Written by Ryan Dosier.
MULCH
Performed by...Kevin Clash (
Muppets Tonight)
Jerry Nelson (
The Muppet Show)
First appearance...The Muppet Show Episode 501: Gene Kelly (1981)
Most recent appearance...The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)
Best known role...Dr. Phil van Neuter's grunting lab assistant in "Tales From the Vet"
WHO IS MULCH?Mulch is best known for his recurring role in the "Tales From the Vet" segments on
Muppets Tonight. As Dr. Phil van Neuter's assistant, Mulch grunted and groaned his way through the ridiculous segments. With Dr. van Neuter, Mulch aided in the telling of "scary" animal-based stories. Mulch's aid usually came in the form of lifting heavy things or putting in videos (including one hilariously wrong video of an embarrassing Christmas party).
The first appearance of Mulch came in the fifth season of
The Muppet Show. He was seen in the background of Episode 501, guest starring Gene Kelly. His only speaking appearance on the show was in Episode 509, guest starring punk goddess Debbie Harry. Mulch, performed by Jerry Nelson, sang the opening song, "Me and My Goyle" (as "Me and Gar-Goyle") to a female gargoyle he loved. Later in the episode, he revealed himself as a huge Debbie Harry fan, and danced with her during her "One Way or Another" number.
Back on
Muppets Tonight, Mulch appeared solely with Dr. Phil van Neuter, in and out of "Tales from the Vet." At various moments, Mulch helped Dr. van Neuter reanimate Coolio's dead body and convinced Dr. van Neuter to use an echoing machine on the show. In one sketch, Dr. van Neuter reveals that he is married to Mulch's sister Composta Heap. In a musical montage set to "She Blinded Me With Science," we see that Composta Heap looks exactly like Mulch in a wig.
Mulch's most recent appearance, and only appearance after
Muppets Tonight, was in
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz in 2005. Here, Mulch can be seen falling asleep and yawning out the words "Nap time..." in the Poppyseed Club.
WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED MULCH?RAAAAAAWWWW!!! AHHHHH!! DEB-BIE HAR-RY!
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com
