Rusty hated Geminis skit but Jerome kinda liked it

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/12/2007 (6808 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FANS of The Friendly Giant were shocked this week when it was reported that two puppets from the children’s television show — Rusty the Rooster and Jerome the Giraffe — were misused in a TV skit.

In a comedy clip that aired nationally at the recent Gemini Awards, Rusty and Jerome were among those portrayed as unemployed puppets in a retirement home. It was implied these and other puppets live a debauched lifestyle during their golden years.

“These puppets are bored,” said an actress dressed as a nurse. “All they do is smoke and drink and have sex.”

I’m not making this up. Casey and Finnegan, two puppets from Mr. Dressup, were also included in the bit. Fortunately, their faces were concealed. They were locked in what appeared to be a Tickle Trunk. The controversial routine can be viewed on YouTube by entering the words: 2007 Geminis puppets skit.

Now, the offended family of the Friendly Giant (a.k.a. the late actor Bob Homme) has stepped forward to voice disapproval. They removed Rusty and Jerome, formerly on public display at a museum at CBC headquarters in Toronto.

Plenty of voices have been heard on this issue. But what about those of the puppets?

So far, nothing. To correct this oversight, Backstage caught up with Jerome the Giraffe, Rusty the Rooster and other TV puppet notables.

Backstage: Rusty the Rooster, Jerome the Giraffe. Welcome. So let’s get right to it: How did it feel to be mistreated in such a public manner?

Rusty the Rooster: Horrible. Just awful. I’m going through all the stages: shock, denial and anger.

Jerome the Giraffe: Me, I’ve reached the healing stage.

Backstage: Obviously you were being manipulated by puppeteers outside The Friendly Giant environment. Is it possible — and don’t get into this if you’d rather not — but is it possible to describe that experience?

Rusty the Rooster: Well, let’s just say it was a terrible violation. You have to be a puppet to know how humiliating it is to be uttering words you’d never ordinarily utter. Not to mention the feeling of a stranger’s hand.

Jerome the Giraffe: Me, I kind of enjoyed it.

Backstage: May I ask, as gently as possible, whether you’ve ever engaged in any of the, uh, behaviour mentioned in the clip?

Rusty the Rooster: You mean the smoking, drinking and carrying on? Certainly not. Friendly — that’s what we called the Friendly Giant — well, Friendly would never permit such a thing. Especially on a children’s show. I mean, I once drank peach cider at a party when I was a teenage rooster. But that was it.

Jerome the Giraffe: I like to smoke the odd cigar. What do you call ’em, robusto… uh, robusto…?

Backstage: You mean, Cohiba Robusto cigars? The Cubans?

Jerome the Giraffe (eagerly): Yeah, yeah. That’s the one. Plus maybe a glass of single malt on chilly days. You see, I’m from Africa. Believe me, T.O. in the winter is no stroll through the Serengeti.

Rusty the Rooster: Jerome. Remember what we agreed before this interview?

Jerome the Giraffe: Um, yeah. Sorry, Rusty. Strike that last remark. I’m totally on the wagon. No drinks for the giraffe.

Backstage: We also contacted Casey and Finnegan from Mr. Dressup to get their thoughts. Welcome, Casey the little boy and Finnegan the mute dog.

Casey (in high-pitched voice): Thank you, sir!

Finnegan: Ruff.

Backstage: So was it your choice to be locked in the Tickle Trunk? Or were you forced?

Casey: You mean for the Geminis gig? Well, the producers said I’d get 20 bucks. And Finnegan would get a sawbuck.

Backstage: And did you receive any pay whatsoever?

Casey: Not a plugged nickel! Mind you, we weren’t exactly raking in the moolah with Ernie Coombs, either.

Finnegan: You got that right.

Backstage: And finally, to get a different point of view, we welcome Ed the Sock. I’m not sure if you fellows have met Ed before. He’s the offensive puppet with the cigar who has his own show, Ed’s Night Party.

Ed the Sock: A pleasure. May I smoke a cheroot?

Rusty the Rooster: Certainly not.

Ed the Sock: Who’s asking you, duck boy?

Backstage: So Ed, what do you think about the Friendly Giant affair?

Ed the Sock: A big deal about nothing. Puppets do all the bad stuff people do. Much worse in fact.

Rusty the Rooster (rising out of his rooster bag): The man is awful. I refuse to continue the discussion.

Jerome: Ed, you intrigue me. Tell me more.

Ed the Sock: Jerome, it sounds like you got a lot to learn. Stay with me, partner. I’ll show you the ropes.

Rusty the Rooster: That’s it. I’m leaving. Besides, we’re late for Oprah now… Jerome?

Jerome the Giraffe: Sorry, R-man. I’m with Ed now.

Finnegan: Ruff! Ruff!

Jerome the Giraffe: And it looks like Finnegan’s coming along for the ride.

— CanWest News Service