Rizzo the Rat is a character from The Muppet Show, introduced during the show's fourth season. He was created by Steve Whitmire after he took a fascination to a bunch of old rat puppets originally made for The Muppet Musicians of Bremen. Rizzo has a tendency to crack jokes at the expense of the other Muppets and sometimes tries to cheat people into getting what he wants, but has a sensitive side and is also good friends with other Muppets, particularly Gonzo.
Appearances in Christmas specials[]
The Muppets[]
- A Muppet Family Christmas - In this 1987 crossover with Sesame Street, Rizzo had a brief speaking role wanting to bunk out in Oscar the Grouch's trash can, much to Oscar's delight.
- The Muppet Christmas Carol - This 1992 adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol notably marked the first time Rizzo was cast as a double act with Gonzo, who is playing the role of Dickens himself, a claim that Rizzo finds dubious, to say the least. Along with Gonzo, Rizzo is often on the set while the story is taking place, sometimes getting the worst of the action.
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie - At the beginning of this 2002 made-for-TV movie, Rizzo and Gonzo are among the Muppets exchanging gifts at the Muppet Theater's Christmas party. Rizzo reveals that he sold his collection of rare cheese to buy a crystal petri dish for Gonzo's mold collection, but Gonzo tells him sold his mold collection to buy him a diamond-tipped cheese slicer. Rizzo responds by asking if Gonzo kept the receipt. Later, in the world where Kermit was never born, it is shown that Rizzo would end up in a segment on Fear Factor where an unfortunate contest has to eat him alive.
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
- Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular
Other Christmas productions[]
- Holiday Greetings from the Ed Sullivan Show - In this special, Rizzo appeared alongside Gonzo to introduced the Cratchit family as they sang "It Feels Like Christmas" to promote the release of The Muppet Christmas Carol.
External links[]
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