You know Beaker, right? Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s ill-fated assistant at Muppet Labs?
Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
But what you may not know about Beakie is – when he’s not being attacked by giant germs, having his spine compressed by a heavy lead hat and/or drinking too much coffee – he loves to sing.
Yeah, wherever Bunsen isn’t firing razor-sharp bananas at him, Beaker likes to slip out of his lab coat and get behind a mic. Where he then meeps his way through old favorites like “Feelings,” “Danny Boy” or “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The reason that I’m bringing this up today is that last July – with the help of those very nice folks at The Muppets Studio and Soapbox Films – Beaker put together a version of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” that really has to be seen to be believed. With the help of a metronome, a timpani, a violin and a wine glass as well as five clones of himself (which I suspect came about due to this Muppet Labs employee’s infamous run-in with a copy machine), Beaker’s performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is really one of a kind. Or should I say six of a kind?
Anyway … Beaker’s version of “Ode to Joy” quickly became an internet phenomenon. This music video was viewed more than 2 million times during its first two weeks online. And – as of today – this YouTube favorite currently boasted over 5 million views.
And given how popular Beaker’s “Ode to Joy” was with the online community, is it any wonder that this music video has been nominated for a Webby? In the music category for online film and video, to be specific.
So why I am bringing this up? Because voting for this year’s Webbys closed on April 30th. This Thursday, to be exact. And – if only because I’d love to hear Beaker’s acceptance speech should he actually win this award – I’m now asking JHM readers to please now go vote for The Muppet Studios & Soapbox Films’ “Ode to Joy.”
Copyright 2009 The Barbarian Group. All Rights Reserved
The winners of the 13th annual Webby Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 5th. These folks will then be recognized on June 8th at a ceremony in New York City which will be hosted by Seth Meyers.
And if he win? Well, Beaker – who’s already a man of few words (Okay. One word) – promises not to let all of this fame & fortune go to his head. Bunsen’s assistant promises to return to Muppet Labs and help the good doctor continue his vital work on such break-through labor-saving devices as the electric nose warmer.
So start your Monday off right back by making a Muppet happy and go vote for Beaker’s “Ode to Joy” music video over at the Webbys website.
It's in first place as of right now...