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The Woman Behind Miss PiggyExplore more photos from the story |
Bonnie Erickson designed and built the inimitable Miss Piggy in 1974 for an early "Muppets" television special, produced by Jim Henson. Puppets, props and storyboards from Henson's prolific career are featured in the traveling exhibit "Jim Henson's Fantastic World." Anika Gupta spoke with Erickson.
You've been designing muppets and mascots for years. What attracts you to them?
The creation of worlds—the whole process of designing characters, putting together a back story, giving the characters an environment in which they can thrive and casting performers who can bring them to life.
Why do puppets appeal to adults as well as children?
They've been a tradition across the world for thousands of years as a form of storytelling. But, until recently, they have't been appreciated in the United States. Now, however, puppetry is finding a niche in the arts—dance, theater and even opera. I think people appreciate the performers' skill as well as the artistry of the puppets themselves. We owe a lot of that to [Muppets creator] Jim Henson's vision.
Who inspired the character of Miss Piggy?
My mother used to live in North Dakota where Peggy Lee sang on the local radio station before she became a famous jazz singer. When I first created Miss Piggy I called her Miss Piggy Lee—as both a joke and an homage. Peggy Lee was a very independent woman, and Piggy certainly is the same. But as Piggy's fame began to grow, nobody wanted to upset Peggy Lee, especially because we admired her work. So, the Muppet's name was shortened to Miss Piggy.
Of all the characters you've designed, which are among your favorites?
Statler and Waldorf, the two old men who heckled from the balcony in the Muppet Show. I could picture them in the Yale Club sipping brandy, surrounded by portraits of their predecessors. Another was Zoot, the blue-haired, balding saxophonist for the Muppet band "Electric Mayhem." He was fashioned after musician Gato Barbieri, based on a quick sketch I made when I saw him perform at a jazz club.
Let's say you get a contract to make a character. How does your creative process work?
Well let me take the Philly Phanatic as an example. The managers approached us to design a mascot who could encourage fans to bring their families to the games. So we had to design a character who was child-friendly, who was playful and a little irreverent but not too silly. We'd heard from the Phillies that their crowd had booed the Easter bunny, so it was a challenge to come up with something that was not going to talk down to their audience. We wanted a character who had a life and a story. A lot of our characters are still performing today. We created Youppi for the Montreal Expos, and when the team moved out of Montreal Youppi was left without a home. So he was taken in by the hockey team. In my mind I've always thought of these characters as having a life, so they're free agents in many ways. When they lose a team, they go out and try to find another job.
What does it take for a character to become a legend, as happened with Miss Piggy and the Phanatic?
Well, there are three factors. First, you need a good designer and a good concept. And in the case of puppeteers you need a really good performer. And then the client has to be very thoughtful and use the character well. When you put all these pieces together you have at least a shot at creating a character people will be drawn to.
Comments
what a talented woman, Statler and Waldorf would be proud!
Posted by Elsie Jenkins on September 30,2008 | 07:55AM
What about Beaker the excitable, put upon lab assitant, and the Swedish Chef? They didn't even need a voacbulary? I remeber the Muppet show was popular at my college, including the international students.
Posted by Bill Goodhart on September 30,2008 | 07:44PM
As a montrealer, I have long enjoyed Youppi, and also love Kermit the frog. Acually all the Jim Henson puppets. Thank you
Posted by Joann Connor on October 3,2008 | 10:54AM
It is indeed a honour to behold the personality behind the3 famous Miss Piggy. I have and will always be a fan of the Muppets, the characters she mentioned in her interview have always amazed me. The two bald men on the balcony, the soulful saxophonist etc. It is one world I would not mind be lost in... fun, fun fun all the way. Turner Victor
Posted by Victor Turner on October 4,2008 | 10:19AM
Well, I certainly LOVE the Muppets, such as Miss Piggy! You guys ROCK!!:)
Posted by Sydney on October 4,2008 | 11:02AM
If i live to bee a hundred and twenty i'll never forget when the dance group" The Lockers" performed on the muppet show, Dr. Tooth looked over his shoulder and commented"Animal is gonna freak out man, and when he does i'm goin with him" When i'm lucky enough to cath that particular re-run it still makes me laugh untill i'm a helpless pile of crying jelly. Bless you for your hard work and dedication to your craft, it IS greatly appreciated out here in TV Land!!
Posted by George Buford on October 4,2008 | 01:29PM
What is the travel schedule for this exhibit?
Posted by Gayle Sassano on October 4,2008 | 05:43PM
I can remember how my friends and I would gather all together at one of our houses to watch. We never missed an episode. My best-friend and I had to buy the movies and have them all. We still have them today.
Posted by ROXANNE JOHNSON on October 5,2008 | 02:49PM
Big deal if I'm 13 years old. The Muppet Show beats any TV show in existence! My sister is just like Miss Piggy: She wears dresses all the time, she loves to wear jewelry, and boy, can she pack a punch--for a four-year-old, anyway. :) My favorite characters are Kermit, Beaker, and most of all the Swedish Chef. "Bort bort bort! Der flappen-jacken-hooten!" Oh my gosh, is he funny...I loved the Swedish Chef Salad blaster clip where he threw a cabbage up in the air, shot it with his "boom-boom", and then all the little "broosel sprouts" came raining down... ....And the "cakensmoosher".... Swedish Chef beats all, in my opinion.
Posted by Tori on October 6,2008 | 03:50PM
It is wonderful to hear from so many Jim Henson and Muppet fans. I just want to clarify that I designed the Phillie Phanatic after I established Harrison/Erickson, Inc aka Acme Mascots with my partner Wayde Harrison. Some have confused my work with Jim Henson with the work of my own company.
Posted by Bonnie Erickson on October 14,2008 | 08:17AM
what a truly talented and lovely person...
Posted by amanda cheh on October 16,2008 | 12:18AM
When I was little my mom asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and I replied "Miss Piggy". And today I am still that self confident (hopefully not self absorbed) person embodied by my childhood heroine. Thank you Ms Erikson!
Posted by Sarah on October 17,2008 | 11:20PM
I have a query about Zoot, the saxophonist. In the actual Muppet Show, and in most of the end credits (when the orchestra is playing the theme song), Zoot is light blue with darker blue hair. But at the very end, when he plays his famous wrong note, he is green with blue hair. Can anyone tell me what was going on there? If so, I would appreciate it.
Posted by Tori on October 23,2008 | 02:34PM
As a fan of the muppets and a Philadelphian. I am proud to say that no matter how old I get I will always love the Phanatic. Im watching the The World Series Champions Parade and the Phanatic is in the middle of it all. You have created something so wonderful for so many people. Without the Phanatic things would not be the same. =]
Posted by Kerri on October 31,2008 | 11:35AM
The Muppets were my staple diet as a child. Statlor and Waldorf mirrored my grandparents. Thank you Ms Erickson, you filled my childhood with wonderful characters that I will entertain my children with someday.
Posted by Candace on November 12,2008 | 06:59AM
I must say it is a real honor to be part of your extended family. You have done amazing things for any child that has come into contact with any of your great creations, I know as a child I always got to enjoy these characters.
Posted by Kerri Erickson-Pankonen on November 20,2008 | 11:27AM
I had heard that the Miss Piggy was inspired by a slightly over the top Hungarian housewife/artist, that was the wife of a friend of Jim Henson's in Conneticut, is there any truth to this story?
Posted by lindermouse on December 14,2008 | 09:04AM
I often groing up adopted the nick name pig, and later on for my love of the Muppet's Show. Miss Piggy. I am indeed greatful, and over joyed at the opportunity of how Miss Piggy was birth I see we share alot in common. I too was introduce into the world in 1974. God Bless you and all the creaters for your dillegent work in providing hosome programing for me and now my son. Sincerely, Mrs. Angela Opoku a.k.a. pig/Miss Piggy
Posted by Angela Opoku on March 20,2009 | 08:00PM
I was born in Fargo North Dakota my husband put a Miss Piggy tattoo on him for me I put animal on me we both grew up with the muppets love them and he is a drummer so the muppets were perfect...
Posted by Cerise on June 3,2009 | 01:21AM
Thanks for creating the Phanatic. You have created something that will live forever with the Phillies and can't be traded.
I have always admired the Phanatic from my childhood, but now as a grown-up (?) graphic designer, I really appreciate some of the well-thought and subtle (!) aspects of the Phanatic: he's really only six feet tall and he is not severely disproportioned in shape (so he retains an approachable human scale), but he is easy to spot in the stands without binoculars. And despite the green color he's very visible on the field (especially now on the natural grass instead of the astroturf at the Vet).
I could go on about the Muppets, but I'll say thanks just the same.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 16,2009 | 08:27PM
October 25, 2009 I heard that Bonnie Erickson visited the Muppets Exhibit at Michners Art Museum in Doylestown.
IF I ever gave a fantasy dinner party I would like to invite: Bonnie Erickson as well as the late Richard Feynman formerly a Princeton Physicist.
These are the folks that make out lives fun. Ron Kita,a doylestown "towny"
Posted by ron kita on October 27,2009 | 09:00PM