Yuro in the Splurge puppet with Beverly Merriam (who played Cinderella on the tour only), Kroger manager Leon Humberson, and Jeff Thomas and Jeff Snawder in Irving, TX
Mike Yuro began working in public relations for Muppets Inc. in 1967.[1] During promotional tours for Hey Cinderella! and The Frog Prince, he made public appearances talking to the press as Splurge and Sweetums, respectively.
Yuro had previously been a New York school teacher[1] and was working as a publicist for RJR Foods by 1971.[2] At 5'11" and 145 lbs, Yuro operated the much larger characters to the delight of his three young children.[2]
Following the 1969 broadcast of Hey Cinderella! in Canada, Yuro visited several U.S. cities ahead of its April 10, 1970 domestic television premiere. During the months of March and April, Yuro appeared as Splurge in the following locations:
- New York[3]
- Chicago, Illinois[3]
- Irving, Texas (Kroger's Food Store in Plymouth Park)[4]
- Boston, Massachusetts[1]
The following year, in 1971, Yuro again went on tour for a Muppet TV special. In the months leading up to the premiere of The Frog Prince on May 12, Yuro gave several interviews as Sweetums.[2] In Boston, the Christian Science Monitor published a photo spread of Sweetums accompanied by quotes from the character. Yuro told the Monitor that "Muppets help children relate to older people."[5]
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Boston Globe Muppets finally make the grade in Hey Cinderella special by Percy Shain, April 9, 1970
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Boston Globe "Newest Muppet—Sweetums—star of special" by Percy Shain, April 28, 1971
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chicago Tribune "No Fright for Kids in TV Monster" by Clarence Petersen, March 18, 1970
- ↑ Irving Daily News "Mod Muppet meanders in store selling show" by Mary Lou Cassingham, March 24, 1970
- ↑ Christian Science Monitor "Sweetums in person" by Diana Loercher, May 10, 1971