I'm sorry. I promised my comment in another thread would be my last... but this one really is.
I don't think Gonzo can be considered a replica. And it's not the materials that are the only problem. For instance, if I buy a replica Star Trek phaser, I wouldn't expect it to be made out of all the same materials that they used to make them for the TV show in 1966, but I would expect it to look EXACTLY like it.
Kermit, in my opinion, is as near perfect as he can be, considering how many different versions there are. And Animal, even with his minor flaws, still looks like the real Animal (just look at Anthony's most recent pictures).
But Gonzo, no matter how much you love him and how much he grows on you, is off. Apparently, he's close enough for some of you, and that's fine. I'm glad you like him and I'm glad he makes you happy. I hope MR sells a ton of them. But he's not a replica. No matter how far away you get or blur the photos or take them in the dark, that nose material doesn't look like the original. I don't need to list his other flaws, everyone knows what they are and are choosing to overlook them.
No matter how cute his little shoes are, he's just not a replica. There was a Broadway show that was probably before the time of most of you on this board. It was called "Beatlemania" and was a group of look-alikes and sound-alikes of The Beatles. The commercial said, "They're not The Beatles, but an incredible simulation." To me, that's what this Gonzo is... "He's not a replica, but a reasonable simulation."
Okay, I'm done now.