The Muppets' Beaker tells all in exclusive interview: 'Meep meep mo mo moo'
'Mee mee. Mo mee meep meep. Mee mee mee. Mo meep meep meep'
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Your support makes all the difference.This summer, The Muppets hit London.
Everyone's favourite fuzzy collective will star in The Muppets Take The O2, marking their first full-length live show ever to be staged in Europe, joined by celebrity guests for musical performances, sketches, and more.
The event follows a trio of sold-out shows at Los Angeles' iconic Hollywood Bowl, with the likes of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and their legendary house band Dr. Teeth and the Electrical Mayhem now bringing all the action to one of London's biggest venues.
The Muppets Take the O2 will run 13 and 14 July, with two evening performances and one matinee; The O2 will also see itself transformed into Muppet central, rolling out the green carpet with Muppet movies, street food, live music, and costume competitions.
Ahead of such a special event, we reached out to one of the Muppets' most beloved members for an exclusive interview. Yes, Beaker, one of our greatest scientific pioneers. Of course, since we don't expect our readers to speak fluent Beaker, his best friend and Muppet Labs' boss Dr. Bunsen Honeydew stepped in to translate.
The original Muppet Show was filmed in the UK, at Elstree Studios, during the late ‘70s. What does it feel like to be performing back in the UK nearly 45 years later?
BEAKER: Meep meep meep moo mee moo-moo meep meep. Mee meep!
BUNSEN: Beaker says it is marvelous to be back in the UK, and that he’s thrilled that after all these years most of the damage we did to Elstree Studios seems to have been tidied up nicely. Being back in England is like coming home again.
Can we expect the return of some old classics?
BEAKER: Mo mo mo mo mo! Meep meep meep. Meep meep meep moo meep.
BUNSEN: Oh heaven’s no, we never look back! We are scientists and for us, every day is a steppingstone to the future. So, while many of the other Muppets may be rollicking and rousting about with their classic bits of silliness, we at Muppet Labs will be on stage, breaking new ground…and possibly some other things as well.
Can you spill on what some of the special guests might be?
BEAKER: Meep meep. Meep meep meep. Moop.
BUNSEN: While we will no doubt be spilling (as well as splashing and otherwise making a mess onstage) during the shows this July, we are not at liberty to reveal the names of any special guests. Mostly because Mr. Kermit hasn’t told us those names. We’ll keep trying to sneak a peek and let you know.
What’s on your rider for the show?
BEAKER: Meep meep….wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!
BUNSEN: No, Beakie, I don’t think he’s asking about your red bicycle with the bells and streamers. By rider, he means what special requests are in your contract for the show.
BEAKER: Meep meep meep.
BUNSEN: Beaker says he’d like to get a first aid kit, if it’s not too much trouble.
You’ve been electrocuted, set on fire, battered with a giant sledgehammer - all because of Dr. Honeydew’s experiments. Your doctor can’t be too happy, surely?
BEAKER: Meep meep mo mo moo. Meep meep meep. Meep.
BUNSEN: That’s right, Beakie, I am your doctor, and I don’t mind at all. After all, what’s a little electrocution, scorching and sledgehammering when it’s in the name of scientific progress. Besides, you’re a quick healer.
And you’ve always been his assistant only. Have you ever thought of asking for a promotion?
BEAKER: Mo mo moo. Meep mo.
BUNSEN: Beakie says that’s a silly question. Why would he want a promotion? And maybe you should ask him later when I step outside to use the little scientists' room…..What do you mean by that, Beaker?
BEAKER: Mo moop.
BUNSEN: Never mind, indeed.
Is Beaker your birth name? Or is it a nickname you decided on when you entered the scientific profession?
BEAKER: Mee mee mee.
BUNSEN: “Beaker” is his birth name. His nickname is “Beakie”. And science is his reason for living. Well, that, and Tuesday Tapioca Nights at the commissary.
Who would you choose to play you in the biopic of your own life?
BEAKER: Mee mee. Mo mee meep meep. Mee mee mee. Mo meep meep meep.
BUNSEN: He says it’s a toss-up between Prince Harry, Rupert Grint and Rowan Atkinson. Oh, and not that you asked, but I do think that Sir Patrick Stewart would be excellent as Dr. Honeydew. Don’t you agree?
BEAKER: Meep meep.
BUNSEN: Beaker agrees.
Live on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 July The Muppets will be lighting up The O2 for two evenings and one matinee. Tickets for The Muppets Take The O2 are on sale now and are available to purchase here.