Philip mentioned the accent (in this thread) which is something I noted also when I watched the video. I've noticed that there seems to be a rise in popularity both in both host and characters that show up in American TV and Movies with English accents.  Not sure if this is just a natural occurrence because of internationalization of our world or something that is intentional. It does make me realize how an accent can really set a puppets character. Now I imagine this is something that at this point depends on where you live but I've noticed that at least for myself that different accents give me an initial perception of a person. Now I am talking first impressions here and I am not trying to suggest that people with a specific accent are tied to this perception.  So here we go... I've always felt that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a hard time people accepting him as an intellectual leader because of his accent. A southern hillbilly accent often makes one think that the speaker is a bit slower or not as smart. Now I am not saying that these stereotypes can not be broken and think it is a good thing to break them but it can help you set a character if you want with the first few lines. I also think you have to keep in mind that if you choose to break a stereotype you really have think about your script and how you are going to do that. If you don't show through actions and dialogue who your puppet is if you choose an accent that may be pre conceived type folks won't fully understand him or her.

Ok all that is a bit all over the place and I hope I expressed what I was thinking well enough. Don't mean insult anyone and like I said this is just first impressions... be honest even you have them.  So I have two questions for you.

What accents do you attribute to certain characteristics? Like I said I bet this is different around the world and I know that even with the English accents there are a variety of types that can effect character.

Second question is how do you break those stereotypes if you choose an accent that may not match your puppets character. 

Food for thought.

What accents do you attribute to certain characteristics? Like I said I bet this is different around the world and I know that even with the English accents there are a variety of types that can effect character.

Second question is how do you break those stereotypes if you choose an accent that may not match your puppets character. 

I tend to equate a non-Cockney British accent to class and culture, as you said, it's pretty normal in the states to assume low-intellect to southern accents, both of which can obviously be wildly inaccurate!

Regarding the second question, I think that you break the stereotypes by using those accents that don't seem to fit. If you are doing comedy, the incongruity of accent to character can add to the comedic effect. If you are doing more serious stuff, then you may need to be pretty subtle about it in order to not have the contrast turn into comedy.

This is what I want to do for my zombie puppet.  I want to give him a British accent and make him out to be intellectual (though occasionally slipping into stereotypical zombie).  Problem is, my British accent sounds either like Indian or like Steve Irwin. Crikey!

I have a video I want to do with this.  just have to get up the guts to do it!

Arthur watch Shaun  of the dead and keep practicing.

Hadn't thought about it from this angle before. The idea of trying to come up with 'voices' for each of the puppets would have been an impossibility for me - I'd still be figuring that out in a decades time!! I have a lot of respect for everyone who can invent character voices to order: that's way beyond my skill base. We liked the fact that our band have a regional UK Norfolk accent, we embraced it because of it's little oddities. (We say 'beer' and it sounds like 'bear'!) This thread made me smile, because here in the UK we have the opposite view: All the funky accents are imported from the other side of the pond! Micheal Caine is a great actor, but he wouldn't beat Steve McQueen in the cool stakes!  Although, I like ArthurS' idea of an English zombie, perhaps over zealously played 'Basil Fawlty' style... 

My George R. Zombieman has a British accent.  Not sure why, it's just how he developed.

Zombie Puppets Anonymous - Poor Fishy Films

"You've probably eaten most of your friends and family.." haha that cracked me up! That's brilliant, let's hope George wont be alone this Christmas 

This is interesting.  A touch of British accent does give charactor.  When I purchased my Little sister puppet from the UK I was not sure what kind of character she would be until I gave her the accent. It created a whole history, and even as a little girl she sounds very smart and adult. 

I equate french accent with extrovert wild puppet. I equate "Gone with the Wind" southern belle accent with dipsy blond sterotype. Canadian, laid back and slow, but not dim witted, just zen. Spanish reminds me of Speedy Gonzales hyperactive.

I've been thinking about this and realized that when I created professor Lagunis he automatically had a German accent.  My blue puppet who had a gang bang hat attached, got an African American thug accent. In the same way my frog puppet got a stereotypical base voice.  Klooky Martinez is supposed to be hispanic but there is really no accent.  I created his name for diversity sake.  So in some cases we create the voice just for character and sometimes for diversity.  LOL My character of Auntie sounds like someone with COPD.  Interesting conversation.