<b>The Muppets</b> are an ensemble cast of puppet characters known for their self-aware, burlesque, and meta-referential style of variety-sketch comedy. The franchise encompasses television, music, film, and other media associated with the characters.
The Muppets were created by puppeteer <a href="/c/books/credit/418550/jim-henson/">Jim Henson</a> in the 1950s, beginning with Kermit the Frog, who would become Henson's most recognizable character. In February 2004, <a href="/c/books/credit/20637/disney/">Disney</a> acquired the Muppets, allowing the characters to gain broader public exposure than in previous years.
Notable Muppet characters of The Muppet Show and subsequent media include Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy; Fozzie Bear; Gonzo; Rowlf the Dog; Scooter; Rizzo the Rat; Pepe the King Prawn; Dr. Bunsen Honeydew; Beaker; Statler and Waldorf; the Swedish Chef; Sam Eagle; Walter; and the Electric Mayhem, consisting of Dr. Teeth on keyboard, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on bass, Janice on lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone, and occasionally Lips on trumpet.
