Frank Oz Returns to Puppetry After a Decade With Judge Boing Boing
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Legendary puppeteer Frank Oz has returned to puppetry for the first time in over a decade, co-creating and directing the new YouTube comedy series Judge Boing Boing alongside fellow Muppet alumni.
Legendary puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz is back behind the curtain. Alongside fellow Muppets and Sesame Street veteran Bill Barretta, Oz has co-created and directed a new YouTube comedy series titled Judge Boing Boing. The project marks Oz's first return to active puppetry in more than ten years, bringing a welcome dose of classic physical comedy directly to modern digital feeds.
As reported by Brian VanHooker at Polygon, the bite sized shorts parody courtroom shows like The People’s Court with total chaotic energy. Barretta stars as the eccentric, cross eyed judge, delivering an impressive impression of the late comedian Ed Wynn while finding every defendant instantly guilty. Beyond Barretta and Oz, the indie production features other legendary puppetry talent, including Gonzo performer Dave Goelz, proving that the creative spark behind Jim Henson's classic era is still burning bright.
This return to the craft comes after a complicated history between Oz and the modern institutional homes of his famous characters. In recent interviews, Oz expressed frustration with Disney and Sesame Street over creative differences and a lack of collaboration over the past decade. Built purely for fun outside the corporate machine, Judge Boing Boing offers a refreshing reminder of what happens when veteran creators are allowed to just play and create. Fans can currently stream all three episodes on YouTube through Smart Stupidity Productions, with hopes that the creative team will expand the project into a full series.
Tags: Frank Oz, Puppetry, YouTube, Muppets, Comedy
Original article: Polygon