Puppets have a particular place in television story . Many of the first appearance circulate starred ventriloquist dummies , hand puppets , and marionettes . Although animation has replace many marionette show , the Muppets and others carry on the tradition .
See the next page to get started with our list of the top 10 puppets to make it big on idiot box .
1: Kukla, Fran, and Ollie
Kukla , Fran , and Olliewas a children ’s show that first hit the airwave in 1947 . Kukla , the leader of the group , resemble a buffoon but was n’t one ; Ollie was Oliver J. Dragon , a plucky dragon with one tooth ; and Fran was not a creature but a big sister figure who kept the two in lineage . round off out the cast were other puppets , including Madame Ooglepuss , a former opera diva ; Beulah Witch ; and Fletcher Rabbit . Although the show was originally produce for children , it quick became more pop with adults for the type development and humor .
2: Charlie McCarthy
3. Farfel and Danny O’Day
Farfel , the long - eared shaggy-haired wiener , and Danny O’Day were puppets who seem in many TV commercial message for Nestle ’s Quik . Danny O’Day sang " N - E - S - T - L - E - S , Nestle ’s makes the very best . . . " and Farfel respond with " Chawk - lit ! " Along with ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson , the trio reached national prominence in the 1950s when they joined the Texaco Star Theater starring Milton Berle .
4: Topo Gigio
Created in 1958 by creative person Maria Perego , Topo Gigio , a well-disposed computer mouse with huge ear , was the champion of a kid ’s tv show in Italy in the early 1960s . Immensely pop in his home country , Topo Gigio became a universal sense after his visual aspect onThe Ed Sullivan Showin 1963 . A fixture of Italian pop refinement , Topo Gigio still performs regularly at fete in Italy .
5: Howdy Doody
The Howdy Doody Show , hosted by " Buffalo Bob " Smith , was a groundbreaking nestling ’s television show that air from 1947 through 1960 . Howdy Doody was a blue - eyed , red - haired , lentigo - faced puppet , whose name originated from the expression " howdy do , " a variation of the salutation " How do you do ? " Each installment of the show begin with Buffalo Bob need the audience , " What time is it ? " to which they would sky-high respond , " It ’s Howdy Doody time ! " Howdy Doody is now on show at the Smithsonian ’s National Museum of American History .
6: Andy Pandy
Andy Pandy , a puppet who know in a picnic basket , starred in the British children ’s telecasting show of the same name , which first aired in 1950 . Andy ’s pal was a teddy bear named Teddy , and rag doll Looby Loo only seem when the two were n’t around . In 2002 , the show was revived using blockade - movement animation rather than puppets , and some young persona were added , including Missy Hissy , a snake ; Tiffo , a detent ; and Orbie , a yellow and blue ball .
7: Lamb Chop
Lamb Chop is a sweet sock puppet sheep created by comedian and ventriloquist Shari Lewis in 1957 . During the 1960s , Lamb Chop appeared on Lewis ’s musical - clowning television show . In 1992 , Lewis createdLamb Chop ’s drama - Along , a small fry ’s show for PBS that win five Emmy Awards . Shari Lewis go in 1998 , but her girl Mallory has kept Lamb Chop alert for her many fan .
8: Bert and Ernie
Created by the fabled Jim Henson , Bert and Ernie are two Muppets that have seem on the long - running PBS children ’s television receiver showSesame Streetsince its debut in 1969 . Bert and Ernie are something of an " curious duo " with the impish and naive Ernie often frustrate the rational and practical Bert . Despite misconceptions besiege their living situation , Sesame Streetexecs struggle that Bert and Ernie are not homosexual , they ’re merely roommates , and the pair uphold to be a devotee dearie . Ernie even released a disc , " Rubber Duckie , " which reached the top 40 on Billboard charts in 1970 .
9: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Resembling a rottweiler , Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is a rubbery hired man marionette featured onLate Night with Conan O’Brien . Triumph speaks with an Eastern European accent , puffs on a cigar , and his trademark catchphrase is " . . . for me to poop on ! " – commonly spoken to negate a compliment that precedes it , such as " You ’re the best . . . for me to poop on ! " Since his debut in a 1997 clowning skit about the Westminster Kennel Club dog show , Triumph has been tossing insults at client in the style of comedian Don Rickles .
10: Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog actually start life in 1955 as a lizard - like tool . Kermit , who was created by legendaryMuppeteerJim Henson , was made from two Ping River - pong musket ball ( for eye ) and a discarded unripened coat . By 1969 , Kermit had transformed into a anuran , and that year he landed a recurring part onSesame Street , a role that would make him a household name . By far one of the most popular puppet of all time , Kermit has appeared on several television shows , includingThe Muppet Show . He has also asterisk in movies , such asThe Muppets Take Manhattan , recorded song ( " Bein ' Green " and " The Rainbow Connection " ) , and even guest - hostedThe Tonight Show . You ’ve add up a foresightful means from the swampland , Kermy !
For another great list , see the10 Longest Running TV Shows .
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies , Marjorie Dorfman , Mary Fons , Deborah Hawkins , Martin Hintz , Linnea Lundgren , David Priess , Julia Clark Robinson , Paul Seaburn , Heidi Stevens , and Steve Theunissen
