A Queer Analysis of the Muppets

[@Rainbott]

The random characters in the thumbnail are two of my Muppet OCs, btw! I’ve gotta finish drawing all of them to make a big post on Instagram :> 💕

[@dan20493]

They look fantastic.

[@bella_daze3092]

@@dan20493I second this! Love them❤❤

[@literallyjustanarwhal]

*excited nawhal dance* YIPPEEEE

[@ANerdWithAPen]

So cute!!❤

[@dejus_e]

They look overdressed.

[@arielfoster6580]

"labyrinth feels queer i just don't know how else to describe it" that would be the power of david bowie

[@viktorlucious6585]

That scene where Gonzo says "I just wanna be me." Genuinely made me tear up. My poor trans heart.

[@average-wubbox-enjoyer]

gonzo is so gender 💅❤

[@ajzeg01]

The three-headed monster from the Vincent Price episode goes by they/them pronouns. Scooter says they’re not quite a he and not quite a she, they’re more of a they, but there isn’t exactly more than one of them.

[@Alcohol_mox]

I started laughing out loud when Randy said "BLUEBERRIES ARE FAQING PURPLE"

[@enter_eagle]

i near daily think about when randy said he needed a queer woman genderfluid enough to fuck a puppet and its like you gotta imagine that's most his audience

[@bella_daze3092]

LMAO😂😂😂

[@bella_daze3092]

THAT HAD ME ON THE FLOOR I SWEAR BECAUSE I REMEMBER SAYING BLUEBERRIES OUT LOUD

[@phantomkitten73]

Holy crap, you found it. You found the Rainbow Connection.

[@Toonstation47]

As a nonbinary person myself I really resonate with gonzo.being the outsider to everything,looking different,not knowing what i was,feeling alone.all that jazz

[@sevenequalsoneheart6710]

As a kid I always wanted to grow up to be a human the Great Gonzo. He was just wacky, passionate, eccentric, talented, clueless, adorable, and refused to conform to social norms. I would quote him, call myself a "whatever". Gonzo was my hero and i wanted to embody my own Gonzo more and more as i grew up. I also love other zany, oddball puppets like Randy Feltface, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Peanut, and Crazy Harry. But there can only be one Gonzo the Great.

[@Rae0814]

I think the Dhmis Creators left an nod to the Red Guy and Duck ship if I understand. (The “I like looking at you.” Conversation)

[@krisdeltarun]

MY AUTISM IS SO ACTIVATED RIGHT NOW

[@bella_daze3092]

FOR REAL

[@gb682]

SAME!

[@cactusbuds2979]

My trans autistic ass has a hyper fixation on the muppets :)

[@caitlinabbott7895]

14:46 Wait NEIL CECEREGIA MADE POTTER PUPPET PALS???? 16:46 Rainbott, you forgot about Welcome Home! HOW COULD YOU FORGET ABOUT WELCOME HOME??? YOU DID A WHOLE ANALYSIS VIDEO ON IT!!!!

[@stilljamming]

Also: in the 2015 The Muppets ABC show, there also was a scene, where Pepe mentioned Josh Groban being hot, the other characters being surprised and him stating, that "gender is fluid".

[@adamwalpole9399]

I like to think Muppets from Space is a coded story about Gonzo finally meeting people like him the in LGBTQ+ community - his "family"! And the whole scene at the end where he meets them... Clearly a Gay Pride Parade!

[@mael4488]

and this is exactly why I have one character who's obsessed with the Muppets in my webcomic! he's a historian type so he's actually researched the queer coding in a lot of it, and even taught himself how to play banjo so he could sing along to the Muppet Movie soundtrack :)

[@Rainbow_Heart]

I actually remember seeing that Muppet Babies(?) episode with Gonzorella and that hit powerful for me when I saw it!! Also now Im probably unironically gonna be saying "BLUE MEANS SHARKS IN IT" XD

[@AgwithAjm]

YES I LOVE THE MUPPETS SO MUCH!!! I’ve been waiting for someone else to talk about them especially with a queer lense ,GONZO IS SO GENDER 🤭🫨

[@average-wubbox-enjoyer]

GENDERRRRRR

[@Toad_Company]

I red it as “a rear analysis of muppets” 💀💀

[@bella_daze3092]

This video was a lotta fun :D I loved the muppets as a little kid❤❤❤ so I’m glad to see this covered here! 🎉 it was fun to watch!

[@kiplee-musicgirl23]

You forgot Welcome Home. Julie is Genderfluid, Eddie is Gay, Poppy is Trans and Lesbian, and Frank is Non-Binary and Gay (not canon but confirmed by Clown Illustration). Everyone ships Eddie and Frank, some people ship Barnaby and Howdy, Wally and Howdy, Wally and Barnaby, Julie and Sally and Sally and Poppy Edit: I swear to god, if one more person replies that Welcome Home is not Muppets, I am gonna loose my mind. Watch the whole video

[@donnamitsuki281]

Aren't Eddie and Frank husbands? I heard Clown said they were actually husbands

[@kiplee-musicgirl23]

@@donnamitsuki281 I think they are. I checked the wiki and it say they are in a romantic relationship. But there is art of them wearing wedding rings and holding hands

[@cookimaus1]

But welcome home isnt muppets

[@Star.of.the.sh0w]

@@cookimaus1it technically is. Welcome home is about a fictional kids puppet show

[@kiplee-musicgirl23]

@@cookimaus1 They were mentioning other puppet mediums with queer characters and themes

[@RingoandCarlin]

In a way I kinda thought Gonzo was in a small way part elephant because his nose looked a little like a small bent trunk. I thought that when I saw the scene where Gonzo got his nose stuck in the elevator from The Great Muppet Caper.

[@twilight_sketches]

Thank you for the Muppet video!!! I absolutely love hearing Muppet related things and you doing video essays!!!! I can’t wait to see more!!! Amazing video bestie 💖💖💖 (ALSO IK WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT LABYRINTH 💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻)

[@ScarlettKatty]

I love seeing this type of stuff yknow. I love puppets, love queer stuff, I also love Gonzo. Purely chaotic neutral energy and it’s perfect. I just love nostalgia.

[@Mr.Foxtroting2008]

I've always loved puppeteer. So the Muppets have always resonated with me. I'm A Furry so I know exactly what it feels like to be different. Yet I still choose to be who I am. No matter what.

[@kermit_cito2701]

As a fan of the muppets and a hardcore Kermit fan I love this video so much ❤❤ you did a great job!

[@Rhinogradentian]

I was an outcast as a child in school, Gonzo sort of resonated with that side of me, being a nerd/geek/weirdo/outcast, and it's only gotten stronger. He's comfortable with being a bizarre weirdo-whatever, and I like to think I am now too.

[@kryskross9027]

My friends say I’m their gonzo and I always loved that but I really love it now 😭🩷

[@Rainbooming]

the avenue q mention in this video genuinely surprised me i cant express how much i love that musical and the silly puppets omg

[@Jay-qn5jx]

The other puppet callouts at the end cracked me up because I literally know almost all of them 😭😭😭😭

[@toyloliSpare]

The retcon of Muppets from space even makes sense. It came out among a string of movies like "Muppets in Oz, and Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets Xmas Carol" so there is plenty of precedence. But even then, if he was an alien so what? That just defines him as "Not like anything on earth" which doubles down on his gender, sexuality and everything not having to conform to human terms!

[@wriggleby]

LOVE this video, as a lifelong puppet superfan and also a big fan of Avenue Q and DHMIS this could have been made for me 🥰 Gonzo is probably my favourite character from anything ever!

[@cinnamonroll3028]

I love this video! I love Jim Henson! I can't. Gonzo is just my spirit animal. Growing up, I never knew about Gonzo being a whatever but I've always loved him. Being non-binary, I definitely connect with him so much. He is just a little man who doesn't need labels. Also. Red guy and the Duck should kiss. Absolutely was here for that ship.

[@LadyNekoshema]

Richard Hunt is one of my idols. He was an incredible person. There's a biography coming out soon called Funny Boy by Max Stein you should totally check out if you want to learn about his life.

[@LittleDreams9]

i really liked this video but i was a bit surprised that you didnt mention episode 6 of muppets mayhem, the whole thing with dr teeth and floyd felt really queer coded lol, like teeth just straight up says something like 'the universe just keeps bringing us together' still really loved this tho :^]

[@Rainbott]

I haven’t finished Muppets Mayhem, yet! I’ll have to watch that asap :>

[@TheCupidCreates]

Randy has also discussed his sexuality in shows before!! He's so cool !!! I got to see his show last year and he's so fun to chat with 💕

[@theshopislocal]

It makes me really happy to see that I'm not the only one who is gay and weird and way too into the muppets. Bless Richard Hunt

[@LinguaPhiliax]

I hear what you're saying about retconning Muppets from Space, and I think it's a fair choice. But just to play devil's advocate for a moment though, I think it would also have been interesting to see how Gonzo deals with previously not having a label, to suddenly having one now and how he navigates that. Does he continue rejecting it? Or does he embrace aspects of it? Is it a mix of both?

[@MrGabeanator]

Another thing about Bunsen and beaker in the 2015 muppet show when the muppets are singing in a karaoke bar they re singing I got you babe by sonny&cher so yeah

[@shellyvision9693]

Kinda feels odd to me to mention all other Richard Hunt characters but not talk about Janice. Like I guess she’s not overtly queercoded in any way but I dunno, I’m a trans woman and I’ve always felt weirdly seen when talking about her. Maybe it’s just because she’s my favorite, or maybe that’s why she’s my favorite, I dunno.

[@Rainbott]

Janice is one of my favorites! I didn’t hear about any queer coding for her character, hence her only being shown onscreen during that part, but I also glossed over some other Hunt characters I enjoy ^^

[@SoulSlugArts]

I do read janice as a trans women She just has deeper voice (maybe she doesn't feel a need to go on estrogen) None ever addressed that and just accepts her as a women Like good for her

[@RukoHanaji]

​@@Rainbott Janice WAS named for Janis Joplin, who was openly bisexual.

[@enter_eagle]

​@SoulSlugArts fwiw estrogen doesnt raise the pitch of amabs voices. just voice coaching does that. afabs on testosterone get their voices lower usually tho

[@SoulSlugArts]

@@enter_eagle I see didn't know that 👍 thanks

[@melasnexperience]

Haven't really seen a lot of representation of my orientation in the Muppets (maybe Rowlf & his "no fricks given" view to life), but Gonzo is definitely a whole agender mood.

[@colinneagle4495]

I'd add the puppet episode of Angel in the mix too as it combines the queer horror vibes with the campy queer comedy vibes.

[@DjFizzy-ye7fb]

i love the Muppet and Sesame Street i remember watch this when i was a kids and i still watch today. i really want to make a Oc from the Muppet but i don't know how. lo' oh and i love Gonzo he is the funny Muppet i ever seen

[@3dnygma]

Hi! I write music, love the Muppets and am currently studying ARGs for my Master's thesis 😎😍 shoutout to the KZbin algorithm for bringing me here, this is a great video!! I'd say my "speciality" is writing instrumental music (that could e.g. be used for video games) but I've also written a few songs in the past 😊 excited to watch more of ur vids

[@MollyDollyy774]

Wilkins Coffee, Avenue Q, The Muppets, Sesame Street, all great Puppet stuff, I love the Puppets they have, and we also get more Puppet fun from things like Welcome Home, DHMIS, and the Comedian Randy Feltface, I love the whole Puppet thing^^ ❤ 15:28 Lemon Demon is great, and Potter Puppet pals is sooooo funny~ 15:33 Omfg I wasn't expecting Rainbott to actually bring up Randy Feltface 16:52 And my Friendly Neighbourhood, that's an Interesting Game, My top 2 Puppet things are: Welcome Home and Randy Feltface

[@MollyFox-gs3sl]

Excellent randy felt face clip! I quote blue means sharks in it all the time

[@keepsakecube]

There’s also the queer puppet horror arg. I can’t remember the name of it, but the creator said there was lesbian theming behind it.

[@bridgetcooney5085]

As a queer person I also have always strongly related to The Muppets. Even before I realized I was queer. I was always an outsider, the weird kid at Catholic school. Literally punished by teachers for not fitting in. Made fun of for being goth, when my sheltered ass hadn't even heard of goth. They were right btw. Once I got accused of it, I looked into in and quickly actually became a goth lol. And all the while absolutely adored these felt little weirdos, who did weird things because they loved it, and we're just being themselves.

[@DaisyPusher]

I knew from your hair Gonzo might be your favorite 😅 💙. Awesome content! Thanks

[@Gluestickthealien]

As a queer person that really loves puppets I love this

[@webby3109]

I knew Bert and Ernie were gay lovers!!! Nobody can ever tell me otherwise!!! They may be asexual and romantic in a completely different way than beaker and honeydew are, but I can see it, it’s there.

[@Lampthedestroyer]

Gonzo is my spirit animal ❤️✨

[@nomatophobia]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO NOW I HAVE SO MANY MORE PUPPET MEDIAS TO WATCH

[@cactusbuds2979]

Knowing there is a Elton John is enough for me to classify the muppets as queer haha

[@BaggsOrSomething]

Bro i've been waiting for this video since 09

[@aidanelizabeth]

This is truly some amazing work!! I loved getting to see how you expanded upon my video and you brought up so many topics I've yet to think about! The stuff you said about discovering your nonbinary identity really resonated with me. I think I'm in a simular boat when it come to WHY I see so much of myself in Gonzo, and it's amazing to see how we as queer people are able to find comfort in things that weren't necessarily intentionally created for us. I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@TheThunderRabbit]

That was soo funn! I really enjoyed how you opened up about some other stuff as well in it-

[@ANerdWithAPen]

Holy Sh- I loved this video If you ever get around to seeing it The welcome home/Muppets Fandom made an Zine ( Book of Fanrt centered around the muppets) that was around Richard hunt I always wanna say that omg I would love to help u make music for this , and I've made a puppet show too , it's called TangleWood! ❤❤❤❤

[@bella_daze3092]

Welcome Home my beloved

[@KishySou1597]

Wow this was amazing, I’ve never personally been a fan of the muppets but your analysis and explanation was really explanatory and you really know your stuff, you just found yourself a new subscriber 🎊

[@aidennevada243]

I don't like puppets, but I like Gonzo being a whatever.

[@0622Sheena]

4:05 - tell about bunsen and beaker darling

[@TheThunderRabbit]

Yesss! I am soo hyped!!! This'll be a good one.

[@radicalpasta7040]

Randy feltface is definitely related to the topic of queer puppets. Im pretty sure Randy is queer. In a special a while back (I think the roadtrip one) he called himself polysexual but I think in his most recent show (Feltopia) he says he is pansexual. He also mentions having crushes on guys when he was young in the Purple Privilege special.

[@Wince_Media]

I do wanna say you could try learning blender to make 3d animated puppets (and by puppet i mean muppet not the animation term). That's how Kevin Temmer Tunes (lead animator on digital circus) learned how to animate in 3d. Puppets are relatively easy to animate compared to other things

[@Emipie]

Great video! I am making a ttrpg based on the muppets it's so inspiring!

[@tamsuemomwife]

0:22 MUPPETS AND THE QUEER HAVE HISTORY?!?! Hun, neat

[@daysoftheboo]

Gonzo is a weirdo that's his species, it was explained in Muppet Babies which is awesome because I'm a weirdo too 😊

[@k.h.production22669]

I don't think enough people talk about Pepe King Prawn, who, when faced with the question, "Are you a boy or girl?" Responded with 'I'm flexible." Other notable lines of his are "What? Gender is fluid" and actively hitting on men, especially in interviews

[@horrortheater3172]

Cool video and I got a new short to watch. Thank you

[@G00fy_W3r1do]

I love your videos, Rainbott ^^

[@tastyeyes7]

Yippee 🎉 ^^

[@VincentPuppet]

AAAAAAAA sorry i screamed when you started talking about Avneue Q /vpos

[@user-cx7kz7iq7u]

Lovely video, rainbott! I loved all the talk about Richard hunt, he’s actually one of my heroes! I learned some facts about him I didn’t already know somehow I love all the depth in his characters and all their gay little quirks. (Weirdly enough, I’m completely straight. …Am I the only straight gen z-er who’s hyperfixation is the muppets???)

[@user-dl1fw6ln8f]

Loved this video friend!!!! Very informative and entertaining! 😊

[@DoItWithGUSTO]

In the ABC muppets sitcom, Pepe the Prawn calls Josh Groban hot, then after he gets funny looks from everyone, he says "what! Hes a handsome man and gender is fluid!" Great video btw!!

[@Jorno_arts]

happy to see randy in the bunch, excelent video

[@space-age-bachelorman]

amazing video as always rainbott :)) also love that you mentioned randy feltface,, i love him lmaoo

[@Randomwolf176]

I'm excited:D

[@Ar_cadez]

oh lord you really released this during my muppets hyperfix i am SO excited

[@user-cx7kz7iq7u]

I know!! I’m also currently going through a muppet hyperfixation for the first time since I was like 6 what are the odds

[@agentadvocate]

For real though; I cried for the gay boat oars lol. Puppet History is phenomenal.

[@Individualthatisabsorbant]

Hold on, is Randy Feltface's puppeteer the voice of Bingo??

[@Whooterzoot]

This video combines all two of my interests

[@the.axolotlgirl]

12:07 okay that dress slays

[@merrialicehobbs5344]

Have you ever checked out Welcome Home? I have a feeling you'd love it

[@jaidenfrench6744]

Welcome home already provided you can make a successful puppet horror series with out us even seeing the puppets, so you could just make it now.

[@rinina]

I fucking love gay puppets. If any of u are looking for a recommendation for fun puppet shows plss check out 31 minutos! It's in spanish but all of s1 is subtitled and lots of other episodes are subtitled too! I recommend watching s2 ep 12 to get an actual feel of what the show is like, s1 is p good but vastly different from what the show ends up being lol

[@foxshorts]

Gonzo is definitely bi and confused about his sexuality, cause he both chases Mrs. Piggy at times but also acts gay

[@sillyguyfred]

I know that there are so many muppets that it's hard to include all of the ones with queercoding, but I would love to see your take on the Electric Mayhem, especially now after they got their own show and their backstories were expanded on.

[@CawfeeCakes]

I don’t know if you talk about doctor teeth and floyd pepper, particularly the muppets mayhem “fortunate son” in this video, but personally that episode felt like a gay love story to me, and i treasure it.

[@moxxiepeppino]

Oh shoot i was just thinking about the muppets

[@trubb225]

imma be real I legit expected you to say "queermet the frog" at the start of the video.

[@danielgudinojuarez6729]

Love this vid 🥰🥰🥰

[@kocsis1952]

dear rainbott, i never wachted the muppets but the moment i heard that they are gay, my jaw dropped to the floor. i mean gay puppets, gay puppets, i now a lot about puppets, but i didn’t now they can be gay.

[@Catz_idk]

THEY TURNED THE FRIGGIN MUPPETS GAE!

[@JAYZ-47465]

RAINBOTT MAKES A VIDEO ON *THE* MUPPETS?!?! LETS FACKING GOOOOOOOOOOOO‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@Mr.SilverSmile]

HM, nice. Muppets are cool.👌👌👌

[@Nintessa657]

I needed this

[@Devil_box779]

Rain you need to make a song about gay puppets😳❤️🧡💛💚🩵💜

[@amethystuniverse6382]

Rainbott I just wanted to tell you something that I have learned today did you know that there is a nother night light specifically ruffrunner

[@jordangallegos]

delivered, as always

[@pinkieglitterheart]

amazing!

[@gh0ul_tears]

12:21 HI. First off the my friendly neighborhood mention later on made me ridiculously happy I love that game so much But as a queer person(agender lesbian to be specific) can i add one to this list that I’m convinced basically only applies to me because nobody I talk to has heard of this thing but that I will still jump at the chance to talk about and raise you the comic Survival Street It’s a pretty short (all 4 issues combined are about 120 pages iirc) Sesame Street satire and it has consumed my every waking moment for several months now one of the main characters uses they/them pronouns and Birdie(the character in my pfp) is very heavily implied to have been in a relationship with another character, Irma, in the past Anyways mini ramble over, great video!!! I love hearing people talk abt puppets ^^