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{{character|image=Marvinsuggs-.jpg|performer=[[Frank Oz]]|debut=1976|design=[[Jim Henson]]|designnote=designer|design2=[[Mari Kaestle]]|designnote2=builder}}
{{performer|Frank Oz}}
 
[[Image:Marvinsuggs-.jpg|thumb|300px]]
+
[[File:Marvin_suggs_performs.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:Kermitsuggs2.jpg|thumb|300px]]
{{designer1|[[Rollie Krewson]]|design}}
 
  +
[[Image:Mildred-Suggs Sketches.jpg|thumb|300px|Design sketch for the character on display at the ''[[Jim Henson: Performing Artist]]'' exhibit. Although [[Rollie Krewson]] is credited as designing the character, research done by the [[Center for Puppetry Arts]], in preparation for their permanent "Jim Henson Collection" exhibit, found that Krewson made the [[the Muppaphone]], while Jim Henson designed the Marvin Suggs character.<ref>e-mail communication between [[User:Scarecroe|Scott Hanson]] and [[Karen Falk]]</ref>]]
 
[[Image:Mildred-Suggs.jpg|thumb|300px|Marvin Suggs with [[Mildred Huxtetter]] on display at the ''Jim Henson: Performing Artist'' exhibit.]]
 
[[Image:Marvinsuggs-okgoset.jpg|thumb|300px|On the set of [[OK Go]]'s "Muppet Show Theme" music video.]]
  +
[[Image:TheMuppets-(2011)-Finale-MarvinSuggs&Muppaphone.jpg|thumb|300px|Marvin Suggs with his Muppaphone and [[Tex Richman]] on ''The Muppets''.]]
 
[[Image:Marvin.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:Marvin.jpg|thumb|300px]]
[[Image:Kermitsuggs2.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:Mildred-Suggs Sketches.jpg|thumb|300px|Design sketch for the character.]]
 
[[Image:Mildred-Suggs.jpg|thumb|300px|Marvin Suggs with Mildred Huxtetter on display at the ''Jim Henson: Performing Artist'' exhibit.]]
 
[[File:Marvinsuggs-okgoset.jpg|thumb|300px|On the set of [[OK Go]]'s "Muppet Show Theme" music video.]]
 
 
 
'''Marvin Suggs''', the demented [[Whatnots|Whatnot]] musician, appeared many times on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' playing [[the Muppaphone]], an instrument made up of living balls of fluff.
 
'''Marvin Suggs''', the demented [[Whatnots|Whatnot]] musician, appeared many times on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' playing [[the Muppaphone]], an instrument made up of living balls of fluff.
   
Marvin Suggs and the Muppaphone first appeared in ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' [[Episode 105: Rita Moreno|Episode 105]], playing "[[Lady of Spain]]". In [[Episode 208: Steve Martin|Episode 208]], Marvin auditioned with an [[The Singing Food|All-Food Glee Club]], singing "[[Yes, We Have No Bananas]]". He was back with the Muppaphone in [[Episode 304: Gilda Radner|Episode 304]], singing "[[Witch Doctor (song)|Witch Doctor]]".
+
Marvin Suggs and the Muppaphone first appeared in ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' [[Episode 105: Rita Moreno|Episode 105]], playing "[[Lady of Spain]]". In [[Episode 208: Steve Martin|Episode 208]], Marvin auditioned with an [[Singing Food|All-Food Glee Club]], singing "[[Yes, We Have No Bananas]]". He was back with the Muppaphone in [[Episode 304: Gilda Radner|Episode 304]], singing "[[Witch Doctor (song)|Witch Doctor]]".
   
 
In [[Episode 311: Raquel Welch|Episode 311]], [[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]] interviewed Marvin in a [[Talk Spot]] that appeared as a [[UK Spots (The Muppet Show)|UK Spot]]. Kermit tells Marvin that he wants to ask him the question that most people ask, and Marvin tells him that the answer is, "Mutual love and respect."
 
In [[Episode 311: Raquel Welch|Episode 311]], [[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]] interviewed Marvin in a [[Talk Spot]] that appeared as a [[UK Spots (The Muppet Show)|UK Spot]]. Kermit tells Marvin that he wants to ask him the question that most people ask, and Marvin tells him that the answer is, "Mutual love and respect."
   
Kermit asks the Muppaphone the question that most people ask: "Does it hurt?" Since Marvin Suggs is right behind them, they nervously answer, "No." When asked if they are the original Muppaphones, Marvin says that he has to replace them every two or three months, since by then they go flat (not off-key; they become two-dimensional). Kermit asks what happens to them after that. "I don't think you want to know,” Marvin replies.
+
Kermit asks the Muppaphones the question that most people ask: "Does it hurt?" Since Marvin Suggs is right behind them, they nervously answer, "No." When asked if they are the original Muppaphones, Marvin says that he has to replace them every two or three months, since by then they go flat (not off-key; they become two-dimensional). Kermit asks what happens to them after that. "I don't think you want to know,” Marvin replies.
   
 
In [[Episode 315: Lesley Ann Warren|Episode 315]], guest star [[Lesley Ann Warren]] was horrified to learn that Marvin was the accompanist in one of her numbers. She accused him of being cruel, because he makes music by hitting live creatures. "Of ''course'' they're alive!" he answered. "You can't make music by hitting ''dead'' creatures!"
 
In [[Episode 315: Lesley Ann Warren|Episode 315]], guest star [[Lesley Ann Warren]] was horrified to learn that Marvin was the accompanist in one of her numbers. She accused him of being cruel, because he makes music by hitting live creatures. "Of ''course'' they're alive!" he answered. "You can't make music by hitting ''dead'' creatures!"
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{{quote|I don't recall where Marvin Suggs came from... probably from one of the writer's meetings. But the accent came from my French friend Phillippe Gentry -- I just exaggerated it and made it really annoying. I've always felt Marvin lived in a scuzzy trailer park with his put-upon wife, and he kept the Muppaphones in a cage and would beat them regularly.}}
 
{{quote|I don't recall where Marvin Suggs came from... probably from one of the writer's meetings. But the accent came from my French friend Phillippe Gentry -- I just exaggerated it and made it really annoying. I've always felt Marvin lived in a scuzzy trailer park with his put-upon wife, and he kept the Muppaphones in a cage and would beat them regularly.}}
   
In 2006, the puppet was on display at the ''[[Jim Henson: Performing Artist]]'' exhibit at the [[University of Maryland]]. After a twelve year absence, Suggs will be reappearing in the ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''. He also made a brief appearance in the music video for "[[The Muppet Show Theme|The Muppet Show Theme Song]]," using the band members of [[OK Go]] as a Muppaphone.
+
In 2006, the puppet was on display at the ''[[Jim Henson: Performing Artist]]'' exhibit at the [[University of Maryland]]. After a twelve year absence, Suggs reappears in ''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]'', performed by [[Eric Jacobson]]. He also made a brief appearance in the music video for "[[The Muppet Show Theme|The Muppet Show Theme Song]]," using the band members of [[OK Go]] as a Muppaphone.
   
Although nowhere to be seen, part 3 of ''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion]]'' has "Marvin Suggs and the All-Food Glee Club" listed on a marque outside the theater.
+
Although nowhere to be seen, part three of ''[[The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion]]'' has "Marvin Suggs and the All-Food Glee Club" listed on a marquee outside the theater.
   
 
==Forerunners in pop culture==
 
==Forerunners in pop culture==
 
Other comedy skits have involved characters committing cruelty against living creatures for music's sake (a concept that dates back to at least to 1928, when [[Mickey Mouse]] yanked piglets' tails to create musical squeals), which in some ways predate Marvin Suggs. In 1957, in a sketch from his radio series (later released as a record), [[Stan Freberg]] created Monsieur Toulier and his Tuned Sheep. The French-accented Toulier tied bells to his sheep, and when struck on the head with a shepherd's crook, the sheep would play music (a rendition of "[[Lullaby of Birdland]]"). Like Marvin, Toulier chided his sheep individually by name when they were out of synch or tempo.
 
Other comedy skits have involved characters committing cruelty against living creatures for music's sake (a concept that dates back to at least to 1928, when [[Mickey Mouse]] yanked piglets' tails to create musical squeals), which in some ways predate Marvin Suggs. In 1957, in a sketch from his radio series (later released as a record), [[Stan Freberg]] created Monsieur Toulier and his Tuned Sheep. The French-accented Toulier tied bells to his sheep, and when struck on the head with a shepherd's crook, the sheep would play music (a rendition of "[[Lullaby of Birdland]]"). Like Marvin, Toulier chided his sheep individually by name when they were out of synch or tempo.
  +
 
A similar sketch, with closer parallels in some respects, occurred in a 1969 episode of ''[[Monty Python|Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' (an episode titled "Sex & Violence"). "Arthur Ewing and His Musical Mice" features Mr. Ewing (played by [[Terry Jones]]) beating on tuned mice (in boxes so as to be unseen by the viewer) in his "Mouse-organ" with two mallets, in a rendition of "The Bells of St. Mary". The sketch also appeared in the film ''And Now For Something Completely Different'' (1971) with the name changed to "Ken Ewing and His Musical Mice", playing "[[Three Blind Mice]]".
 
A similar sketch, with closer parallels in some respects, occurred in a 1969 episode of ''[[Monty Python|Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' (an episode titled "Sex & Violence"). "Arthur Ewing and His Musical Mice" features Mr. Ewing (played by [[Terry Jones]]) beating on tuned mice (in boxes so as to be unseen by the viewer) in his "Mouse-organ" with two mallets, in a rendition of "The Bells of St. Mary". The sketch also appeared in the film ''And Now For Something Completely Different'' (1971) with the name changed to "Ken Ewing and His Musical Mice", playing "[[Three Blind Mice]]".
 
   
 
==Filmography==
 
==Filmography==
<div class="appear">
 
 
*''[[The Muppet Show]]''
 
*''[[The Muppet Show]]''
 
**[[Episode 105: Rita Moreno]]
 
**[[Episode 105: Rita Moreno]]
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*''[[The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years]]''
 
*''[[The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years]]''
 
*''[[The Jim Henson Hour]]''
 
*''[[The Jim Henson Hour]]''
**[[Episode 105: The Ratings Game]]
+
**[[Episode 105: First Show]]
 
**[[Episode 112: Food]]
 
**[[Episode 112: Food]]
</div>
 
 
*''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]''
 
*''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]''
 
*''[[Muppets Inside]]''
 
*''[[Muppets Inside]]''
*''[[Muppets Tonight!]]''
 
**[[Episode 102: Garth Brooks]]
 
 
*''[[Muppets from Space]]''
 
*''[[Muppets from Space]]''
 
*"[[The Muppet Show Theme]] Music Video"
 
*"[[The Muppet Show Theme]] Music Video"
*''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]''
+
*''[[The Muppets (2011)|The Muppets]]'' (film)
  +
*[[Orange]] trailer
 
*''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''
  +
*[[Warburtons]] commercial
  +
*''[[The Muppets (2015)|The Muppets]]'' (series)
  +
**"[[Episode 116: Because... Love|Because... Love]]"
  +
*''[[The Muppets Take the Bowl]]''
  +
*''[[The Muppets Take the O2]]''
   
 
==Book Appearances==
 
==Book Appearances==
 
*''[[Jim Henson's Muppet Show Bill]]''
 
*''[[Jim Henson's Muppet Show Bill]]''
  +
*''[[Muppet Snow White]]''
  +
*''[[The Muppets Character Encyclopedia]]''
  +
  +
==Sources==
  +
<references />
  +
  +
__NOWYSIWYG__
 
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Show Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Show Characters]]
 
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
 
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
  +
[[Category:The Muppets (2015) Characters]]

Revision as of 16:10, 19 May 2019

Marvinsuggs-
PERFORMER Frank Oz
DEBUT 1976
DESIGN Jim Henson designer
  Mari Kaestle builder
Marvin suggs performs
Kermitsuggs2
Mildred-Suggs Sketches

Design sketch for the character on display at the Jim Henson: Performing Artist exhibit. Although Rollie Krewson is credited as designing the character, research done by the Center for Puppetry Arts, in preparation for their permanent "Jim Henson Collection" exhibit, found that Krewson made the the Muppaphone, while Jim Henson designed the Marvin Suggs character.[1]

Mildred-Suggs

Marvin Suggs with Mildred Huxtetter on display at the Jim Henson: Performing Artist exhibit.

Marvinsuggs-okgoset

On the set of OK Go's "Muppet Show Theme" music video.

TheMuppets-(2011)-Finale-MarvinSuggs&Muppaphone

Marvin Suggs with his Muppaphone and Tex Richman on The Muppets.

Marvin

Marvin Suggs, the demented Whatnot musician, appeared many times on The Muppet Show playing the Muppaphone, an instrument made up of living balls of fluff.

Marvin Suggs and the Muppaphone first appeared in The Muppet Show Episode 105, playing "Lady of Spain". In Episode 208, Marvin auditioned with an All-Food Glee Club, singing "Yes, We Have No Bananas". He was back with the Muppaphone in Episode 304, singing "Witch Doctor".

In Episode 311, Kermit interviewed Marvin in a Talk Spot that appeared as a UK Spot. Kermit tells Marvin that he wants to ask him the question that most people ask, and Marvin tells him that the answer is, "Mutual love and respect."

Kermit asks the Muppaphones the question that most people ask: "Does it hurt?" Since Marvin Suggs is right behind them, they nervously answer, "No." When asked if they are the original Muppaphones, Marvin says that he has to replace them every two or three months, since by then they go flat (not off-key; they become two-dimensional). Kermit asks what happens to them after that. "I don't think you want to know,” Marvin replies.

In Episode 315, guest star Lesley Ann Warren was horrified to learn that Marvin was the accompanist in one of her numbers. She accused him of being cruel, because he makes music by hitting live creatures. "Of course they're alive!" he answered. "You can't make music by hitting dead creatures!"

In the Alice in Wonderland-themed Episode 506, Marvin played the judge at Alice's trial. He struck the jurors on the head as if they were a Muppaphone.

Marvin appeared in multiple films, including The Muppet Movie, where he can be seen gyrating through the theater before the movie starts. He showed up again in Muppets from Space twenty years later. In 2004, Palisades Toys released a Marvin Suggs Action Figure.

In the liner notes of the Music, Mayhem and More! CD, Frank Oz said:

I don't recall where Marvin Suggs came from... probably from one of the writer's meetings. But the accent came from my French friend Phillippe Gentry -- I just exaggerated it and made it really annoying. I've always felt Marvin lived in a scuzzy trailer park with his put-upon wife, and he kept the Muppaphones in a cage and would beat them regularly.

In 2006, the puppet was on display at the Jim Henson: Performing Artist exhibit at the University of Maryland. After a twelve year absence, Suggs reappears in The Muppets, performed by Eric Jacobson. He also made a brief appearance in the music video for "The Muppet Show Theme Song," using the band members of OK Go as a Muppaphone.

Although nowhere to be seen, part three of The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion has "Marvin Suggs and the All-Food Glee Club" listed on a marquee outside the theater.

Forerunners in pop culture

Other comedy skits have involved characters committing cruelty against living creatures for music's sake (a concept that dates back to at least to 1928, when Mickey Mouse yanked piglets' tails to create musical squeals), which in some ways predate Marvin Suggs. In 1957, in a sketch from his radio series (later released as a record), Stan Freberg created Monsieur Toulier and his Tuned Sheep. The French-accented Toulier tied bells to his sheep, and when struck on the head with a shepherd's crook, the sheep would play music (a rendition of "Lullaby of Birdland"). Like Marvin, Toulier chided his sheep individually by name when they were out of synch or tempo.

A similar sketch, with closer parallels in some respects, occurred in a 1969 episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus (an episode titled "Sex & Violence"). "Arthur Ewing and His Musical Mice" features Mr. Ewing (played by Terry Jones) beating on tuned mice (in boxes so as to be unseen by the viewer) in his "Mouse-organ" with two mallets, in a rendition of "The Bells of St. Mary". The sketch also appeared in the film And Now For Something Completely Different (1971) with the name changed to "Ken Ewing and His Musical Mice", playing "Three Blind Mice".

Filmography

Book Appearances

Sources

  1. e-mail communication between Scott Hanson and Karen Falk