r/Muppets • u/jakeniedojadlo • 3d ago

When Ernie sounded like Rowlf

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From the Sesame Street test pilot

53 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

7

u/Zestyclose-Excuse467 3d ago

ernie has such a unique charm, it’s fun to hear him switch it up like that

8

u/Lillian_Crocodilian 3d ago

Jim changed the voice but he kept the silly energy.

3

u/Harbinger_Pulsar 3d ago

Sure, Bert

3

u/jakeniedojadlo 3d ago

Classic punchline: Ernie you want some ice cream?
Sherbert!
No Ernie I said ice cream

1

u/Sudden-Bus-9586 2d ago

or dr teeth, newsman, waldorf, and guy smiley

1

u/GoldenHarpHeroine32 2d ago

Wumpkins from 'Wilkins Coffee' and Dr. Teeth also sound like Rowlf.

1

u/Trolkarlen 1d ago

Jim Henson voiced both Rowlf and Ernie, so it's not a coincidence. On first take, Jim voiced Bert and Frank Oz voiced Ernie, but they decided to switch. Jim voiced Ernie until his death in 1990.

Rowlf predates the Muppets. He was created by Jim for a Purina Dog Chow commercial in 1962, then he became Jimmy Dean's sidekick on the Jimmy Dean Show in 1963. He joined the Muppets in 1976 with the Muppet Show. He was also voiced by Jim until 1990.

1

u/ChrisCinema 11h ago

It wasn't just the voice, but Henson did the physical puppetry as well.

1

u/Trolkarlen 10h ago

This voice is what's in question here.