It’s uncommon for anybody to succeed in the age of 100 years. Rarer but to see a identified superstar hit that milestone. And of these celebrities, what number of have sturdy Muppet connections?? First there was George Burns, after which Bob Hope. And now, the latest addition to the one hundredth flooring: Dick Van Dyke.
On his one hundredth birthday (which is December thirteenth), Van Dyke will probably be celebrated for his lengthy and memorable profession, together with Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bye Bye Birdie, The Dick Van Dyke Present, and even Prognosis: Homicide. However we’d prefer to take this time to speak about his few crossovers with the Muppets.
Seeing Dick Van Dyke’s profession as a comic book actor, track and dance man, emcee, and all-around character, it’s truly a bit shocking that he hadn’t labored with the Muppets extra. He would’ve been an ideal match on The Muppet Present, and his main man standing places him on par with Kermit the Frog. Perhaps they’d a behind-the-scenes feud after going out for all the identical roles? Does Van Dyke even know learn how to play the banjo??
Notably, his largest function with the Muppets was within the underrated The Muppets Go Hollywood particular, by which he (together with Rita Moreno) host a giant Hollywood social gathering in celebration of the opening of The Muppet Film. All through the particular, he balances scripted introductions and gags with improvised conversations with celebrities. He actually exhibits off his expertise in having the ability to do all of it, together with interviews with Kermit and Piggy, Sam the Eagle, and Jim Henson. And it’d be a disgrace to have him in a giant musical celebration with out asking him to sing, which he does as he serenades Miss Piggy with “You Oughta Be in Footage.”
It truly is a pleasant particular, and an awesome instance of a Muppet challenge that might solely exist in 1979. For those who haven’t seen it, give it a watch:
After The Muppets Go Hollywood, Dick Van Dyke’s Muppet path-crossings grow to be few and much between. The one time he ever interacted with the Muppets once more instantly was in 2016, backstage at Disneyland 60, a TV particular celebrating the Disney theme park anniversary. Regardless of not performing collectively on stage, he nonetheless took the time for a photograph along with his previous pal Kermit the Frog.
Regardless that he wasn’t working with the Muppets, Van Dyke nonetheless discovered methods to pay homage to them by his a cappella group, The Vantastix. In 2008, they coated Kermit’s signature tune, “Bein’ Inexperienced.”
And in 2011, the Vantastix appeared on the D23 Expo to sing a medley of songs from Sesame Road.
Past these official crossovers, I’ve at all times discovered a whole lot of parallels between Dick Van Dyke’s profession and the Muppets. His function as Bert in Mary Poppins is over-the-top and ragdoll-like, as if he was a member of the Muppet troupe. And Rob Petrie from The Dick Van Dyke Present is a really Kermit-like function, enjoying a funny-yet-straightman for a bunch of crazies behind the scenes of a TV present. Once more, Dick Van Dyke has massive Kermit power.
In order Dick Van Dyke reaches the unbelievable milestone of 100 years, we salute and rejoice him. And we’re so very comfortable for his work with the Muppets and his appreciation for our favourite frog.
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by Joe Hennes – [email protected]
