Lew Zealand

Lew Zealand is a Muppet character, performed by Jerry Nelson, that has an obsession for throwing fish. His thrown fish are unique in that they return to him once thrown. He appears on The Muppet Show from the third season onwards trying to promote his Boomerang Fish act. He is also able to play a fish organ (a line of fish that, when squeezed, each gargle a different note). The sketches he appears in usually end with the entire stage in an uproar.

Lew is naturally named for the country of New Zealand, and his whole fish act is derivedFact|date=September 2008 from New Zealand's reputation as the fisherman's paradise (cf. [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newzealand/0313020352.html Frommer's New Zealand] ). The boomerang aspect illustrates a common American confusion that has New Zealand far more closely linked to Australia than is actually the case. Lew Zealand was originally puppeteered by Jerry Nelson until his retirement from The Muppets since then Bill Barretta has been his main performer.

Lew has appeared in The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Christmas Carol.

Trivia

* Lew is known for his trademark catchphrase: "I throw the fish away, and it comes "back" to me!"

External links