Wocka, Wocka, Wocka!

    I'm not aware of when my obsession with comedians officially began because it was(as most things are) likely a culmination of influences that lead me down the path I'm on. However I am consciously aware of a few of those influences. One of them was Fozzie Bear. A Muppet.

    Fozzie Bear was the comedian Muppet. He told one-liners that by adult standards were terrible, but for children were hilarious. After the punchline of the joke he would usually remark "Wocka, Wocka, Wocka!" to emphasize "the funny". Just remembering his delivery brings a smile to my face.

    Fozzie Bear first appeared in 1976 as part of "The Muppet Show" and was created by Jim Henson, was performed by puppeteer Frank Oz and voiced by Greg Berg. 

    It's amazing that a comedian as bad as Fozzie would go on to become a positive influence for so many comedians because, as you may recall, many of Fozzie's appearances on stage ended with hecklers(Statler and Waldorf) and tomatoes being thrown at him. On the other hand maybe it was that determination that made Fozzie so real. Fozzie had a dream and he was going to succeed no matter what others thought. Regardless of the what the intended message was Fozzie was most children's  introduction to "stand-up comedy" and the idea of telling jokes as a profession. And I, for one, could not think of a better role model.