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[[Image:Statler-waldorf-sketch-bonnie-erickson-brandy-glass.jpg|thumb|300px|Television's most famous hecklers, Statler and Waldorf, as drawn by their original builder, Bonnie Erickson of the Muppet Workshop.]]
 
[[Image:Statler-waldorf-sketch-bonnie-erickson-brandy-glass.jpg|thumb|300px|Television's most famous hecklers, Statler and Waldorf, as drawn by their original builder, Bonnie Erickson of the Muppet Workshop.]]
   
'''Statler and Waldorf''' share the [[Statler and Waldorf's Box|stage left balcony box]] in [[The Muppet Theatre]], and the two delight in heckling every aspect of ''[[The Muppet Show]]''. They usually have the last word, with a final comment at the end of most (but not all) episodes. Statler and Waldorf are especially unforgiving to [[Fozzie Bear]]. However, it is revealed in ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]'' that the two critics were friends with Fozzie's mother, [[Ma Bear]].
+
'''Statler and Waldorf''' are a pair of elderly Muppet characters known for their cantankerous opinions and shared penchant for heckling. They share the [[Statler and Waldorf's Box|stage left balcony box]] in [[The Muppet Theatre]], and the two delight in heckling every aspect of ''[[The Muppet Show]]''. Waldorf is the one with the pug-like face, mustache, and whiter hair. In almost all productions, Statler appears on the audience's right and Waldorf on the left. A helpful mnemonic is that Waldorf has the wide face. They first appeared as a pair in the 1975 pilot ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]''. Fans and pop culture have sometimes referred to them simply as the "two old guys in the balcony."
  +
__TOC__
Waldorf is the one with the [[wikipedia:pug|pug]]-like face, mustache, and whiter hair. In almost all productions, Statler appears on the audience's right and Waldorf on the left. A helpful mnemonic is that Waldorf has the wide face.
 
  +
On ''The Muppet Show'', they usually have the last word, with a final comment at the end (except for episodes [[Episode 123: Kaye Ballard|123]], [[Episode 217: Julie Andrews|217]], [[Episode 314: Harry Belafonte|314]], and [[Episode 515: Carol Burnett|515]]), and are especially unforgiving to [[Fozzie Bear]]. However, it is revealed in ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]'' that the two critics are friends with Fozzie's mother, [[Ma Bear]].
 
Statler and Waldorf first appeared as a pair in the 1975 pilot ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence]]''.
 
   
 
On the first season of ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', Statler and Waldorf are seen watching the show from the living room of what appears to be a retirement home. In the second season, they watch the show on a portable television from various locations, including a golf course and a ski lift.
 
On the first season of ''[[Muppets Tonight]]'', Statler and Waldorf are seen watching the show from the living room of what appears to be a retirement home. In the second season, they watch the show on a portable television from various locations, including a golf course and a ski lift.
   
In ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'', they play the ghosts of Scrooge's business partners, [[Jacob and Robert Marley]]. In ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'', Statler and Waldorf are the [[Figurehead of the Hispaniola]]. In ''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'', they appear as the [[Kalidah Critics]], strange beasts who shout insults at anyone attempting to cross a treacherous bridge.
+
In ''[[The Muppet Christmas Carol]]'', they play the ghosts of [[Ebenezer Scrooge|Scrooge's]] business partners, [[Jacob and Robert Marley]]. In ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'', Statler and Waldorf are the [[Figurehead of the Hispaniola]]. In ''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'', they appear as the [[Kalidah Critics]], strange beasts who shout insults at anyone attempting to cross a treacherous bridge.
   
 
From 2005-2006, Statler and Waldorf starred in a bi-weekly online series, ''[[From the Balcony]]'', on the website Movies.com. In the series of short videos, the crotchety pair dished on the latest movie releases.
 
From 2005-2006, Statler and Waldorf starred in a bi-weekly online series, ''[[From the Balcony]]'', on the website Movies.com. In the series of short videos, the crotchety pair dished on the latest movie releases.
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* The Waldorf puppet appeared as [[P. Fenton Cosgrove]] in the 1975 [[Muppet Meeting Films]] "The Muppet Introduction" and "Just a Few Announcements".
 
* The Waldorf puppet appeared as [[P. Fenton Cosgrove]] in the 1975 [[Muppet Meeting Films]] "The Muppet Introduction" and "Just a Few Announcements".
   
* Named as 'Conrad Waldorf', Waldorf was featured in a 1976 UK appearance on ''[[Des O'Connor Entertains]]''.
+
* Named as "Conrad Waldorf," Waldorf was featured in a 1976 UK appearance on ''[[Des O'Connor Entertains]]''.
   
 
* Statler alone is involved in a plot in ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' [[Episode 120: Valerie Harper|Episode 120]], in which he goes backstage to meet [[Valerie Harper]]. He brings an African Berry Bush with him as a gift which takes over the [[backstage]] of the theater.
 
* Statler alone is involved in a plot in ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' [[Episode 120: Valerie Harper|Episode 120]], in which he goes backstage to meet [[Valerie Harper]]. He brings an African Berry Bush with him as a gift which takes over the [[backstage]] of the theater.
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* Waldorf tries to convince [[John Denver]] to back out of his appearance on ''The Muppet Show'' in the teaser for [[Episode_401:_John_Denver|Episode 401]].
 
* Waldorf tries to convince [[John Denver]] to back out of his appearance on ''The Muppet Show'' in the teaser for [[Episode_401:_John_Denver|Episode 401]].
   
* When Statler can't make it to ''The Muppet Show'' guest starring [[Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie|Dizzy Gillespie]], Waldorf brings his wife [[Astoria]], who bore a striking resemblance to Statler.
+
* When Statler can't make it to ''The Muppet Show'' guest starring [[Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie|Dizzy Gillespie]], Waldorf brings his wife [[Astoria]], who bears a striking resemblance to Statler.
   
 
* Statler appeared on his own frequently in [[The Muppets (comic strip)|The Muppets comic strip]] (1981-1986), sometimes to heckle on his lonesome but often in the background or as foil to characters outside of the usual (such as a patient to [[Dr. Bob]]).
 
* Statler appeared on his own frequently in [[The Muppets (comic strip)|The Muppets comic strip]] (1981-1986), sometimes to heckle on his lonesome but often in the background or as foil to characters outside of the usual (such as a patient to [[Dr. Bob]]).
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==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
  +
[[File:Bigmama.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:Statler-waldorf.jpg|thumb|300px|The duo watching themselves on TV.]]
 
[[Image:Statler-waldorf.jpg|thumb|300px|The duo watching themselves on TV.]]
 
[[Image:Scrunchface.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:Scrunchface.jpg|thumb|300px]]
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'''Other Performers'''
 
'''Other Performers'''
* [[Bill Barretta]] - ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' (2003), ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'' (shot later dubbed over by Whitmire) (2014)
+
* [[Bill Barretta]] - ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' (2003), ''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'' (2005, one undubbed line), ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'' B-ROLL (2014) {{youtube|h2ABdQ0k-PA}}
* [[Drew Massey]] - ''[[Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony]]'' Pilot, Episode 9-34, and Halloween & Oscar press clips (2005-2006); ESPN's ''[[Reel Classics Extra]]'' (2005); ''[[Muppets Ahoy!]]'' (2006)
+
* [[Drew Massey]] - ''[[From the Balcony|Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony]]'' Pilot, Episode 9-34, and Halloween & Oscar press clips (2005-2006); ESPN's ''[[Reel Classics Extra]]'' (2005); ''[[Muppets Ahoy!]]'' (2006)
 
* [[Artie Esposito]] - [[D23 Expo]] (2009)
 
* [[Artie Esposito]] - [[D23 Expo]] (2009)
 
* [[Dave Goelz]] - Parts of ''[[LittleBigPlanet|LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' (2011)
 
* [[Dave Goelz]] - Parts of ''[[LittleBigPlanet|LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' (2011)
* [[Peter Linz]] - [[Xfinity]] commercial (2017) {{youtube|-26rg-N0V7M}}, ''WE Day'' (2017), ''[[The Muppets Take the Bowl]]'' promos and concert (2017)
+
* [[Peter Linz]] - [[Xfinity]] commercial (2017) {{youtube|-26rg-N0V7M}}, ''WE Day'' (2017), ''[[The Muppets Take the Bowl]]'' promos and concert (2017), ''[[Hilarity for Charity]]'' (2018), ''[[Barclaycard]]'' commercial (2018), ''[[The Muppets Take the O2]]'' [https://www.facebook.com/muppets/videos/10155305395182035/ promo] and concert (2018), ''[[Carpool Karaoke: The Series]]'' (2018), [[Facebook Portal]] commercials (2019)
   
 
===Waldorf===
 
===Waldorf===
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* [[John Lovelady]] - ''[[Des O'Connor Entertains]]'' (1976)
 
* [[John Lovelady]] - ''[[Des O'Connor Entertains]]'' (1976)
 
* [[Kevin Clash]] - ''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 101: Michelle Pfeiffer|episode 101]], [[Episode 110: Martin Short|episode 110]]
 
* [[Kevin Clash]] - ''Muppets Tonight'' [[Episode 101: Michelle Pfeiffer|episode 101]], [[Episode 110: Martin Short|episode 110]]
* [[Victor Yerrid]] - ''[[Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony]]'' Pilot, episode 9-34, and Halloween & Oscar press clips (2005-2006); ESPN's ''[[Reel Classics Extra]]'' (2005); ''[[Muppets Ahoy!]]'' (2006)
+
* [[Victor Yerrid]] - ''[[From the Balcony|Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony]]'' Pilot, episode 9-34, and Halloween & Oscar press clips (2005-2006); ESPN's ''[[Reel Classics Extra]]'' (2005); ''[[Muppets Ahoy!]]'' (2006)
 
* [[Steve Whitmire]] - Parts of ''[[LittleBigPlanet|LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' (2011)
 
* [[Steve Whitmire]] - Parts of ''[[LittleBigPlanet|LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' (2011)
   
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*''[[Kermit's Costume Caper]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Kermit's Costume Caper]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[The Muppets Character Encyclopedia]]'' (2014)
 
*''[[The Muppets Character Encyclopedia]]'' (2014)
  +
*''[[Muppets Meet the Classics: The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (2017)
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  +
* [[Statler and Waldorf (Muppet Babies)]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf Through the Years]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf Through the Years]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf's Alternate Identities and Ages]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf's Alternate Identities and Ages]]
* [[Statler and Waldorf Filmography]]
+
* [[Statler and Waldorf filmography]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf reversed positions]]
 
* [[Statler and Waldorf reversed positions]]
  +
  +
  +
  +
__NOWYSIWYG__
 
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
 
[[Category:The Muppets Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Show Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Show Characters]]
  +
[[Category:MuppeTelevision Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppets Tonight Characters]]
 
[[Category:Muppets Tonight Characters]]
 
[[Category:Character Pairs]]
 
[[Category:Character Pairs]]

Revision as of 00:13, 2 January 2020

StatlerWaldorf
Waldorf's on the left, Statler's on the right.
PERFORMER Richard Hunt Statler, 1976-1991
  Jerry Nelson Statler, 1975; 1992-2003
  Steve Whitmire Statler, 2002-2016
  Jim Henson Waldorf, 1975-1990
  Dave Goelz Waldorf, 1992-present
  CASTING HISTORY...
DEBUT 1975
DESIGN Bonnie Erickson designer/builder
TMS-Statler&Waldorf-BalconyBox
Statler-waldorf-sketch-bonnie-erickson-brandy-glass

Television's most famous hecklers, Statler and Waldorf, as drawn by their original builder, Bonnie Erickson of the Muppet Workshop.

Statler and Waldorf are a pair of elderly Muppet characters known for their cantankerous opinions and shared penchant for heckling. They share the stage left balcony box in The Muppet Theatre, and the two delight in heckling every aspect of The Muppet Show. Waldorf is the one with the pug-like face, mustache, and whiter hair. In almost all productions, Statler appears on the audience's right and Waldorf on the left. A helpful mnemonic is that Waldorf has the wide face. They first appeared as a pair in the 1975 pilot The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. Fans and pop culture have sometimes referred to them simply as the "two old guys in the balcony."

On The Muppet Show, they usually have the last word, with a final comment at the end (except for episodes 123, 217, 314, and 515), and are especially unforgiving to Fozzie Bear. However, it is revealed in A Muppet Family Christmas that the two critics are friends with Fozzie's mother, Ma Bear.

On the first season of Muppets Tonight, Statler and Waldorf are seen watching the show from the living room of what appears to be a retirement home. In the second season, they watch the show on a portable television from various locations, including a golf course and a ski lift.

In The Muppet Christmas Carol, they play the ghosts of Scrooge's business partners, Jacob and Robert Marley. In Muppet Treasure Island, Statler and Waldorf are the Figurehead of the Hispaniola. In The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, they appear as the Kalidah Critics, strange beasts who shout insults at anyone attempting to cross a treacherous bridge.

From 2005-2006, Statler and Waldorf starred in a bi-weekly online series, From the Balcony, on the website Movies.com. In the series of short videos, the crotchety pair dished on the latest movie releases.

The duo take on a featured role in The Muppets, sharing the fine print of the Muppet contract with villain Tex Richman. Of course, Statler and Waldorf don't realize that Tex plans to raze Muppet Studios and drill for oil, which would mean the end of their balcony - and their heckling.

In Muppets Most Wanted, they travel with the Muppets watching their touring show. And they say Miss Piggy's performance of the Macarena has made the show even worse, managing the impossible.

Solo appearances

Vlcsnap-35007

Conrad Waldorf in Des O'Connor Entertains

File:Stalter.jpg

Statler and Waldorf are almost always seen together, but they have made occasional individual appearances. Examples include:

  • Waldorf tries to convince John Denver to back out of his appearance on The Muppet Show in the teaser for Episode 401.
  • When Statler can't make it to The Muppet Show guest starring Dizzy Gillespie, Waldorf brings his wife Astoria, who bears a striking resemblance to Statler.
  • Statler appeared on his own frequently in The Muppets comic strip (1981-1986), sometimes to heckle on his lonesome but often in the background or as foil to characters outside of the usual (such as a patient to Dr. Bob).
  • Statler appeared in an episode of The Bachelorette on May 21, 2012, in the audience of a fundraiser variety show featuring the Muppets.

Trivia

Bigmama
Statler-waldorf

The duo watching themselves on TV.

Scrunchface

Casting History

Statler

Primary Performers

Other Performers

Waldorf

Primary Performers

Other Performers

Book appearances

See also