Character: Gleep aka Green Grover
Hand type: Rod
Builder credits:
Pattern – Wally Wingert, Alex McGee; Alex In Wonderland
Foam head sculpture – Wally Wingert
Mouth plate fabrication – Wally Wingert
Seamstress – Alex McGee; Alex in Wonderland
Fur trimming and styling – Sergio Lopez
Height: 22”
Notes: When I was 19 I built a blue Grover, which I still have. But as I was continuing my research into the early Don Sahlin creations I decided to make an original “green” Grover in the summer of 2020.
I gave him white arm rods because that’s how he first appeared on “Sesame Street.”
He was originally called “Gleep” in several sketches on variety television shows, and then repurposed for the early years of “Sesame Street.” And like his monster counterpart “Beautiful Day,” “Gleep” was eventually retired from “Sesame Street” to make way for the new blue Grover.
In order to add a nostalgic, retro element to this puppet, the red fleece in the mouth, the orange fleece on his nose, and the plastic eye pieces are all vintage materials from the 1970’s. These elements were all leftover materials from my teenage puppet-building days.
The two-tone green/black fur was created by Alex McGee at Alex In Wonderland. The puppet was constructed out of lime green fur, and then over-sprayed with dark green ink with an airbrush.
Gleep with the Grover that I made when I was 19.
Me and Grover back in the “band” days.
Kermit, Gonzo, Robin, Animal and Grover in my bedroom/workshop.
I had a Grover toy puppet very early on
I’ve always obsessed over this picture of Gleep and Beautiful Day on the first “Sesame Street” soundtrack album. This is the original…
…and here is our modern day offering.