Lamb Chop (puppet)
Lamb Chop is a fictional character, more precisely a fictional sheep, who is a sock puppet created by comedian and ventriloquist Shari Lewis. In 1957, Lamb Chop, a ewe, first appeared with Lewis on Hi Mom, a local morning show that aired on WNBC in New York.
Lamb Chop has been described as a "6-year-old girl, very intuitive and very feisty, a combination of obstinacy and vulnerability...you know how they say fools rush in where wise men fear to go? Well, Lamb Chop would rush in, then scream for help." [1]
During the 1960s, Shari Lewis had her own musical-comedy network television show. After children's programming turned to animation, she continued to perform in a wide range of venues. In 1992, Lamb Chop and Shari began their own PBS children's show, Lamb Chop's Play-Along, an Emmy Award winner for five consecutive years. [2]
Shari Lewis died in 1998 from pneumonia while being treated for ovarian cancer. Two years later, her daughter, producer and writer Mallory Lewis (formerly Tarcher) decided that Lamb Chop should live on for her many fans. Shari's daughter had worked closely with her mother when producing the PBS program.
Ms. Lewis has this to say about her mother and Lamb Chop:
- "My mom was one of the world's greatest entertainers. I don't want to challenge that. I don't think it's wise to go there. But I do want to do everything that I can do for Lamb Chop. I'll help keep her going." [3]
Lamb Chop Status
Lamb Chop's program originally aired on PBS and lasted approximately 30 minutes per episode. It premiered January 1 1992 and was last shown on January 1 1997. Lamb Chop had a cameo appearance in The Nanny's second season (Lamb Chop's On the Menu, February 13, 1995). "Lamb Chop's Play-Along" has been shown on qubo since January 2007.
On the Comedy Central show South Park, Mr. Garrison has a puppet that he calls Mr. Hat, and when it gets stolen, he daydreams that he goes on the Lamb Chop show and slices Shari Lewis's hand off and throws Lamb Chop on a grill.
Characters
- Shari Lewis- The puppeteer of the show. She has made Lamb Chop and friends out of house materials, such as socks, cloth, thread, and googly eyes.
- Lamb Chop- The main character. Lamb Chop is six years old and very curious.
- Hush Puppy- Lamb Chop's 'brother'. He is very concerned about Lamb Chop's choices, and he is also the voice of reason.
- Charlie Horse- The other 'brother' of Lambchop. He is fluent in German, and has two buck teeth that stand out.
- Mallory Lewis- Mallory is the daughter of Shari, and the current puppeteer.