My Top Ten Muppet Commercial Characters

Welcome to the wonderfully twisted world of Muppet commercials, where refusing a certain brand of coffee could result in some major slapstick. It's Jim Henson at his most hilariously cynical!

[@gojizard704]

"Rolf was perfect from the start" Couldnt have said it better myself colin

[@guthriebarrett]

isnt it spelled Rowlf

[@TerrickTerran]

@@guthriebarrett yes

[@guthriebarrett]

"You can see why Muppet's warm, gentle humor has endeared them to children of all ages." "Looks like a bunch of sickos if you ask me."

[@c.eb.1216]

Sam the Eagle 🦅, is that you?!

[@QuietM4n]

Wilkins and wontkins ads would be wildly effective on KZbin. They’re the perfect length

[@pgj1997]

The only ads you _wouldn't_ want to skip.

[@christopherwall2121]

The Defunctland series on Jim Henson did it's sponsorship plugs in the style of his commercials.

[@cimengngialah2735]

But since the platform is very sensitive, I highly doubt that would happen

[@wilkinsandwonkinsandmore1308]

My fav commercials from the 50s 60s

[@bensakschek615]

I've seen their commercials. They're really funny.

[@christopherwall2121]

Here's another fun fact: Jim Henson actually did not care for coffee at all, so the Wilkins ads and their successors were sort of like a game to him, think of what it would take him to consider drinking coffee. As it turns out, a hell of a lot.

[@ForrestFox626]

I can see where Jim is coming from

[@WxIxLxLxIxAxMxS]

Did he not know you could add milk and sugar?

[@christopherwall2121]

@@WxIxLxLxIxAxMxS that doesn't help

[@WxIxLxLxIxAxMxS]

@@christopherwall2121 helps me~ I can't drink coffee alone, but with cream or milk and sugar it's great! ....tho I'd *eat* coffee straight from the can if Wilkins told me to. 😨

[@mogensschmidt2498]

HUH I DONT LIKE COFEE EIGHTER

[@theluckiesteh9058]

Imagine Starbucks doing ads in the style of the Wilkins ads that features the siren in the logo killing either a sailor or a fishermen if they don't try their new latte.... Maybe they can try that for their 50th anniversary this year.

[@AnimeGames16]

Oh man yes! There’s no way commercials like these would ever fly in today’s day and age, which just makes them even more special.

[@legaltonyMendoza]

@@AnimeGames16 i would take old school wilkins and wontkins other than raid shadow legends commercials. I wanna see more episodes of wilkins and wontkins that aren’t just copies of original ads.

[@AnimeGames16]

@@legaltonyMendoza Oh for sure LOL!

[@Acucido]

And she would swim in a sea of Starbucks coffee.

[@GhostW1thTheMost]

"Hey! have you tried out our pumpkin spice latte? its only available this season!" "It costs too much." *proceeds to eat the sailor alive* "Thats just the cost of quality!"

[@AnimeGames16]

Fun fact: Delbert was the only full body character that Frank Oz ever did (Jim Henson did the voice, of course). He hated it so much that he never did a full body character again, hence why he declined Jon Stone’s offer to perform Big Bird.

[@gord.w.p]

He did Thig in the Great Santa Claus Switch as well

[@AnimeGames16]

Oh yeah that's right! Forgot about that.

[@TerrickTerran]

probably for the best......Caroll was just right for that role.

[@AnimeGames16]

@@TerrickTerran Absolutely! Jim and Frank decided they wanted a third puppeteer anyway to do Sesame full time while they did other things and come in part time to do things like Bert and Ernie's sketches. Big Bird and Oscar were and still are the embodiment of Caroll as a person and I can't believe we're nearing the second anniversary of his passing. :(

[@tristanbray2184]

@@gord.w.p And Splurge.

[@catvoncrimson666]

14:59 actually in one of the commercials, he admits to us that “he really does like Wilkins coffee.” But unknown to him, Wilkins was eavesdropping.

[@skunkbrains5656]

there's also evidence of him only liking it when it's NOT coffee, just pure powder and grounds.

[@anthonyvelasco5288]

@@skunkbrains5656 he also really likes franks ginger ale

[@MovieFan1912]

“Did you call?”

[@catvoncrimson666]

@@skunkbrains5656yeah. I remember that.

[@thatswhatshesaid2777]

@@MovieFan1912 Wontkins: "Auh."

[@SailorMaxie]

The funny thing (to me at least) about the Flying A promotional film was that Esso was actually the name of a competing gas station that would later become Exxon

[@nicholassims9837]

Could you imagine if the Wilkerson coffe puppets appeared in a New Muppet movie as cameos

[@rogspuppetshow1892]

Id love that lol

[@fauqiyyachannel8490]

Ikr

[@mightyfilm]

First off, love the parody Wilkins bits you did here. I also recently discovered some 90's Jim Henson Creature Shop made Japanese commercial for Nissan Cup Noodles featuring a family of Cavepeople trying to get food with disastrous results. They seem like spiritual successors to these old Jim Henson commercials in tone and humor. I remember reading about them in a Creature Shop book, and so far they're some of the only foreign JHCS made ads I've been able to find. There's some Italian pancake product that they had singing animals that I'd love to find, but I can't remember the name of the product.

[@mlgodzilla4206]

Is that the commercials that has one involving a megatherium eating their food?

[@thatswhatshesaid2777]

Actually, I think that was stop motion and it was the Chiodo Brothers, not Jim Henson Creature shop.

[@mightyfilm]

@@thatswhatshesaid2777 It was listed in a book about the Jim Henson creature Shop with photos. And here's the ad in question. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKbOmKxjd9Kor5o And no. There's no way those were stop motion. They're clearly puppet suits filmed and sped up.

[@PlatinumRoseLady]

Re: The antics of Delbert the Dragon: As a wise person once said "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and tasty with ketchup."

[@sweetjoey2]

so it was jim who started that catchphrase figures

[@PlatinumRoseLady]

@@sweetjoey2 Oh I don't think that's right. I don't know who came up with it,tbh.

[@enlongjones2394]

“For you are as crunchy and good as the take-out kind”

[@55twintv39]

Time stamp: 1:45 Tommy and Fred 3:43 Sneegle, Billy and Sue 5:37 ESSO 7:19 Mack 8:35 Sir Lintent 9:13 Arnold 9:47 The Mirinda Craver 10:56 Rowlf and Baskerville 12:52 Delbert the La Choy Dragon 14:10 Wilkins and Wontkins

[@elmasterdezoologia6641]

It's Sir Linit

[@ritaandrunt5767]

Love how Arnold was a prototype for cookie monster also thanks for doing a countdown of the favorite characters from these various jim Henson advertisements keep up these amazingly well done muppet documentaries

[@georgerobertson7010]

Sir linit’s face reminds me of Ernie

[@ritaandrunt5767]

@@georgerobertson7010 yeah he does have a very similar facial design to erines

[@georgerobertson7010]

@@ritaandrunt5767 and he sounds like him too but then again he was played by Jim Henson

[@ritaandrunt5767]

@@georgerobertson7010 yeah it goes to show you how talented he was

[@ritaandrunt5767]

@@georgerobertson7010 his legacy will never be forgotten

[@maxordman4100]

Wow that’s amazing! These commercials are very classic! I love that this led into revealing the origins of Rowlf! He’s a fantastic muppet character and truly adorable!

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Excellent video! I love how quick and snappy Muppet ads are, it's a huge credit to Jim and co that they could convey so much personality in only a few seconds. Sir Linit and Delbert are probably my favorites (although I can't blame Frank Oz for never wanting to perform a full body Muppet ever again). I also love the pitch films they made for networks and IBM; there's a really surreal one of Rowlf carrying a typewriter upstairs, and I have to wonder if Jim had been watching a lot of French cinema during that time period lol

[@christopherwall2121]

If you've seen _Time Piece_ or _The Cube_ , you can see more of that side of Jim Henson.

[@scoopishere7881]

The commercial where Wontkins is mercilessly killed via electric chair by a calm and collected Wilkins is my favorite commercial of any kind ever.

[@samweaver9109]

My favorite of the coffee commercials is an exception to the violence "rule". "We're never getting rid of that car."

[@evantheplushguy5588]

7:25 is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen

[@rbfloat]

Whenever I see Munchos in a gas station, I think of Jim Henson's commercials.

[@newbiegamelover4767]

I think my favorite of the Wilkins and Wontkins commercials was the one that begins with Wontkins saying "Ol' man Donevin (or something like that) hired me to advertise his crummy coffee," which prompted a hand to light him on fire and Wilkins to reply "I think he just fired you, too."

[@tysargent9647]

Old Man Donovan. That was an ad for Red Diamond Coffee.

[@weirdproq]

That bit at the end was hilarious. Thanks for the wonderful video.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Also, that American Express Jim made in the 70s is really cute.

[@jamesbevan9939]

I really love your parody Wilkins commercial animatics

[@SuperCosmicMutantSquid]

....bro. That intro. I should be shocked but given the tone of the commercials, yeah. It fits. 9:43- ....awwww. 10:42 Okay, THAT is VERY impressive given that people are used to Muppets having fixed or wobbly eyes. The fact that he can EMOTE so well with simple controls in the puppete DOES make him outstanding.

[@JTHMSqueeMrEffDBoy]

"It drinks the coffee in the tin or else it gets the hose again" Had that thought while I was watching

[@kevinolivera19]

0:00 8:22 16:37 🕛 3 new Wilkinson coffee ☕️ commercials

[@SonicJrandSarah]

That was funny how at the end, Wilkins actually did something to Wonkins' family before threatening him, expecting him to say no like he usually does.

[@scoopishere7881]

The thing about these ads is I always want to buy/use the products they're selling. Not just because of the Muppets, the products actually look good/effective.

[@alwayssleepy2476]

Yes! I love when you cover Muppet related stuff. Great video Colin looksback.

[@melindam6467]

I knew it! I totally knew the whole time that Wilkins and Wontkins would be #1, because ever since I first saw a commercial featuring Wilkins and Wontkins on KZbin Kids, I absolutely loved it!😍

[@Morningstar91939]

Those were on KZbin Kids? Wow, KZbin seriously messed up there considering the violence in the commercials.

[@matthewsosa6239]

They were in KZbin kids!?, maybe KZbin kids is getting better at showing quality content

[@maydayredd6137]

The mcgarrys sausage one with modern kermit is so good

[@valenciageode25]

Fun fact: At the dog food commercial shoot, many people would try and go up to talk to the puppet itself. Rowfl would often have to point them down at his puppeteer. And look up the photos, the puppeteer was pretty obvious.

[@khylerbane4523]

I'm eating a McGarry's sausage sandwich made with Kern's bread and washed down with a cup of Wilkins coffee. There is totally not several guns pointed at my head. May I be permitted to live?

[@ruthierainbow1002]

0:03 - Oh my god, Wilkins is more brutal than I thought! 0_0

[@legaltonyMendoza]

16:50 is his dad’s response to that

[@khan-tr6mb]

ON-COR, you'll want more. ON-COR Frozen Foods.

[@muppetsretrofan8873]

Hi Colin! I love the Wilkins and Wontkins ads so much! Also, if you do "Unintentonally Creepy Puppets" I'd suggest the QUBE era versions of Plus and Minus from Pinwheel. YIKES.

[@charliestoops8815]

I am a HUGE Jim Henson fan, thanks so much for this!

[@TylerRakstis]

I didn't even think that you would eventually do this, but one of the themes for your channel is related to Muppets.

[@lachlanwilliams5818]

Those Wilkins coffee skits you made are on point!

[@visualgagging]

my respect has grown for you immensely after having noticed the game and watch gallery music in the background

[@sethcarlow8363]

Rolf and Kermit are both awesome working together

[@BDNDaily2010]

Scrapped commercials of Wilkins coffee 0:00 - Wake Up 8:22 - All Wet 16:37 - Forgiveness

[@Tbone680]

If I was ever in commercials where I’m the pitcher tormenting the hater, it would definitely be for Sonic the Hedgehog

[@75wildman]

The commercial where Rowlf is trying to sell his Rowlf puppet is hilarious lol. Look it up if you haven't seen it.

[@chiebukachibee-zoraedu]

Rowlf

[@75wildman]

@@chiebukachibee-zoraedu Thanks

[@chiebukachibee-zoraedu]

@@75wildman No problem

[@colinhyde9827]

I was thinking about a video of retired Muppet Show muppets.

[@jhutto1984]

Nice use of Blaster Master music during the number one spot. B-)

[@snorky9029]

0:03: Wontkins Muffling For Help

[@seanmyster6]

I actually made a KZbin Poop out of one of the Delbert the Dragon commercials not too long ago. (I'd provide a link, but KZbin's algorithm seems to count comments with links as spam)

[@BlueSkys23]

ESSO is my new favorite character

[@randoff32]

The word "Muppet" is a combination of "marionette" and "puppet". It's like how the word "mobster" is a combination of "man" and "lobster".

[@visualgagging]

no, Henson just liked how the word Muppet sounded, and the company rarely ever did anything with marionettes muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Does_%22Muppet%22_mean_%22Marionette_and_puppet%22%3F

[@bbjd9328]

I love Baskerville! Rolf and Baskerville are wonderously great!

[@cimengngialah2735]

6:51 ‘60s: ESSO the Robot 2024: Artificial Intelligence

[@themarioman5673]

I love your videos and keep up the great work.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

"Hey, pal! Want some Wilkins coffee?"

[@Sharkpu8]

NO

[@bluballanimations]

Knife slash

[@lordyoehann1817]

I like that pillow in face joke you did at the beginning and that thing you did at the end of the video.

[@WxIxLxLxIxAxMxS]

That ending~😆

[@randyhernandez515]

I literally KNEW everything about the characters, except ESSO (im not bragging, im just saying). Plus, i LOVE your Wilkins voice and commercials.

[@banjotiger0000]

I love quoting Wilkins coffee ads but no one knows what i'm talking about since my friends are all 15-17. "Bad things just happen to people who don't drink Wilkins"

[@valenciageode25]

I sent a Claussens bread commercial to my friend a while ago and she loved it. Every now and then we act it out over text. Her: What are you eating Me: A sandwich made with Cosens bread. Wanna bite? Her: Sure! Me: CHOMP Her: AAHH

[@MovieFan1912]

Whenever I see that commercial, I think of the reactions from the crew of Double Toasted who looked at these ads once.

[@Alola_Hanna-Barbera_TMS_Fan]

None of the other commercials can compare to Wilkins and Wontkins

[@joshuapower7858]

In the old muppet advertising commercials the first character will offer another character a food 🍲 product and the other character will decline the product which will cause the first character to kill the other character. And between you and me, I the first character of these commercials are completely insane.

[@chipchopbarbershop8426]

Back when the Muppets were still good

[@ahmed-mc1us]

Kermit: What'cha eaten? Mack: A sandwich made with Claussen's bread. Wanna bite? Kermit: Sure! Mack: *Fucking bites him* Kermit: AHHH-N He's a sharp salesman!

[@spindleclown]

"WHAT DID YOU DO-"

[@user-tn5sw8ss4x]

Roalphs head was a basketball

[@LetmethinkStudios]

Fun fact: I tried mirinda mix (blue colored as I don't remember the flavor) and it was delicious. I also tried orange flavored mirinda.

[@G1gel]

When the bully bullies you remember that you drink wilskins coffe

[@bransolo9469]

Aside from Kermit and Rolf the dog being most recognisable due to the muppet show, Wilkins and Wontkins is the only duet in Henson's advertisements that's easily remembered while the rest is forgettable. No wonder they did a couple of other products like tasty bread with the same violent gags they did in the Wilkins coffee.

[@rebeccaduncan5366]

bet Jim Henson had keeping Tommy and his co star into his office to keeping him happy , when his kids too,

[@doomslayer2930]

Wilkins coffee also decided to commit every single war crime because why the fuck not.

[@OctacleEdits]

You skimped on Scoop and Skip!

[@christianmendez6366]

I always love Rolf Delbert & Wilkins

[@ryandyer621]

Where’s the two mini Ideal Kermits from that Ideal Toys commercial? They will break you arms after all.

[@georgerobertson7010]

Keep up the awesome work!!

[@FluffyPrincess888]

"about your family..." "WHAT DID YOU DO-" ...ohhhhhhh.....

[@robertdullnig3625]

Thank God the Esso uprising was put down before it really got started.

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

That furry blue muppet at 0:15-0:23 looked almost like the Cookie Monster.

[@wila4134]

All Slap stick muppetry. Classic.

[@Zthewise]

Here I thought puppet pals from Dexter's Lab was an exaggeration. Turns out they are pretty tame in comparison.

[@elmasterdezoologia6641]

Wilkins was OBSESSED with wilkins coffee. If he finds out they no longer exist, he would kill himself

[@user-vt8kz1ll7b]

That opening bit was brilliant

[@legaltonyMendoza]

16:50 “WHAT DID YOU DO TO-“

[@SpongeBobSquarePants-jf8gv]

Tommy, Fred, Sneegle, Billy, Sue, ESSO, Mack, Sir Lintent, Arnold, The Mirinda craver, Rowlf, Baskerville, Delbert the La Choy dragon, Wilkins and Wontkins

[@Anton-de5vu]

I’m imagining willkins is that one member of the Lefrog bloodline that the rest of the family just doesn’t talk about. Also my favourite Wilkins ad of the two goes as follows Will is standing at a both saying “vote Wilkins!” Will: “will you be voting for the Wilkins coffee party?” Wont: “start the race!” will: *pulls out a revolver* “OnyourMarkgetsetgo-“ *BANG!*

[@MovieFan1912]

Will: Nobody beats Wilkins!

[@fusionsigh]

Love the d decision to use Zelda 2 music

[@higbeeproductions2340]

The the commercials were the best

[@brickplank_films5189]

yeah

[@rudymalone1]

Yup!😄

[@8BitGabe]

Hey, you’re the guy who does the art for Strider! Your work is pretty cool :)

[@higbeeproductions2340]

@@8BitGabe why yes! Yes I am 😎

[@NeylandsVaultYT]

1:07 NOT THE MARKETABLE PLUSHIES AHHHHHHHHH

[@BradleyBoy]

Wilkins woke up and chose violence

[@Rubberman202]

I've seen a lot of fun and funny Muppet commercials, but the Wilkins Coffee commercials have got to be some of the most memorably sadistic commercials I've ever seen. I recall hearing that Jim Henson himself didn't like coffee so these commercials were basically a reflection of how it felt when he told people he didn't like it. Even though the beginning of the video was a joking reference to those commercials, they it might as well be a legit commercial because that non-Kermit puppet just keeps finding new ways to hurt and/or kill that poor sod who refuses to drink Wilkins Coffee... Which apparently isn't even being made anymore? So much for all those threats.

[@Matkaizer08]

That last part got me

[@kimzchaos]

Cool commercials

[@lordofthesymbiotes78]

The Wilkins coffee ones are literally murder

[@sorry9643]

Nice Wilkins coffee commercial 👍

[@kerihinson2424]

Delbert sounds very similar to doctor teeth, even in the way he talks.

[@tyshawncorsey5561]

Will you do your Top 10 favorite Sesame Street and Muppets Characters? I would love to see your opinion.

[@austinreed7343]

Mark Elliot (Disney VHS announcer) has died. I was wondering if you were gonna do a tribute video to him sometime?

[@DoswarePictures]

Sad.

[@spongebobplushiestuff8612]

F

[@davincent98]

The main reason I think of Wilkins Coffee is because it's my last name

[@ljhauskins-bm9qt]

I never tried Wilkins coffee but I really want to try it

[@KatMusic2009]

9:13 Those products ARE called "crisps" in the UK.

[@williamneedham7747]

My favourite is Tommy and Fred because they look like mobsters