Would YOU Give Fozzie Bear a Gun?
Written: Dec 05 '03 (Updated Dec 06 '03)
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Pros: Top notch design and sculpt for Fozzie's policeman schtick.
Cons: Figure doesn't hold the accessories as tightly as I would like...
The Bottom Line: Fozzie is the Bear on Patrol.
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Palisades_ Muppets Series 6: Patrol Bear Fozzie |
On “The Muppet Show,” there were several recurring sketches, many of which became fan favorites over the course of the 120 episodes. These include “Pigs in Space,” the Swedish Chef segments, Muppet Labs with Bunsen and Beaker, and “Veterinarian’s Hospital.” These sketches are some of my favorites of all time. There was one more that showed up with any regularity, and that was “Bear on Patrol.” “Bear on Patrol” was the precinct-based adventures of Patrol Bear Fozzie, who reported to Sergeant Link Hogthrob (who was also the Captain on Pigs In Space). Which means the head cop was a pig. Which is so politically incorrect. And was even more so in the 1970’s. Good for them!
Anyway, “Bear on Patrol” had its moments, but wasn’t my favorite sketch. I like Fozzie, I like Link, but there was something about it that made Fozzie seem stupid. Whether getting locked into his own jail cell, trying to handcuff an octopus, or other law enforcement mishaps, it always made Fozzie the butt of the jokes. Which is part of his character, but the sketches always ended with me pitying him.
Palisades Toys’ second Fozzie Bear figure in the regular line commemorates the Bear on Patrol sketches with a police officer Fozzie. And I wasn’t thrilled about it. At first. I picked him up last Wednesday, and after opening him in my car while driving down the street (dangerous, but all toy collectors do it. Just ask.) and sorting through all of his accessories, I really like this bear. He’s in the same basic position as the first Fozzie Bear, but because he’s wearing clothes (besides his standard polka-dot comedy tie and porkpie hat) he’s afforded more articulation than the Series 2 Fozzie Bear. Four series of figures later, Fozzie is articulated and ready to fight crime as only he can. Fozzie’s articulated at hips, waist, neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists; his chunky nature means he’s not super-articulated like some of the other Muppets, but he’s several steps above the original Fozzie.
The Bear on Patrol uniform is dark blue, a “classic” policeman’s uniform. He’s got the black service shoes, the knit tie with gold tie clip, and signs of insignia and rank on his shoulders and collar. The silver police badge on his shirt matches a smaller one on his hat; the badge on his hat is mounted askew, just like it was on the show. One of the things I loved about the first Fozzie figure was the texture of his fur—although he was molded in hard plastic, the combination of the layers of texture the sculptor put in and the unmatched layers of paint applications really made him come to life. Here we just see the fur on his hands and head, but both are handled with the same care as on the first version of the figure.
Patrol Bear Fozzie comes with a bunch of accessories besides his hat (removable, but stays gripped to his head via magnet). They include handcuffs, a nightstick, a walkie talkie, a handcuffs pouch, flashlight, and other accessories, all of which attach to his belt with little pegs. He doesn’t hold the accessories as firmly as I would like—his hands are too open to really hold them securely. But once you’ve got him equipped and ready to hit the streets, you’ve got one official looking ursine officer on your hands. The one piece of police equipment he doesn’t have is his gun—but I doubt Fozzie Bear was armed on The Muppet Show. Because if he was, he would have blown away those old hecklers in the balcony. More on them later.
The Patrol Bear Fozzie figure is an excellent figure, but it’s also a great toy. If you or a friend are either Muppet fans or collect police memorabilia, this is a fine addition to either collection. And if you have a friend who’s a police officer, this is a MUST HAVE Christmas present for them. They’ll love it. Trust me.
You can find the Muppet action figures at Target, Sam Goody/Musicland/Suncoast/Media Play stores, EB Games, and fine online retailers like BoxingCow.com and Bean’s Toys. Pick these up while you can—you won’t regret it.
MORE MUPPETS!
Series One
Kermit the Frog http://www.epinions.com/content_81549233796
Miss Piggy http://www.epinions.com/content_81637707396
Dr. Teeth http://www.epinions.com/content_81569549956
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew http://www.epinions.com/content_81822191236
Series Two
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Series Three
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Rowlf http://www.epinions.com/content_90764316292
Series Four
Link Hogthrob http://www.epinions.com/content_105889107588
Dr. Strangepork http://www.epinions.com/content_105892187780
Sam Eagle as Samuel Arrow http://www.epinions.com/content_105895988868
Rizzo the Rat http://www.epinions.com/content_105903591044
Series Five
Gonzo and Camilla http://www.epinions.com/content_115081186948
Janice http://www.epinions.com/content_117029899908
Pepe http://www.epinions.com/content_117043138180
Muppet Newsman http://www.epinions.com/content_117058145924
Series Six
Clifford http://www.epinions.com/content_120939515524
Bear on Patrol Fozzie http://www.epinions.com/content_120963501700
Statler http://www.epinions.com/content_120983948932
Waldorf http://www.epinions.com/content_120987487876
Playsets
Muppet Labs with Beaker http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Electric Mayhem Stage with Animal http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Swedish Kitchen with Swedish Chef http://www.epinions.com/content_98725432964
MINI Muppets
Wave 1 Set 1 http://www.epinions.com/content_119826517636
Wave 1 Set 2 http://www.epinions.com/content_119837462148
Wave 2 Set 1: Muppet Christmas Carol http://www.epinions.com/content_120237952644
Wave 2 Set 2: Muppet Christmas Carol http://www.epinions.com/content_120245292676
Coming Soon!
Pigs in Space Swinetrek Playset with First Mate Piggy
Series Seven
Kermit the Frog as Captain Abraham Smollet
Beauregard
Johnny Fiama
Frog Scout Robin
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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 in Movies, Kids & Family, Books |
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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