Lefty the Salesman
Encyclopedia
Lefty the Salesman — commonly known as Lefty or simply The Salesman) was a Muppet character on the children's television program Sesame Street
. A green Anything Muppet with a small, narrow face, and wearing a gray trenchcoat and black hat, Lefty's traits included a whispery voice, his catchphrase "Riiight!" and unscruplous sales pitches of his wares.
Lefty was featured in a recurring series of skits during the early- to mid-1970s, with either one or more gangster-type characters or Ernie
as his co-star. The purpose of the "Lefty" skits was to teach children letters of the alphabet, counting and basic concepts such as sound clusters (such as in the "Golden AN" skit), sizes and that snowmen melt in the sun.
He was performed primarily by Frank Oz
, although Carroll Spinney also played the character in some early skits.
During those skits that paired Lefty with Ernie, Lefty was notorious for looking repeatedly right and left to make sure no one overhears him. For that reason, every time Ernie talked too loudly (which he often did), Lefty would utter a long "Shhhhh!" which usually made Ernie shake like a leaf and sometimes even caused him to intimidatedly crouch down.
Lefty was also seen in skits with a character known simply as "The Boss" (a Fat Blue Anything Muppet). These skits were often set in a dark alley or abandoned warehouse, and involved activities such as trafficking carrots (for a pet rabbit) and theft of items such as the "Golden AN" and reciting the alphabet.
As such, the educational benefit of the "Lefty" skits seemed to be his descriptions of his wares. For example, in addition to telling about the words spelled with the letters he sold, one of his skits talked about the uses of air — breathing, playing instruments, and blowing up balloons.
Lefty's boss (performed by Jerry Nelson
) is the only character who refers to him as "Lefty." For years, CTW production materials, the book "Sesame Street Unpaved
" and Sesame Street merchandise (including storybooks and record albums) referred to the character as simply as "The Salesman." The 2008 Sesame Street book "Storybook ABCs" was the first to feature Lefty's name in print, in a story casting Grover
as the main character in "Jack and the Beanstalk
".
The Lefty character is reminiscent of a comedic character played by Sheldon Leonard
on the Jack Benny
radio and television programs. Leonard's character would accost people with shady and unpredictable propositions, opening with lines like, "Hey, buddy, wanna buy a duck?"
Lefty was gradually removed from the American version of the show after concerns were raised by adult viewers who were concerned that he encouraged children to talk to strangers, although the validity of this claim is questioned. However, he is still a rather popular character on Sesamstrasse, the German version of Sesame Street. On this version of the show, he is known as "Schlemihl," a Yiddish word for a "habitual bungler".
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
. A green Anything Muppet with a small, narrow face, and wearing a gray trenchcoat and black hat, Lefty's traits included a whispery voice, his catchphrase "Riiight!" and unscruplous sales pitches of his wares.
Lefty was featured in a recurring series of skits during the early- to mid-1970s, with either one or more gangster-type characters or Ernie
Ernie
Ernie is a fictional character, a Muppet on the Public Broadcasting Service's long-running children's television show, Sesame Street. He and his roommate Bert form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve troublemaker and Bert the world-weary foil...
as his co-star. The purpose of the "Lefty" skits was to teach children letters of the alphabet, counting and basic concepts such as sound clusters (such as in the "Golden AN" skit), sizes and that snowmen melt in the sun.
He was performed primarily by Frank Oz
Frank Oz
Frank Oz is a British-born American film director, actor, voice actor and puppeteer who is known for creating and performing the characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Show, Cookie Monster, Bert and Grover in Sesame Street, and for directing films, including the 1986 Little Shop of...
, although Carroll Spinney also played the character in some early skits.
Skit format
Skits that paired Lefty with Ernie often began with Ernie walking or otherwise minding his own business, Lefty calling out, "Psst! Come here!" and a startled Ernie responding, "Who me?" Lefty would then begin to make his sales pitch for an esoteric item, such as a letter of the alphabet, a box or a snowman. Often, Lefty would give a silly description of said item's "usefulness" so as to trick Ernie (who he hoped was naive and unwary) into buying. However, Ernie usually got the upper hand, frustrating Lefty; at one point, he shakes his head and sighs, "Why me?"During those skits that paired Lefty with Ernie, Lefty was notorious for looking repeatedly right and left to make sure no one overhears him. For that reason, every time Ernie talked too loudly (which he often did), Lefty would utter a long "Shhhhh!" which usually made Ernie shake like a leaf and sometimes even caused him to intimidatedly crouch down.
Lefty was also seen in skits with a character known simply as "The Boss" (a Fat Blue Anything Muppet). These skits were often set in a dark alley or abandoned warehouse, and involved activities such as trafficking carrots (for a pet rabbit) and theft of items such as the "Golden AN" and reciting the alphabet.
As such, the educational benefit of the "Lefty" skits seemed to be his descriptions of his wares. For example, in addition to telling about the words spelled with the letters he sold, one of his skits talked about the uses of air — breathing, playing instruments, and blowing up balloons.
History
Lefty was first seen during the first season in skits pairing him with Ernie. Later, he began appearing with a group of gangster associates in another series of skits.Lefty's boss (performed by Jerry Nelson
Jerry Nelson
Jerry Nelson is an American Muppet puppeteer, known for his wide range of characters, singing abilities, and his frequent partnership with Richard Hunt.-Early years:...
) is the only character who refers to him as "Lefty." For years, CTW production materials, the book "Sesame Street Unpaved
Sesame Street Unpaved
Sesame Street Unpaved is a name used for numerous Sesame Street related productions.*Sesame Street Unpaved was a nationwide tour of ten United States colleges to mark the thirtieth anniversary of children's television show Sesame Street...
" and Sesame Street merchandise (including storybooks and record albums) referred to the character as simply as "The Salesman." The 2008 Sesame Street book "Storybook ABCs" was the first to feature Lefty's name in print, in a story casting Grover
Grover
Grover is a Muppet character on the popular television show Sesame Street. Self-described as lovable, cute and furry, he is a monster who almost never uses contractions when speaking or singing....
as the main character in "Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack and the Beanstalk is a folktale said by English historian Francis Palgrave to be an oral legend that arrived in England with the Vikings. The tale is closely associated with the tale of Jack the Giant-killer. It is known under a number of versions...
".
The Lefty character is reminiscent of a comedic character played by Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Leonard was a pioneering American film and television producer, director, writer, and actor.-Biography:...
on the Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
radio and television programs. Leonard's character would accost people with shady and unpredictable propositions, opening with lines like, "Hey, buddy, wanna buy a duck?"
Lefty was gradually removed from the American version of the show after concerns were raised by adult viewers who were concerned that he encouraged children to talk to strangers, although the validity of this claim is questioned. However, he is still a rather popular character on Sesamstrasse, the German version of Sesame Street. On this version of the show, he is known as "Schlemihl," a Yiddish word for a "habitual bungler".