EVERY Muppet Show Muppet RANKED

#31: Marvin Suggs

The earliest days of Jim Henson’s Muppets weren’t quite as family-friendly as they would eventually become. Marvin Suggs, as a result, feels like a piece of connective tissue to that old Muppet mentality; a frankly reprehensible musician that plays an instrument of his own creation: The Muppaphone. Suggs is cruel and violent to those tiny puffballs, beating them mercilessly with mallets in order to get them to scream. Could he not use his musical acumen for less harmful purposes? It’s a character that we’re honestly glad doesn’t show up too often, so he kicks off our list at rock freakin’ bottom.

#30: Beauregard

There have been a number of different custodians working on “The Muppet Show” over the years, from George the Janitor during the show’s early seasons, to Beauregard, who took on those duties in season 3. The personalities between these two Muppets couldn’t be more different, with Beauregard’s kindness and optimism nicely counterbalancing George’s grouchiness. Bo’s face is an expressive one, with his big blue eyes and a humorous, exaggerated voice. He can frequently be seen fixing or building sets, sometimes while a sketch is still going on. While he ranks fairly low on our list, we cannot deny his dedication to his job.

#29: Lips

This late addition to The Electric Mayhem didn’t join that group until the fifth season of “The Muppet Show,” and it shows. Lips didn’t do much on the show once he debuted, either, playing trumpet with the group without appearing in very many sketches. Granted, the “Muppets Mayhem” series did give Lips more personality and backstory, but this was too little and too late to change his original status as a somewhat forgettable element on the OG “Muppet Show.” We don’t wanna bad-mouth Lips too much, however, since we’re sure his trumpet playing aided The Electric Mayhem on the concert stage.

#28: Bobo the Bear

This Muppet didn’t actually appear on the original “Muppet Show,” instead debuting on “Muppets Tonight” in the 90s. Bobo the Bear has earned a fan following of his own over the years, however, thanks to his pleasant personality as the Muppets’ resident security guard. Meanwhile, the actual origins of the Bobo puppet can be traced all the way back to “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” where it debuted as one of that movie’s hibernating bears. Bobo’s returned again and again since then, becoming a welcomed part of the extended Muppet family - although not its most beloved bear.

#27: Link Hogthrob

The “Pigs in Space” sketches weren’t the only corners of “The Muppet Show” inhabited by Link Hogthrob. This vain and pompous pig did background work on other sketches, while also graduating to the “Bear on Patrol” sketches once his adventures in space came to an end. His personality could almost be compared to that of Ted Baxter on “The Mary Tyler Show” in that Link is never conceited enough to be unlikable. Instead, his ego often bites this pig in the butt, making him a comedic foil that seldom fails to make us laugh.

#26: Lew Zealand

There’s just something to be said about Lew Zealand’s one trick: tossing his boomerang fish. It’s a frankly silly proposition, both on paper and in execution, yet this otherwise singular character has appeared consistently throughout the Muppet universe since his debut back on the third season of “The Muppet Show.” Of course, it also helps that Lew Zealand almost always arrives wearing his ridiculous and colorful stage get-up, ready to boomerang just about anything within reach. It’s a consistent gag that continues to crack us up, and that’s gotta count for something, right?

#25: Camilla the Chicken

There’s a veritable menagerie of animals present within any episode of “The Muppet Show,” including chickens…but there’s only one Camilla. Or, at least there’s only one chicken for Gonzo, anyway, since Camilla and him have been an item for years at this point, ever since she debuted back in the show’s third season. This is despite Gonzo occasionally confusing Camilla with other chickens on the show. His heart remains in the right place, however and it’s always a delight to see these lovebirds together on the Muppet stage, or in any of the Muppet movies.

#24: Floyd Pepper

The Electric Mayhem isn’t just a backing band for “The Muppet Show’s” brand of live entertainment. They’re a group of viable and vibrant songwriters in their own right, and this definitely includes the group’s bassist and occasional vocalist, Floyd Pepper. He easily glides in between jazz standards, pop and rock, consistently surprising us with his musicality and talent. Floyd can frequently be found collaborating with other Mayhem members, including Zoot and Animal, the latter of whom can even be seen following Floyd’s direction! Elsewhere, Floyd’s cool stage clothes are clearly indebted to the “Sgt. Pepper” era of The Beatles, but we’re also glad that this Mayhem member feels comfortable playing just about anything on stage.

#23: Clifford

Clifford is another member of the Muppets crew that didn’t debut back on the original variety show. Instead, this bass player debuted on “The Jim Henson Hour” as a member of the fictional band Solid Foam, before graduating to host his own show, “Muppets Tonight.” Clifford’s cool and generally unflappable demeanor made this something of a perfect fit, and the catfish-like character has since gone on to appear in various other forms of Muppet media over the years. These would include roles in both “Muppets from Space” as well as “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.”

#22: Robin

We just love the innocence and sweetness behind Kermit the Frog’s (we assume) favorite nephew.. Robin’s presence on “The Muppet Show” frequently serves as a calm respite from all of the chaos, such as when he sings a touching rendition of “Over the Rainbow”. He’s just a kind kid who likes to be a part of the Muppet gang, hanging out with his Uncle Kermit, Sweetums as well as the friends he has in his local “Frog Scout” troop. He occasionally busts out a joke or two as part of an ensemble, and often takes on solo singing gigs that always make us smile.

#21: Bean Bunny

If there’s one Muppet on this list that’s prone to being given the cold shoulder, it just may be Bean Bunny. This cute little guy wasn’t a “Muppet Show” OG, but instead debuted back on the 1986 Muppet special, “The Tale of the Bunny Picnic.” His adorable design and demeanor usually makes him a target these days, however, since many of the other Muppet gang tend to view Bean Bunny’s cuteness as…well, just sort of annoying. Bean seems to know this, however, and this relationship is largely played for laughs, albeit at the expense of the character’s physical health and wellbeing. Stay strong, Bean!

#20: Scooter

This Muppet may have originally earned his job via nepotism, given that his uncle owns the theater. But this aspect of Scooter’s personality was eventually shifted to an all-around helpful gofer…uh, we mean “assistant.” This was a smart move, because Scooter’s initial characterization as something of a foil to Kermit wasn’t exactly the greatest, and we much prefer to watch him keeping the show afloat via his hard work. There’s still no sign that his animated sister Skeeter from “Muppet Babies” will ever receive the live-action treatment, however, which ultimately might be for the best.

#19: Zoot

How could we ever forget how The Electric Mayhem’s resident saxophonist, Zoot, played that iconic closing note of “The Muppet Show” theme back during its original run? This Muppet musician actually had a lot of screentime during that first season, notably performing alongside other players and always delivering the goods. The Electric Mayhem’s crazy cast of characters has always been known for their idiosyncratic behavior, but the case of Zoot is one where the Muppet’s musical prowess and compositional skills are just as notable as his performances in the show’s skits. Has he ever considered releasing any solo material?

#18: Crazy Harry

Only within the Muppet universe could a character as deviously dangerous as a mad bomber be played up for laughs. Yet, here we are with Crazy Harry, an explosives…let’s go with “expert” who delights in blowing things up and making them go “boom.” To be fair, he did also handle the triangle during early years of the “Muppet Show” intro, but he clearly is not really a masterful musician. Instead, Crazy Harry is just a loose cannon (pun intended) that can always be counted upon to turn just about any moment into a combustible situation.

#17: Uncle Deadly

He’s perhaps one of the most legitimately fearsome-looking Muppets, boasting a monstrous appearance that first makes its presence known as the “Phantom of the Muppet Show.” Uncle Deadly is actually an actor’s actor, however, a well-spoken and verbose sort of character whose personality belies his scary exterior. His theatrical resumé is impressive and versatile, with both Shakespeare and horror under his belt, and this Muppet character feels tailor-made as a sort of “horror host.” A creepy-but-cool cat who could introduce movies, in the vein of an Elvira, Zacherley or Svengoolie.

#16: Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

It’s funny how differently we see things through adult eyes, particularly when it comes to programming we enjoyed as kids. The “Muppet Labs” sketches were probably sources of giggles and entertainment for many of us back in the day, but it’s difficult now to see Dr. Bunsen Honeydew as anything less than a cruel sadist. How else could we justify all of the cruel and unusual experiments he puts his assistant, Beaker through on the show? Dr. Honeydew even seems to revel in many of these instances, smiling at those times when an experiment invariably goes pear-shaped.

#15: Sweetums

There have been a variety of Muppet monsters over the years, some of them created solely for a couple of sketches. The popularity of Sweetums has endured, however, likely because of this gentle giant’s lovable personality. He’s large and intimidating, sure, but he really isn’t as scary once you get to know him, and we love him for that fact. This fuzzy ogre has appeared in Muppets-related media for years, including the movies, and we always perk up when the pleasant demeanor of Sweetums succeeds in smashing down those barriers of perception. Never judge a book - or in this case, a Muppet, - by its cover!

#14: Dr. Teeth

His full name is actually Dr. Gerald Teeth, Jr., but we’d forgive you for not knowing that information. All you really need to know is that this leader of The Electric Mayhem is one cool cat. Dr. Teeth is actually based upon the real-life New Orleans music legend Dr. John, known for his equally gravel-mouthed vocal delivery. However, this keyboardist and licensed dentist rarely does the singing for his band. Instead, Dr. Teeth’s role with The Electric Mayhem is a wider one as composer and musical director. And they simply wouldn’t be the same without him.

#13: The Swedish Chef

The sketches involving The Swedish Chef have certainly gotten plenty of creative mileage from their singularly silly premise. His recipes almost always go wrong, but he certainly seems to have a wonderful time explaining them to us with his own brand of heavily accented gibberish. This culinary Muppet’s segments also feature their own theme song, sung by The Chef himself, which always ends with that fan favorite coda, “Bork! Bork! Bork!” It’s the kind of screwball zaniness that only “The Muppet Show” could pull off with this kind of longevity, and for that we’re thankful!

#12: Pepe the King Prawn

This character just might be the most beloved Muppet to debut from the “Muppets Tonight” series…a big fish in a small pond, so to speak. Pepe the King Prawn definitely plays up certain cultural stereotypes that probably wouldn’t fly today, but this muppet never does so with any sort of malice. Instead, Pepe is defensive of his stature, loves the ladies and can always be counted upon to crack some blue-ish sort of joke. What can we say? Pepe the King Prawn is just a funny-looking Muppet with a lovable delivery and the ability to steal almost every scene he’s in with absolute ease.

#11: Beaker

We’ve always just sort of assumed that Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew were a matched pair, but this Muppet assistant actually didn’t join Honeydew’s laboratory sketches until “The Muppet Show’s” second season. And yes, we’ve already established how we feel about the (not so) good doctor, but we actually feel the exact opposite about Beaker. We feel bad for his suffering, although there will probably always be a part of us that’s glad Beaker showed up when he did. His reactions to the laboratory experiments took what could’ve been a forgotten, single-season sketch into an enduring aspect of Muppet lore.

#10: Janice

Listen, if having a crush on a Muppet is wrong…well, then we don’t want to be right. Janice possesses that eternal sort of coolness and style, while her look will always scream Capital S “Sixties” in the best possible way. Her laid-back, hippie chic belies some seriously impressive skills on the lead guitar, and it’s her presence within The Electric Mayhem that helps make her a focal point wherever she goes. Janice doesn’t really appear in “Muppet Show” sketches all too often, other than her memorable recurring role on “Veterinarian’s Hospital.” Still, we’re always glad to see her when she shows up, usually rocking out there on that stage alongside her boyfriend, Floyd Pepper.

#9: Rizzo the Rat

There are a bunch of rats that have appeared on “The Muppet Show” and various related properties over the years, but very few of them have been important enough parts of the plot to warrant a name. Rizzo the Rat is a notable exception to this rule, usually showing up alongside Gonzo, but also sometimes hanging out with his rodent brethren. Rizzo can usually be counted on to steal a scene, thanks to his inherently likable personality and cute character design (for a rat, anyway). He’s consistently been a fan favorite as well, appearing not only on “The Muppet Show,” but also in beloved movies like “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

#8: Sam Eagle

There isn’t really any particular “villain” per se, within the “Muppet Show” universe, but the personality of Sam Eagle certainly stands out from the pack. He’s not really a curmudgeon in the same way as Statler and Waldorf, but rather a sort of thematic square peg in a round hole. His sense of humor (if he has one) doesn’t really gel with what the show frequently delivers, with Sam almost always rooting for the more “Lawrence Welk”-adjacent entertainment of the “Muppet Show” act Wayne and Wanda. Sam Eagle likes law and order, dislikes “weirdos” and can always be counted upon to act “straight” in the face of everything going on around him.

#7: Rowlf the Dog

Nothing seems to shake Rowlf the Dog, since this Muppet canine rarely allows his emotions to take over. Instead, this resident piano player for “The Muppet Show” lets water wash off his back, serving as a deadpan anchor of realism for all of the chaos going on each episode. This unflappability also assists Rowlf in the sillier sketches, such as “Veterinarian’s Hospital,” where he delivers vaudevillian jokes in rapid-fire succession. The Muppets frankly rely upon Rowlf for his pragmatism, and it’s easy to see why many close to the Henson family have compared this lovable dog as a sort of stand-in for Jim. Is it any wonder, then, that we adore him too?

#6: Animal

If there were any Muppet that best represented the Id triumphing over the Superego, it would be Animal. There’s not a lot of gray area when it comes to Animal’s…well, “animalistic” behavior. This Muppet wild man (thing?) likes to hit the drums, to have a good time and to chase the, say it with us now “wo-maaaaan.” Is this behavior problematic in the modern day? Probably, but it’s also tough to get or stay mad at Animal, because he’s just so darn lovable. Whether he’s performing a drum solo or getting involved in some other kind of mischief, this member of The Electric Mayhem is as unpredictable as they get.

#5: Statler & Waldorf

Everyone may be a critic, but these guys just love to have a rotten time. One could quite easily ask themselves this question, however: why exactly do Statler and Waldorf keep returning to “The Muppet Show” night after night? Are they gluttons for punishment? Do they love to be this miserable and hyper-critical over every other aspect of their daily lives? Or is that lure of companionship, this shared mutual dislike of everything Muppet the one thing that Statler and Waldorf keep returning to, again and again? We think that there’s just a little more than meets the eye with these two, as evidenced by their surprisingly touching rendition of “It Was a Very Good Year.”

#4: Gonzo the Great

The origins of The Great Gonzo (or Gonzo the Great, if you prefer) can be traced all the way back to 1970 where an embryonic version of Gonzo, named Snarl, appeared on the Muppets holiday special, “The Great Santa Claus Switch.” The muppet would soon be adapted to the character we all know and love today; a daredevil with tons of energy and a unique personality. Gonzo is simultaneously thrill-seeking, creative and full of self-doubt. He is, in other words, totally relatable, and it’s this “every…thing?” sort of characteristic that makes it easy for us to identify with Gonzo and his struggles. We always want him to come out of that human cannonball sketch unscathed, preferably with his favorite chicken, Camilla in tow.

#3: Fozzie Bear

Everybody loves an underdog, right? Perhaps this is why we’re constantly rooting for Fozzie Bear every time he bravely (or sometimes not-so bravely) steps out onto that “Muppet Show” stage to deliver jokes. Fozzie’s stand-up routine almost always bombs, however, amplified by the heckling of Statler and Waldorf from up in the balcony. Still, there’s just something so lovable about Fozzie’s plucky demeanor, and how his all-around niceness shines through with whatever he does. The “Muppet Show” audience may never take a shine to him, but this bear will always have a special place in our hearts.

#2: Miss Piggy

We just can’t think of a bigger, more deserving star to take honors on a list such as this one. And you know what else? We also think that Miss Piggy would absolutely adore all of the attention lavished upon her with our praise. “The Muppet Show” has always thrived on being unpredictable, similar to how Piggy’s mood can frequently be swayed at the drop of a hat…or is that hoof? Actually, we’d better be careful with the pig jokes, because we honestly kind of fear Miss Piggy’s karate skills! Elsewhere, her presence on the show was always welcome on bits like “Pigs in Space” or "Veterinarian's Hospital,” easily stealing the spotlight from just about any other Muppet on that stage.

#1: Kermit the Frog

He’s the beating heart and moral compass of “The Muppet Show.” A realistic and down-to-earth amphibian who frequently steps into our shoes as audience members as he tries to navigate every episode of “The Muppet Show.” Kermit the Frog isn’t just a ringmaster, however, but the very reason why we care about these Muppets in the first place. His earnestness particularly shines through within the Muppets’ cinematic outings, as evidenced by such moments as his marriage to Miss Piggy in “The Muppets Take Manhattan” or that all-time classic performance of “Rainbow Connection.” What can we say? Kermit’s our hero.

What is it about The Muppets that makes us suspend disbelief and treat them like mega-stars? Let us know your favorite Muppet memory in the comments!