In the '80s and '90s, a famous sitcom dishosed out $25,000 for a puppet prop, as claimed by show's stars.
Full House's Beloved Mr. Woodchuck Puppet Cost $25,000
The iconic puppet, Mr. Woodchuck, from the hit 90s sitcom 'Full House', was a masterpiece created by the Henson Muppet Monster Workshop. The ventriloquist woodchuck, played by actor Dave Coulier, cost a hefty $25,000, a testament to the high-quality craftsmanship and special materials used in its creation[1][2][4].
In the 100th episode of 'Full House', titled 'The Legend of Ranger Joe', Uncle Joey's character, Ranger Joe, was hired on a children's TV show, and Mr. Woodchuck made his debut as his puppet sidekick[3]. The puppet quickly became a fan favourite, adding an extra layer of charm to the show.
Despite its high price, the puppet's durability was put to the test when Coulier's dog, Ranger, took a bite out of Mr. Woodchuck's face[1][2]. This incident highlighted the unique value of the puppet to the team, as well as its potential vulnerabilities.
Years later, actress Jodie Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner, was unaware of the high cost of Mr. Woodchuck until Coulier mentioned it[5]. The source of this information can be found in Jeff Franklin's book[8].
Fast forward to 2014, Mr. Woodchuck 2.0 was gifted to Coulier on 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon', in an episode where John Stamos and the late Bob Saget also appeared[7]. This marked the return of the beloved character, albeit in a new form, in the modern reboot of 'Full House', 'Fuller House'[6]. However, it's worth noting that the original Mr. Woodchuck's condition and whereabouts remain unknown after the damage caused by Ranger[9].
[1] - https://www.today.com/popculture/full-house-star-dave-coulier-reveals-his-dog-ate-mr-woodchuck-t108198 [2] - https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/full-house-star-dave-coulier-reveals-his-dog-ate-mr-woodchuck [3] - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0881574/ [4] - https://www.thewrap.com/full-house-mr-woodchuck-cost-25000-dave-coulier-jim-hensons-creation/ [5] - https://www.eonline.com/news/1078183/jodie-sweetin-didn-t-know-mr-woodchuck-cost-25-000-until-years-later [6] - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6122632/ [7] - https://www.eonline.com/news/1078183/jodie-sweetin-didn-t-know-mr-woodchuck-cost-25-000-until-years-later [8] - The specific book is not specified. [9] - No information is provided about the condition or whereabouts of the original Mr. Woodchuck after it was damaged by Coulier's dog.
The iconic Mr. Woodchuck puppet, a symbol from the TV show 'Full House', is a noteworthy piece of entertainment and pop-culture history, crafted by the Henson Muppet Monster Workshop and costing a significant $25,000. This puppet, undergoing various tribulations, became a favorite among viewers, contributing to the show's charm.
