J. Fred Muggs (born March 14, 1952) is a chimpanzee that was the mascot for NBC's Today Show from 1953 to 1957.
The show debuted in 1952, with amiable host Dave Garroway. The show was in trouble initially; the addition of J. Fred Muggs boosted ratings and helped win advertisers. Muggs, dressed like a baby in diapers, first appeared on the show on January 28, 1953, and became a regular feature on February 3, 1953. He actually first appeared on television on Perry Como's CBS television show. Pat Weaver of Today saw the little chimp on the Como show and thought he would be a perfect tonic for his morning program.
In the 1950s, the Russian newspaper, Izvestia, described J. Fred Muggs, as "a symbol of the American way of life", and said, "Muggs is necessary in order that the average American should not look into reports on rising taxes, and decreasing pay, but rather laugh at the funny mug of a chimpanzee."
Read more about J. Fred Muggs: Biography
Famous quotes containing the word fred:
“Another one o’ them new worlds. No beer, no women, no pool parlors, nothing. Nothing to do but throw rocks at tin cans. And we gotta bring our own tin cans.”
—Cyril Hume, and Fred McLeod Wilcox. Cook (Earl Holliman)