PERFORMER | Jerry Nelson |
DEBUT | 1978 |
DESIGN | Mari Kaestle |
Louis Kazagger is a Muppet sportscaster who provided commentary for the Muppet Sports sketches on The Muppet Show. Loosely inspired by Howard Cosell, Kazagger wore extreme plaids like Cosell, spoke with a similar nasal twang, and wore a toupee.[1]
Kazagger reported with aplomb on absurd sporting events, from his debut in the third season through the fifth season. In the Lynn Redgrave episode in the third season, as part of that episode's extended "Robin Hood" sketch, Kazagger provides sports commentary and analysis for the big archery tournament.
Kazagger's film appearances include background bits in The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan, and a significant cameo in The Great Muppet Caper, providing the play-by-play while Kermit the Frog and friends try to wrest the Baseball Diamond from Nicky Holiday. Kazagger's last hurrah came in 1992, appearing in a series of sports sketches for Good Morning America. There, he interviewed Gonzo about the Geek Winter Games and discussed the sport of Demolition Speedskating.
Kazagger was last seen in puppet form in the background of some scenes in Muppets Tonight (usually as a member of the audience) but has since made appearances in the comic books Muppet Robin Hood and The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson, once again commenting on such ridiculous sporting events as Long-Distance Toast Hurling.
Appearances[]
- The Muppet Show
- Episode 308: Loretta Lynn
- Episode 310: Marisa Berenson
- Episode 314: Harry Belafonte
- Episode 319: Elke Sommer
- Episode 322: Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
- Episode 323: Lynn Redgrave
- Episode 324: Cheryl Ladd
- Episode 411: Lola Falana
- Episode 412: Phyllis George
- Episode 415: Anne Murray
- Episode 507: Glenda Jackson
- Episode 524: Roger Moore
- The Muppet Movie
- Because We Care Benefit
- The Great Muppet Caper
- The Muppets Take Manhattan
- The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
- A Muppet Family Christmas
- Good Morning America
- Muppets Tonight
Book appearances[]
- Muppet Robin Hood - issue #1
- The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson - issue #1
- Muppet Peter Pan - Issue #4
- The Muppets Character Encyclopedia