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Thog circus
PERFORMER Jerry Nelson
DEBUT 1970
DESIGN Jim Henson designer
  Don Sahlin builder
TheMuppetsTeaser08

Thog, rebuilt for his comeback in 2011's The Muppets.

Mupwrokrare (2)

Thog getting stuck.

TheMuppets-(2011)-ThogStuck

Thog getting stuck again in The Muppets.

Reallivegirl

With Mia Farrow in The Muppets Valentine Show.

Thog & Dick Cavett

With Dick Cavett on The Dick Cavett Show.

Thogsketch

A 1971 design sketch by Jim Henson.

212-8

Thog with Bernadette Peters, Sweetums, and Timmy Monster.

502 thog

Thog makes an earth-shattering appearance on The Muppet Show

Thog is a 9½-foot tall blue monster.[1] His size may make him imposing, but he has a sweet and gentle disposition.

He first appeared as one of Cosmo Scam's evil henchmen in the 1970 Christmas special The Great Santa Claus Switch, partnered with a green monster named Thig. In a 1971 Dick Cavett Show appearance, Jim Henson referred to Thog as a large Frackle, though Thog is not generally considered part of that group of monsters.

As a full-bodied Muppet, combined with his droopy, friendly face, Thog was especially well-suited to dance numbers, on television and in stage shows, and he was partnered with several famous ladies over the years. He appeared on stage with Nancy Sinatra as part of her stage show in 1971, and in the unfinished TV version Movin' with Nancy: Nice 'n' Easy (1973). Also in 1973, Thog was featured prominently in "Oh Babe What Would You Say," with Julie Andrews in The Julie Andrews Hour. He also had a featured number in the 1974 pilot The Muppets Valentine Show, singing and dancing "Real Live Girl" with Mia Farrow.

On The Muppet Show, he could be seen in the opening theme (alongside Timmy Monster, Sweetums, and two of The Mutations) from season two on. Thog's most prominent speaking appearances occurred during season one; as the "dangerous" animal tamed by Harvey Korman playing an animal trainer in episode 110, and reprising "Oh Babe What Would You Say," this time with Kaye Ballard, in episode 123. Thog continued to make minor appearances in musical numbers that befit his large stature, such as when he outsized James Coco singing "Short People" in episode 312. While still voiced by Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire performed in the Thog suit on at least two occasions: in episodes 307,[2] where he sets off an explosion during "School's Out", and 502.[3]

In 1978, Sigma Ceramics produced a paper-mache Christmas ornament of Thog. In 2003, Palisades Toys released a PVC mini figure of Thog, the first Thog toy ever produced.

As first revealed in behind-the-scenes photos[4] and trailers, Thog was present in The Muppets; his first appearance in a Muppet production for more than three decades. Here, Thog (rebuilt by Jim Kroupa) appears to be much larger than he was originally; in one scene, he briefly gets stuck going through the arches during the rehearsal for "The Muppet Show Theme" recreation, causing Thog to have to walk in front of them. Tyler Bunch, performing the Thog puppet during the movie, noted his increased size (2 and a half feet taller than the original) was due to Kroupa not having enough reference material to go off of to determine the puppet's original size.[5]

Filmography[]

Book appearances[]

Merchandise[]

Sources[]

  1. Ask Henson.com, question 38
  2. 2momluvme.com interview
  3. Finch, Christopher. Of Muppets and Men. p. 168-169; a photo shows Whitmire in the Thog costume.
  4. Lussier, Germain. "Set Photos: The Muppets Take Over Hollywood Boulevard", Slashfilm. com. January 18, 2011.
  5. Getting Felt Up episode 8 (01:24:44)
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