Evolution of Miss Piggy - A Muppet DIStory Ep. 43

The Devine Miss Piggy has been a TV royalty since the early 70s, as the Muppets took over pop culture. But how has her iconic look evolved?
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Edited by Kenny Johnson
DIStorian Researcher: Chad "Future Dwight" Johnson
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#MuppetsHauntedMansion

[@gwynfromRARE]

Casual reminder that Whoopie Goldberg is canonically god in the Muppets universe. No, she doesn't *play* god, she literally *is* the Muppet's god.

[@DistoryDan]

I’m fine with this.

[@maximusprime3459]

FLASH FACT: There is also a godlike being in the Marvel Comics universe which very much resembles Whoopi Goldberg as well. Full circle if there ever was one.

[@aaronjames3228]

@@maximusprime3459 really?

[@maximusprime3459]

@@aaronjames3228 She showed up in an issue of Power Pack, I think the character's name was Numinus.

[@raczgreen6053]

I remember when Whoopie was a Muppet on a t.v show called Washington D.C follies. I loved that show. Lol

[@Sarah-mo8mb]

'She's just so tiny, and so thick, and so aggressive' that is what i want someone to say about me someday haha. Miss Piggy was my role model from a young age, I loved her attitude and tenacity.

[@amandahahl1561]

Hi!🤗😆 How are you today? 🤗😆😏 I recorded rachael lampa live for you (live) today can you watch IT and reply to me now? 🤗😆😏💛👋

[@delete---7593]

Yep. .🤔😑.

[@alanraphael5895]

i realize it's quite off topic but does anyone know a good place to watch new tv shows online ?

[@arturoskylar9334]

@Alan Raphael Flixportal :P

[@alanraphael5895]

@Arturo Skylar Thanks, I went there and it seems like a nice service :D I really appreciate it!!

[@unknown_limes]

Kermit didn't run out of ideas on gifts in the old age part, he knows what his Piggy wants. That frog knows exactly how to spoil his lady- strings of pearls and a ridiculously extensive wardrobe!

[@sojoboscribe1342]

Insert "Pearls before Swine" joke here.

[@lyra1139]

Absolutely.

[@callanightshade8079]

Remember in the Muppet Family Christmas when he got her a mink. She thought it was a fashion accessory but it was a live mink who worshipped Miss Piggy and fawned over her. Piggy immediately went from being excited, to irritated, to ecstatic because Kermit really does know her lol. He probably was looking for the accessory but found something even better for his lady lol

[@brandoniswhoiam]

The ultimate queen. A fashionista.

[@Sunnydaystudiocrafts]

Yessssssss

[@DistoryDan]

Thank you. Piggy is pretty cool too.

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Truly she the diva for real a Lil self center lol

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

@@DistoryDan Disney Dan? More like Disney Diva! Simply fabulous! XD

[@joshfisher9711]

@@DistoryDan hahaha you had me rolling!

[@jzanderk]

The pig on skates moment is one of the best things to ever happen in film history

[@donnap401]

Agreed

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I think it was an actual stunt person with dwarfism that they fired to dress like Miss Piggy. They dressed him in the same outfit, wig, and added the snout prosthetic, then strapped a pair of skates on him. Also, like how late 80s was it to have a chase scene involving someone wearing roller skates? 🤣

[@Lars-ze2xf]

I agree!

[@niconico486]

What I understood is "literally every decade was a good decade for Miss Piggy" and honestly I didn't expect less

[@maldon3659]

It always make's me feel weird when they show the Muppets legs, it almost feels uncanny

[@SpongeB00b_is_a_savage]

it make me uncomfortable too

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Same here. Any time I go back and watch Muppet Christmas Carol or Muppet Treasure Island, I just get so weirded out when I see full body Muppets with legs! It's so unsettling!! OMG Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas is weird too! Not just to see moments with a full body Kermit riding a bike, but also of Ma and Emmett Otter walking down the street showing their legs and feet and it's sooooo weird watching it because you can see they're being puppeted with marionette strings, and you'll see the legs moving and the body just floats along-- it's just, it gives me the willies! I know I keep using the word _"weird"_ , but really that's the word that just comes to mind when talking about Muppet legs! ("Unsettling", "strange", "odd", "unnatural", and "wrong" could also apply.)

[@adambraun1990]

This

[@broadway331]

Muppets Most Wanted had some of my favorite Piggy outfits. They’re all inspired by the city she’s in. That Vivienne Westwood wedding dress? Stunning! It’s interesting that you didn’t mention that Piggy’s gotten more blonde over the years (with the exception of the brunette phase). Her 1970s hair is much more of a natural honey blonde. She tends to have more of a platinum blonde nowadays.

[@tornadodee148]

this reflects Barbie and how she got blonder over the years too. Remember Miss Piggy is a sort off parody of that.

[@starsbookreviews]

I heard that her being a karate master came from Frank Oz ad libing when Piggy was interacting with Jim Henson's Kermit and they loved it so much they kept going with it!

[@ttintagel]

Kermit's reaction to being punched, with his skinny limbs flopping everywhere, is half the joke.

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

At first, they wanted Piggy to just slap Kermit, and Frank couldn't make a slap look believable. Frank then got frustrated, until he went, "HI-YAH!!!" At that, everyone fell on the floor, laughing.

[@aplushieworldoutthere5293]

That kermit yay was on point.

[@Sunnydaystudiocrafts]

Lol yes 👌🏼

[@pink_demon6052]

My second favorite character. My favorite line is always when she says "hiya!" When she's destroying someone

[@bronxbearbud272]

Your favorite line is when she makes a homicidal shriek to bully and intimidate any more talented performer who crosses her path? You must love Karens, huh?

[@craisins95]

Miss Piggy’s 70s Farrah Fawcett waves will always be my favorite. Her outfits in The Muppet Movie were stunning and I loved the part she played in it. The jump from the 70s feathered wavy hair to the early 80s perm in Muppets Most Wanted was the most striking to me and the most fun.

[@AikoSilver]

Agreed! Her 70s waves looked the most glam, romantic, and diva to me. I think the sleek bleached blonde is a little too hard and aggressive to me.

[@kaylaandmarkalan]

“Thick crispy pork rinds” I’m dead! 😂

[@shysensei2348]

Made me lol

[@christopherwall2121]

So is Dan, if Piggy ever sees that part. _HIIIII-YA!!!_

[@megangeorge9257]

I was a character attendant at WDW in 2005 and often worked with Kermit and Piggy. One time a family came up for a photo and the teenage son didn't want to be in the photo. Miss Piggy went up and made sure he got in a photo with just her. As they walked away, the son said "If that's a guy in there, I'm hurting someone." 🤣😂🤣 Piggy is almost always a guy in the parks.

[@princesspeachfan100]

And the fact she was voiced by guys too. XD

[@Doodlebob108]

I love Ms. Piggy with curly hair. I think she looks so good with all those big blonde curls.

[@johnsanders1978]

“The muppets:Sex and Violence” something that would not fly today lol

[@TheCottonCandyQueen]

I love that even though Ms. Piggy wants the spot light to herself, shes still willing to share the stage with other actors and her friends

[@OriginalTolerableHusky]

Miss Piggy in 1976 is just her without makeup 😂 She just starts to wear more makeup as time goes on 🤣🤣

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I love Miss Piggy in all her variations (except the beady eyes, yikes), but 1980s Piggy is probably the best era. She was an actual icon that women looked up to and theres a great essay on her in the book "Jim Henson and Philosophy." Plus look at how much 1980s Muppet merch was just Piggy!

[@NathanSpies]

Even though they're not Disney you should do A history of the Sesame Street Muppets!

[@Grover1234]

Mine will always be 80s Piggy. That's the years I would of been introduce to her and the gang. I was more into Kermit then her but she'll always be one of the gang. I'd say the Muppet Caper is my favorite movie with her.

[@JordanMccaff]

Miss Piggy terrifies me. Ever since I was a kid. Her melting in Wizard of Oz is horrific and season 1 Muppet Show Piggy still haunts me. I watched it last night as a 21 year old and had to hide behind my fingers

[@Baldjotarokujo]

Puppets do be terrifying

[@sophiedanon7491]

Same here. She wouldnt take no for an answer and kept harassing my poor Kermit ! Lol !

[@jamesoniris2647]

I really wanna hear Dan sing a lot more!!! HE HAS SUCH A PRETTY VOICE!!! If he can sing Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat, I would buy 15 candles.

[@THUND3RHAND]

When the muppets most wanted came out: ⚫️👄⚫️

[@hop775]

I still have my Miss Piggy paper dolls from the 80's with all her outfits.

[@AJ17_]

I had that Miss Piggy puppet you have on your desk back in the 80s. I played with it until it basically fell apart.

[@jtehmain8261]

Dan your laugher cures my depression. 😂

[@jimboeeek]

The thumbnail killed me 💀

[@andrewvarney5687]

"You gotta watch out for a pig on skates." -Dan 2021

[@petersavieri]

👑🐷 I consulted on the build of Miss Piggy in pre production for The Muppets. Jason Siegel and James Bobin wanted to get the characters looking closer to their halcyon days, and Piggy in particular needed a lot of work. She’d slipped into a very preschool looking build, with cheap wigs and very unfocused, flat eyes. The eye construction was a major focus of my consultation, as well as wig placement to give her a bit more forehead. I also painted the portrait of her that’s seen at the end of Kermit’s Pictures In My Head song.

[@2can99]

Therapist: Miss Pigging on skates isn't real you don't need to worry about it Muppet Take Manhattan:

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

All I know is, I'm still pissed that Disney refuses to release the last 2 seasons of the OG 'Muppet Show', (or any of the later versions) on DVD!! I want to complete my collection! Make it happen already, Disney!

[@Dhampir101980]

The majority of the show( except two episodes) is on Disney+ right now

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

I hope they have 'Muppets Tonight' too!

[@Dhampir101980]

@@BuckarooBanzai84 They don’t currently. It’s probably due to licensing issues. That’s the reason that the rest of the muppet show hasn’t been released on DVD

[@kingoffists]

torrent it thats what i did ive got every season and ep of the muppet show

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

@@kingoffists I still want the DVDs, but that's good to know.Thanks. =)

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

How to tell the video's gonna be awesome: when it starts with Dan busting a gut laughing. XD Also, careful man, don't diss the Pig! You've seen what she can do with her karate chops. Forget Peggy Lee, Piggy might be the pork equivalent of Bruce Lee! If there was a Muppet version of Kill Bill, you know Piggy would be The Bride. Also, is it kind'a weird I wanna see a Muppet parody of that movie now? XD Like instead of all those assassins, Piggy's just karate chopping a room full of those Muppet penguins that show up in everything? Disney, get to work! XD

[@aaronjames3228]

Dang

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

@@aaronjames3228 I have a very odd imagination. XD

[@rhiley5097]

muppet fight club would be funny as well

[@fightingfaerie]

Okay but seriously, they haven't already done this?? Its perfect

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

@@fightingfaerie They sort of did in the Muppet Wizard of Oz? (I think it was that movie) The scene cuts to Kermit interviewing Quentin Tarantino himself, trying to pitch Kermit on having a sword fight between Dorothy and the Witch, and he pulls out a katana and starts swinging it wildly much to Kermit's chagrin.

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

My favorite pig on frog violence scene is in Muppet Treasure Island, (1996) when Miss Piggy karate chops Kermit and he goes flying into the gong. The rats cheer and Kermit gets up (vibrating) and says, "Ex-girlfriend." 🥰🐷🐸🏝😂🤣

[@luthientinuviel3883]

Yes

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Please do my main man Gonzo or muppet he has a few different look.

[@emmad8533]

Unfortunately you’re right I will never be able to unsee the decapitation of miss piggy in muppet vision 3d

[@laurendouglas6452]

The first Piggy I remember was as Benjamina Gunn in "Muppet Treasure Island " (aka the BEST muppet movie ever made second only to A Muppet Christmas Carol)

[@groofay]

Thanks for reminding me to watch the first Muppet Movie again. That was one of the movies I grew up with, and your breakdown of Piggy's evolution over the years gave me a new appreciation for how expressive her puppet was in that film.

[@Ireton06]

Disney+ Presents DisneyDan’s Evolutions. It’s got a good ring to it. Brilliant episode

[@1Sam2728]

Ok but the Reverse water shot with the sparkler crown in Great Muppet Caper was always so wild to me.

[@alexanderspeer8139]

15:47 It's like if someone isn't wearing there mask you start coughing on them.

[@nawalalwedaei6743]

I love how he explains every little detail

[@crow-t-robot]

Ever since I was a kid in the 90s she's always been one of my idols lol.

[@roselakegaming]

I loved the intro!

[@carnigob42069]

i was hoping you would elaborate on "miss piggy's guide to life"! my favorite image from that book is def the one titled 'how to avoid weight loss in the coming lean years' where she is pointing to a pie chart consisting of various types of pies 🥧 truly sound advice!

[@ARedMagicMarker]

Yup, you're right, my eyes did look like that at Muppets, Sex and Violence. XD

[@CarolinaMouse]

There is nor ever will be any denying the fabulousness that is Miss Piggy!! She's just a true queen!

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Loved her on those skates lol n rip to Gregory Hines loved him that movie he gave her the skates lol.

[@Sunnydaystudiocrafts]

OH MY GOSH YAY!!!! I LOVE THE MUPPETS!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Edit: “her ears when from flat, curly, Doritos to thick, *crispy* pork rinds” LOL 😂 Edit 2: 8:47 THAT WOULD BE TERRIFYING 😳 😂 Edit 3: (I’ll stop now lol) I TOTALLY FORGOT THE MUPPET SHOW IS BACK ON DISNEY PLUS!!! IMMA WATCH IT AFTER THIS!

[@DistoryDan]

Don’t stop ever calling out your favorite jokes. ❤️

[@Sunnydaystudiocrafts]

@@DistoryDan 😄❤️

[@Hessed3712]

10:53 This is how I was introduced to Miss Piggy. I loved that show!

[@skechy_gauntlet]

Right off the bat this video is wonderful. Good vibes only

[@brycevo]

Gotta love this sweet piggy

[@cam4894]

I love these evolution videos! My parents and I were rewatching the original Muppet Show and loving it, but the full size people Muppets are so creepy on that show! I will always love Sweetums tho!

[@bellaknightR597]

My favorite Miss Piggy moment was when she preformed with Celine Dion

[@damonika09]

That’s my mom’s favorite moment too!

[@imnotafuckingmermaid]

I’m so happy that you took my request!! Miss Piggy is genuinely one of my heroes & she really pulled me into my obsession with the Muppets. Thanks for doing this video!

[@jonathanbailey8646]

That intro was everything to me

[@laragallahue7127]

Dan I’m jealous of your set up and great video!

[@fullerbeyer7448]

That Elton John episode is amazing

[@pink_demon6052]

My favorite episode was the one with Alice cooper but I mean every episode of the muppets are awesome

[@fullerbeyer7448]

@@pink_demon6052 I like that one too, when I was little I had a few DVDS with I think 3 shows on each, and I would watch them over and over😂

[@pink_demon6052]

@@fullerbeyer7448 my parents put a few seasons of the muppets on dvd so I could see it and that's how I saw that episode 😂

[@fullerbeyer7448]

@@pink_demon6052 Nice😂

[@pink_demon6052]

@@fullerbeyer7448 thanks 😂

[@marillama]

my life is ruined. ive always love muppet vision 3d and now I cant unsee ms piggy head flying off her XD

[@Caitlin288]

Sorry bout that lol

[@aaronjames3228]

I can't see it lol

[@nastassjaklipsch1175]

@@aaronjames3228 me either! I've rewatched that clip like 10 times now, no idea what he's talking about lol

[@ravenbrye5582]

@@nastassjaklipsch1175 you have to watch real closely her head is right next to bean bunny and the it falls of

[@Silver_wind_1987_]

@@ravenbrye5582 I see it. The curls just kind of fly away

[@CharliXCXismymom]

Good way to celebrate woman’s history month with the most iconic woman of all time!!!

[@contessalouannec8064]

Dan Thank You for doing all the research and history on the Evolution of Miss Piggy and all the Muppets. Great stream

[@QueenTJ1991]

Miss Piggy is the ultimate Queen of Fashion, Glam and Sass

[@kamryn1911]

Miss Piggy on those skates is too much for my eyes to handle 😭😂

[@kanniekosplayyes2799]

Treasure Island where Angelina (MIss Piggy) karate chops The Captain (Kermit) into a gong, Captain slowly rising up while still shivering and hearing the ringing in his ears as he turns to the native "Uh, old girlfriend" I loved that movie x3

[@Pixis1]

Gotta love Miss Piggy. I've been binge-watching The Muppet Show and watching the evolution of all the characters. By the way, I think the word you were looking for at the end is "porcine."

[@MCRgrrl4ever]

I've always LOVED Piggy!!! I think that's why I always make some sort of noise before I hit anything xD

[@lyndafeustel4861]

Miss Piggy in great muppet caper is probably my favorite. The sequence in the nightclub is one of the best muppet scenes in my opinion!

[@PixieHikoRaen]

Favorite Miss Piggy look will always be her dancing number in Great Muppet Caper at the club. There are so many great Miss Piggy outfits (and stunts) in that movie, but getting to watch her tap always stuck with me! 🥰

[@sunnyquinn3888]

Aww, this is the first time I've seen Miss Piggy and Kermits babies! The pink frog and green pig are so so cute!

[@MoffinMouse]

I used to watch this channel ALL THE TIME when I was little now I have finally found it again I missed you

[@amydaskilewicz9076]

I had a dream last night that Dan and I were buddies and we were hanging out near Dorney Park

[@margaretwilliams1370]

This might be my most favorite video. I love her. And probably the early 80’s version.

[@seatspud]

Disney Dan finally answers that eternal question, "Do you have a Miss Piggy?" (guy in Toys R Us, The Blues Brothers)

[@alexinitalics188]

I recently watched the original muppet show for the first time and, although most of the characters look pretty much the same, I was not prepared for how different Miss Piggy looked to how I knew her

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Waiting for Evolution of Fozzie Bear, evolution of Dr. Bunsun and Beaker, evolution of Big Bird, evolution of Huey, Dewey, and Louie, etc. 📺🎬🎥🎥🎥🎬

[@tuckerhawkey9561]

Don't forget Gonzo

[@denisekegler2425]

Thank you for these wonderful Muppet evolutions! My 5-year-old son asked for Fozzie next!

[@Ultraman1fan2023x]

Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh this video is my favorite miss 🐷 moments

[@devinmckay9764]

Piggy chasing down the pick pocket has ALWAYS freaked me out. Thank you for bringing attention to it!

[@emiller2619]

Dan is like that dad who would laugh just about anything😄he seems so fun hearted and his laugh is very contagious 😆

[@RPena98]

Yes! Another wonderful day when you upload!! I cherish that laugh of yours 😂

[@dexx600]

Richard Hunt's early performances on The Muppet Show as Miss Piggy was also the same voice as Gladys The Cow on Sesame Street.

[@ariannedebose3862]

Disney Dan is so entertaining and funny♥️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@sammie12349]

Tiny thick and aggressive? Sounds like my sister in law 🤣🤣 (love her she just scares me 😂)

[@thefouranimationproduction]

I've love the scene when miss piggy is on the skates

[@PendelSteven]

Well, I've been a fan of The Muppets and Marvel before Disney took them over. I guess retroactively I'm more into the overlords because of the big M's they own now. Sure, it did like the Disneyfilms I saw a child, but well, glad to see Muppets is getting a lot of love on this channel.

[@caitiemoriarty]

In the middle of a project that has to do with Muppets, thought to myself “I wish there was a good source of how the design and personality of the main muppete cast has changed over time.” Can’t believe this exists but I’m so happy it does

[@ashantighania225]

My favorite Piggy design is late 70's-early 80's. Her eyes just gorgeous and she sports a terrific mop of hair!

[@gnext2]

The Muppet Family Christmas with the big curly perm wig... More muppets please

[@lucaservin6768]

That early 90's Piggy was really a bit of trial-and-error in terms of her evolving into new looks for a new decade. She ended up looking beautiful but, just like in the clips you've shown, there are versions of Piggy where it looks like the eyes are about to fall off lol

[@MARIOPOWERUP]

Didn’t I do it for you 😢 Didn’t I do it for you 😭 When all I do is for you…Kermie💔

[@rjmckenzie4706]

I grew up on the modern day style of Muss Piggy. I owned Muppets from Space on vhs and I always thought that was her design. But I was wrong, the Muppets are a big part of my life especially Miss Piggy. She is funny and sassy.

[@bethdibartolomeo2042]

OMG, that pink baby frog at 16:46 is so adorable!! 😍😍

[@johnlauracave8169]

I’ve waited for this very moment

[@ichasepaper954]

fell into a youtube nostalgia wormhole... N i stumbled across u.. U have such a fun warm energy.. U made me smile after a 63 hour work week.. Thank u❤

[@drekfletch]

In the promos for the first of the new Muppet movies, it came up in an interview that Miss Piggy does scarily accurate Fozzie and Animal impressions (because obviously). It was just so surreal watching Miss Piggy screaming "WOMAN WOMAN WOMAN."

[@lilycat3318]

Miss Piggy in Muppets Most Wanted was definitely most memorable for me. I absolutely adored her wedding dress and I loved the scene when she beats up Constantine in the helicopter. Just classic Miss Piggy. She's 100% my favourite Muppet of all times.

[@eliassmeke3991]

Question 🙋‍♀️ please 🙏 Disney Dan, you forgot to mention starting in the second season of The Muppet Show Frank Oz fully took over as performing Miss Piggy

[@perrilewis180]

16:47 the kids are adorable. Like a pink frog is adorable

[@LadyOnikara]

The cutest animal in the world is a baby pig, and Miss Piggy was no different when she was a baby. Cutest baby pig ever.

[@No1MuppetFan]

Great Muppet Caper Piggy is and will FOREVER be the superior version of how Miss Piggy looked and was portrayed.