POOR Miss Piggy. Like most aging stars in Hollywood, that prima donna pig, along with most of her Muppet pals, has struggled to find substantial roles. Almost nobody under the age of 30 remembers "Pigs in Space." All everyone wants to talk about is this Hannah Montana person. What’s a down-on-her-luck puppet to do?
The Walt Disney Company feels her pain. Since it bought Miss Piggy, Kermit and crew in 2004, executives have struggled to figure out how to put them to work. Efforts in 2005 to rejuvenate the furry creatures created by Jim Henson sputtered as the Muppets got lobbed between corporate divisions, and a new television series - a parody of "America’s Next Top Model" called "America’s Next Muppet" - died in the planning stages.
Now Disney is giving it another go by revving up the full power of its culture-creating engines. Instead of the take-it-slow approach, this time the Muppets are getting the "Hannah Montana" treatment, being blasted into every pop-culture nook and cranny that the company owns or can dream up. The balcony blowhards Statler and Waldorf would be impressed with the ambitiousness of the plan - even if it does come with equally outsize challenges.
"We think there is a Muppet gene in everybody," said Lylle Breier, a Disney executive who is the new general manager of Muppets Studio. - NY Times
The Jim Henson Company has partnered with iTheatrics to develop a musical stage version of its classic holiday television special "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.' The announcement was made today by the show's producers, Brian Henson, co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company and Tim McDonald, CEO of iTheatrics. The show will feature a mix of stage actors and puppet characters and a toe-tapping score of new and original music by Paul Williams, who wrote the music for the award-winning original special. - Muppet Central
I say this all too often (Thanks Mike Judge), but I'm there dude.
Time's fun when you're having flies, Kermit the Frog once said. And how time has flown: Kermit, or more precisely one of the many puppets that have played Kermit, will be retired to Atlanta on Wednesday, part of a major gift being made by the Jim Henson Foundation.
The flippered phenom, who began life as a scrap of fabric cut from a green coat discarded by Jim Henson's mother, will be presented to the Center for Puppetry Arts here. He is a symbol of a large gift of Mr. Henson's work that will be donated to the center and exhibited in a planned Jim Henson Wing, said Cheryl Henson, president of the Jim Henson Foundation.
Ms. Henson, Jim Henson's second-oldest daughter, and Jane Henson, her mother and Mr. Henson's first performing partner, expected to be in Atlanta on Wednesday to announce the gift: 500 to 700 puppets, including some of the first Muppets built; props; scenic elements; posters; sketches; and drawings that Mr. Henson created for shows like "The Muppet Show," "Sesame Street," "Fraggle Rock" and "Sam and Friends" (where the Muppets first appeared). Cheryl Henson has also pledged $1 million of her own money to the center. - Muppet Central
The first casualty of the Musicland bankruptcy was not an American anime company or manga publisher, but the collector-oriented toy company, Palisades Toys. Mike Horn, Palisades President and CEO sent out an email message on Wednesday indicating that after 11 years "Palisades Entertainment LLC has discontinued its business of manufacturing and selling licensed and proprietary action figures, collectibles, toys and other goods." Horn blamed the demise of Palisades on a general downward trend in the collectible toy industry and the "bankruptcy of one of Palisades' largest customers" - ICv2.com
Old news, but news to me. Maybe those Muppet action figures will go up in value.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Jim Henson Company and plans are underway to celebrate this milestone at local events around the country and with new projects for the millions of viewers who have been inspired by the organization's work and the vision of its founder.
In 1955, Jim Henson premiered his first show, Sam & Friends on Washington DC's WRC-TV, revolutionizing puppetry on television and redefining family entertainment. From that small beginning, a diverse string of the highest quality productions, thousands of memorable characters and cutting-edge technologies became the standard for the business that bears Henson's name and continues his legacy. - Muppet Central
Did you ever hear the story of the Christmas Tree who just didn't want to change the show He liked living in the woods and playing with squirrels He liked icicles and snow.
He liked wolves and eagles and grizzly bears and critters and creatures that crawled Why bugs were some of his very best friends Spiders and ants and all.
Now that's not to say that he ever looked down on the vision of twinkling lights Or on mirrored bubbles and peppermint canes And a thousand other delights.
And he often had dreams of tiny reindeer and a jolly old man and a sleigh full of toys and presents and wonderful things And the story of Christmas Day.
Oh, Alfie believed in Christmas all right He was full of Christmas cheer All of each and every day and all throughout the year.
To him it was more than a special time much more than a special day It was more than a beautiful story It was a special kind of way.
You see, some folks have never heard a jingle bell ring And they've never heard of Santa Claus They've never heard the story of the son of God And that made Alfie pause.
Did that mean that they'd never know of peace on earth or the brotherhood of man Or know how to love, or know how to give If they can't...no one can.
You see, life is a very special kind of thing not just for a chosen few But for each and every living breathing thing Not just me and you.
So in your Christmas prayers this year Alfie asked me if I'd ask you Say a prayer for the wind, and the water, and the wood And those who live there, too. - From John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together.
An atheist who loves Christmas music. Who'd of thunk? Happy Holidays everybody, try and be good to each other.
Granted I'm not a die-hard follower of USPS press releases, but I'm still amazed I missed this.
"The United States postal service has announced their 2005 stamp releases and Jim Henson fans will get a special stamp next year in honor of the Muppets creator.
Ten Muppet characters will share a sheet of stamps with a single stamp for their creator, Jim Henson. The Muppets honored include Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear." - Muppet Central
As far as I'm concerned they should put Henson's image on all currency. Short of that, the Muppets on stamps are still pretty cool.
Disney and Henson declined to talk about the financial terms of the deal for the Muppets, but people familiar with the matter said it included a payment of between $40 million to $60 million plus a share of future Muppets profits. - CNN
There's magic in the air this evening Magic in the air The world is at her best, you know When people love and care The promise of excitement is one the night will keep After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas The world has got a smile today The world has got a glow There's no such thing as strangers When a stranger says "Hello" And everyone is family, we're havin' so much fun After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas 'Tis the season to be jolly and joyous With a burst of pleasure we feel it all right It's a season when the saints can employ us To spread the news about peace and to keep love alive There's somethin' in the wind today that's good for everyone Yes, faith is our hearts today, we're shinin' like the sun And everyone can feel it, the feelin's runnin' deep After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas day
One More Sleep 'till Christmas as sung by Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Simon Smith & His Amazing Dancing Bear (as sung by Scooter & Fozzie)
I may go out tomorrow if I can borrow a coat to wear, Oh, I'd step out in style with my sincere smile and my dancing bear, Outrageous, Alarming, Courageous, Charming, Oh, who would think a boy and bear could be well accepted everywhere, It's just amazing how fair people can be, Seen at at the nicest places where well-fed faces all stop to stare, Making the grandest entrance is Simon Smith and his dancing bear, They'll love us, Fozzie: Won't they? They feed us, Fozzie: Don't they? Oh, who would think a boy and bear, Could be well accepted everywhere, It's just amazing how fair people can be, Oh who needs money, Fozzie: When we're funny! The great attraction everywhere will be Simon Smith and his amazing dancing bear.
