| Grover | |
|---|---|
 |
|
Grover and Kimiko on Sesame Street |
|
| First appearance | 1967 (unnamed on Ed Sullivan) November 9 1970 (as Grover) |
| Gender | male |
| Voiced by | Frank Oz (1970-2001 and occasionally) Eric Jacobson (2002-present) |
Grover is a friendly, very likable, childlike Muppet with a speech impediment in the children's television show Sesame Street. He is without a trace of guile. His character is multi-talented, taking on many different roles and professions throughout the series run. Grover describes himself as a "cute, furry, adorable monster." He is fuzzy and blue (although in Sesame Street's first season the Muppet that would become Grover was actually green), and much like other Muppets on the show in appearance. Grover displays a wide array of eloquent and erudite articulation, suggesting a high level of education and sophistication for a 'monster'. Furthermore, he occasionally breaks the 'monster fourth wall' and references something for his 'grown-up' viewers. Contrary to what has been widely reported, Grover does use contractions in his speech. In an episode in which Fat Blue orders a hamburger, Grover makes four statements with contractions, starting with "There's our little hamburger, Sir." He is genuinely selfless and zealously concerned for others - though he is often unaware of the stress that his enthusiasm causes others when he comes to their aid (such as restaurant customer Fat Blue). He appeared in several sketches with Kermit the Frog, which always began with Kermit engaged in some activity (whether specifically waiting for Grover or not), when Grover, far in the background, waved to him, shouting "Heeeeeeeeeeey, Froggie Bay-beeeeee!" then ran up to him and enthusiastically slapped him on the back. Grover customarily called Kermit "Froggie." When appearing in sketches with the Amazing Mumford or Herbert Birdsfoot, Grover's behavior was much the same, simply substituting "Mumfie" or "Herbie" for "Froggie." All three characters tended to regard Grover's appearance with mild trepidation, since his slap on the back was quite jarring. He has also referred to Oscar as "Grouchy" from time to time. In When Grover Moved to Sesame Street, it is learned that Grover has a toy named Teddy Monster, and an exotically-finned goldfish. Grover, along with Elmo, is one of the more popular characters created during the show's run, partially for his distinct manner of speaking and for his numerous imaginary adventures (particularly as Super Grover), with which children easily identify. He is also shown in several skits as a waiter in a restaurant who always serves the same bald blue human muppet customer Fat Blue and while Grover tries his very best to satisfy him, he never quite gets it right, which results in the customer getting really frustrated, sometimes to the point of fainting.
Contents |
Appearances
Super Grover
As the subject of a series of segments on Sesame Street, Grover changes into his alter-identity Super Grover. A parody of Superman, this superhero monster goes out to fix things, but doesn't always prove helpful. He wears a Roman helmet and a cape with the letter "G" tied around his neck.
- See for a comprehensive catalogue of appearances
Professor Grover
Grover's instructional persona wears a cap and gown to provide educational context for simple, everyday things. His lessons are more often than not wrong, leaving himself open to be corrected by a group of kids or Muppets.
Waiter
In various skits at Charlie's Restaurant, Grover often serves the same blue customer who has repeatedly been mismanaged over the years.
Other appearances
He is perhaps most remembered for the now famous "Near, Far" sketch, in which he demonstrated the positional concepts until he fainted from exhaustion.
Behind the scenes
Grover was originally performed by puppeteer (now film director) Frank Oz. Since Oz has left the series, newcomer Eric Jacobson has taken over the role. Not ending his puppeteering career, however, Oz still plays Grover from time to time. Many note the similarity between Grover's voice and that of Yoda, also an Oz character (this one from Star Wars). Grover may have been named after former U.S. president Grover Cleveland. It is also speculated, however, that the Children's Television Workshop chose this name because it was out of vogue and unlikely to unintentionally offend many viewers.
Books
In the children's book The Monster at the End of This Book, Grover goes through greater and greater efforts to keep the reader from turning the pages of the book, because there is a monster on the final page. Despite Grover nailing pages together and building a brick wall to block access to the end of the book, eventually the reader does reach the end of the book, where it is discovered that Grover is, in fact, the monster at the end of the book.
International
Sesame Street is localised for different national markets, and Grover is often renamed.
- In Germany his name is Grobi, a possible diminutive of the German 'grob' meaning 'rough' or 'rude'.
- In Portugal he is Gualter (Walter).
- In Spain he is called Coco.
- In Latin America, he is known as Archibaldo.
- In Brazil he is known as Arquibaldo.
- In Norway, he is known as Gunnar.
- In Egypt, he is called Antar.
- In Puerto Rico, he is called "Archibaldo".
- In Israel, he is called "Kruvi", which is a play on the word "cherub" (cabbage).
- In the Netherlands and Sweden, on the other hand, he remains Grover.
