'80s and '90s famous sitcom shelled out $25,000 for puppet prop, as reported by the stars' or '80s and '90s iconic sitcom coughs up $25K for prop puppet, according to its cast'
The ventriloquist woodchuck puppet, Mr. Woodchuck, was a beloved character on the popular 90s sitcom Full House. Known for his appearances as Uncle Joey's sidekick on the children's show "Ranger Joe," Mr. Woodchuck was the work of the Jim Henson Company's Muppet Monster Workshop, renowned for their exceptional puppetry craftsmanship.
The puppet reportedly cost a hefty sum of $25,000 to produce, a testament to the professional level and detail of the Henson workshop's work. After the show wrapped in 1995, Dave Coulier, the actor who played Uncle Joey and manipulated Mr. Woodchuck, kept the original puppet.
Unfortunately, the puppet's fate took a turn for the worse when Coulier's dog, Ranger, bit and tore the puppet's face off. This unfortunate incident left the original Mr. Woodchuck in a state beyond repair.
In a twist of events, Mr. Woodchuck 2.0 was later gifted to Dave Coulier during a reunion with John Stamos and the late Bob Saget. However, the specific date of the creation or appearance of Mr. Woodchuck 2.0 remains unknown. The new puppet made an appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" in 2014.
Despite the destruction of the original Mr. Woodchuck, the puppet character remained a fan favourite and even appeared in the 100th episode of Full House. The hosts of the "Full House" rewatch podcast, Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber, have shared their experiences with the world of Muppets, with Sweetin revealing that she had the opportunity to touch a Hanson Muppet monster creation.
The popularity of Mr. Woodchuck continues to resonate with fans, serving as a reminder of the enduring charm and creativity of Full House.
The Woodchuck puppet character, initially created for movies-and-tv entertainment, became a fan favorite from the popular 90s sitcom Full House. Remarkably, the original Mr. Woodchuck's detailed craftsmanship was a product of the entertainment industry's exceptional puppet-making work by the Jim Henson Company.
