Uncle Deadly (Muppet)
Encyclopedia
Uncle Deadly is a blue, dragon-like monster also known as the Phantom of The Muppet Show
.
Although he made his first appearance alongside Vincent Price
on episode 119 of The Muppet Show, Uncle Deadly did not receive his proper introduction until episode 121. One by one, the Muppets tell Kermit
that they have seen a phantom, but Kermit refuses to believe them until he sees Uncle Deadly with his own eyes. Once revealed, Uncle Deadly explains that he used to perform at the Muppet Theater, where he played Othello until he was killed...by the critics.
Uncle Deadly sang a handful of songs on the show, including singing a bar of "You're Just in Love" with Ethel Merman
and "Sheik of Araby", and performed in the Muppet Melodrama sketches with Miss Piggy
and Wayne in the third season. Although he didn't have a major role in any of the Muppet movies, Uncle Deadly did appear in the final group scenes at the end of The Muppet Movie
and The Muppets Take Manhattan
. He also appeared on The Tonight Show
in 1979 when Kermit the Frog hosted.
In the December 2000 issue of the Writers' Guild magazine Written By, which featured interviews with Muppet writers Jim Lewis
, Kirk Thatcher and John Derevlany
, it was mentioned that one of the projects Kirk had in development was a silly Goosebumps-type TV show called Uncle Deadly's House of Badness. The project never got off the ground, and it's unknown if a pilot was filmed or if a script was even completed.
Uncle Deadly makes his first appearance in over 30 years in The Muppets
, in which he is voiced by Matt Vogel. He and Bobo the Bear
are the henchmen of oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper
), who wants to demolish the Muppet Theater and drill for oil on the site. As Richman tries repeatedly to stop the Muppets from raising the funds to buy the theater, Deadly gets fed up with being stereotyped as an evil character, pushes him off the theater roof, and joins the group.
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
.
Although he made his first appearance alongside Vincent Price
Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. was an American actor, well known for his distinctive voice and serio-comic attitude in a series of horror films made in the latter part of his career.-Early life and career:Price was born in St...
on episode 119 of The Muppet Show, Uncle Deadly did not receive his proper introduction until episode 121. One by one, the Muppets tell Kermit
Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
that they have seen a phantom, but Kermit refuses to believe them until he sees Uncle Deadly with his own eyes. Once revealed, Uncle Deadly explains that he used to perform at the Muppet Theater, where he played Othello until he was killed...by the critics.
Uncle Deadly sang a handful of songs on the show, including singing a bar of "You're Just in Love" with Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her powerful voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's...
and "Sheik of Araby", and performed in the Muppet Melodrama sketches with Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy is a Muppet character who was primarily played by Frank Oz on The Muppet Show. In 2001, Eric Jacobson began performing the role, although Oz did not officially retire until 2002....
and Wayne in the third season. Although he didn't have a major role in any of the Muppet movies, Uncle Deadly did appear in the final group scenes at the end of The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets. Released in 1979, the film was produced by Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop and ITC Entertainment....
and The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
. He also appeared on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
in 1979 when Kermit the Frog hosted.
In the December 2000 issue of the Writers' Guild magazine Written By, which featured interviews with Muppet writers Jim Lewis
Jim Lewis (writer)
Jim Lewis is an Emmy Award winning American writer known for his work with The Jim Henson Company and The Muppets. Lewis first worked with the Muppets as the editor of Muppet Magazine. The book Before You Leap, which was credited to Kermit the Frog, was written by Lewis. The Disney Channel...
, Kirk Thatcher and John Derevlany
John Derevlany
John Derevlany is a writer, director, and performer best known for playing "Crackers the Corporate Crime Fighting Chicken" in Michael Moore's TV Nation. He also created the preschool dance and movement show Animal Jam for Jim Henson Productions and the Discovery Channel, wrote many episodes of...
, it was mentioned that one of the projects Kirk had in development was a silly Goosebumps-type TV show called Uncle Deadly's House of Badness. The project never got off the ground, and it's unknown if a pilot was filmed or if a script was even completed.
Uncle Deadly makes his first appearance in over 30 years in The Muppets
The Muppets (film)
The Muppets is a 2011 American musical and comedy film, and the first Muppets theatrical release in 12 years, as well as the first Disney-produced Muppets film since 1996's Muppet Treasure Island...
, in which he is voiced by Matt Vogel. He and Bobo the Bear
Bobo the Bear
Bobo the Bear first appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan, but as a different puppet from the current one. He is notable as a more realistic portrayal of the animal on which he is based, compared to the stylized appearance of Muppet mainstay Fozzie Bear.Bobo has been in several Muppet films as a...
are the henchmen of oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper
Chris Cooper (actor)
Christopher W. "Chris" Cooper is an American film actor. He became well known in the late 1990s. He has appeared in supporting performances in several major Hollywood films, including The Bourne Identity, American Beauty, Capote, The Town, The Kingdom, Syriana, October Sky, Seabiscuit, and...
), who wants to demolish the Muppet Theater and drill for oil on the site. As Richman tries repeatedly to stop the Muppets from raising the funds to buy the theater, Deadly gets fed up with being stereotyped as an evil character, pushes him off the theater roof, and joins the group.