Fozzie's Name

[Frogster]

What is Fozzie named after? I know of Gonzo and Kermit, but I've been told that he may have been ripped off Fonzie from Happy Days. :o

[theprawncracker]

Whose Gonzo named after?:concern:

[Frogster]

Well, I don't know if this is exactly true, but I saw a joke over at Tough Pigs that had Kermit and Rowlf backstage, and Kermit's trying to solve a crossword:
Kermit: Do you know a five-letter word that means mentally unbalanced?
(Gonzo walks by)
Kermit: Nevermind...
I thought maybe it was just the Muppets' way of telling us. :concern: But anyways, back to the question at hand...

[GelflingWaldo]

I've heard many stories on Fozzie's name's origin. First (and most popular account) comes from the merging of Fozzie's performer's name, Frank Oz --> Foz --> Fozzie.

Another popular one is Fuzzy Bear --> Fozzie Bear.

And the other one I've heard is twisting Funny Bear --> Fozzie Bear

:o

[shtick]

I think Fozzy is named after an old friend of Jim's from his old neighborhood with the same name.

[Vic Romano]

Kermit was named after an old college buddy of Jim's. Gonzo though wasn't given the name based on the origin of The Muppet Show description, but rather, given the definition, Gonzo is an actual word that would also define his personality.

gon·zo
adj. Slang
1. Using an exaggerated, highly subjective style, especially in journalism: “a hyperkinetic, gonzo version of Graham Greene” (New Yorker).
2. Bizarre; unconventional. :concern:

I like the idea of Frank's name merging to become Fozzie. I read in "The Works" that one of the concern's of TMS was the creation of Fozzie who was specifically designed for Frank. It was necessary, thought the writers, that the theatre would have to have a comedian, and due to the nature of the show, it was inevitable he'd be a bad comedian. Fozzie was designed to be Frank's main character and showcase his talent, and it was thought that the show's popularity would be based strongly on his performance. They noted this as a difficult role for Frank to play because he had to develop Fozzie's personality so he wouldn't be manic depressive to to constantly being rejected from being a bad comedian, not be stupid and ignorant to his bad ability either, and in an un-funny way be very funny. Frank adopted the personality brilliantly quick and made Fozzie innocent and loveable. So the idea that Fozzie's name is such a personal thing of Frank makes sense to me. :o

[Fozzie Bear]

Jerry Juhl has stated that it was just a funny sounding name, and that while writing TMS it was just a character they planned on having in the show. I think it's on one of the openings to TMS by Brian Henson when it was on Oddessey, or it's on the Time Life DVDs or something.

[Lab Rat]

When Frank Oz was on the Big Breakfast plugging the score he was asked this and he said fozzie was named after Faz Fazakas 'cos he buit the original puppet's mechanics

[That Announcer]

So, who do we trust: Jerry Juhl, Brian Henson or Frank? I'm going with Jerry.

[Daffyfan2003]

Yeah. I'm pretty sure Fozzie's name came from Frank's. However, I've read at the Wikipedia website that Fozzie might have been named for a costume designer named Faz something-or-other. Go figure.

[That Announcer]

Faz Fazakas? Seems unlikely...

[Lab Rat]

Thats what he said he seemed keen to change the subject of Muppets right after that question

[Was Once Ernie]

I apologize for coming in late to this thread, but it took me awhile to be able to post.

I think Frank's story about Faz Fazakas is right since Jim personally told me the same story.

:p

[theprawncracker]

I think Frank's story about Faz Fazakas is right since Jim personally told me the same story
WHAT?!?!?!? You knew Jim Henson?!?!?!?!

[D'Snowth]

I read somewhere that Fozzie's original name was to be "Ozzie", but Frank made a complaint about it, or something.

[Was Once Ernie]

WHAT?!?!?!? You knew Jim Henson?!?!?!?!

Yes, I did know Jim. He was very nice to me when I was younger. I even have a hand-written congratulatory note from him when I got a job at a major Hollywood studio.

:p

[HPDJ]

Ernie, tell one of the moderators about this so you could write a report for the articles section of MC. I'd LOVE to hear some of your memories of Jim.

[mikebennidict]

how about that.

[Xela]

Yes, I did know Jim. He was very nice to me when I was younger. I even have a hand-written congratulatory note from him when I got a job at a major Hollywood studio.

:p

Oh, that's so cool!

[theprawncracker]

That is totally AWESOME!!!

[unclematt]

Was Once Ernie, I think we all just found a new role model.

[Was Once Ernie]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

In the early 70's, I was working for a PBS station in New Jersey and Jim used to let me come up and watch them tape Sesame Street every couple of months. I even took some friends with me a few times. You might call it, "How to Influence Friends and Win People"!

The first time I went, I asked Jim if I could try out the puppets and he said, "No", that they had a blanket policy of not letting outsiders handle them.

Then, this little kid, who must've been about six years old, came by and he got to play with them. It was Brian. I was so jealous!

:p

[unclematt]

So what does your name elude to?

[Was Once Ernie]

I was wondering if someone was going to ask.

I worked on "The Muppet Movie" and was the Muppeteer for Ernie in the big finale.

:p

[TogetherAgain]

<jaw hits floor>

GAW! ablidiobameefadliobamubeedokakliodivum <ahem> Wow! That is so awesome! Now I'm jealous. So how crowded was it under all those muppets? Oh man, that is so Awesome! I said that already. But that is so awesome! Oh, now I wanna know everything! Tell tell tell! Please?

(You will find, particularly in the fanfiction section, that I love to nag people. So sorry that you are now subjected to it as well. Oh, by the way, welcome to Muppet Central! I'm TogetherAgain and I'm insane. Insane A. Sylum. As in, I'm crazy and have no life. I'll stop rambling now.)

[unclematt]

Did you just find this site. If not what took you so long to post. You probably have numerous amounts of informaion. I am so eager to hear some of your stories.

[That Announcer]

I was wondering if someone was going to ask.

I worked on "The Muppet Movie" and was the Muppeteer for Ernie in the big finale.

:p

Oh, boy. (bows) Sir!

We have another Muppeteer here! Chalk another up on the list! Karen, Terry, we need you back, buddies! Come on, there's another of your ilk here.

Well, it's great to have you here. I'm That Announcer, the force that tries to drive the bandwagon and ends up as a wheel-spoke. You'll come to like it here.

[Vic Romano]

Holy crap, that's SO freakin' COOL! Tell us more! Start your own thread! I will follow! I WILL FOLLOW!!!
We have another Muppeteer here! Chalk another up on the list! Karen, Terry, we need you back, buddies! Come on, there's another of your ilk here.
Don't forget Jerry Nelson too, he used to visit a lot as a member here at MC. There are also two other members I have suspicions about (one in particular) but I would never exploit them on the forum. :) :sing: :halo:

[unclematt]

Holy crap, that's SO freakin' COOL! Tell us more! Start your own thread! I will follow! I WILL FOLLOW!!!
I will follow as well. Let me know where that is.

[Fozzie Bear]

Hey, "Was Once Ernie," and welcome to the boards! Hope to see you around for a long while.

Several folks who've worked with, built for, and performed with the JHC and Muppets visit these boards pretty regularly, so it's good to have more joining us.

[Was Once Ernie]

Did you just find this site. If not what took you so long to post. You probably have numerous amounts of informaion. I am so eager to hear some of your stories.

I did just find this site. Later today, I will start a new thread and tell you about my adventures on "The Muppet Movie".

When I was 19, I got to sit in Jim's office and do a 2-on-1 audition. Frank Oz was there, too.

:p

[Kimp the Shrimp]

That Must Of Been Exciting

[GonzoLeaper]

When I was looking through the topics on the forum on the main page, I saw "Fozzie's Name" and the last user post was by "Was Once Ernie"! So when I glanced at it quickly it looked like it read "Fozzie's Name Was Once Ernie!" Okay, I just thought that was funny. :o :p :)

[Was Once Ernie]

I did just find this site. Later today, I will start a new thread and tell you about my adventures on "The Muppet Movie".

The first part of the new thread has just been posted. It's called "Behind the Scenes of "The Muppet Movie" and it's still in the Classic Muppets forum.

Please feel free to comment and ask any questions that your little foam hearts desire!


:p