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Maria Perego, RIP

MILAN, Italy–Maria Perego, an Italian puppeteer best known in the U.S. as the creator of Topo Gigio, the lovable mouse who became famous to American audiences as a frequent guest on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the 1960s and early ’70, died here Nov. 7. She was 95.

MSTies will recall that Topo Gigio was one of the puppets mentioned in a host segment in episode 318- STAR FORCE – FUGITIVE ALIEN II.

The New York Times has the story.

Thanks to Ray for the heads up.

9 Replies to “Maria Perego, RIP”

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  1. Terry the Sensitive Knight says:

    I think Topo Gigio was also mentioned in the Charlie McCarthy Hearings sketch from Rocket Attack USA

       1 likes

  2. jay says:

    Topo in Spanish means mole instead of mouse so my favorite Mexican sparkling spring water Topo Chico is “Little Mole” named after the profile of the volcanic mountain from which the spring water flows. I will drink a glass in memory of Ms. Perego. RIP

       4 likes

  3. Terry the Sensitive Knight:
    I think Topo Gigio was also mentioned in the Charlie McCarthy Hearings sketch from Rocket Attack USA

    “Arthur Miller wrote a scathing allegory of the hearings, in ‘Topo Gigio Goes to the Circus’.”

    (Me, I was too young to see vintage Ed Sullivan, so I only remembered Topo from the cartoon version that showed up when Tom & Jerry went to Italy…”Topo” is Italian, btw.)

       1 likes

  4. DiscoJer says:

    The break room at work only gets a few channels, and one of them, Decades, shows the Ed Sullivan show. So I’ve seen Topo Gigio more than a few times and quite frankly, it’s completely baffling. So much of the Ed Sullivan show is just humor and music that is so utterly banal and joyless, it makes you understand why the cultural revolution happened (and why people took drugs. Lots and lots of drugs).

       3 likes

  5. touches no one's life, then leaves says:

    Regrets and all, but exactly how far removed does someone have to be from the show to NOT rate an MST3K R.I.P.? I sometimes wonder.

       3 likes

  6. jay says:

    touches no one’s life, then leaves:
    Regrets and all, but exactly how far removed does someone have to be from the show to NOT rate an MST3K R.I.P.? I sometimes wonder.

    You no getta kiss from-a Gigio.

       4 likes

  7. Ray Dunakin says:

    touches no one’s life, then leaves:
    Regrets and all, but exactly how far removed does someone have to be from the show to NOT rate an MST3K R.I.P.? I sometimes wonder.

    The rule is anyone who was either mentioned in a host segment or credited in one of the movies that was riffed.

       3 likes

  8. Sampo says:

    Ray Dunakin: The rule is anyone who was either mentioned in a host segment or credited in one of the movies that was riffed.

    That is correct, and since Topo Gigio is actually a person, it qualifies. :-)

       4 likes

  9. TorgosPizzaNJ says:

    It was also mentioned in “The Girl In Lover’s Lane” , when the pool room toughs start after Big Stupid & Gary, as one punk with an odd stoop-shouldered grimace is Riffed “Really big show with Topo Gigio..” ala Ed Sullivan..

       0 likes

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