The Rise and Fall of Rizzo the Rat from The Muppets

[@ModernMouse]

Check out more Muppets videos here ---> tinyurl.com/b8v5pn7m What Muppet film do you love Rizzo in most?

[@stuffingtonjfluffypantsiii]

One line my friend and I quote to each other a lot is Muppet Christmas Carol "LIGHT THE LAMP! NOT THE RAT!"

[@ModernMouse]

Classic!

[@kendramalm8811]

@@stuffingtonjfluffypantsiii you beat me to it!

[@kylekeller3398]

The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, and Muppets from Space.

[@katherinegilks3880]

Without fail, Rizzo is the best part of the Muppet Christmas Carol.

[@ModernMouse]

He's a key ingredient. Without him, it's not as great!

[@Asukenick]

As I said many times before Steve never should have been fired. He was amazing with Rizzo and with Kermit.

[@dillontrainvids25]

Yes

[@awesomeocelot7475]

I agree. They fired him because he was trying to push back to keep Kermit In character and what his friend and mentor Jim Henson would’ve wanted. And Disney didn’t like that so they fired him and tried to frame it like he was moving on….

[@OriginalTheHotDogBear]

​@awesomeocelot7475 I'm pretty sure the Henson family spoke out about him being difficult to work with. Also, I'm fairly certain he left Sesame Street because he wanted more money. He was let go for a reason.

[@Asukenick]

@@OriginalTheHotDogBear Sad but I still respect him so much.

[@HerooftheWild]

​@@OriginalTheHotDogBearthere's never been any proof, and none of the other Muppeters have come out to say that Steve was difficult to work with. Disney and the Henson Family were out of pocket. I've seen recent interviews with Steve Whitmire and when he talked about Jim, it sounded like Jim adored him

[@dillontrainvids25]

Disney should listen to the fans on this one: just bring back The Muppet Show with modern celebrities. That's all we want. We don't want the muppets themselves to be updated like in Muppets Now because that was shit. That being said, bring back Steve as Kermit and Rizzo, and everything will be back to normal because I can’t get used to Matt Vogel being a 90’s baby. I grew up with Steve as Kermit. I don’t know anything else

[@ModernMouse]

I also liked the Muppets Tonight format. I agree that Muppets Now didn't just didn't work and that's mostly due to the fact that it's very disjointed. It was never meant to be a show. They filmed a bunch of skits for KZbin and then repurposed them for Disney+. There needs to be a good mix of "on stage" and "off stage" shenanigans. That's the muppet format that works best....not just skit after skit where nobody interacts as a group.

[@ChrisOatley]

In the original Muppet Show, they *often* showed the audience. The audience was usually a random assortment of Muppets.

[@ModernMouse]

I think that I watched far too many Muppets projects for this video and mixed the Muppets Tonight with The Muppet Show audiences. In revisiting some I totally saw that the audience was full of random Muppets. After making this video I sat down and made it part of my mission to vet my work and sources much more. As a youtuber where people go for "history lessons" I need to show ownership in that. Thanks for pointing that out Chris.

[@ChrisOatley]

​@@ModernMouse Sure thing. Personally, the hardcore history is why I love your channel, often recommend it to my industry peers and basically never miss a video. There are lots of other channels trying to incorporate "comedy" and narrative (with mixed results) but very few (almost none) who put the time and focus into the research like you do - and even fewer who communicate as clearly and emotionally as you do. The algorithm doesn't really seem to reward that, but I believe your core audience will. I, personally, will be first in line when a Kickstarter for an MM history book or goes live or an MM course goes up on Teachable (or whatever else this all could evolve into).

[@danielgudinojuarez6729]

I really hope Rizzo comes back!!! I miss him 🥺🥺🥺

[@ModernMouse]

I keep hoping as well.

[@zackharrison6209]

If they ever bring back Rizzo one day in a speaking role. Hopefully he would be performed by Peter Linz.

[@ShadowGalactica]

When I was little, I wanted a Rizzo plushie. That didn't exist, so I got Gonzo.

[@ModernMouse]

Hey I have a Gonzo plush, but I'd also be interested in a Rizzo one!

[@akacadian3714]

Maybe Rizzo went back to Newark and is running Naporano Steel in Down Neck.

[@ModernMouse]

A rat can dream!

[@PaddyMesser06]

Rizzo is my favourite Muppet, they need to find a good replacement for him

[@emilypetsche1]

Rizzo was always one of my favourites

[@barrywade3774]

How come nobody ever mentions A Muppet Family Christmas?

[@rebeccamartin6364]

Finally getting my gen Alpha kids on board with the muppets and what am I forced to endure??? Rizzo…..now is….The Rizzler. Time for new kids!

[@ModernMouse]

I'm sorry about this. If you have to trade in your kids for some others at the orphanage I don't blame you. There has to be some sort of exchange program.

[@JohnPannozzi]

Kermit's Swamp Years happened a few years BEFORE Disney bought the Muppets. And Michael Eisner was still in charge of Disney when they bought the Muppets (though Bob Iger was by that basically Eisner's second-in-command). Also, Jane Henson was Jim Henson's wife, not one of his children.

[@ModernMouse]

I think I had written "Henson's family" and not "Henson's kids" on the page but said "kids" and spaced it. Great catches. That early 2000s period for me is definitely a weak point.

[@deshawnedwards6412]

Another Muppets video that would be interesting to do would be one on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, including underrated member of the band, Lips. Most forget about Lips being apart of the band.

[@ModernMouse]

Lips also gets a shout in this video! Haha...also I do want to make this video, especially since the band is getting their own show.

[@charlesjensen1002]

Bring Rizzo back

[@ModernMouse]

If I could, I would.

[@Cobalt_Dragon0716]

Light the lamp, not the rat. Light the lamp, not the rat!

[@Muppetxsupremacy]

OML- BARRY IS SO HILARIOUS! EVERYTIME HE APPEARED ON SCREEN I BEGAN LAUGHING. 🤣

[@ModernMouse]

I'm so glad you live Barry. He shows up again in the video about Antman if you haven't seen it.

[@Muppetxsupremacy]

Oooooo, I'm about to watch that then! Thank you so much, for telling me. Lol.

[@ModernMouse]

@@Muppetxsupremacy gladly! Thanks for watching!

[@deshawnedwards6412]

You know what I always wonder, what didn't Clifford stay apart of The Muppets cast after Muppets Tonight ended? He could've been/stay apart of the core/main recurring Muppets crew like Pepé, Rizzo and Bobo have since Muppets Tonight, but he just fate into obscuring. Didn't return for the 2011 Muppets movie, or the abc's Muppets series or return for Muppets Haunted Mansion which feature several obscure Muppets from Muppets Tonight.

[@ModernMouse]

He was in Muppets From Space, but I agree. That's another video for another time...but he definitely gets a few mentions in this video.

[@Proximityillusions]

Clifford was performed by Kevin Clash. Clash had, um, certain personal improprieties which forced him to resign from Sesame Street and most of the related puppeteering. That’s why Clifford has not been seen since.

[@dillontrainvids25]

@@Proximityillusions actually he had a cameo in Muppets Wizard of Oz but we don’t talk about that

[@glazdarklee1683]

I always assumed that this character was inspired by "Ratso Rizzo" from "Midnight Cowboy." (You know, the "I'm walkin' here" guy.) Although the overlap in viewership is probably small.

[@ModernMouse]

The Henson folks always pulled from things they liked. There is no doubt in my mind that his New York accent comes directly from Midnight Cowboy

[@calebbusing6171]

Rizzo is one of my favorite Muppets.

[@tuckerhawkey9561]

What about the Muppet Babies reboot from 2018? Rizzo was a recurring character on that show

[@popwayzz442]

That doesn’t count

[@tuckerhawkey9561]

@@popwayzz442 Why not?

[@icecreamhero2375]

Muppets Most Wanted and The Original are my favorite Muppet Movies.

[@ModernMouse]

When you say original you mean the 1970 Muppet movie and not the 2011 reboot right? See this is why we need to name things differently!

[@icecreamhero2375]

@@ModernMouse I mean the original 1970's one. I love the songs the most in that one and it gave us giant Animal.

[@ModernMouse]

Giant Animal and cowboy Kermit are great visuals!

[@thetoppets]

I felt this video was a little messy but I appreciate and respect you doing something different. Keep up the great work👍

[@ModernMouse]

Oh, I'd love to expand upon this. I'm always looking for feedback.

[@thetoppets]

@Modern Mouse I'm not hating on the video. I just thought it dragged in some parts. And I'm looking forward to the future of your videos👍😉

[@ModernMouse]

I know you aren't hating, I was just genuinely interested in your thoughts. I can definitely take a note on something like pacing. Appreciate it.

[@thetoppets]

@@ModernMouse Your friend was funny keep him around😅

[@ModernMouse]

Joe (the human) or Barry (the puppet)?

[@CreditsBean17]

What he needs is a new Muppet performer.

[@Brickboy-wd8bo]

You wanna know what happened to Rizzo the Rat? Ever since Rizzo got kicked out of the Muppet crew, he had to end his life the way all rats did, by getting killed by rat poison.

[@ModernMouse]

I didn't think my comments were going to get so dark unless Barry started leaving them. Cheers for taking it there.

[@Brickboy-wd8bo]

@@ModernMouse I'm sorry MM, but i like darkness.

[@ModernMouse]

@@Brickboy-wd8bo me too! It's why I wrote about horror movies on the side.

[@Brickboy-wd8bo]

@@ModernMouse Well i know i'm not a fan of horror movies and games, of course.

[@MrOtistetrax]

Some of these comedy bits are more labored than a maternity ward.

[@ModernMouse]

Some isn't all so I'll take it as a compliment!

[@icecreamhero2375]

I hate ABCs the Muppets. Not because it's adult but because the characters are out of character half the time. Also I already think the Office is kinda mid and the original Muppet Show is funnier.

[@ModernMouse]

I thought they tried to do something new and interesting. I thought they actually figured it out by the end of season one. It had potential.

[@Muppetxsupremacy]

I respect your opinion, but I thought this show was amazing and hilarious despite Kermit and Piggy not being together. They had no business making them split up for views.

[@Santoryu90]

To each their own, I liked it.

[@sven8645]

Rizzo classic

[@christianryan7207]

Is everyone forgetting Rizzo was a character in the 2018 muppet babies reboot? 2018 people! A year after Steven Whitmire announced he left the muppets because disney fired him.

[@Jabroniville]

Nice summation! Reading up on Rizzo's history, I did notice that Steve Whitmire's rise in the background probably contributed to his signature character being given a lot more funny lines and prominent positions. And without him, the character... just might not really have his signature "voice" anymore.

[@ModernMouse]

That's very true! Rizzoli needs a veteran performer to stand up for the use of the character in order to get screen time now....or someone else to rise up over time.

[@kylekeller3398]

#BringBackRizzoTheRat

[@dreamguardian8320]

Too bad about Rizzo, he was a great companion for Gonzo. I guess this is why he was replaced by Pepe in Muppets Haunted Mansion.

[@hedjieshows]

Amazing video))

[@chrispeters6719]

I hope they'll find the new muppeteer who performed Rizzo and Bean Bunny.

[@Asukenick]

I guess but Steve is irreplaceable.

[@joeymartinez5814]

The Muppet Viral Videos played a major in revitalizing The Muppet Show Muppets during the late-2000s & early-2010s! (They even led to the 2011 film!) I don't see how those videos are Disney "wrongly" using those characters. 😡

[@AftonBadet]

Great video.

[@sven8645]

Nice discussion 👶 😎

[@davidfitzpatrick6535]

"am I a man or am I a muppet?? If Im a man Im a manly manly muppet"

[@ModernMouse]

It's such a catchy song! It's been in my head for weeks.

[@davidfitzpatrick6535]

@@ModernMouse i Know as soon as u guys mentioned it it began to run in my head. Tip to get a song out of ur head. Go on YT and listen to the song.

[@ModernMouse]

Bonus tip: Listen to "Rainbow Connection" if you'd like to replace one Muppet song with another because that is what happened to me.

[@joereinis640]

The song is such a sneaky earworm, but it’s so good!

[@davidfitzpatrick6535]

@@joereinis640 ikr?