Janice

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Just in time for dinner, this #SomethingElseSunday, we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! From the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Janice!

Janice made her debut in the second Muppet Show pilot “The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence” back in March of 1975. She became a major Muppet player during the five year run of The Muppet Show, not only as a part of the recurring Veterinarian’s Hospital sketch (as Nurse Janice), but mostly as the lead guitar player in The Electric Mayhem house band, appearing in 86 of the 120 episodes.

In later seasons of the show, Janice is seen as a part of the orchestra playing a trombone or trumpet. Besides the guitar, you can also see her playing tambourine from time to time.

Puppeteer Richard Hunt took over for performing Janice during season two, which not only led to the character being left-handed but also was the beginning of Janice’s signature Valley-girl voice and attitude. Her name is likely a nod to singer Janis Joplin, and the design of her face (specifically the oversized mouth) is meant to resemble Mick Jagger.

For the Palisades toy line, Janice finally arrived in wave 5 to complete the Electric Mayhem lineup. The standard version appeared in a pink top, with a brown hat, and came with a white guitar and brown amp. The chase version (seen here) came in a pink top, green hat, brown guitar, and green amp. Both versions also included a tambourine and base, but unlike the Floyd figure, neither had a cord to connect the electric guitar to the included amplifier.

#TheMuppets70

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