PERFORMER Jim Henson DEBUT 1962

No Tailgating featuring Billy Sue and Sneegle

Sneegle is a dark red, pointy-headed monster originally created for an unfinished set of safety commercials produced in 1962.[1] In these PSAs for the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Highway Safety, Sneegle tempted Billy and Sue to do unsafe things, like cross the street against the light.

Sneegle was always "punished" for his carelessness -- getting hit by a car, for example. Still, he was a more appealing character than the dull Billy and Sue, and when the commercials were tested with children, the kids were more interested in emulating Sneegle's dangerous actions.

While the commercials were never used, the characters of Sneegle and Sue were featured in the first iteration of the "Beautiful Day" sketch (performed on The Today Show in 1963), with Sneegle in the villainous role that would ultimately be filled by the titular Beautiful Day Monster.[2]

Afterwards, Sneegle faded into the background and was used as a generic Muppet monster for a few appearances during the 1960s, including the Muppets' guest-hosting week on The Mike Douglas Show. He also appeared in a commercial for C & P Telephone Co. of VA in a chorus with Scoop, Mack, and Suzy; here his eyes were given a less angry expression.

Transcripts

The following are transcripts for two PSAs created for the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Highway Safety. They can be viewed at the Museum of Television and Radio as the last two films on a compilation video entitled The First Part of This Film is Silent/The Second Part is with Sound on Film.

Cast: Sneegle (Jim Henson), Billy (Jerry Juhl), Sue (Bob Payne)

Don't Play in the Street

Open on city playground. Enter Billy and Sue camera right, in front of a large wire fence. Billy is holding a large kick ball. Enter Sneegle camera left behind the fence. Sneegle Hey kids, come out and play in the street! Sue But it's safer to play in the playground. Sneegle Playgrounds are for kids! Billy We have lots of fun in the playground. Sneegle I have lots of fun in the street! I live dangerously! Sue That doesn't sound like a very good idea. Sneegle Watch this! Doesn't this look like fun? Sneegle runs off screen camera right. Sound FX: Car screeching, bonk! Oh!!! Billy It looks like more fun to play in the playground. Cut to card: Citizen's Advisory Committee on Highway Safety.

No Tailgating!

Sneegle is driving a top-down car. In front of him is the back of a bigger car where Billy and Sue can be seen through the back windows. Both cars are in front of a blue-screen, indicating fast driving. Sue That man is following us too close! Billy Hey, you're following us too close! Sneegle If you don't want me to follow so close, then speed up! Billy We're going the speed limit now! Sneegle I don't see any speed limit sign! Sue Here comes a... Extreme closeup of Sneegle. Cut to brief Henson animation of star-like shapes, coinciding with "Kaboom" sound effect. Back to cars again, both have stopped, and the blue-screen background is stationary. Sneegle's car is mangled up and emitting smoke; his eyes are cock-eyed, and the top of his pointy head is twisted Sneegle (in a dazed voice) A speed limit sign? Billy No, a stop sign. Sue I told you you were following us too close! Cut to card: Citizen's Advisory Committee on Highway Safety.