PERFORMER | Bruce Lanoil |
DEBUT | 2001 |
DESIGN | James Wojtal designer/builder |
Mo Frackle is a Frackle character who has appeared in various Muppet productions. He first appeared with the Muppet team on Family Feud during their apperances in 2001. In one of the episodes, he claims to be from the tropics. In a scene cut from the broadcast, he elaborates that he actually hails from "Frackle Island," and was discovered there by Kermit the Frog during his vacation.[1]
The puppet was built by builder James Wojtal in 2001 on his own volition between other builds for the Henson Company.[2] Wojtal had originally named the puppet "Skankin Frackle."[3] He was given the name "Mo" by performer Bruce Lanoil just prior to the Family Feud tapings, naming him after Moe Howard of the Three Stooges.[2][1] His appearance is similar to (and possibly based on) the "Blue" and "Green" Frackles originating in The Great Santa Claus Switch and frequently seen on The Muppet Show.
His later screen appearances include being regurgitated from Big Mean Carl in a Haunted Holidays sketch, and in the online music video for "Bohemian Rhapsody" where he was seen with Angel Marie, Old Tom, and a Purple Frackle. Mo made his feature film debut in 2011's The Muppets, where he was reunited with his original performer Lanoil. Lanoil tried to get a line in as Mo for a scene by ad-libbing an interaction with Gary, but the scene was cut.[1] In the early 2010s the puppet appeared in the Muppet crowds in commercials for Orange and Warburtons and in the finale of Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular.
In 2017 and 2018, Mo appeared with Luncheon Counter Monster and Pokey as Beaker's internet friends in "the cloud" during a Muppet Labs sketch of The Muppets Take the Bowl and The Muppets Take the O2.
Mo received a short singing line in "Life Hereafter" in the 2021 special, Muppets Haunted Mansion (performed once again by Bruce Lanoil). His likeness additionally adorns the Haunted Mansion address plaque in the special.[4]
Appearances[]
- Family Feud
- Haunted Holidays (performed by Eric Jacobson)
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video
- The Muppets
- Orange commercial
- Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular (puppeteered by Nathan Danforth)
- Warburtons commercial
- The Muppets Take the Bowl
- The Muppets Take the O2
- Muppets Haunted Mansion
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 ToughPigs.com "An Oral History of Mo Frackle" by Anthony Strand, Nov 8, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 @puppetdungeon October 7, 2021
- ↑ muppetcentral.com forum post by puppet builder
- ↑ @jasperjandersonfx October 8, 2021