Sadism, Rubber Gloves, and Goggles. That's what it takes to be a Muppety Mad Scientist
Written: Jul 15 '04 (Updated Jul 16 '04)
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Pros: A newer obscure character, great sculpt and likeness, cool rubbery hands
Cons: The clock won't fit on the freaking wall...an annoying character.
The Bottom Line: Finally! A Dr. Phil who won't get on your case about that crate of Twinkies you downed last night!
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Yeah, it’s that time again…Palisades Toys has their next wave of Muppets hitting shelves across the country. Maybe even up into Canada. Those crazy Canadians. I’d better not get started on a tangent this early into a new batch of reviews.
One of the things that has pleased me most about watching this line of toys progress over the last few years has been seeing the more obscure characters from The Muppet Show and other Muppet productions. At first I thought I’d just get the major characters, like Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, etc…but it’s become more and more clear to me that some of the most interesting toys have been the obscure characters. Lew Zealand (a boomerang fish thrower), Crazy Harry, and others add color and insanity to the line of toys. This 8th Series of Muppet action figures from Palisades includes a couple of obscure characters who are absolutely certifiable.
This one in particular, Dr. Phil Van Neuter, is a character I really don’t like. But he makes a very good toy. He’s a mad scientist from “Muppets Tonight,” a short-lived Muppet series…my personal philosophy is that you only need so many scientists, and when you’ve got Bunsen and Beaker already on your side, you really don’t need any other scientists. But Van Neuter, and his little sketches called “Tales From the Vet” had a moderate following, and since he’s performed by Brian Henson, he may be around for years to come.
Part of my problem with the character is his look. If they were ever to make an Andy Dick puppet, this would be it. The narrow head, the hair, the goggly glasses, the annoying voice…as much as I loved Andy Dick on “Newsradio,” he’s just…yeah. Why would they do that?
Despite that, Palisades has once again taken a character I don’t care about and made a must-have toy.
Dr. Phil Van Neuter is the tallest action figure in the line so far…just a smidge taller than the likes of the Swedish Chef and Sam Eagle, but nearly twice the height of Kermit and Gonzo. A lot of that height is in his narrow head, but he’s got really long arms that sort of balance out his look and make him liven up your display. He’s dressed in his trademark operating gown and apron, making him look like a 1940’s mad scientist…which he basically is. He’s got rubber gloves, and wears goggles, and evidently he and the Swedish Chef have the same tailor, because it looks like they’ve both got the same plaid pants.
The details on Van Neuter are as impressive as they are on all of Palisades’ figures…his face has that excellent Muppety texturing that has become standard on their “skin,” giving them that foamy flocked fleeced appearance that we know so well. Although he’s clothed mostly in the white operating gown, there’s enough dirt and…is that dried blood? On the clothing to make him seem more “real.” And busy. And a little gross. His goggles are actually transparent, showing off his bloodshot blue eyes inside…an extra little piece, but a great detail that really sells his look. His hair, atop his head, his eyebrows, and two tufts below his ears, is made of a softer PVC plastic with a little bit of give, and has a great “flyaway” look that a lot of the Muppets have.
His hands are a little weird, because they’re also softer plastic than other Muppet hands have been. At first I thought it was a mistake, because it was such a different feel…but when I started putting some of his accessories in his hands, it all came together. Like The Beatles song. It makes for an easier fit, and a more secure grip than the hard plastic hands would have done. And with the number and different shapes of accessories he’s got, that’s a good thing.
So what does he come with?
Five different beakers and flasks
One Bunsen Burner stand
A Carton of Egg Nog (an inside joke from a Muppets Tonight sketch…the “Camilla Farms” label is a nice touch)
A Clock, ostensibly mountable on the wall of the earlier Muppet Labs playset…but the clip doesn’t quite seem to fit. So we’ll see where that ends up.
All of the accessories go well with other Muppet figures and playsets we’ve already got, but if you’re crazy enough to just buy Dr. Phil, he’s perfectly entertaining and a little creepy with the stuff he’s got.
I’m impressed that Palisades has gotten the line far enough that they can make figures like Dr. Phil, and although he’ll never be my favorite character or toy, he’s got what it takes to hang out with the big boys. Sadism, rubber gloves, and goggles.
You can find Palisades Toys Muppet Action Figures at Media Play, Suncoast, Sam Goody, Newbury Comics, and online at EB Games and other fine retailers. Get 'em while they're hot!
PALISADES TOYS MUPPET ACTION FIGURES
Series One:
Kermit the Frog http://www.epinions.com/content_81549233796
Miss Piggy http://www.epinions.com/content_81637707396
Dr. Teeth http://www.epinions.com/content_81569549956
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew http://www.epinions.com/content_81822191236
Beaker w/Muppet Labs Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Series Two:
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Animal w/Electric Mayhem Stage Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Series Three:
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Rowlf http://www.epinions.com/content_90764316292
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Swedish Chef w/Swedish Kitchen Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_98725432964
Series Four:
Link Hogthrob http://www.epinions.com/content_105889107588
Dr. Julius Strangepork http://www.epinions.com/content_105892187780
Rizzo the Rat http://www.epinions.com/content_105903591044
Samuel Arrow http://www.epinions.com/content_105895988868
Koozebane Kermit http://www.epinions.com/content_113299066500
Series Five:
Gonzo and Camilla http://www.epinions.com/content_115081186948
Pepe http://www.epinions.com/content_117043138180
Janice http://www.epinions.com/content_117029899908
Muppet Newsman http://www.epinions.com/content_117058145924
Series Six:
Statler http://www.epinions.com/content_120983948932
Waldorf http://www.epinions.com/content_120987487876
Patrol Bear Fozzie http://www.epinions.com/content_120963501700
Clifford http://www.epinions.com/content_120939515524
Pigs In Space Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_134628544132
Series Seven:
Kermit as Captain Smollet http://www.epinions.com/content_135481364100
Frog Scout Robin http://www.epinions.com/content_135578947204
Beauregard http://www.epinions.com/content_135557975684
Johnny Fiama http://www.epinions.com/content_135581634180
Series Eight:
Sam Eagle http://www.epinions.com/content_147964202628
Movie Usher Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_147937201796
Marvin Suggs http://www.epinions.com/content_147934580356
Dr. Phil Van Neuter http://www.epinions.com/content_147964202628
Muppet Exclusives:
Adventure Kermit http://www.epinions.com/content_134654889604
MUPPET PVCS
Set 1 http://www.epinions.com/content_119826517636
Set 2 http://www.epinions.com/content_119837462148
Muppet Christmas Carol 1 http://www.epinions.com/content_120237952644
Muppet Christmas Carol 2 http://www.epinions.com/content_120245292676
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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JediKermit
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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