Lew Zealand
Encyclopedia
Lew Zealand is a Muppet
character who's name is a play on the Oceanian country of New Zealand
. Performed by Jerry Nelson
, he has an obsession for throwing fish. His thrown fish are unique in that they return to him once thrown. In the 1984 movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan
, he appears at Scooter's job at theater in Cleveland, Ohio. He shows Scooter his boomerang fish while the audience is watching Attack of The Killer Fish, a 3-D movie partly seen in the movie. He appears on The Muppet Show
from the third season onwards trying to promote his Boomerang
Fish act. He is also able to play a fish organ
(a line of fish that, when squeezed, each gargle a different note). The sketches he appears in usually end with the entire stage in an uproar.
Lew Zealand was originally puppeteered by Jerry Nelson
until his retirement from The Muppets. Bill Barretta
was his performer in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
. Matt Vogel assumed this role as well as Jerry Nelson's other primary Muppet Show characters starting with the 2008 TV movie, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
.
Lew has appeared in The Muppet Movie
, The Great Muppet Caper
, Muppet Christmas Carol, and a cameo knitting a Jolly Roger in Muppet Treasure Island
.
The Muppets
The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
character who's name is a play on the Oceanian country of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. 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:...
, he has an obsession for throwing fish. His thrown fish are unique in that they return to him once thrown. In the 1984 movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
, he appears at Scooter's job at theater in Cleveland, Ohio. He shows Scooter his boomerang fish while the audience is watching Attack of The Killer Fish, a 3-D movie partly seen in the movie. He appears on The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
from the third season onwards trying to promote his Boomerang
Boomerang
A boomerang is a flying tool with a curved shape used as a weapon or for sport.-Description:A boomerang is usually thought of as a wooden device, although historically boomerang-like devices have also been made from bones. Modern boomerangs used for sport are often made from carbon fibre-reinforced...
Fish act. He is also able to play a fish organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
(a line of fish that, when squeezed, each gargle a different note). The sketches he appears in usually end with the entire stage in an uproar.
Lew Zealand was originally puppeteered 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:...
until his retirement from The Muppets. Bill Barretta
Bill Barretta
Bill Barretta has been performing with the Muppets since 1991, when he performed the body of family father Earl Sinclair on Dinosaurs...
was his performer in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is a 2002 television film that aired on NBC on November 29, 2002. The film is directed by Kirk Thatcher, written by Tom Martin and Jim Lewis and stars the Muppets and was filmed at Lionsgate Studios. The film revolves a plot similar to "It's A Wonderful...
and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz is a 2005 musical telefilm directed by Kirk Thatcher and starring Ashanti and The Muppets. The film was produced by Bill Barretta and written by Debra Frank, Steve L. Hayes, Tom Martin, and Adam F...
. Matt Vogel assumed this role as well as Jerry Nelson's other primary Muppet Show characters starting with the 2008 TV movie, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
-External links:...
.
Lew has appeared in The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets. Released in 1979, the film was produced by Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop and ITC Entertainment....
, The Great Muppet Caper
The Great Muppet Caper
The Great Muppet Caper is a 1981 mystery comedy film directed by Jim Henson. It is the second of a series of live-action musical feature films, starring Jim Henson's Muppets. This film was produced by Henson Associates, ITC Entertainment and Universal Pictures, and premiered on 26 July 1981. The...
, Muppet Christmas Carol, and a cameo knitting a Jolly Roger in Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island is a 1996 American musical film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the fifth feature film to star The Muppets and was directed by Jim Henson's son Brian Henson....
.
Trivia
- Lew is known for his trademark catchphrase: "I throw the fish away, and it comes back to me!"