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| PERFORMER | Jim Henson |
| DEBUT | 1962 |
One of Jim Henson's storyboards for the Sneegle PSAs.
Sneegle is a dark red,[1] pointy-headed monster originally created for an unfinished set of safety commercials produced in 1962.[2] In these PSAs for the National Council of Churches, Sneegle tempted Billy and Sue to do unsafe things, like cross the street against the light.
Sneegle was always "punished" for his carelessness -- getting hit by a car, for example. Still, he was a more appealing character than the dull Billy and Sue, and when the commercials were tested with children, the kids were more interested in emulating Sneegle's dangerous actions. The trio also appeared in a five-minute educational film about the importance of sharing.
While the commercials were never used, the characters of Sneegle and Sue were featured in the first iteration of the "Beautiful Day" sketch (performed on The Today Show in 1963), with Sneegle in the villainous role that would ultimately be filled by the titular Beautiful Day Monster.[3]
Afterwards, Sneegle faded into the background and was used as a generic Muppet monster for a few appearances during the 1960s, including the Muppets' guest-hosting week on The Mike Douglas Show. He also appeared in a commercial for C & P Telephone Co. of VA in a chorus with Scoop, Mack, and Suzy; here his eyes were given a less angry expression.
