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SeanC
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Maybe an odd choice, but Fletcher Bird is probably my favourite of the full-bodied muppets. I’ve always liked Henson’s bird creations ( chickens, ducks, whatdayasay bird etc… ) but Fletcher is my personal fav for a couple of reasons. One, the suit is fantastically fun, cute and colourful and two, the sheer energy of the performance makes his appearances a definite standout. I particularly loved Fletcher’s scenes with Diana Ross and Leo Sayer, especially the former with Fletcher descending from the ceiling on a kirby wire ( his return to the air at the end features a pretty insane flip! ).
Now, I know the character popped up four times in ’The Muppet Show’, all of which I’ve now managed to track down either on DVD or from a friend’s VHS collection. He also makes a nice appearance in ‘The Muppet Movie’ and shows up very briefly in ‘The Muppets Go Hollywood’ ( rather too briefly, actually. He‘s in the conga line at the end but the camera barely lingers on him ).
The feather arrangement atop his head seems to have changed a couple of times over the years, and in ‘The Muppets Celebrate 30 Years’ in 1986 he had a rather nice crown-like look. This is how he also looked in what I think was his final television appearance, the 1993 Royal Variety Show broadcast on British tv ( with Doglion, Sweetums, a couple of Bossmen, and the group ‘Right Said Fred‘ ). This 1993 appearance was somewhat more subdued than his ‘Muppet Show’ performances and he mainly walked from one side of the stage to the other, waving his wings or tail feathers about. He also looked somewhat more brightly coloured than before, although I’m guessing this was simply down to lighting. Sadly, I’ve only ever been able to track down a low quality copy of this show and I find it highly unlikely it’ll get a DVD release, even as an extra feature.
Anyone know of any other Fletcher appearances I’ve missed?
I have to wonder if Fletcher still exists or if the suit has now deteriorated… would love him to show up in a new Muppet movie ( along with Thog ) but I guess that’s just wishful thinking.
Now, I know the character popped up four times in ’The Muppet Show’, all of which I’ve now managed to track down either on DVD or from a friend’s VHS collection. He also makes a nice appearance in ‘The Muppet Movie’ and shows up very briefly in ‘The Muppets Go Hollywood’ ( rather too briefly, actually. He‘s in the conga line at the end but the camera barely lingers on him ).
The feather arrangement atop his head seems to have changed a couple of times over the years, and in ‘The Muppets Celebrate 30 Years’ in 1986 he had a rather nice crown-like look. This is how he also looked in what I think was his final television appearance, the 1993 Royal Variety Show broadcast on British tv ( with Doglion, Sweetums, a couple of Bossmen, and the group ‘Right Said Fred‘ ). This 1993 appearance was somewhat more subdued than his ‘Muppet Show’ performances and he mainly walked from one side of the stage to the other, waving his wings or tail feathers about. He also looked somewhat more brightly coloured than before, although I’m guessing this was simply down to lighting. Sadly, I’ve only ever been able to track down a low quality copy of this show and I find it highly unlikely it’ll get a DVD release, even as an extra feature.
Anyone know of any other Fletcher appearances I’ve missed?
I have to wonder if Fletcher still exists or if the suit has now deteriorated… would love him to show up in a new Muppet movie ( along with Thog ) but I guess that’s just wishful thinking.
