He was accused of promoting hard drugs and being violent yet one nation declared a National 'day' after him and built a museum to dedicate him. Hard of speaking, his title to which he is commonly known reflects on his appearance in earlier years. Who is it, and how is he related to a restaurant franchise in the Middle East and Southern United States?

lanfranco

This must be Sooty the puppet, devised by the nephew of the owner of a fish and chips chain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sooty Mar 16 07, 9:06 AM

peasypod

Yes, it is dear little Sooty. The Americans probably never had Sweep and Sooty grace their living rooms, but Garfield's Odie always did remind me of Sweep. Mar 16 07, 4:07 PM

Baloo55th

The Americans were lucky.... I hated Sooty from the first time I was given a Sooty something - puppet, I thinks. And as to the act - to think that people were paid to perform it worries me. Last time I noticed the Sooty show coming here (about three or four years ago) they did three shows, and were sold out six months in advance. Which probably says something about the taste of this town. Mar 16 07, 5:04 PM

lanfranco

Oh, dear. It's true that we're not familiar with Sooty in the U.S., but he looked sort of cute on the site. On the other hand, I really dislike Odie. Then again, I'm not crazy about Garfield either, except for the fact that Lorenzo Music did his voice on the animated TV specials. Mar 16 07, 5:07 PM

Baloo55th

Try and get hold of a clip of the show. Just to see how absolutely ghastly it really is. It's even worse than American comedy shows..... (Laugh-in excepted, of course.) Mar 17 07, 7:23 AM

peasypod

Obviously my sarcasm needs work. Ghastly is an understatment... Mar 17 07, 9:53 AM

Baloo55th

I got the point of your wording..... Mar 17 07, 11:08 AM

What-A-Mess

There is a bunch of Sooty clips on YouTube. I am not sure if they are legitimate or spoofs because they seem ridiculous. Mar 17 07, 2:53 PM

What-A-Mess

Here is one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5e6EIxiirc&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5e6EIxiirc&mode=related&search= Mar 17 07, 2:56 PM

Baloo55th

If you mean by ridiculous: 1. A ventriloquist act where the puppet doesn't speak; 2. A puppet made of flannel costing (now) about 50c; 3. No plot to speak of; 4. A presenter who looks like a wally - and confirms your impression every time he opens his mouth; 5. Plenty of violence; Then you've got the real thing. It's almost impossible to do a skit on Sooty. The team have already done everything so badly you can't make it look worse. Mar 17 07, 3:17 PM

Baloo55th

Just looked at one of those clips - very briefly. That's the real thing all right. One of the more recent presenters. Doesn't look quite as much of a wally as Harry Corbett did, but it would appear he's working on it. Sooty makes the Care Bears look like the Royal Shakespeare Company. Mar 17 07, 3:19 PM

What-A-Mess

Rather than look it up Baloo, I will ask you....What the h*#l is a "Wally"? Mar 17 07, 6:14 PM

peasypod

Well, a wally here is someone being silly, or stupid. A duffer, even. Sometimes referred to as a 'wallybrain'. A good description of Harry Corbett--someone middle aged acting like a two year old. Mar 18 07, 1:36 AM

What-A-Mess

Thanks Pease! I imagine that one in NZ is the same in GB! Mar 18 07, 2:49 AM

What-A-Mess

A Duffer in America is a Golf Hack! Someone who plays half-assedly or while lit! Mar 18 07, 2:51 AM

peasypod

Have no idea about the NZ one... Mar 18 07, 6:12 AM

What-A-Mess

Sorry Pease, I meant Tasmania. Mar 18 07, 11:40 AM