Disney Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Disney Wiki

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, also known as The Electric Mayhem, are the house band on The Muppet Show. They mostly stick to rock music, but they're capable of playing other styles, including jazz and (unwillingly) classical. Despite the name, Dr. Teeth does not consider himself the leader, only being added to the name at the insistence of their producer. Dr. Teeth and Floyd Pepper are often lead singers on songs, and Janice is lead singer on a handful of songs.

They drive around in a brightly-painted bus with psychedelic swirls and colors.

A sixth member, a mostly-mute trumpet player named Lips, joined the band in the last season of The Muppet Show. He appeared sporadically with them for the next 30 years before finally becoming a permanent member starting with the 2014 film Muppets Most Wanted.

The band appeared as main characters in The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Following the deaths of Jim Henson (who played Teeth) and Richard Hunt (who played Janice), they were relegated to background roles. The sole exception was Animal, who would be the only member to have any dialogue in The Muppet Christmas Carol. He, Floyd, and Zoot also all have a single line each in Muppet Treasure Island.

While the other members (minus Zoot, who has always been played by Dave Goelz) would all have temporary performers throughout the 2000s, Animal remained the only member of the band to maintain a major presence until 2011’s The Muppets, in which all five original members get some form of spoken dialogue. Since then, they have become regular characters again. Beginning with the 2015 series, Zoot and Lips both speak more frequently than before.

Lips was completely reinvented after Peter Linz took over the role from Steve Whitmire, now speaking mostly in a semi-comprehensible gibberish not unlike the Swedish Chef.

In an edition of Ask Henson.com, Karen Falk responded to a question about the origins of the Mayhem band:

"Music was always an important part of Jim Henson's work. He had a strong interest in all types and had an eclectic record library. When he began writing proposals and creating concepts for The Muppet Show in the late 1960s, they always included a house band that was to appear in each episode. At that time, Jim had a strong interest in the counter-culture movement (as evidenced by his experimental film Youth '68) and sought to reflect that in the composition of the band. One proposal from about 1970 says that the band would, "...do songs like "Sunshine" from Hair. In fact, they are all dressed to out-hair the Hair cast." The Electric Mayhem as we know it first appeared in 1975 on the Muppet Show pilot Sex and Violence. A page of ideas for the show written by Jim describes the band this way: "Rock act - far-out, elaborate weird equipment, big amps..."

The band is the focus of the 2023 Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem, which sees them attempting to produce their first-ever album. The series also explores the band’s origins, particularly those of Animal, Floyd, and Dr. Teeth.

After Dr. Teeth reveals that he never wanted to be in the band’s name and views all of the members as equal, the name is officially shortened to just “The Electric Mayhem” in the episode “Track 7: Eight Days a Week”.

Musicians

Electricmayhem2

The original five members

Muppetband-1-

Six members of The Electric Mayhem

Core Members

  • Dr. Teeth – lead and backing vocals, keyboards
  • Floyd Pepper – bass, lead and backing vocals
  • Zoot – saxophones, clarinet, flute
  • Janice – guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • Animal – drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals

Additional Members

Guest Members

MCC-Screengrabs-EM04-a

Performing with Rowlf in The Muppet Christmas Carol

ChristmasInRockefellerCenter2009-ElectricMayhem

Performing in Christmas at Rockefeller Center

  • Dolores on Trumpet (formerly) and Trombone (The Muppet Show)
  • A Bongo Player (episode 413)
  • A brass section consisting of a clarinet player and two trumpet players (one of whom was Bobby Benson) (season 2 of The Muppet Show)
  • Clifford on percussion (The Muppets at Walt Disney World, 1990)
  • Don Knotts on stand up bass (episode 201)
  • Jim on banjo (The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot)
  • Rizzo the Rat on cymbals (episode 511)
  • Rowlf on piano (episode 121 (German version only)), (episode 424, episode 513), in addition to Dr. Teeth (The Muppet Christmas Carol)
  • Scooter on percussion (The Muppet Movie)
  • Three frog backup singers (episode 406)
  • Trombone player (episode 517)
  • Trumpet Girl on trumpet (episode 123 of The Muppet Show) and trombone (episode 505, episode 513)
  • Zeke on banjo (episode 424) and marimba (episode 523)
  • A drummer (episode 505)
  • Beaker on vocals (episode 424, Studio DC: Hosted by Selena Gomez)
  • Ninja Rogers on drums (The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson)
  • Hal Linden on clarinet (Episode 517: Hal Linden)
  • A Trombone Player (Episode 517: Hal Linden)

Managers

Songs Performed by the Electric Mayhem

The Electric Mayhem

The Electric Mayhem, as seen in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence

Minuet
Electricmayhem

The band's theatrical debut in The Muppet Movie

Americanblandstand

The Electric Mayhem in an American Bandstand parody

MTI-Screengrabs-EM01a

Performing in Muppet Treasure Island

MupComercial-04

Performing at a subway station in The Muppets

Electric mayhem 2011

The Muppet Show Season 1

The Muppet Show Season 2

  • Episode 202: Zero Mostel - "Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat"
  • Episode 209: Madeline Kahn - "New York State of Mind" (UK spot)
  • Episode 211: Dom DeLuise - "Don't Blame the Dynamite"
  • Episode 213: Rudolf Nureyev - Boccherini's "Minuet in A Major"
  • Episode 222: Teresa Brewer - "Cheese Cake" (UK Spot) (performed by Dr. Teeth on solo piano)

The Muppet Show Season 3

The Muppet Show Season 4

  • Episode 418: Christopher Reeve - "Sam's Song" (UK Spot)
  • Episode 419: Lynda Carter - "With a Little Help From My Friends"
  • Episode 419: Lynda Carter - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

The Muppet Show Season 5

Specials

  • Julie Andrews: My Favorite Things - "Your Mamma Won't Like Me"
  • Sex and Violence - "For the Birds"
  • Sex and Violence - "Love Ya to Death"
  • The Muppets Go Hollywood - "Can You Picture That?"
  • The Muppets Go to the Movies - "Act Naturally"
  • A Muppet Family Christmas - "Jingle Bell Rock"
  • The Muppets at Walt Disney World - "Rockin' All Around the World"
  • Christmas in Rockefeller Center - "Run, Run Rudolph"

Movies

Albums

  • A Christmas Together - "Little Saint Nick"
  • A Green and Red Christmas - "'Zat You, Santa Claus?"
  • A Green and Red Christmas - "The Man with the Bag"
  • A Green and Red Christmas - "Run, Run Rudolph" (also included on Disney's Holiday Celebration 2007)

Online video

  • "Bohemian Rhapsody" (rock music section)

Songs Where The Electric Mayhem Play Back-Up

The Muppet Show

Goodbyeyellowbrickroad

The Electric Mayhem provides back-up to Elton John

Bye bye blackbird
Dms mross-NEW

Providing back-up to Rowlf and Mary Roos

TheMuppetsTeaser12

Back-up for "The Rainbow Connection" on The Muppets

  • Episode 114: Sandy Duncan - "A Nice Girl Like Me"
  • Episode 118: Phyllis Diller - "The Entertainer" (performed by the orchestra)
  • Episode 121: Twiggy - "Lean on Me" (German Die Muppet Show only)
  • Episode 123: Kaye Ballard - "One Note Samba" (performed by the orchestra)
  • Episode 201: Don Knotts - "Lullaby of Birdland"
  • Episode 214: Elton John - "Crocodile Rock"
  • Episode 214: Elton John - "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
  • Episode 214: Elton John - "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"
  • Episode 215: Lou Rawls - "Bye Bye Blackbird"
  • Episode 215: Lou Rawls - "You're the One"
  • Episode 216: Cleo Laine - "It Don't Mean a Thing"
  • Episode 218: Jaye P. Morgan - "That Old Black Magic"
  • Episode 222: Teresa Brewer - "Old Cotton Fields Back Home" (performed by Zoot, Janice, Floyd and Trumpet Girl as a Dixie band)
  • Episode 301: Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge - "Make It Through the Night"
  • Episode 302: Leo Sayer - "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"
  • Episode 306: Jean Stapleton - "Play a Simple Melody" (performed by the orchestra)
  • Episode 313: Helen Reddy - "Blue"
  • Episode 406: Linda Lavin - "The More I See You"
  • Episode 407: Dudley Moore - "How High the Moon"
  • Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie - "St. Louis Blues"
  • Episode 414: Liza Minnelli - "Pass That Peace Pipe" (UK Spot)
  • Episode 415: Anne Murray - "Walk Right Back"
  • Episode 415: Anne Murray - "Everything Old Is New Again" (performed by the orchestra)
  • Episode 417: Star Wars - "Six String Orchestra"
  • Episode 420: Alan Arkin - "Pig"
  • Episode 424: Diana Ross - "Feelings" (UK Spot)
  • Episode 424: Diana Ross - "Last Time I Saw Him"
  • Episode 505: James Coburn - "The Varsity Drag"
  • Episode 505: James Coburn - "Alexander's Ragtime Band"
  • Episode 511: Paul Simon - "Loves Me Like a Rock"
  • Episode 513: Tony Randall - "Ti-Pi-Tin"
  • Episode 514: Mac Davis - "I Believe in Music" (performed by the orchestra)
  • Episode 517: Hal Linden - "When the Saints Go Marching In"
  • Episode 523: Linda Ronstadt - "Blue Bayou"

Movies

Specials

Gallery

MuppetsWiki-wordmark This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Muppet Wiki. The list of authors can be seen in the page revision history (view authors). As with Disney Wiki, the text of Muppet Wiki is available under the CC-by-SA Free Documentation License.
v - e - d
The Muppets Logo
Media
Television shows: The MuppetsMuppet BabiesMuppets NowThe Muppets Mayhem

Television specials: The Muppets at Walt Disney WorldStudio DC: Almost LiveA Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaGood Luck CharlieMuppets Haunted Mansion
Movies: The Muppet Christmas CarolMuppet Treasure IslandThe Muppets' Wizard of OzThe MuppetsMuppets Most WantedMuppet Man
Video Games: My Muppets ShowAnimal DrummerTap Tap MuppetsDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Magic Kingdoms
Albums: The Muppet Christmas Carol Story AlbumThe Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrackMuppet Treasure Island soundtrackBest of the MuppetsA Green and Red ChristmasA Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa soundtrackMuppets: The Green AlbumThe Muppets soundtrackMuppets Most Wanted soundtrackMuppets Most Wanted scoreLondon Music Works Perform Music From The MuppetsDisney Junior Music: Muppet BabiesMuppets Haunted Mansion soundtrackThe Muppets Mayhem soundtrack
Cancelled projects: America's Next MuppetMuppets Live Another Day

Disney Parks
Muppets CourtyardMidship Detective AgencyMuppet*Vision 3D

Entertainment: Here Come the MuppetsHollywood's Pretty WomanMuppet Mobile LabMuppets on Location: Days of Swine and RosesThe Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History
Restaurants: PizzeRizzoThe Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza ParlorRegal Eagle Smokehouse
Shops: Stage 1 Company Store
Parades: Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade
Christmas: Disney Holidays in Hollywood

Characters
Muppets: Kermit the FrogMiss PiggyFozzie BearGonzoAnimalRizzo the RatPepe the King PrawnStatler and WaldorfDr. Bunsen HoneydewBeakerScooterBean BunnyDr. TeethFloyd PepperJaniceZootRowlf the DogRobin the FrogThe Swedish ChefSam the EagleSweetumsBobo the BearPopsUncle DeadlyCamillaWaldo C. GraphicCliffordThogSeymourLew ZealandLink HogthrobBeauregardJohnny FiamaSal MinellaAngeloWalter80's RobotThe MoopetsConstantineDeniseChip
Big Mean Carl

Humans: Dorothy GaleClaireSanta ClausFrank MeanyJoyBeaker's GirlfriendGaryMaryTex RichmanVeronica MartinHobo JoeMargeReceptionistDominic BadguyNadyaJean Pierre NapoleonBeckyHolly and Carl
Muppet Treasure Island: Jim HawkinsBilly BonesMrs. BluveridgeLong John SilverPolly Lobster
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz: Dorothy Gale

Vehicles
HispaniolaThe Electric Mayhem Bus
Songs
The Muppet Movie: The Rainbow Connection

The Muppet Christmas Carol: ScroogeRoom in Your HeartGood King WenceslasOne More Sleep 'til ChristmasMarley and MarleyChairman of the BoardFozziwig's PartyWhen Love is GoneIt Feels Like ChristmasChristmas ScatBless Us AllThankful HeartWhen Love Is Found
Muppet Treasure Island: Treasure IslandShiver My TimbersSomething BetterSailing for AdventureCabin FeverA Professional PirateBoom ShakalakaLove Led Us HereLove PowerLove Led Us Here
Muppet Treasure Island (Sing-Alongs): There Was an Old PirateI'm a RockReal PirateLet the Good Shine Out
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz: KansasWhen I'm With YouNap TimeThe Witch Is in the HouseCalling All MunchkinsGood Life
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa: Delivering ChristmasIt's All About HeartI Wish I Could Be Santa ClausMy Best Christmas Yet
The Muppets: The Muppet Show ThemeLife's a Happy SongPictures in My HeadMe and Julio Down by the SchoolyardWe Built This CityMe PartyLet's Talk About MeMan or MuppetSmells Like Teen SpiritForget YouThe Whistling Caruso
Muppets Most Wanted: The Muppet Show ThemeWe're Doing a SequelI'm Number OneThe Big HouseI'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu)Interrogation SongMy Heart Will Go OnSomething So RightWorking in the Coal MineTogether AgainMoves Like JaggerMacarena
Muppet Babies: Muppet Babies Theme
Muppets Haunted Mansion: Rest in PeaceLife HereafterTie the Knot TangoDancing in the Moonlight

See also
The Muppets
Advertisement