Wanna make a Muppet happy? Go vote for Beaker’s “Ode to Joy”

Jim Hill

15 years ago

You know Beaker, right? Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s ill-fated
assistant at Muppet Labs?

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 30^th. 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.”

The winners of the 13^th annual Webby Awards will
be announced on Tuesday, May 5^th. These folks will then be recognized
on June 8^th 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.