Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Digit

Today's Weekly Muppet Wednesday spotlight is written by friend of the blog Max Jessop!

DIGIT

Performed by…
Dave Goelz


First Appearance…
InnerTube (1987)

Most recent appearance…
Muppet Party Cruise (2003)


Memorable quotes…
“Oh, that was a mistake, I meant ‘no’, it came out ‘yes’” – The Jim Henson Hour “Episode 105: The Ratings Game”

WHO IS DIGIT?
Digit is the semi-robotic technical director for MuppeTelevision, helping Kermit run the broadcast at Muppet Central. He also appears in various musical numbers as the keyboard player for the resident band, Solid Foam, playing songs and back-up to guest stars, Smokey Robinson, k.d. Lang, and the cast of the show.

Digit was also featured briefly in The Jim Henson Hour’s opening scenes and every episode that featured events at Muppet Central. He was one of the most prominent characters on The Jim Henson Hour.

DIGIT MOMENTS
One moment that seemed memorable would have to be in Episode 105, in which Lindbergh hits him with a sledgehammer many times in hopes that it will fix his malfunctions.

Outside of the series, Digit hasn’t been seen much, but on a few occasions he has been seen outside of Muppet Central. Digit along with other Muppets from The Jim Henson Hour were seen in an episode of The Cosby Show, mostly just as a promotion for the show. The episode aired in 1990, yet The Jim Henson Hour was already canceled a year before.

His most recent appearance was in 2003 where he was given a vocal cameo in the Muppet video game, Muppet Party Cruise. He not only had a vocal cameo but he also hosted his own mini-game, "Short Circuit."

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED DIGIT?
The Muppets don’t really need Digit. You see, Digit, along with other Muppets of The Jim Henson Hour, were test characters. Digit isn’t really a main or popular character. But the Muppets will always need a big cast!

Look back on the Weekly Muppet Wednesdays on Lips, if you’d like. It might answer the question. Digit may not be the main character. But without these characters that don’t get top-billing or are seen in the background we wouldn’t have this whole cast of characters. The cast that made The Muppet Show funny and what we enjoyed and still enjoy today!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier