Waldo C. Graphic is a computer-generated puppet character who appears in the attraction Muppet Vision 3-D and also appeared in the TV series The Jim Henson Hour.
He is noted for being the first computer-generated Muppet and probably the first digital puppet created by any company.
The character of Waldo is best described as a cross between a bug and a seal, with random elements of either thrown in. He flies and hovers in his scenes. His first name is a reference to a "Waldo"—a device used by puppeteers to remotely control a puppet. His middle initial likely stands for "Computer", as in "Waldo Computer Graphic".
Although he appeared as a computer-generated image, Waldo was not "animated" in the usual sense, but performed live; his image was generated in real time in synchronization with a physical Waldo-puppet connected to the computer and controlled by a puppeteer, with the image then being composited using bluescreen technology onto the scene Waldo was part of. Since the Muppets began on television, it has always been a standard technique for Muppeteers to perform by watching the characters on a monitor screen rather than by watching the puppet itself, so this arrangement required little adjustment either for the puppeteer performing Waldo or for the puppeteers performing the characters he interacted with. Since Waldo is a computer graphic, he has the ability to change his shape and form at will.
Throughout the attraction, Waldo was first seen when Kermit enters the Muppet Labs where Bunsen tells the audience about the 3D effect where he explains that he is the "spirit of 3D". While looking at the audience where he ends up causing mayhem in the lab (also triggering the light effects showing images of Waldo inside the theater) to which Bunsen tells Beaker to try the Muppet Vacuum which absorbs all the Waldo clones except one who is free. After escaping, he transforms into a taxi.
After Miss Piggy's musical sequence is ruined by Bean Bunny, Waldo arrives towards Bean who tells him if there is any way to escape. Soon as Waldo (as a sack and a stick) leaves with Bean, Gonzo tries to convince him to participate but refuses to.
Soon as Bean is found in one of the theater's balconies, Gonzo tells Bean that he will miss all the fireworks to which Waldo gets interested into Bean's idea as he decides to help the finale sequence. In the finale sequence, Waldo ends up causing havoc in the film by knocking over a tuba-playing toy soldier which ends him with the tuba stuck in his head as he continuously bumps into other soldiers while Sam tells Bean to light the fireworks to which Waldo ultimately ruins the film while Sweetums tells the Swedish Chef to stop the movie. When Sweetums tells the audience to duck, Waldo transforms into an actual duck to which he tells the audience to duck, not Waldo. Soon as the penguins fire their cannon, the film ends up getting destroyed. The Chef angrily then prepares to take him out by firing at him. After dodging several shots, Waldo ends up getting worried that the Chef has a cannon as Waldo retreats as the Chef fires a big blast, causing damage across the theater to which Kermit explains that no one is injured during the show. Waldo last appears at the end of the attraction where he transforms into Mickey Mouse before getting sucked in.
Television shows:Muppet Moments • The Muppets • Muppet Babies • Muppets Now • The Muppets Mayhem
Television specials:The Muppets at Walt Disney World • Studio DC: Almost Live • A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa • Good Luck Charlie • Muppets Haunted Mansion Movies:The Muppets Take Manhattan • The Muppet Christmas Carol • Muppet Treasure Island • Muppets from Space • It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie • The Muppets' Wizard of Oz • The Muppets • Muppets Most Wanted • Muppet Man • Jim Henson Idea Man • Untitled Miss Piggy film Video Games:My Muppets Show • Animal Drummer • Tap Tap Muppets • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Disney Magic Kingdoms • Disney Speedstorm Albums:The Muppet Christmas Carol Story Album • The Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack • Muppet Treasure Island soundtrack • Best of the Muppets • A Green and Red Christmas • A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa soundtrack • Muppets: The Green Album • The Muppets soundtrack • Muppets Most Wanted soundtrack • Muppets Most Wanted score • London Music Works Perform Music From The Muppets • Disney Junior Music: Muppet Babies • Muppets Haunted Mansion soundtrack • The Muppets Mayhem soundtrack Cancelled projects:America's Next Muppet • Muppets Live Another Day
Entertainment:Here Come the Muppets • Hollywood's Pretty Woman • Muppet Mobile Lab • Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses • The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History Fireworks:World of Color Happiness Restaurants: PizzeRizzo • The Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor • Regal Eagle Smokehouse Shops:Stage 1 Company Store Parades:Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade Christmas:Disney Holidays in Hollywood
Humans:Dorothy Gale • Santa Claus • Beaker's Girlfriend • Gary • Mary • Tex Richman • Veronica Martin • Hobo Joe • Marge • Dominic Badguy • Nadya • Jean Pierre Napoleon • Becky • Holly and Carl The Muppet Christmas Carol:Ebenezer Scrooge Muppet Treasure Island:Jim Hawkins • Billy Bones • Mrs. Bluveridge • Long John Silver • Polly Lobster The Muppets' Wizard of Oz:Dorothy Gale
Vehicles
Hispaniola • The Electric Mayhem Bus
Locations
The Muppet Theater • Muppet Studios • Smalltown, USA
Songs
The Muppet Movie:The Rainbow Connection • Movin' Right Along • Never Before, Never Again • I Hope That Somethin' Better Comes Along • Can You Picture That? • I'm Going To Go Back There Someday • America • Finale: The Magic Store
The Great Muppet Caper: Hey A Movie! • Happiness Hotel • Steppin' Out With A Star • Night Life • The First Time It Happens • Couldn't We Ride • Miss Piggy's Fantasy ("Miss Piggy") • The Great Muppet Caper (The Heist/The Muppet Fight Song/Muppets to the Rescue) • Finale: Hey A Movie! • Reprise: The First Time It Happens The Muppets Take Manhattan:Together Again • You Can't Take No For An Answer • Saying Goodbye • Rat Scat (Something Cookin') • I'm Gonna Always Love You • Right Where I Belong • Somebody's Getting Married • Waiting For The Wedding • He'll Make Me Happy • The Ceremony • Closing Medley (Final Credits) The Muppet Christmas Carol:Scrooge • Room in Your Heart • Good King Wenceslas • One More Sleep 'til Christmas • Marley and Marley • Chairman of the Board • Fozziwig's Party • When Love is Gone • It Feels Like Christmas • Christmas Scat • Bless Us All • Thankful Heart • When Love Is Found Muppet Treasure Island:Treasure Island • Shiver My Timbers • Something Better • Sailing for Adventure • Cabin Fever • A Professional Pirate • Boom Shakalaka • Love Led Us Here • Love Power • Love Led Us Here Muppet Treasure Island (Sing-Alongs):There Was an Old Pirate • I'm a Rock • Real Pirate • Let the Good Shine Out The Muppets' Wizard of Oz:Kansas • When I'm With You • Nap Time • The Witch Is in the House • Calling All Munchkins • Good Life A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa:Delivering Christmas • It's All About Heart • I Wish I Could Be Santa Claus • My Best Christmas Yet The Muppets:The Muppet Show Theme • Life's a Happy Song • Pictures in My Head • Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard • We Built This City • Me Party • Let's Talk About Me • Man or Muppet • Smells Like Teen Spirit • Forget You • The Whistling Caruso Muppets Most Wanted:The Muppet Show Theme • We're Doing a Sequel • I'm Number One • The Big House • I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu) • Interrogation Song • Something So Right • Working in the Coal Mine • Together Again • Moves Like Jagger • Macarena Muppet Babies:Muppet Babies Theme Muppets Haunted Mansion:Rest in Peace • Life Hereafter • Tie the Knot Tango
