Stage hooks

Stage hooks, or the theatrical phrase "getting the hook," referred to the practice of performers whose acts prove unpopular with the audience being yanked off stage by a long-poled hook or shepherd's crook so the next act can go on. The origin of the practice was Miner's Bowery Theatre in New York City, with 1903 as the date of the first documented use. The theater began as what was termed a variety house, later transitioning to vaudeville. The hook's use actually related to the biweekly amateur nights rather than any vaudeville show. The original purpose of the hook was practical, to untangle ropes and assist in stage rigging, but when a bad act overstayed its welcome, a stage manager hooked the offender off.Cullen, Frank. Vaudeville, Old & New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America. 2007. p. 767 
The practice would become a pop culture cliche, whether in an amateur show or of professionals, and pop up frequently in Looney Tunes or recreations of old-time stage variety shows. Since The Muppet Show largely serves as the latter, and given the nature of its performers, the practice was common there and in other Muppet contexts.
==Uses==
Hook-Rowlf.jpg|Rowlf the DogLa Choy presentation reel 
Hook_la_choy.jpg|Delbert the La Choy DragonLa Choy commercial
Oldmanribbit.jpg|Mary LouiseThe Muppet Show episode 208
Stagehook fozzie baskerville tms208.jpg|Baskerville the HoundThe Muppet Show episode 208
Hook-Robin.jpg|Robin the FrogThe Muppet Show episode 212
Hook-Wedding.jpg|Kermit the FrogThe Muppet Show episode 310
Tms406-kermit.jpg|Kermit the FrogThe Muppet Show episode 406
Hook-lew-524.jpg|Lew ZealandThe Muppet Show episode 524
File:Dictionary soon stage hook.jpg|BertThe Sesame Street Dictionary "soon" entry
PlayAlong-Hook.jpg|Fozzie BearHey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear
The Muppets comic strip 1984-12-07.jpg|Fozzie BearThe Muppets comic stripDecember 7, 1984
Hook-BB&Snuffy.jpg|Big Bird and SnuffySesame Street 
Fozziesfunnies.JPG|Fozzie BearFozzie's Funnies
Hook-Frankie-Yakovic.jpg|Frankie YakovicMuppets Tonight episode 107
Hook-SeymourPepe.jpg|Seymour and Pepe the King PrawnMuppets Tonight episode 107
Hook-Turkey.jpg|TurkeySesame Street Vaudeville bumper
Hook-Dogs.jpg|DogsSesame Street Vaudeville bumper
Hook-Chicken.jpg|Rooster comedianSesame Street Vaudeville bumper
Vmx-kermit.jpg|Kermit the FrogIt's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Fozziehook.png|Fozzie BearMuppets Fan-A-Thon
MupComercial-04.jpg|The Electric MayhemThe Muppets
Vaudeville sam news.jpg|Sam the EagleThe Muppets
Vaudeville scooter google.jpg|ScooterThe Muppets
Vaudeville_crazy_harry_the_muppets.jpg|Crazy HarryThe Muppets
Vaudeville-StageHook-Gonzo-TheMuppets-(2011).jpg|Gonzo's bowling ball-hurling act in The Muppets
Hook_tms_fall.png|TopazThe Four Seasons #3
ElmoTheMusical-CowboyTheMusical-StageHook.png|Six Kitty CowsCowboy the Musical
Hook-YT.png|Fozzie BearJokes! with Fozzie
==Sources==
__NOWYSIWYG__
Category:Stage References
Category:Running Gags