Crunchy Frog

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Crunchy Frog is a fictional type of confectionery originating from a Monty Python sketch. It consists of an entire frog that has been coated with chocolate. According to the sketch, "We use only the finest baby frogs, dew-picked and flown from Iraq, cleansed in finest-quality spring water, lightly killed, and then sealed in a succulent Swiss quintuple smooth treble cream milk chocolate envelope and lovingly frosted with glucose." Circular reasoning is employed to explain why the bones are not removed: "If we took the bones out, it wouldn't be crunchy, would it?"

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[edit] The sketch

In this sketch, the owner of the Whizzo Chocolate Company (played by Terry Jones) is approached by two members of the "Hygiene Squad", Inspector Praline (John Cleese) and Superintendent Parrot (Graham Chapman), who confront him about the odd flavors used in the Whizzo Quality Assortment. Other flavors include Cherry Fondue ("...extremely nasty. But we can't prosecute you for that."), Ram's Bladder Cup (which is "fresh Cornish Ram's bladder, emptied, steamed, whipped into a fondue with sesame seeds and then garnished with lark's vomit"), Cockroach Cluster, Anthrax Ripple, and Spring Surprise (chocolate wrapped around two steel bolts that, upon the melting of the chocolate, spring outward and pierce the victim's cheeks). At the end of the scene the Superintendent, who has been gagging during the entire conversation, faces the camera and warns the public to take more care when purchasing their sweeties.

The BBC TV version of the sketch appears to be pieced together from 2 takes. On the cut between the two shot ("You are sole proprietor and owner of the Whizzo Chocolate company?") and the close up ("I am") there's one frame out of continuity. This editing mistake indicates a cut from one take to another.

[edit] In film

The film Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl also contains a performance of this sketch, with Chapman as the Inspector and Terry Gilliam as his assistant. The assistant is now called Constable Parrot, and instead of periodically leaving the room to fight off his nausea, he remains on-stage and eventually vomits into his helmet - which he is then forced by his superior to put back on his head. (Gilliam filled his mouth with cold beef stew prior to filming the scene.)

[edit] Other appearances

In J.K. Rowling's book series Harry Potter, among the many magical sweets enjoyed by the characters are the crunchy "Chocolate Frog" and the more directly referential Cockroach Cluster.

[edit] External links