Hubba-wha?

"Hubba-wha?"

"Hubba-wha?" is an expression of disbelief or surprise, frequently uttered by The Muppets in Sesame Street and various productions.

When asked about the origin of the expression, Frank Oz responded:

“I have used it for years with my characters based on old burlesque performers, one being the straight man with the other doing the funny. It's kind of comedic way to register surprise. Those comic duos from the days of burlesque were brilliant.”

Appearances

• Fozzie Bear uses the phrase as he does a take for Johnny Carson on a 1976 appearance on The Tonight Show.

• In episode 109 of The Muppet Show, Kermit utters, "Hubba-hubba-wha?" when he learns Gonzo's doing a costume act.

• Alice Otter utters the phrase multiple times in the blooper reel to Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

• Richard Hunt made fun of Oz's frequent use of the phrase during the taping of a Two-Headed Monster sketch (in behind the scenes footage found on the 40 Years of Sunny Days DVD) having the Two-Headed Monster shout, "Hubba-wha! Frank Oz!"

• Forgetful Jones has this reaction when Maria advises him of the incorrect labeling of his body parts in Sesame Street Episode 2137.

• In the Monsterpiece Theater sketch "Much Ado About Nothing," both Grover and Mr. Johnson both say the phrase when they find a pig they were going to cook can talk.

• The phrase is said four times in the Monsterpiece Theater sketch "Monsters with Dirty Faces." One of the monsters says it when Grover asks Rocky to wash his face. When Rocky agrees to do so, the phrase is exclaimed by all of the monsters, and then by Grover. At the segment's end, Alistair Cookie says it when Rocky appears to clean his face.

• Howard Straightalk mentions a chicken by the name of Debbie Lynn Sweetcheeks Hubba-wha in a Good Morning America sketch.

• The Prince and the Pig say the phrase in reaction to learning that cooperation will help get their story written in Sesame Street Episode 3633.

• In Sesame Street Episode 3858, The Jacket Fairy exclaims the phrase when Zoe wishes her jacket could play with her.

• Elmo reacts this way when he learns the odd things Alan claims to have cooked in Elmo's Magic Cookbook.

• In a season 34 sketch, after watching the Two-Headed Monster argue, brothers Aaron and Nick Carter comment that it reminds them of themselves, which makes the monster exclaim the phrase.

• In a season 37 sketch with Elmo and Jamie Foxx, the phrase is uttered twice when a fox and a duck reveal their names to be "Jamie Foxx."

• Elmo says the phrase when a visitor to Hooper's Store identifies himself as one of the Pirates of the Care-to-be-readin' in Sesame Street Episode 4135.

• In Elmo's World: Fast and Slow, during Dorothy's reimagining of "The Tortoise and the Hare," Elmo Hare reacts this way when he learns that Elmo Tortoise won the race.

• A group of Triangle Lovers exclaim the phrase when Baby Bear proposes some changes to the club in Sesame Street Episode 4144.

• In Kids' Favorite Country Songs, when Lee Ann Womack asks Elmo if he's ready to sing with her, Elmo says no and rushes off (not mentioning that he's getting dressed in a cowboy outfit). Elmer says the phrase in confusion.

• Grover says the phrase in the intro sequence to the "Super Grover 2.0" segments, when he sees a spider dangling alongside a skyscraper with him.

• In the Super Grover 2.0 segment "Wheels", Grover says the phrase when he sees the penguins moving a large block of ice with wheels. (First: Episode 4213)

• Elmo and Colin Farrell both say the phrase upon learning from Murray that the Word of the Day is "investigate." (First: Episode 4219)

• In Sesame Street Episode 4259, Elmo says the phrase once he hears the Bubble Fest Finale entails making a bubble so big, that it can fit a human child inside.

• In a Sesame Street insert, Grover, a self-dubbed "beachball expert," says the phrase when Elmo successfully knocks Baby David out of a tree by throwing a beachball despite his doubts.

• A. B. C-more utters the phrase when he realizes he's been driving in the wrong direction in the racing portion of Elmo's Alphabet Challenge.

• In Words Are Here, There, and Everywhere, Elmo and Abby Cadabby react this way when Buzz Word explains that everyone has a word collection.

• Elmo utters the phrase in disbelief that Oscar was once a stand-up comedian in Sesame Street Episode 4516.

• During a sketch (First: Episode 4518) in which Segi, Abby Cadabby, and Rosita play pretend, Segi suggests they can all be Cinderella. Abby and Rosita respond, "Hubba what?!"

• In the Super Grover 2.0 segment "Underwater Bowling", Grover says the phrase when he's told bricks make perfect bowling pin replacements. (First: Episode 4519)

• Grover, Elmo, and Cookie Monster react this way when seeing some sentient socks pass by (caused by one of Abby's failed spells) in Count on Elmo.

• Big Bird and Elmo exclaim the phrase when they learn from Chris that birds are dinosaurs in Sesame Street Episode 4608.

• In Sesame Street Episode 4703, Abby Cadabby reacts this way when a vision-impaired Prince Charming proposes to her (mistaking her for the princess).

• In a video for Chrysler, Elmo reacts this way when he notices the On the Go Game Show occurring in Louie's car.

• Elmo says the phrase in Sesame Street Episode 4807 when he notices all the letter M's disappearing from the Street.

• Elmo reacts this way in Sesame Street Episode 4828 when he's cheerfully greeted by a kind-stricken Oscar.

• When Chris wishes he were a kid in When You Wish Upon a Pickle, Elmo responds, "Hubba-wha?"

• In Sesame Street Episode 4916, Abby designates herself as a spaceship mechanic. Elmo does a take, exclaiming "Hubba-wha?", and alien Ruprop (Rudy) does a double take; "Hubba-hubba-wha?"

• Rizzo reacts this way in the Muppet Babies episode "Animal Kong," in response to Baby Kermit's suggestion that he could teach a furious Baby Animal how to do some deep breathing.

• Rizzo says, "Hubba-hubba...wha?" in the Muppet Babies episode "My Brother Vinny," when Vinny says they can perform together after the former has lied that he is a celebrity.

• Elmo says the phrase in Sesame Street Episode 5034 when Alan tells him that Independence Day isn't the kind of birthday where you bring a present to celebrate.

• Baby Fozzie utters this line in the Muppet Babies episode "Fozzie's Boo Boo Patrol" when he catches Rozzie sneaking out of the pillow fort that he kept her in for a time-out.

• Sam the Eagle says the phrase in the Muppet Babies episode "Eagle in the Middle," when he gets roped into an unorthodox game of baseball that uses a rubber chicken bat and meat ball.

• Grover says the phrase in the Foley & Friends episode "Monsters" when he's reminded of monsters being in the studio. He also says it in the episode "Family" when he notices Foley and Mikee on the Street as opposed to their studio.

• Elmo says the phrase in The Not-Too-Late Show episode 209 once he notices himself not wearing his signature tie.

• The 2021 stage production of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas features the phrase, uttered by Emmet when he first sees Old Lady Possum's fence.

• In the theme song for Ready, Set, Ride with Elmo, Elmo says the phrase when he notices the Elmobile can transform into a banana peel.

• In Elmo and Abby's Monster Makeover: Unicorn Cookie Monster, Elmo says the phrase when Abby accidentally turns Cookie into a colorful ear of corn. (YouTube)