• Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
    You are viewing our forum as a guest. Join our free community to post topics and start private conversations. Please contact us if you need help.
  • Christmas Music
    Our 24th annual Christmas Music Merrython is underway on Muppet Central Radio. Listen to the best Muppet Christmas music of all-time through December 25.
  • Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
    Let us know your thoughts on the Sesame Street appearance at the annual Macy's Parade.
  • Jim Henson Idea Man
    Remember the life. Honor the legacy. Inspire your soul. The new Jim Henson documentary "Idea Man" is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
  • Back to the Rock Season 2
    Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock Season 2 has premiered on AppleTV+. Watch the anticipated new season and let us know your thoughts.
  • Bear arrives on Disney+
    The beloved series has been off the air for the past 15 years. Now all four seasons are finally available for a whole new generation.
  • Sam and Friends Book
    Read our review of the long-awaited book, "Sam and Friends - The Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show" by Muppet Historian Craig Shemin.

Is Baby Bear Jewish?

Kimp the Shrimp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2004
Messages
4,382
Reaction score
12
the only problem is we saw them celebrate christmas ( Ernie and Bert)

i think snuffy should be jewish
 

wiley207

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2003
Messages
870
Reaction score
230
But Snuffy was vising his granny for Christmas in "Elmo Saves Christmas."

I think Roosevelt Franklin would've celebrated Kawanza. But if we needed a current character for that, we could have Hoots the Owl. He DOES sound like a black person (no surprise, since he's performed by Kevin Clash, a black Muppeteer).

Maybe the Count could celebrate Ramadan since he's from Transylvania... but then he did some Christmas stuff in "Elmo Saves Christmas."

Oscar hates Christmas, according to his song in "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street," so he could be Jewish. But then why would he be Scrooge in that upcoming DVD Christmas Carol thingy?

Kermit obviously celebrates Christmas, as we have seen in "Christmas Eve on Sesame Stret," "A Muppet Family Christmas," "A Muppet Christmas Carol," and "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie." Heck, Kermit even did a couple of special news bulletins about Santa Claus on "Sesame Street!"
 

BEAR

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2005
Messages
7,368
Reaction score
35
Well, some Jewish people still get caught up in the Christmas celebrations too. Afterall, Mr. Hooper was sort of celebrating Christmas with everyone also (without getting offended).
 

Kimp the Shrimp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2004
Messages
4,382
Reaction score
12
Muppet dude said:
But Snuffy was vising his granny for Christmas in "Elmo Saves Christmas."

I think Roosevelt Franklin would've celebrated Kawanza. But if we needed a current character for that, we could have Hoots the Owl. He DOES sound like a black person (no surprise, since he's performed by Kevin Clash, a black Muppeteer).

Maybe the Count could celebrate Ramadan since he's from Transylvania... but then he did some Christmas stuff in "Elmo Saves Christmas."

Oscar hates Christmas, according to his song in "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street," so he could be Jewish. But then why would he be Scrooge in that upcoming DVD Christmas Carol thingy?

Kermit obviously celebrates Christmas, as we have seen in "Christmas Eve on Sesame Stret," "A Muppet Family Christmas," "A Muppet Christmas Carol," and "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie." Heck, Kermit even did a couple of special news bulletins about Santa Claus on "Sesame Street!"

wow that is some backwater good ole' boy stuff
 

Drtooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
31,717
Reaction score
6,710
Muppet dude said:
I think Roosevelt Franklin would've celebrated Kawanza. But if we needed a current character for that, we could have Hoots the Owl. He DOES sound like a black person (no surprise, since he's performed by Kevin Clash, a black Muppeteer).
Errr... not all Black people celebrate Kwanzaa. Only some do, and since I have just a rough idea of what it is, I don't know how it could have been incorporated.

Maybe the Count could celebrate Ramadan since he's from Transylvania... but then he did some Christmas stuff in "Elmo Saves Christmas."
Are there a lot of Muslims in Transylvania? I thought it was a Christian country.... that goes, by the way, only of knowledge of Dracula movies, you know, how Drac quivers at the sight of a cross?

I'd say more, but this seems like an "Is the Count reallya vampire" debate.

Oscar hates Christmas, according to his song in "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street," so he could be Jewish. But then why would he be Scrooge in that upcoming DVD Christmas Carol thingy?
My oh my. Isn't complaining a negative Jewish stereotype? For him to fully hate christmas, he WOULDhave to be Christian. Otherwise, he wouldn't care about it. Other than the happy people, that is.

But then again, cartoon characters celebrate Christmas ONLY because Christmas specials make the most money. That's why the Ninja Turtles had 2 specials (one being a horrible live action one, one being an episode of the current TMNT cartoon), even though, given the fact they are Ninjas they should be Bushido or Buddist.
 

BEAR

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2005
Messages
7,368
Reaction score
35
Drtooth said:
Errr... not all Black people celebrate Kwanzaa. Only some do, and since I have just a rough idea of what it is, I don't know how it could have been incorporated.

Well, in Elmo's World: Happy Holidays, they discussed Kwanzaa and even showed Gordon, Susan and Miles celebrating it. As we know, they also celebrate Christmas though.
 

Drtooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
31,717
Reaction score
6,710
Yeah, but I meant as Puppet characters. Besides, I always felt that Roosevelt Franklin was Purple, not black.
 

BEAR

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2005
Messages
7,368
Reaction score
35
Drtooth said:
Yeah, but I meant as Puppet characters. Besides, I always felt that Roosevelt Franklin was Purple, not black.

Well, literally, he is purple, but I believe he meant to represent an African American boy. Kingston Livingston III was definitely a Black character and it has been somewhat implied that he celebrates Kwanzaa. There is a coloring page on the Sesame Workshop website of KLIII with that thing that sort of looks like a Menorah.
 

Drtooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
31,717
Reaction score
6,710
BEAR said:
Well, literally, he is purple, but I believe he meant to represent an African American boy.

HEH HEH... you did realize that was a joke, right? :halo:
 

GonzoLeaper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2002
Messages
2,500
Reaction score
225
Interesting discussion. Of course, many people around the world celebrate Christmas- including both Christians and non-Christians. Of course, Christians put the emphasis on Christ's birth while non-Christians would tend to celebrate a more secularized version of it. In any case, I know non-Christians that readily celebrate Christmas with no problem, despite the fact that they practice a different religion.
So while some characters may be portrayed in certain ways- specifically Mr. Hooper and Baby Bear and family as Jewish- and apparently The Robinsons (Gordon, Susan and Miles) as celebrating Kwanzaa (though I'm not sure if there is a specific religion that holiday is associated with) - I'm pretty sure most all celebrate Christmas in a general secular sense at least- since all the characters I mentioned have been portrayed celebrating Christmas (even Mr. Hooper specifically wishes Bert and Ernie "Merry Christmas" and doesn't seem to have a problem participating in Christmas, while thanking Bob for remembering his Jewish heritage)
but I don't know of any specific emphasis that is really put on the birth of Jesus Christ in any of the Sesame Street Christmas productions. (as the Muppets generally stay away from the mention of God for the most part, in an effort not to be promoting any one particular thing I'm sure)
Though as a Christian, I do like that the John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together special actually did address the birth of Jesus through a Muppet version and recitation of the Christmas story found in Luke 2- along with a performance of a great Christmas carol- "Silent Night".
 
Top