‘It’s not as funny as it used to be’: After September 11, 2001, this Muppet character almost disappeared

This is the story of the tragic fate of this character from the Muppets, who, after the real events of our story, almost disappeared from our screens, for reasons we understand…

In The Original Muppet Show and the movies, Mad Harry was one of the main Muppets: a pyrotechnics expert with a dapper look, crazy eyes and a laugh who liked to blow things up.

However, after the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, the character was retired, or nearly so. In fact, it seems that the production of the show and Disney left it behind, which perhaps reminds a bit too much of a part of history that is still traumatizing today.

When asked about the absence of Mad Harry in 2007, Jim Lewis, creator of the series, replied:A combination of factors. First of all, Jerry Nelson plays Mad Harry, and his availability is a factor. Second, Mad Harry is always punctuated, so the scene has to match his personality and unique talent for blowing things up. And third, off the record, I find that in a post-9/11 world, explosions—even in funny ways—aren’t as funny as they used to be. But again, this is my personal opinion.“

appeared first The Muppets Valentine ShowAs Crazy Donald—a reference to Muppets creator Don Sahlin, who enjoyed creating puppet special effects explosions—his name was changed to Crazy Harry in his second appearance, The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.

Mad Harry has since appeared numerous times in the franchise’s films and has even been given the rights to his own figures.

Unfortunately, 9/11 put the character out of action for nearly 20 years, and since then his original interpreter, Jerry Nelson, has sadly passed away.

bye mad harry as it seems.