Bear on "The Donny and Marie Show"

[@owenleal]

Bear was the most underrated muppet character on television. Such a warm and genuine presence, like a favourite relative. Noel McNeal's voice and mastery of the puppet gave it a real sense of life and personality which I believe is missing from 90% of Bear's contemporaries. Barney the Dinosaur could never.

[@jamesporter571]

well good news, the show is now on Disney+ to reach a new generation of fans!

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@jamesporter571 Mr. Bear told Barney to shut up.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@jamesporter571 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@leannaboyle6836 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@UnicornFairy42 I don't think so. But I did see Bear when I was at daycare many years ago and I recognized his voice from another show called Eureeka's Castle where Noel MacNeal was a dragon named Magellan

[@robertreid1579]

I love Bear. He always makes me feel happy whenever I have a bad day.

[@martinkreps9946]

Same!

[@sarahsperr3341]

I feel the same way

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@sarahsperr3341 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@sketchnotes2246]

Same here!

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@sketchnotes2246 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@Psych0gmr]

It so amazing to see how well the puppeteer can move in that costume. They truly gave bear life that is rare.

[@MajorazMasta]

The sheer amount of engineering, puppeteering, and multitasking skill that must've gone into pulling off a performance like this so seamlessly is mindblowing. You've got the singing, the dancing, and the head with the mouth and eyebrows all moving at the same time as both arms; I still can't fathom how this was even done. I thought for sure when I saw the basket that that arm would stay static whilst the real left arm operated the head, but was dumbfounded when I saw it all moving at once, this is incredibly impressive.

[@c1assyindividual815]

The left arm has a human arm in it and the right arm does not just so you know

[@MajorazMasta]

Both arms still move independently from one another, see 3:00, 3:10, 3:48, must've been some feat of engineering to pull that off.

[@c1assyindividual815]

But if you notice his right arm never completely leaves his side it just kind of moves from side to side.

[@andreakae4211]

MajorazMasta I read that basically the right arm is always doing the opposite of the left arm because one of the puppeteers arms is in the face and one arm is in one of the bear arms. It's crazy what they were able to do. I love this bear.

[@JimmyM.McGill]

He explained before in an interview that theres a string running from the left hand to the right hand so that it counters what his left hand does

[@smol_Moogee]

"you smell like mistletoe" so smooth Bear, so smooth

[@aualga]

I don't even think mistletoe smells like anything?

[@ryanbearse8831]

January 2011

[@randallulrich]

Bear: "You smell like mistletoe." Also Bear: "You, on the other hand, smell like unwashed feet."

[@williamburke8242]

Moogee, my dad and I have the same color circle like yours!

[@jupiter9099]

Jim Henson's mindset/view on puppetry was one of the most magical things to happen to entertainment.

[@Mishy82193]

Bear is so adorable! i miss my childhood so much!

[@DeeTomm]

I know, right? He was amazing! I also loved Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE!

[@NMarsden]

Michelle O no longer miss our favorite childhood shows! We still watch them

[@ShockMe1994]

Nicole & Powerline Leurinda I think they mean watching new episodes

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@NMarsden Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@NMarsden]

@@UnicornFairy42 Not yet, but I will soon!

[@writingislife]

I couldn't stop smiling the entire time I was watching this, I loved watching Bear when I was younger. I'm 31 and plan on rewatching it asap

[@joshmontemayor1212]

Now that the show's on Disney+, I bet that everyone is subscribing to the service to relive all the awesome memories.

[@joeytandy772]

I wanna hug the bear, the only mascot that I am not afraid of :D

[@ruairidonnelly8394]

If ur talking about barney we're all scared of him

[@MrBikajo]

Shotgun Squirtle yeah at least he's cool.

[@foxteen8721]

+Joe Tandy I love Bear too. He's warm, he's gentle and he has the heart of a fireplace.

[@Sid3300]

Bear is the only Mascot I would go near

[@ryanbearse8831]

Playhouse Disney

[@ddrlear]

I don't know how Noel MacNeal managed to do the bear cha cha cha without any audible signs of breathing heavy or anything on his mic. Dude is amazing!

[@PacGuy765]

He has obviously had years of experience inside that suit

[@ddrlear]

@@PacGuy765 No doubt. I worked as a Looney Tune performer as Six Flags for 12 years, and it was very easy to get out of breath from dancing and going all out.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@PacGuy765 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@ddrlear Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@AgentExeider]

How you address that is a pop filter and the mic boom actually aligning to the side of your mouth not in front of it. that makes a mic pick up the sound of breathing is the pressure difference pressed against the mic pick up. having a pop filter eliminates about 80-90% of that difference, and aligning the mic boom along the face just behind the mouth eliminates the rest, and the sound of breathing IN. Now granted, Noel was very gifted and you do learn to breath different when operating the suit, so being fit also helps.

[@awesomeninja9178]

I met Noel MacNeal who does bear and he was a nice guy and we sang the goodbye song and the big blue house song! he also did between the lions

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

That's right, he replaced Anthony Asbury as the voice of Lionel.

[@ryanbearse8831]

@@marvinthemaniac7698 Noel did?

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@ryanbearse8831 yes

[@kippip9657]

Oh my gosh, I love Bear so much. And Noel too of course. He has such a unique voice and he is so heartwarming :)

[@AlexanderEntertainment]

I really like Bear! I agree with what you said. He has an AMAZING voice, he's a heartwarming character, and he's a bear. Who cannot like the fact that he's a bear?! It's too bad that Luna's voice actress died though. :(

[@ethancaudill2617]

I am a bear fan too

[@cherrybombwaffles518]

i used to have a huge stuffed bear when i was very little.

[@SCGLE2025]

Yeah I love the Bear too. He so beautiful 😍 and he is the best

[@themysteriouslifeofvic419]

Bear is so wholesome on so many levels Just wanna give him a huge hug

[@arcticflower7223]

He kind of harassed Marie. I'm not trying to be negative but I just thought it was ironic.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@arcticflower7223 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@SeanTheDisneyGuy]

Same! And I also wanna Hug Ojo, Treelo, Pip, Pop, and Tutter too!

[@cbjgirl23]

I need that stuffed bear, now. Even as a 18 year old

[@ryanbearse8831]

WGBH/PBS

[@starcasmlove]

i have one and it’s my most prized possession

[@Thatanoguy]

1:18 I swear, every time he does the sniffing thing it brings me joy.

[@ulississandoval1314]

1:18 I swear, something smells good for bear.

[@Mr.Derogatory316]

Like a REAL Bear and Doggy would do

[@willscottsmith8360]

This guy was so much better than Barney!

[@SleveMcDichael_1]

You kidding me? Barney was a dinosaur? Dinosaurs are infinitely cooler than bears. A dinosaur could kill a bear with its bare hands you coward!

[@CrispySkinwalker]

DOK 96 Dinosaurs died, at least bears are still relevant

[@SleveMcDichael_1]

Timber Husky oh timber husky you sly dog... You have fought dirty but you have won. Much like a bear

[@nathanieltheoneandonly5933]

William Smith Barney scared me

[@LunaKittyfox]

Will Scott Smith I preferred Bear over Barney when I was little

[@dr.smurpf6979]

I was a huge fan of Bear, had I saw this as a kid I've would have lost my mind

[@ErnieWonk]

Im going on strike to bring bear back ... BRING BeAR BACK! BRING BEAR BACK! Love this show :)

[@marcferrer1442]

Bear is one heck of a ladies' man!

[@jamesogrady6612]

Ragna The Bloodedge Never had a change Parents sent me to all boys High School. Don't blame parents it was free my Dad was the Football Coach

[@ryanbearse8831]

Noel MacNeal

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

But he's not a man.

[@brandonhill1751]

You mean a ladies bear

[@ryanbearse8831]

@@brandonhill1751 Exactactly!

[@SuperMarioJustin4]

Wow, looking back at it. His voice is one of the most calming and relaxing things I've ever heard. Update: THAT’S THE PUPPETEER’S ACTUAL VOICE?!

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

He appealed to children with autism apparently.

[@dubansotorockstar9667]

@@marvinthemaniac7698 b

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@marvinthemaniac7698 Barney was never intended for kids with autism because of his nature of being in someone's face all the time and teaching things that these children find complicated such as imagination and socialization. Not to mention the sensory overload caused by his constant hugs! Things like that can induce meltdowns.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@leannaboyle6836 we weren't talking about Barney, but you make a good point about him. Barney's world/personality can be too much for children on the spectrum.

[@leannaboyle6836]

@@marvinthemaniac7698 Mr. Bear is a much better role model for kids anyway.

[@joshmontemayor1212]

Bear in the Big Blue House was my childhood Disney show back in the day.

[@PacGuy765]

I believe the full collection is on Disney+ these days

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@PacGuy765 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@devildogwhite]

I loved Bear in the Big Blue House. It was such a great show with so much imagination. I hope kids today have something just as good to watch.

[@taurinecat]

Bear is now streaming on Disney+, so kids can watch it right now.

[@joshuajohnson2216]

The Bear Cha-cha-cha is gotta be my favourite 😊

[@joelreichenbach5466]

I am just watching Bear move and trying to wrap my brain around it. I am still in awe of how much mobility he has

[@121071b]

Jim Henson puppets just feel so real. You really forget that its a puppet its really impressive

[@RoryKatherin03]

Damn, I saw him jump in that! It still impresses me that Noel has never fallen in that costume, and I wish that was on when I was little cause I needed that tutorial

[@czikkanhardt4750]

"...and sell it to the cheap seats." Hahahaha! Bear rules.

[@MissFaryl]

The cheers from the crowd, bear is so beloved ❤️

[@LordHydreigon]

I introduced Bear in the Big Blue House to my niece recently, she loves it

[@Valentina-ng4hh]

I absolutely loved this bear when I was a kid. Such a calming voice and such a sweet genuine personality

[@markstoyreviews6641]

i watched this in December last year

[@aurellacostantini]

I love watching this video!! It brings back memories of watching Big Bear on Playhouse Disney!! 😃😃

[@SankaJonesCreations]

This is funny, heartwarmng, and nostalgic all at once ;w;

[@pain17ification_Ray_Smith]

This was so good! We miss you, Bear!

[@BrocktonLazarus3397]

I love Bear in the Big Blue House!

[@charlespacheco2806]

Me 2

[@soundwavegamer2321]

Jesus Christ my emotions watching this I remember watching Bear in the Big Blue House. Hell we even had a Video Tape of the series god that was a time to be alive god I’m old and god are today’s little kids missing out on good tv.

[@Louisianish]

The ease with which Noel MacNeal was able to move in that giant bear costume was always so impressive to me. I’m no puppeteer, but I feel like "The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha" is a great example of MacNeal’s exceptional skills in puppeteering.

[@michaelnally4872]

watching this i feel like a child again i loved bear in the big blue house

[@NLEFilmStudios]

The ingenuity is phenomenal of this suit and puppet. The guy is jumping and dancing in that tank of a suit too, just wow

[@RoseBudpony1]

this’s the first i’ve seen him out the house i love his wide eyed face & sniffling, the sniffling was funny.

[@leannaboyle6836]

Mr. Bear really shut Barney down! Kids and parents alike loved him and didn't find his voice to be obnoxious. In fact it was warm and sweet.

[@Yugiohfans11]

I remember reading a woman saying Bear was the kind of man any woman would love to date; kind, cooks, cleans, good with kids.

[@jackforde4883]

I honestly wish bear was real. He would be such an awesome friend to have

[@martinkreps9946]

Bear: Wait a minute. (sniffing) What's that smell? Hmm... It's you, Marie! (sniffs) Ooh... you smell like... *mistletoe...* 😏

[@ryanbearse8831]

Noel MacNeal

[@dylanmcfarland8356]

That classic running gag when Noel fakes out the TV screen smells of… something…

[@yvonnesydnor2533]

I thought bear was going to sniff the camera

[@dylanmcfarland8356]

@@yvonnesydnor2533 Wrong, sir, wrong. Well, not on the Disney Channel.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@ryanbearse8831 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@JaydenJaguarKingOfTheJungle]

Hey Bear is on Disney plus now

[@amandanies3174]

Who else had warm fuzzies when Bear started sniffing around?

[@tylerjohnson990]

Ermagurd, Bear is my favorite of all the Muppets. He's such a sweetheart.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

Bear was so much better than Barney, not to mention his show was one of the only programs on the Disney Channel I genuinely liked as a child.

[@leannaboyle6836]

He gave Barney a rude awakening.

[@agentnintendonate1thee2tan89]

I bet Thomas was trying not to laugh when he heard about that.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@leannaboyle6836 definitely! Parents weren't annoyed by Bear at all.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@agentnintendonate1thee2tan89 Thomas who?

[@agentnintendonate1thee2tan89]

Thomas the Tank Engine. When he heard Barney was given a rude awakening from Bear, he'd been trying so hard not to laugh, his boiler would probably burst!

[@xavierdallenmusicuniverse6304]

Bear is so cute

[@KimCamba]

aww i miss Bear's show :"(

[@prowolf633]

Bear in the Big Blue House deserves a revival! (As does Playhouse Disney!)

[@aqua_teen_hunger_force6810]

If this isn't the most precious Muppet in existence, I don't know who is.

[@mackenziefritz1229]

omg i miss bear in the big blue house so so so so so so so much it was my favorite show when i was a little girl

[@omgitsdp4581]

After watching the documentary, Im just glad Big Bear never got the same kind of hate that Barney got

[@UnicornFairy42]

@OMG It’s DP Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@omgitsdp4581]

@@UnicornFairy42 nah, I havent. Please inform me on it 🙂

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@omgitsdp4581 Well, my curious KZbinr, Animal Jam is a television show produced by the Jim Henson Company in 2003. The show is a wild, music-driven, live-action dance show designed to be "interactive," and encourages viewers to get up and dance along with the characters. The show is hosted by Muppet characters Edi and Waffle. The show premiered on the TLC Network on February 24, 2003, and then moved to the Discovery Kids channel on March 3rd of the same year. Thirty episodes were produced, and several have been released on DVD. The show also aired on Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Australia. Format Animal Jam uses real-life kids and puppet characters to teach movement and physical skills. Animal Jam hosts, Edi and Waffle, speak directly to the viewers at home and gets them physical active. The episodes consist of several physical themes including walking, flexibility, personal space, balance, jumping, marching, and physical expression. Each episodes has original songs followed by real animal footage that inspire dances and recurring games songs that viewers must follow along.

[@omgitsdp4581]

@@UnicornFairy42 Dang, Thank you for the synopsis, my informative KZbinr! I'll admit, I didnt expect such a long one, but nonetheless, a good read. Toddler Me would've absolutely LOVED this show!! 😄

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@omgitsdp4581 My pleasure 😇

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

Bear In The Big Blue House was one of the only shows I genuinely liked on Playhouse Disney.

[@leannaboyle6836]

It's now called Disney Junior

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@leannaboyle6836 I knew that

[@ObjectTVOfficial]

Little Einteins?

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@ObjectTVOfficial I've never seen that one.

[@Smalkus]

Bear's so cool

[@SKYREAPER30]

My childhood damn I didn't realize it was around the late 90s when bear in the big blue house got started I thought it was like early 2000s fuck I'm getting old.

[@SKYREAPER30]

Sorry this took so long but 26 now I was like 8 years old then.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@SKYREAPER30 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@800aspects2]

This gives me life

[@zacksaulness]

Boy what I pay to bring the popularity of bear back to life

[@chantaethomas1109]

Aww. So much for the guest appearance out by that time being that too. 😆😆

[@nathanbyberg]

Love the Bear Cha Cha Cha!

[@ofearghailthefearless6481]

The Jim Henson Company are simply THE BEST in puppetry production and puppet acting! This is amazing!

[@rebeccamichael626]

Makes sense considering how many shows/movies they've made, and how well they were made.

[@Thatdudejosh9]

God this makes me so happy seeing this 😊

[@daisyrabbit8154]

Yay ! We Love You, Bear !

[@macartneygriffey2519]

Whenever I’ve Hit A Rough Chapter In Life,A Trip To The Big Blue House And A Hug From Bear Is Always Sure To Lift My Spirts!!🐻🏡🌝

[@zunir0a]

This bear is a national treasure

[@toony5874]

I want a hug from Bear aww

[@deeher2967]

I'm 30 years old watching this and smiling like I'm 5 ...wow ..... Man I miss those days 😩😩😩

[@notinuse1884]

I love that bear, i want to see it once in my life.

[@picks_1993]

0:27 Top of my bucket list: Hug Bear

[@MJMYouTuber]

0:12 Awesome entrance!

[@debrarahman8374]

I love bear in the big Blue house

[@taurinecat]

I agree that it's awesome he did it live. I guess they wanted it to be more interactive? Anyway, Bear is awesome.

[@ryanbearse8831]

WGBH Boston/PBS

[@stephensalloum7763]

I love Bear In The Big Blue House That moment Is Memorable

[@carolinelynn4994]

Bear Rocks.

[@singlecellll]

When bear starts-a sniffin, you cant stop him.

[@Boomblast57]

I remember watching Bear when I was little and I genuinely think along with the muppets that he is what gave me my love of puppets and puppet performers like Noel x

[@planetbloptogon133]

I loved bear. Man, what memories I)

[@NintendoTV64]

Marvel: Infinity War is the most ambitious crossover in history. Me:

[@theshamedarcher551]

The rizz master himself!! As soon as he drops that cha cha cha real smooth.

[@ShybutFunGal1234]

Thumbs up if you ever wanted to hug Bear soooooooo bad!!

[@TheCreepyPastaMaster]

Fuckin nostalgia

[@MrBikajo]

Yeah I gotta admit, when I was a kid, this was one of cutier shows than the other shows on Playhouse Disney than the other interesting old shows.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I like the way this show has the osmond siblings of Donny and Marie they’ve got children as of now and they’re both in their 60s as of today

[@StridentCorn90]

Till this day I still can't figure out the Bear is able to move both arms and get facial expressions at the same time. Classic puppeteering.

[@taurinecat]

It's a simple invisible wire running from one arm to the other, attached under the chin. Look up how Big Bird is operated. But it takes a skilled performer to give it real life.

[@c1assyindividual815]

So his right arm has a string that runs through to the other hand or something like that so it at least moves left but I don't know how the eye brows work. Probably just strings the puppeteer pulls on in Bear's snout or something. Either way I refuse to fully believe bear is just a giant puppet.

[@taurinecat]

Noel MacNeal is right-handed, as are most puppeteers (and people in general). So his right hand is operating Bear's head and mouth movements. His left hand is Bear's left hand. I don't know for sure, but I think the eyebrows likely are done with a small pulley within the head. Something he could use one finger to operate. It's a little mind boggling to think of everything a good puppeteer has to do and think about at once.

[@taurinecat]

Here is an article about Big Bird: www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/beneath-the-feathers-the-man-who-gives-wing-to-big-bird/article18187405/

[@susansimms6867]

StridentCorn90 

[@sarahmcmann5253]

Bear is so sweet

[@cman1512]

i wish i was there so i can get all those bear in the big blue house videos

[@HauntFreak13]

He’s so stinkin cute

[@PixarMan2001]

He didn't say it was from Columbia TriStar Home Video (probably because of Disney rights).

[@MrBikajo]

Its made fron Jim Henson if you're changing your false statement to true.

[@PixarMan2001]

jonathan chicco oh yeah. Columbia was just Jim Henson's distributor at the time.

[@luvmocha14]

he's so awesome :DD

[@tdickensheets]

I miss this bear!

[@katiefullmer9180]

My six-year-old self is screaming of excitement!!

[@queenandcorgis]

I loved bear!

[@BrocktonLazarus3397]

What's that smell? Don't look at me baby!

[@ryanbearse8831]

Walt Disney Television/Playhouse Disney

[@stingraykersey3249]

Rest in peace Luna

[@ryanbearse8831]

Lynne Thigpen voiced the moon named Luna.

[@UnicornFairy42]

@@ryanbearse8831 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

[@torigarcia7632]

Welcome to the Blue House, New Friends! This Show Is Now On Disney Plus! That’s Good News!

[@syleeadventures]

my childhood favourite :')

[@rosettamcbride]

i LOVE Bear in the Big Blue House

[@SuperGamewarrior101]

You know, I've wondered if someday Bear in the Big Blue House would visit Sesame Street

[@RubyRedFire]

Yes! I’d LOVE that.

[@liammurphy3593]

Didn’t they team up in We Are Family!

[@SuperGamewarrior101]

@@liammurphy3593 I don't know cause I've never seen it

[@Blossom44100]

I miss that bear!

[@tempporary9914]

"And then you spread your legs...and sell 'em to the cheap seats" Lol, what?! 🤣

[@steven.q]

He doesn't need autotune to have an absolute bop