Big Mouth Billy Bass
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Big Mouth Billy Bass is an Animatronic singing toy, resembling a Largemouth Bass, popular in 2000 and 2001. Made of rubber stretched over a mechanical frame, at first glance it closely resembles a mounted fish. Designed by Gemmy Industries, it turns its head outwards and then wiggles on its trophy plaque and sings kitschy cover songs, such as Don't Worry, Be Happy and Take Me To The River by Al Green. The singing mechanism was originally activated by a motion sensor and was originally intended to startle a passer-by. Eventually a button was added to activate it. There have also been several copycat toys based on it, featuring various animals such as Rainbow Trout, Lobsters, and even fish bones. The concept was also adapted into a large mounted deer head.
The toys appeared frequently in pop culture at the time, featured on television programs such as Supernatural (TV series), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Saturday Night Live, The Sopranos, South Park, The Office, The AFL Footy Show and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. A November 2006 Verizon Wireless commercial featured one that sang Christmas carols. Big Mouth Billy Bass was also mentioned in Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie wherein Jeff Foxworthy said that a person with more than three of the toys (which Jeff himself is admittedly guilty of) "might be a redneck". Queen Elizabeth has a copy of the singing novelty, which she displays on the grand piano of Balmoral Castle.[1]
- ^ Schuessler, Heidi, Getting Under the Skin of a Fish That Can Get Under Yours, The New York Times, December 14, 2000, last accessed May 7, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Controlling Big Mouth Billy Bass from Linux
- Karaoke Fish singing Jingle Bells youtube
- Karaoke Fish pictures
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