really tried to bring on but never happened."[2]
References[]
Sinatra caricatured in a "Rat Pack."
Sinatra reference in the pig's ears.
- The record single featuring "Tick-Tock Sick" lists Frank Sinatra as the conductor for the orchestra, in what appears to be a joking reference.
- In a street scene for a 1974 episode of Sesame Street, Oscar heckles Bob, who is whistling, by saying "Ol' blue eyes is back with a lot of noise, now cut out that racket."
- On Sesame Street, Kermit the Frog sung "This Frog" as a parody of Sinatra's tune "My Way", backed up by The Happy Squares (First: Episode 0944). Additionally, Kermit carries his reporter's trenchcoat over his shoulder, "ala Sinatra," as specified in the script for the segment.[3]
- Miss Piggy seemingly receives a call from Sinatra in The Muppets Go Hollywood, but the audience soon learns that it was Scooter making the calls so that Rita Moreno's video interview would catch the announcement on the loud speaker. Scooter had not yet made it through the list to Robert Redford or Paul Newman.
- Statler and Waldorf sing "It Was a Very Good Year," a song popularized by Sinatra, in The Muppet Show episode 406.
- Gonzo performed "My Way", a la Sinatra, in The Muppet Show episode 411. Gonzo also performed the song in the 1984 stage show The Muppet Show On Tour, and recorded a new version for the 1986 album Favorite Songs From Jim Henson's Muppets.
- At the close of The Muppet Show episode 510, Statler tells Waldorf that Jean-Pierre Rampal has recorded an album of Sinatra's hits on the flute called "I Did It Sideways." This is a reference to the lyrics "I did it my way" from the song "My Way", and the fact that the flute is an instrument that appears to be played on its side.
- In The Miss Piggy Calendar 1980, the December photo shows Miss Piggy relaxing in a cabin before a roaring fire, listening to a record. The record jacket sleeve has a photo of Kermit, with the words "Ol' Goggle-Eyes is Back" -- a reference to Sinatra's 1973 album Ol' Blue Eyes is Back.
- An excerpt from Sinatra's "Witchcraft" is played in Episode 2360 of Sesame Street.
- Rowlf the Dog's 1993 CD was titled Ol' Brown Ears is Back, another reference to Sinatra's album.
- In a street scene for a 2000 episode of Sesame Street, Baby Bear walks by singing "Love and Porridge", a parody of the song, "Love and Marriage", popularized by Sinatra.
- The animated Sesame Street song, "Museum Boogie," features a Sinatra-esque rat with his fellow "Rat Pack" members Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr..
- According to his character profile on Muppets.go.com, Johnny Fiama's favorite movie is "[a]nything with Sinatra, capice?"
- Kermit includes the lyrics "a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king" from one of Sinatra's hit songs, "That's Life," in his book Before You Leap.
- In Issue #2 of Muppet Snow White, Johnny Fiama is mistakenly under the impression that the auditions for the Seven Dwarves is for a Sinatra cover band.
- Throughout The Muppets Mayhem episode "Eight Days a Week," Zoot suggests various musicians portray him in the documentary film they're producing, not realizing all his suggestions have passed on. Frank Sinatra is among those he is shocked to hear is deceased.
Sources[]
- ↑ Footage screened at "Sesame Street: Lost and Found" event at Museum of the Moving Image, November 24, 2019.
- ↑ McKim, D.W. and Philip Chapman. "Written in Foam: An Interview with Jerry Juhl." July 24, 1998
- ↑ Script provided by trusted source