Frank Oz Interview (2013)

Full interview with Legendary puppeteer and director Frank Oz.
Discusses his life with Jim Henson, being Yoda, directing movies, and the Muppets.

[@Blk_Velvet]

I love Jim Henson and Frank Oz and I respect them with all my heart, but I feel that Steve Whitmire doesnt get appreciated enough. Steve Whitmire puppeteered Kermit since the 80s. But noone ever talks about him. We need to show Mr. Whitmire we love him before its too late. If I could tell him right now how much I appreciate him and love him I would. And I hope there are people who feel the same way I do. We love you Mr. Whitmire ♥

[@JordanLibra134]

Well there's one thing you got wrong Steve Whitemire played as Kermit sinces the 90s because Jim Henson died in 1990 but I do agree with your respect

[@Blk_Velvet]

JordanLibra134 Thank you and oops I made a mystake, you're right ^^ I got confused with the years of the Muppets Take Manhatten and the Muppets Christmas Carol ^^

[@JordanLibra134]

Julia WhiteHorse its alright

[@nosferatukh]

Well said. I totally agree.

[@Blk_Velvet]

nosferatukh Thanks ^^

[@AaronHazouri]

He was able to articulate the problem I've had with the Muppets for years (since even before Disney took over) - they are too sweet now. The edge is gone. Even Sesame Street had more of an edge, once upon a time.

[@killingmewillnotbringbacky9177]

The 2015 show had a fun edge to it.

[@giggles7179]

I was the incredibly odd child that knew the names and the faces of the Muppet performers as easily as I could list each of the outrageous characters they brought to life. If you'd asked any adult around me in my childhood, they would have put money on my being destined to work with the Muppets. I recall the day Jim Henson died vividly and I cried at the loss of my idol. Whereas I felt I could have sat and absorbed endlessly from Henson, Frank Oz to this day scares the hell out of me. He's no less an icon of fascination to me than Henson or any of the other Muppeteers and I've no doubt he's an endlessly kind man, but there's always been an intensity in him that seemed so at odds with the colorful personalities he's best known for. Even here, I could predict that hearing any hint of those voices make their way out of his lips again would be highly unlikely; I think those molded pieces of foam rubber on his hands act as something of a filter that drew this manic energy from him that likely would have never left his mind or his mouth in any other circumstance. Oz insists was a shy child and though I know him primarily through his work with Henson, Lucas, and a handful of his own films, there's a shyness that's remained. Henson was also a very quiet man without Kermit, Ernie, Rowlf, et.al. as well, but I wonder if he were still with us today and having moved onto more varied creative output whether he would seem quite as hesitant as Frank Oz seems to be to revisit them today. Either way, my own path sadly never crossed with any of the artists I admired so much as a child and even moreso as an adult, but I'm grateful to occasionally continue learning from them in interviews like this. They'll never receive the credit due to them for their impact on pop culture. Hell, any kind of culture.

[@ebneigh5191]

In another interview Oz talked about "the problem Disney has is that it things it bought puppet characters when it really only bought costumes" which us a perfect key to why the 1970s' Muppets worked so well!

[@thescowlingschnauzer]

"They're different. They're not the Muppets Jim intended." Yup. After Jim Henson died, the old company managed to carry out some of his unfulfilled visions, but it's never been the same.

[@butlerbMMO]

thescowlingschnauzer Frank is right (they don't have that edge as he mentioned) however, knowing Disney took over, I have to wonder if everyone involved, including Frank, all saw this coming? Especially after Jim died. I have to wonder if that's why he broke away from the Muppets?. I know he was in awe of directing but I wonder if he also left the Muppets because partially Disney took the Muppets in a direction that Jim would not have approved of? I have a great deal of respect for Frank because I grew up on the Muppets and his voice to me was immediately recognizable. But also, he is very humble, honest, modest, and kind, and this interview shows that.

[@thescowlingschnauzer]

Brandon Butler Yes, and if you look at the projects Frank Oz was on board for, such as Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island, you see more of that original muppetness. Once they were entirely sold to Disney it was not the same. It made sense for the Jim Henson Company to do tho so that they could focus on other areas.

[@butlerbMMO]

thescowlingschnauzer Yeah, growing up on those movies I tend to agree that they were more like the original Muppets. Heck, even Muppets Tonight, you can argue that the original muppetness was there. It wasn't as great as the Muppet Show by any stretch, but they didn't lose much of their original muppetness. I always thought that selling them was the biggest mistake the company ever made because I sorta knew they would go into the "cuteness" department much like most of the content Disney puts out. But I can understand though why they wanted to move on.

[@thescowlingschnauzer]

Brandon Butler Muppets Tonight and other Brian Henson-driven stuff strikes me as closer to the authentic Muppet experience but still off. Less creative, less clever, less imaginative.

[@YujiUedaFan]

+thescowlingschnauzer Eh, I like 90s Sesame Street, but the stuff now is too Elmo and it shoves the other characters aside, outside of archive footage.

[@lovemeg5186]

Oh how I respect Frank Oz.He has worked so hard over the years.He still is working hard.He has voiced so many amazing muppets.He is a multifaceted director.This interview really brought things into perspective for me.He is not about himself.He is about every one else.He brings sweetness with Grover.Love for cookies with Cookie Monster.Vivaciousness with Miss Piggy.Wisdom from Yoda.Honesty from Bert.Wonderful jokes with Fozzie Bear.And so many others.I applaud his work and him.I admire who he is.I want to meet him some day.Thank you for posting the interview.

[@alexlosoya8098]

Great interview. I wish it was longer. I grew up with Henson and Oz. The Muppet shows were brilliant.

[@regplasma7906]

The camera work and angles on Frank ,makes it look like he's on mastermind .

[@alanjones7040]

I'm from Hereford it blows my mind frank oz was from here ! Love the muppets and Franks voices too !

[@wallflowercat]

Thank you for sharing this :) Frank Oz contributed a lot to my childhood

[@JavierPerez-cx4jw]

I love this so much. Frank himself made such a large part of my childhood from Star Wars to the Muppets. Hell Little Shop was the first play I ever had a lead in. Plus I like the interviewer. It takes balls to roll with the punches after Yoda calls you out.

[@thekingscastlepodcast1224]

Frank Oz a living legend

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Agreed, such a creative genius

[@taubennett]

I love the part where he talks about Disney taking the Muppets because that's exactly the way I feel about it.

[@antsamthompson9]

Just curious. If he said Muppets Most Wanted is a bad movie, would you agree with him? Cause, it's certainly not bad. If anything it's better than the last film.

[@taubennett]

I wouldn't agree with him. In fact I agree with you. I think it was better than the previous one. It captured the essence of what the Muppets used to be

[@antsamthompson9]

Tau Bennett Nice. Also how do you feel about this quote from the Tough Pigs forum? While I think Frank has a full right to his opinion, the fact that he is so connected to the franchise makes it hard to have an unbiased opinion, which is understandable. The last two movies have been very sweet, he's right about that. But the movies have always been sweeter. His own work on MTM is very sweet, but to be fair he directed it, he didn't write it. TMM is very sweet as well, the moment where Kermit tells Doc Hopper about being a family sticks out to me. My point is is that the movies have always been sweeter than TMS was, dating back to TMM. Are M11 and MWW sweeter than those? Probably, but the movies have always been much sweeter than a typical episode of TMS. Other than the movies, Disney hasn't done much with them. I'd love to know the things in the last two movies he does like about them. It sounds like he has no issues with the puppeteers, or how the job they're doing. I wonder how often he talks to Eric, and what they say to each other. Another great thing to hear is his thoughts on Sesame. Since he still comes back for a day or two each season, I'm sure his words would be even more cautious.

[@taubennett]

Lol yeah I totally agree. But I think what Frank is saying about the movies is that they had more edginess to them back then but "The Muppets" (2011) was a bit over board with the sweetness.

[@antsamthompson9]

I guess.

[@DavidSchilter]

I don't think anyone's perfect. But Frank is darn close. He is so honest and acknowledges the brilliance of others to deflect the praise he gets. With Jim's pretty chill and non-bossy leadership style, clearly the Muppets had a great collaborative environment. Seems that there was a leader, but nobody dominated. It's all just very heartwarming!

[@GeltyDrake]

Frank changed so much.

[@alanfunt4013]

Frank is one of the greatest comedy actors ever and his ability to channel his talent through a character on his right hand is, as he said, transcendental. As a team Jim and Frank had no rivals and it's sad (and understandable) that when Jim died some of Frank died too. Thank you Frank.

[@KyloRen4238]

Happy Birthday Frank Oz. UR a true legend!!! Wise legend. Me and my younger and older brothers love Star Wars Episode 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9. Star Wars is super mega awesome movies. All Star Wars movies r my first favorite movies... all of them. Me and my younger brother we love Zathura A Space Adventure, Muppets from Space and Monster, Inc. Its amazing and great. Full respect and support. Master Yoda is right about the Force. A Jedi use the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I believe in Master Yoda. He's a true Jedi Master. I'll never stop watching Star Wars. Never. Star Wars is my life. May the Peace be with u Master Yoda. From Harlingen Texas. May 25, 1944 May 25, 2024 through May 25, 3024

[@GlennDavey]

"Jim Henson believed kids should be scared. It would be cathartic for them". Well then he would have loved the sh-t out of Muppet Christmas Carol because that bit at the end with the "death ghost", WOAH DUDE I couldn't sleep in my own bed all last week...

[@darrind.o.2008]

frank oz is so humble.....but yet an icon......LOVE YOU FRANK.....awsome work what u do

[@JustinProper]

One of the best, most fascinating interviews I've ever seen.

[@Qwazin]

Frank sure is honest... I guess he's got a name to live up to! AAAAAAAH WAKKA WAKKA!

[@JoeandOlly]

when he gets to be 500 years old, he will look JUST like Yoda

[@basilkarlo1557]

900*

[@RyanGulbrandsen]

+JoeandOlly lol

[@KTChamberlain]

The Muppets used to have an edge to them, even the Sesame Street Muppets had an edge to them. The Muppet Show was aimed for adults but it was kid-friendly. But nowadays the edge they used to have feels like it's been blunted and now they feel like they're aimed for kids and passable for adults. Like any blade, eventually it will blunt, but it can sharpen it again. Jim Henson always hated the American perception that puppets are simply for kids. They're not. In Europe, you'd be surprised how passionate adults can be with puppets and puppeteering. Jim also hated being pigeonholed as simply "a children's entertainer". He wanted to be known for more than just one thing. What the Muppets really need is a writer who can take a whetstone to the Muppets in terms of writing the way Jerry Juhl did.

[@Grover1234]

Everyone knows that Sesame Street is not like it is anymore. I agree with Frank and know that i still love the Muppets but it's not like what Jim did with them. There are still things missing with the Muppets that aren't there anymore but glad to get to see the Muppets back on the big screen and appearances on TV.

[@lillieanag6394]

Yep!! But they’re still doing, the best they can do. I think before Caroll Spinney retired, while he was still working. Sesame Street fans knew that he was the only original muppeteer that was still working at Sesame Street, and that made these fans feel good.

[@cesarfernandes2918]

Honestly yeah, I agree, but I still really like the initiatives that Sesame Workshop takes nowadays to be more inclusive. I really liked how they introduced an Austistic Muppet on Sesame Street (I'm Autistic by the way), an HIV-positive Muppet on the South-African version Takalani Sesame, et cetera. Also, I still think Sesame Street teaches valuable lessons that children should learn, and I think they teach them in a very good way. Sesame Street is still the crown jewel of children's educational programming nowadays and better than 90% of children's programming on TV nowadays.

[@crazyweirdo9032]

I'd like to think that Frank Oz was like the brother that Jim Henson needed. Jim lost his own brother when he was very young, and I'd like to think Frank took that role. It took years and years, but Frank and Jim we're amazing together. I don't think there's any other comedy duo better than Frank and Jim

[@crazyweirdo9032]

@@kathleenmaclachlan1541 Thank you 😊 I have huge respect for Henson and Oz and I would love to meet Frank Oz one day

[@RastaSaiyaman]

It's funny, hearing him talk I can hear that Dutch background in his accent. In fact when I went to London a few months ago people told me "Where are you from, I cannot nail your accent." and my way of speaking matching his.

[@brianrunyon266]

Grew up with his and Jim's work for years.

[@pajamasflannel]

Last night I saw The Dark Crystal so, subsequently, I watched some Jim Henson interview videos. Seeing Kermit’s pointy ring around his neck I thought “that doesn’t look frogish.” Interestingly Mr Oz states here that Jim never intended Kermit to be a frog. Spectacularly amazing fact of history!

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

I Love Frank OZ With All My Heart And Always Will Such A Wonderful Wonderful Person

[@amazingkris]

"Sadly passed away" sounds so much smarter than "died tragically," which is how most people seem to frame death nowadays.

[@NiamhCullen]

I miss Jim. I also miss Frank conducting Miss Piggy and the others.

[@brattenhugo5643]

It’s Disney’s fault for ruining the Muppets

[@CinematicMaj]

Great interview.

[@GlennDavey]

You don't have to love the work you do, you might want to choose some other work for your life, even. But when you become good at something, almost when you weren't looking, you come to love what you do, and eventually realise that sometimes your life's work often chooses you, not the other way around. See also: Mr Holland's Opus

[@littleripper312]

It's not the Muppets that we liked, it was Jim Henson. He just happened to do "The Muppets". There is nothing there without Jim, it might as well be called something else.

[@BenjaminWirtz]

He always says the voice s not important, to a certain extent it's true, the voice isn't everything, however, I think they are enough a part of the character to contribute to their success. On Sesame Street the way I understand it, the performers have understudies, and part of their job along with leaning how to work the Muppets is tho mimic the voice as closely as possible. The voices are for sure a foreground aspect and there s so much behind the scenes we son't see and perhaps that is why he emphasizes it. I wonder though, when they made Yoda CGI in Episode II if he found it especially limiting not being able to actually perform fully.

[@True-trini]

+Muppetfan100 I'd be supportive too. And wash my hands of it.

[@killingmewillnotbringbacky9177]

It's so fascinating hearing him explain the innovations of Jim Henson.

[@noneofyoubusiness4895]

As Frank says. The voice thing is definitely a red herring. I mean, close your eyes and listen to Yoda, and you might well take it to be Grover. It's only when combined with the movement, and the puppet / script etc. that Yoda becomes Yoda.

[@bestofjoy]

Wow! i always imaginec Frank being arrogant & hard to interview (like bruce willis lol) but he is not AT ALL!! ive been a fan of the muppets for years & never really watched any interviews with Frank. i have a new found respect for him now!! Hes very modest!! i hope he knows how much he & Jim Henson mean to millions of people all around tge world!!!!

[@True-trini]

+Paul Sheerin From what I've seen of the clips with him and Jim Henson, there was a lot of laughing going on with the work. He had to have a real sense of humour to make Miss Piggy cuddle up to all those men.

[@ElanaVital83]

+trini I think that's why he doesn't like to do the Muppets anymore. If you had a best friend that was like a brother, and you both became successful together and had such happy memories, and then he dies prematurely...You would want to keep those memories pristine. The chemistry would never be the same.

[@KyloRen4238]

Frank Oz Movies 1. Master Yoda - Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace, Episode 2 Attack of the Clones, Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith, Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back, Episode 6 Return Of The Jedi, Episode 7 The Force Awakens, Episode 8 The Last Jedi, Episode 9 The Rise of Skywalker 1980 - 1983 - 1999 - 2002 - 2005 - 2015 - 2017 - 2019 2. Robot - Zathura A Space Adventure 2005 3. Fungus - Monster, INC. 2001 4. Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal - Muppets from Space 1999

[@JoelMangrum]

I'm 49 and I still want to meet Kermit. Strange to say, but he is as alive to me as any TV or movie star.

[@Cml725]

Frank is such a beautiful man.

[@j.b.9260]

I could listen to Frank all day. 42 minutes not enough.

[@zebbailey1727]

14:45 He's still got it

[@pressureworks]

the interviewer is Laurie Taylor, known for Thinking Allowed, BBC Radio 4.

[@muppetism]

Interesting interview

[@lourenzod622]

I am mostly happy with the way Disney handles the muppets but I can see where Frank is coming from

[@basilkarlo1557]

what he means is that the original is always the best period.

[@vinylguy6453]

+Josh Gee well yea thats with everything haha

[@dan_hitchman007]

I don't. They took away the adult edge.

[@thelizzardbrothers1167]

I think there is always a gulf between what what and what is...The new Muppet series has some of the qualities of the original, but the complete anarchy is missing. It is just the way some people believe it must be...but at some point in time, someone will have the vision to again go with what is needed rather than what is deemed right.

[@vinylguy6453]

The zaniness is gone and it's what they're trying to bring back, hopefully they get a second season they can work it out

[@lohphat]

Mr. Oz has hands Michelangelo would envy. They're sculpted.

[@ozharms]

“I hate to disillusion you, but you’re wrong” - Frank Oz, 2013

[@TruthSurge]

Gee, a little uptight there, Oz?

[@barontaylor7139]

Yoda, Bert, Cookie Monster, Grover, Fozzie, Animal, Sam Eagle, and Mrs. Piggy

[@Pugelista41]

Frank seems really pissed about talking about this.

[@Zobovor]

It's one thing to be modest. But Frank Oz downplays his contributions and importance far too much.

[@Paulafan5]

You should hear him in his interview with Mark Hamill. He really hated when Mark showered him with praise.

[@guyansell9659]

You can see his alter ego come out in Cookie Monster (sacastic too cool for school). And beginning of interview he apologized if he was rude

[@harveywallace2046]

Yes indeed. Incredible inspiration, amazing talent, a miracle of joy.

[@wheelzwheela]

Disney has killed their own characters, think Mickey's Clubhouse, so why wouldn't they do the same thing with other's characters. I feel that this day and age you have to play things safely and Disney is the king of that. They would never make many of the old movies again... Aladdin would NEVER happen... Pinocchio would be a completely different move and much worse. People do not expect or (think they) want movies that are the kind that become classics, with people playing characters that fit their natural roles and feel realistic.

[@icecreamhero2375]

Nah Mickey is still the same its just another version. They still do the cartoony stuff

[@RMoocher]

His work on sesame street and the Muppets show was quality entertainment, but for me personally, Yoda in Empire Strikes Back was the greatest!

[@darrind.o.2008]

waka waka waka....lol

[@SuperDraupnir]

When does the Star Wars talk begin?

[@lizardhats8637]

frank oz said gay rights!

[@lester44444]

26:50 he is such an amazing, humble man. I hope arrogant actors like Andy Serkis who constantly disparage the industry of animators and vfx artists have seen this.

[@rougegirlishere945]

When I hear Frank talking I immediately redirect to thinking about Snuffie from Sesame Street

[@vidoodles]

Frank Oz never voiced Mr. Snuffleupagus. It was Jerry nelson (originally)

[@rougegirlishere945]

Vidoodles I know that, he just sounds like him a bit.

[@lillieanag6394]

Vidoodles YEP!!! Until, it tore Jerry’s back.

[@kristinlambert8811]

Frank Oz was Jim Henson's sidekick

[@mpdalyful1]

Bowfinger is the last film Steve martin made as a writer/actor. It is also the last time Eddie Murphy was funny in anything. In no way is it a pos.

[@timrob12]

+Mark Daly I think Eddie Murphy was funny in Shrek, but that is my opinion.

[@47Cartoonguy]

I think he meant live action adult comedies

[@anactorstime4fun115]

16:07

[@loolylooly81]

Who is the interviewer ?

[@j.b.9260]

Laurie Taylor.

[@loolylooly81]

@@j.b.9260 thank you so much

[@tripjet999]

...sounds like he has a frog in his throat.

[@anguscovoflyer95]

Hmmmmm hmmmmm hmmmmmm

[@ksspqf6016]

Frank oznowicz polak

[@jmuduke99]

I've gotten to know Mr. Oz very very well over the past 18 years. Nicest guy ever.

[@basehead617]

you gotta be kidding he’s widely known as one of the biggest assholes in the industry! he has on-set problems on every film he directs, he’s the common denominator

[@jmuduke99]

@@basehead617 I’m not in the industry so I don’t know what to tell you, man. I don’t deal with him on a business level. Just known him for years, and love the guy.

[@DEATHBYFLYINGCDS]

I ask this as an autistic... does he have any association with autism... personally?

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Go buy and watch Muppet Guys Talking, you wont regret it

[@JessHelt35]

Where can I find it ...I lost the link or whatever I need to purchase it....

[@jesselee669]

yes man i like do that one a lot..

[@darrind.o.2008]

love how humble he is