| “ | Did someone just say… "'Grinch"? | „ |
| ~ Augustus's first and most famous line. |
| “ | Tell you people one thing: invite the Grinch… destroy Christmas. INVITE THE GRINCH, DESTROY CHRISTMAS!!! But did anyone listen to me? No… You choose to listen to a little not-to-be-taken-seriously girl. who hasn't even grown into her nose yet. Cindy, I hope you're very proud… of what you've done. |
„ |
| ~ Augustus's villainous breakdown after the Grinch stole all of Whoville's gifts and decorations, blaming Cindy for the incident, thus revealing his true nature to the people of Whoville. |
Mayor Augustus Maywho is the main antagonist of the 2000 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
He is the greedy and self-serving mayor of Whoville and the arch-nemesis of the Grinch. His main goal is to marry Martha May Whovier and to keep himself popular. Though initially shown as a minor neutral character, he is later revealed to have bullied the Grinch since childhood, making him responsible for the Grinch's hatred of Christmas and the film's plot.
He was portrayed by Jeffrey Tambor, who also portrayed K. Edgar Singer in Muppets from Space, Crazy Quilt in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Captain Flarty in Bob's Burgers, Mr. Big in WordGirl, King Neptune in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Crocker in Batman: The Animated Series, Kyle Montgomery in Twilight Zone, and Dr. Zin in Jonny Quest;. while Ben Bookbinder portrayed an eight-year-old Augustus Maywho.
Personality[]
| “ | You don't have a chance with her. You're 8 years old and you have a beard! | „ |
| ~ Augustus taunting the Grinch for his crush towards Martha when they were kids. |
As the mayor of Whoville, Augustus was thought to be a well-meaning leader seemingly concerned over the panic of several Who citizens about the Grinch's presence during Christmas. However, this is all a facade to hide his true nature: that of a rude, greedy, arrogant, and egotistical politician who is willing to exploit the holidays for his own benefit and is even shown to be a bully to the Grinch as an adult. Even as a child, he was a spoiled bully who made fun of the young Grinch for being "inferior," especially during Christmas, which drove the Grinch into becoming the Christmas-hating and misanthropic hermit that he was ever known. Even when the Grinch briefly became the Holiday Cheermeister, Augustus presents him with a razor to remind him of the horrible incident before getting others to laugh at this on purpose to get them to bully him (some who possibly don't know about the razor's meaning and just think that it's a good-natured joke from the Mayor), much to the Grinch's humiliation and anger. Augustus also appeared to be quite corrupt, as he callously allowed massive littering of garbage (including hazardous waste) into Mount Crumpit; even during the Christmas light contest when the judges declared Betty Lou Who as the winner, Augustus decided to announce Martha May Whovier as the winner by claiming it as a "split decision" in hopes of proposing to her. His materialism and greed are also shown when he publicly announces that he squandered the taxpayer's money to buy Martha an expensive-looking car.
Augustus is lustful towards Martha because he had a crush on her ever since they were kids due to her attractiveness, and he had the gall to say to Cindy Lou Who that Martha was his girlfriend by that time when she wasn't; even topping it off by proposing a marriage vow and a new car to her after humiliating the Grinch during the Cheermeister festivities. He is also revealed to be very greedy and materialistic in nature as he believes that Christmas is all about presents, decorations and lights and that he himself is making a profit out of commercializing the holiday for his own benefit; this was evident of when he threw a nasty tantrum after the Grinch stole all of Whoville's gifts, food and decorations and blamed Cindy Who Lou for it before realizing that Christmas isn't about presents, decorations, and lights. Even when the Grinch developed a change of heart by returning all of stolen gifts, food and decorations before apologizing and surrendering himself to the police for his actions, Augustus orders the police to blind the Grinch's eyes with pepper spray while arresting him.
However, Augustus' greedy and materialistic nature proved to be his downfall as the citizens (including the police) have learned their lesson about the avarice and commercialism they brought on Christmas and that they are willing to accept the Grinch's apology and forgive him; even Martha turned down Augustus' proposal by saying that her heart belongs to a misunderstood yet insightful hermit rather than a corrupt mayor.
Biography[]
Augustus first appeared after hearing that Whoville's postman Lou Lou Who's teenage sons (along with their girlfriends) have trespassed in the perimeter of the Grinch's lair in Mount Crumpit. Lou assured to Augustus that the teenagers weren't doing anything to provoke the Grinch before explaining to his daughter Cindy Lou about the Grinch's existence. Needless to say, Cindy Lou took an interest in the Grinch after he reluctantly saved her life from being killed by the post office's sorting machine.
Using her dad's recorder for several interviews, Cindy learned that the Grinch used to live in Whoville as a mischievous yet kind child, but was ridiculed by a young Augustus and his friends for his appearance while Martha May Whovier took an interest with him. When Cindy Lou interview Augustus about the story, he blatantly lies by saying that he tried to offer the Grinch his friendship.
In reality, back when Augustus was eight years old, he was nothing but a bully to the Grinch. He had a crush on Martha first, but was appalled by Martha liking the Grinch. Therefore he continued to ridicule the Grinch out of jealousy so no one will ever take Martha away from him. Due to Martha's act of kindness, the Grinch made a makeshift angel as a present for her, but starts to feel insecure about his appearance due to Augustus' teasing. The Grinch tried to use a razor but was forced to cover his razor marks with shaving paper. When Augustus soon learns about this, he took the opportunity to mock the Grinch by calling him a 'hack job', causing the other kids including their teacher to laugh at him, except for Martha. Fed up with this mockery, the Grinch loses his temper by destroying the class' tree and presents (including the makeshift angel), scaring Augustus and the other kids away.
The Grinch then ran off to live in Mount Crumpit, developing a hatred of Christmas and the people of Whoville for their mockery against him for several years while Augustus became the new mayor; even arranging a new system of trash chutes (known as Dumpit to Crumpit) that would dump all of Whoville's garbage into Mount Crumpit. Augustus would also try to make Martha his wife as she was now a beautiful woman, but she still longed for the Grinch to return.
Touched by this sad story and having her own doubts of the holiday, Cindy Lou decides to invite the Grinch to the Whobilation festivities by nominating him as Cheermeister, much to the others' surprise. Though Augustus tried to explain to Cindy that the Grinch won't join the festivities due to his hatred of Christmas in which he turns out to be wrong about him not joining in (but is right about his hatred of Christmas), he reluctantly allows this due to Cindy Lou explaining her reasons to the other citizens. Needless to say, Augustus is astounded to see that the Grinch has indeed arrived for the celebration due to the promise of an award.
At first, the Grinch finds himself uncomfortable during the contests, but slowly finds himself accepted after getting his reward, much to Augustus' dismay. Though it would've seemed that the Grinch has finally enjoyed himself and is about to be won over, Augustus (in an act of jealousy) gave him a present: an electric razor to remind him of his traumatic school memory before getting the other citizens to laugh at him for it on purpose just so he can be bullied again (With only Cindy Lou Who and Martha May Whovier not laughing, as they feel bad for the Grinch), under the impression that Augustus is giving him a razor like a good-natured joke (as several Whos don't even know why the Grinch abandoned Whoville even if the mayor did). Augustus even tops this off by proposing to Martha with a diamond ring and a new car, which finally drove an angry Grinch to wreck havoc by scratching and wrecking the new car so hard with his finger, scaring the citizens, paying the Mayor back by shaving his head violently right down the middle with the razor, and destroying the large Christmas tree with a makeshift flamethrower before escaping back to Mount Crumpit. Though it was fruitless when Augustus brought in a spare tree to replace it.
Deciding that it was time to stop Christmas from coming, the Grinch made a Santa Claus disguise and a flying sleigh (with his dog Max as a reindeer) to steal all of Whoville's gifts, decorations and food. During his burglary that night, the Grinch comes across a sleeping Augustus dreaming about kissing Martha. Seeking his revenge, the Grinch makes Augustus kiss Max's butt, much to Max's embarrassment. The Grinch also ties up a rope between Augustus' bed and a police car.
After the Grinch finishes his burglary by riding his sleigh up into Mount Crumpit, the people of Whoville soon learned about the Grinch's scheme just as Augustus wakes up after his bed ends up being pulled by the police car due to the panic. Realizing what happened, Augustus angrily lets out a tantrum and blames Cindy Lou for the incident, but Lou (finally realizing what Cindy Lou is trying to say and now sees the mayor's true nature) stands up by reminding everyone that the true meaning of Christmas is to be with friends and family instead of getting gifts or doing contests; even berating Augustus for his treatment towards Cindy Lou and the Grinch even when the Grinch was younger.
Realizing that Lou is right, all of the citizens of Whoville agreed to celebrate the holiday without their gifts and started singing in cheer, much to Augustus' frustration. Cindy then takes the opportunity to head up to Mount Crumpit in hopes of inspiring the Grinch with everyone singing. Upon hearing everyone singing in cheer, the Grinch initially got frustrated that his plan failed but soon realizes the true meaning of Christmas before developing a change of heart.
With the help from Max and Cindy Lou, the Grinch rides his sleigh back to Whoville to return all of the gifts, decorations and food to the citizens. The Grinch then confesses and apologizes for his crimes before surrendering himself to the police as he is willing to accept his punishment. Augustus in turn demands the police to arrest the Grinch and blind him with pepper spray, hoping to get back at the Grinch for the chaos he spread at the part. However, the police and the citizens decide to instead forgive the Grinch, as they have all learned a lesson about the true meaning of the holiday. To add further salt to the wound, Martha turns down Augustus' proposal by giving him back the ring, saying that her heart belongs to the Grinch and forgiving him publicly along with everyone else.
Realizing now that all of Whoville's citizens have turned against him, Augustus reluctantly shakes the Grinch's hand to assure no hard feelings, though the latter laughs at him before telling him to cheer up since it's the holidays. What happens afterwards to Augustus is unclear, although in the novelization, he is dragged off by the Grinch's moms and forced to apologize to the Grinch for bullying him as a child. He is last seen annoying another guest at the feast with a long-winded story.
Regardless, it's strongly implied that Augustus no longer harassed the Grinch anymore. He also likely lost any chance he had at reelection and his wealthy lifestyle due to his actions.
Video Game Appearance[]
Mayor Maywho appears as an antagonist in The Grinch and Dr. Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the two video game adaptations of the popular 2000 feature film.
Similar to his film counterpart The Grinch despises him, although the explanation from the film is left out. The player can carry out several tasks which involves ruining the mayor, such as vandalising his Christmas propaganda posters and destroying his statue.
Quotes[]
| “ | Lou, I don't need to remind you that this Christmas marks the one thousandth Whobilation. And the Book of Who says very clearly: "Every size of Who we can measure knows that Whobilation is a time we must treasure." Now, Lou, please tell me that your boys were not up on Mount Crumpit provoking the one creature within a billion bilometers of here who hates Christmas! | „ |
| ~ Augustus scolding Lou after the learning that the latter's sons and their girlfriends tried to trespass into the Grinch's lair at Mount Crumpit. |
| “ | And if the truth be told, he... uhh... he liked Martha. Martha was my girlfriend. I don't like discussing this Grinch so very close to Christmas, but maybe if you hear the truth, you'll understand why. (to Whobris) Put your back into it! (to Cindy) I tried to take him under my wing. He had hair... not pleasant. He shed... not right. | „ |
| ~ Augustus telling Cindy about the Grinch's backstory while falsely claiming that he wanted to make friends with him when they were kids. |
| “ | Grinch: Merry Christmas, Martha May. Miss Rue Who: Why do you have a bag over your head? Augustus: Probably because he's embarrassed by that hide-odorous gift. |
„ |
| ~ Augustus making fun of Grinch's gift to Martha |
| “ | Look at that hack job! | „ |
| ~ Augustus getting the whole class to laugh at the Grinch's shaving nicks, causing him to go on a rampage and starting his hatred of Christmas. |
| “ | And now it's time for Present Pass-it-on! As always, we start with our Cheer-meister... the gift of a Christmas shave. (everyone bursts into laughter) Ah, yes, yes, yes. Good times, huh? Good times. | „ |
| ~ Augustus taunting the Grinch by reminding him of the awful razor incident, the very same speech that drove the Grinch mad. |
| “ | And now, I have a little something for the love of my life. Martha May... please become Mrs. Augustus May-Who. (Martha: Augustus?) If you agree to be my wife along with a lifetime supply of happiness, you'll also receive this: it's a new car, generously provided by the taxpayers of Whoville! What do you say, Martha? You got 20 seconds on the clock. | „ |
| ~ Augustus proposing to Martha after humiliating the Grinch. |
| “ | Oh, give me a break! | „ |
| ~ Augustus being upset to hear that the Who citizens decided to celebrate the holidays without their gifts and decorations that the Grinch has stole from them. |
| “ | Augustus: You heard him, Officer! He admitted it! I'd go with the pepper spray. Officer: Yes, I heard him, all right... he said he was sorry. Besides, looks like everything's all here and accounted for. Augustus: Help me out here, people! I.. uh..... Martha! Martha May: Merry Christmas, August Maywho! I'm afraid I do have something for you! (Martha slides off of the Grinch's sleigh and hands Augustus back his engagement ring) ...your ring back. (the town of Whoville gasps) Sorry, but my heart belongs to... (looks at the Grinch) ...someone else. Grinch: (looks around initially confused before realizing Martha was referring to him which makes the Grinch laughs excitedly and happily, then approaches Augustus) No hard feelings? (Augustus reluctantly shakes the Grinch's hand then aggressively laughs at Augustus' face) Cheer up, dude. It's Christmas. |
„ |
| ~ Augustus' defeat, ordering the police to arrest the Grinch, only for his efforts to fall flat as Whoville turns against him for his evil nature which causes Martha May to publicly reject his marriage proposal to be with the Grinch. |
Trivia[]
- Mayor Augustus Maywho is an original character created solely for the live-action adaptation of The Grinch. He didn't appear in the original book written by Dr. Seuss nor in the 1966 animated TV special. This is because the film expanded the plot for runtime reasons as the book was shorter, allowing them to create more backstory for the characters, specifically The Grinch.
- In some ways, Augustus was created to give a reason to why The Grinch hated Christmas in the first place and reveal why he hated the holiday and stole all the presents. In the original story, why The Grinch hated Christmas is never specified, with the narrator speculating whether it most likely was because his heart was two sizes too small.
- Likewise, Augustus serves as a foil to Cindy Lou, which leads the latter to make the Whos realize what Christmas truly is about. In the original book, the Whos weren't depicted as materialistic and thus they simply celebrated together after the Grinch stole the presents.
- Although Augustus only appeared in the 2000 live-action adaptation, the 2018 animated adaptation of The Grinch features another mayor in charge of Whoville, known as Mayor McGerkle. Unlike Augustus, however, Mayor McGerkle is nicer, unselfish and doesn't have any kind of grudge against The Grinch.
- Augustus Maywho's beliefs on Christmas is a criticism of Christmas nowadays. To this day, Christmas has become a materialistic holiday in which people need presents to celebrate it. This, of course, is what leads Cindy Lou to help the Whos eventually realize that the true meaning of Christmas is spending it with the family, something which Augustus, being the materialistic person that he is, fails to understand until then.
- Peter Greene, Alec Baldwin, the late Dennis Hopper, Willem Dafoe, the late Bob Hoskins, Danny DeVito, Tommy Lee Jones and Joe Pesci were all briefly considered for the role of Augustus Maywho before Jeffrey Tambor was cast, although Alec Baldwin would later play Larry Quinn in the 2003 live-action adaptation of The Cat in the Hat.
- Augustus Maywho being forgiven by the Grinch is likely related to the theme of the movie being the joy of Christmas rather than revenge.
- Augustus Maywho had his tonsils removed twice, and claims it is “an interesting story”. He later brings this up when talking in his sleep, where he audibly fantasizes about Martha, saying “have you ever kissed a man who lost his tonsils twice?”
- This appears again in the novel where he bores another guest at the Christmas feast, the Who doctor, with the story of how he got his tonsils removed twice.
- A scene shown on the TV version of the film feature Betty Lou and Martha May having a Christmas light competition. Though Betty Lou was the winner, Augustus lies saying Martha is the winner. This scene shows that Augustus is also a cheater and lets Martha win.
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Animated Features Live-Action Features Animated Television Live-Action Television Video Games See Also | ||
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Stories Movie | ||
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Book Movies TV Series | ||