The Piano-Playing Dog was Surprisingly Formal
Written: Feb 21 '03 (Updated May 07 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sculpt, facial expression, a favorite character, and that big ol' Piano
Cons: You may have been expecting Naked Rowlf
The Bottom Line: Rowlf is more than a dog--he's also a world class pianist! Or, as he would probably prefer, "piano player."
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Palisades Muppet Show Series 3: Rowlf |
I’ve gushed before about the excellent line of Muppet Show action figures currently in stores—and I’m going to continue that gush right now. To catch you up to speed, and in the spirit of “It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!” I’ll tell you what’s come so far. Since last summer, Palisades Toys has put out the following Muppet action figures:
WAVE ONE
Kermit the Frog
Miss Piggy
Dr. Teeth
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
Beaker (with a Muppet Labs Playset)
WAVE TWO
Fozzie Bear
Gonzo the Great
Floyd Pepper
Crazy Harry
Animal (with an Electric Mayhem Stage Playset)
And now they’re on Wave Three, which includes:
Rowlf
Scooter
Lew Zealand
Zoot
Swedish Chef (with a Swedish Kitchen Playset)
As you can see, this is already an impressive lineup, fit for a Muppet King! Man, I wish I were a Muppet King. This particular review is for Rowlf, the lovable piano-playing dog.
Rowlf is one of the few Muppets still around who predates The Muppet Show itself; Kermit’s been around since the 1950’s, but Rowlf followed hard on his heels…er, flippers, in the 1960’s as a regular on the Jimmy Dean Show. This is where Rowlf learned to play the piano, and he continued this amazing talent on The Muppet Show. Because Rowlf, like Kermit, was performed by Muppets creator Jim Henson, Rowlf wasn’t as prominent on The Muppet Show as he may have otherwise been—the logistics of having one person perform multiple characters on a weekly show were too complicated for their budget. Rowlf did get his own sketch with “Veterinarian’s Hospital,” where as Doctor Bob, he told the worst jokes of all time with the assistance of the lovely Nurses Piggy and Janice. Rowlf is a popular character, but has always been second-tier, just behind the frog, pig, bear, and…whatever.
But this is about the action figure. Palisades has taken their usual care with Rowlf, and I’m once again blown away by the details they can put into such a relatively simple design. The first thing you’ll notice about my good friend Rowlf is that he’s wearing a tux. A black tuxedo, obviously ready to perform in some amazing venue like Carnegie Hall. Or maybe just a classy number at the Muppet Theatre. Or maybe just on your desk at home. Wherever he’s playing, he’s playing in STYLE. His tux looks darn spiffy, with a white tie and waistcoat; his black shoes are shined, and although Rowlf himself doesn’t seem to have a tail, his tux coat does.
The next thing you’ll notice is that this is really a massive action figure. As in, you could buy one, throw it through the window of your piano-playing ex-girlfriend to “send her a message,” and then speed away in your 1936 Geo Metro, and no one would ever suspect you. It’s HEAVY. A big hunk of plastic for a big doggie. And although it’s usually disconcerting to see Muppets with legs, it works nicely for Rowlf. Sure, he’s got a big booty, but as he says in “The Muppet Movie,” the dog does enjoy his beer.
Rowlf has plenty of articulation, so he's able reach all the piano keys; he can even end with a flourish worthy of Liberace. Or someone. He's got a good range of motion in his head and neck--and even his ears are articulated. They swivel enough that he can look like he's swinging his head back and forth, ears flopping madly away...just like the Rowlfie we know and love.
The texturing on the Muppet Show figures has become standard, but it’s always something that adds to the realism of the toys. I still remember how delighted I was the that Kermit figure was “nubbly,” just like the Kermit puppet is…it’s no less delightful here, and I loved looking at the variations in Rowlf’s fur on his head, ears, and hands. Because Rowlf is a piano player, he’s one of the few Muppets to have five fingers (Kermit and the Swedish Chef are two of the only others), and because we often see his hands, I was fascinated at how Palisades was able to make them look JUST right. A small thing, but it’s all about the details, baby.
Except when it’s about the accessories. I already mentioned that Rowlf is a big action figure, right? Well get this: he comes with a PIANO. Not a little 1982 Yamaha keyboard, but a BABY GRAND PIANO. Black, three-legged, with an opening “lid,” fold-down music stand, and closing keyboard cover. This piano is beautiful, enormous, and more accurate than most dollhouse pianos that people like my sister would pay fifty dollars for. When you open the lid and prop it open with that little stick thingy (I’m sure it has a proper name), they’ve even detailed the inside with all of those guts and wires and hammery things that a piano should have. Very cool.
As if that weren’t enough, Palisades even threw in (not the kitchen sink) a little bust of Beethoven. This was seen frequently on The Muppet Show, and was practically a character in its own right. The Beethoven would often comment on Rowlf’s playing, sometimes would hum along, and even fell asleep. This is just a nice little addition to your piano, and fits on the edge of the piano when the lid is open, or on top of the whole thing when the lid is closed.
If you’ve ever been even a casual fan of the Muppets, you should look at what this line of toys has to offer—and if you’re the kind of freak I am (which is doubtful), you’ll need to have every figure. This is a great gift for the music lover in your life—if you know anyone who’s a pianist, they’ll love this. It’s quality stuff, combining the best of the Muppet Show with one of the best toy companies out there.
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MORE Muppet Action Figures? You BET !
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
Series Two
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Series Three
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Playsets
Muppet Labs with Beaker http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Electric Mayhem Stage with Animal http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6.99
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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