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FORGETTING MISS PIGGY?? A New Muppet Movie From FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL Folk Is On The Way!!

Published at:  Mar 13, 2008 2:09:41 PM CDT


Merrick here...


There's a new Muppet movie on the way, from an unlikely duo.

Actor Jason Segel (CSI, FREAKS & GEEKS, and FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - which he also wrote) will script the new project alongside Nick Stoller (director of FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL). Stoller will also direct the new Muppet venture.

In "Sarah Marshall" Segel's character writes a "Dracula" musical performed by puppets. Those cloth creatures were custom-made by the Henson puppeteers, and the experience emboldened Segel to pitch his concept for a Muppets movie when he was invited in for a general meeting with exec Kristin Burr. Segel got a deal in the room and enlisted Stoller to co-write and direct the project.


...says THIS ARTICLE in Variety.

There aren't many details known at this time, but my son - currently 14 months old - has JUST fallen in deeply love with Muppets. By the time this hits theaters, he'll be old enough to go see it. In fact, this may be the first film he sees in theaters. I'm 100% stoked, and can't wait.

You can see the trailer for FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL HERE. The film releases April 18.






Hey, everyone. “Moriarty” here.

I just wanted to jump in on this one and add something.

This is f'ing awesome.

And let me tell you why.

Most of the time, I’m used to announcements of things involving the Muppets being crass money grabs these days.

But that’s not the case here. I can promise you that.

Last July, I was invited to Paramount Studios, where Stoller was wrapping up production on MARSHALL. I’d already visited these guys in Hawaii and at a shoot they did in the courtyard outside the Egyptian Theater, but they promised me that the shoot would be very different this time when I showed up.

Sure enough, when I was admitted to Paramount and made my way across the lot to where they were shooting, I was totally unprepared for the experience. I walked into the stage just before they locked it up for a new take, so I timed it just right. Claire, the unit publicist I met in Hawaii, spotted me and hustled me around the side of a set. All I could see what the outside of the set, so when she got me to the spot where she wanted me to stand, I was startled to find myself standing next to a mummy.

Actually, it wasn’t just a mummy, though. Have you ever seen those puppets where the hands and feet and shoulders are attached to the puppeteer by bars, so that when the puppeteer moves, the puppet mirrors that same move. You’ve seen those puppets where one guy makes a whole chorus line dance, right? Well, this was that same idea... but with mummies. I realized that the set that they’d built was actually the entire inside of a theater. It felt just like all the 99-seat theaters I’ve ever worked in, like a little shitbox you’d find on Hudson and Melrose here in LA or pretty much all over NYC. A tiny space to mount a play, and in this case, the play being performed was the Dracula musical written by Jason Segel’s character in the film. Bill Hader was also in the scene, also performing one of the puppets, and Jason and Bill were both onstage, clad in form-fitting black outfits that left very little to the imagination. I got there just in time to watch them run through the entire musical number that you’ll see in the film, and it was amazing how much energy it took to even bring the puppets to life for three minutes. Jason looked positively exhausted when I finally got a chance to say hello after a few takes, but he also looked happier than he had on any other day of production that I’d witnessed.

“Oh, god, you have no idea how much I love the Muppets,” he told me. And the reverence he expressed when he showed me the Dracula puppet that Henson’s workshop created for him and the joy I saw on his face, take after take over the next two days... there’s no doubt in my mind that Jason is the guy to do this, and he and Nick Stoller seem to have really clicked. I know how hard Nick’s worked to get MARSHALL just right, and I’m really curious to see how he builds from here. Doing a film like this, a no-shit Muppet movie, seems to indicate to me that he’s more about a great experience than he is about “playing the career game,” and that only makes me like him more.

I have no idea what sort of film they’re talking about making... maybe I’ll be able to get more more info out of them soon... but this sounds like it’s going to be worth paying attention to as the project comes into focus.





Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:10:33 AM CDT

    gay

    by sailor rip

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:11:48 AM CDT

    Will it be like "Meet the Feebles"?

    by tonagan

    "Sodomy..."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:14:02 AM CDT

    THIRD

    by jonas grumpy

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:15:14 AM CDT

    "Meet the Feebles" is great.

    by slone13

    Takes a while to get going, but what a great second half.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:17:21 AM CDT

    Only good Muppet movie...

    by jonas grumpy

    ...was the first one. Never got into any others, including "Follow That Bird." Well, except for their "Christmas Carol." That was kinda cool. Especially with Michael Caine as Scrooge. Never did figure out the animal hierarchy in that film. Apparently, the animals who can actually talk don't get eaten for Christmas dinner. (Unless they tell us how much they want to be eaten, like at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe?) Weirdness.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:20:34 AM CDT

    I've seen Sarah Marshall....

    by karishbhr

    and the best part of the film is the subplot involving puppets. I am now very excited for the new Muppet movie

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:21:08 AM CDT

    Yup

    by henrydalton

    Christmas Carol is great. I know it's heresay, but I actually prefer it to the first Muppet Movie. I watched Treasure Island again the other day though... man, that sucked. I don't remember that sucking so much. It sucked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:21:46 AM CDT

    Best Muppet movie is...

    by sailor rip

    ...Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:22:59 AM CDT

    speaking of puppets...

    by mc-909

    You guys need to watch this right now. Trust me on this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYFPNUjhF8

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:23:04 AM CDT

    Jugband Christmas

    by cereal killa

    rocked. Look at da birds in da trees!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:25:09 AM CDT

    the muppets

    by gungan slayer

    does anyone---other than merrick's kid---still care about the muppets? Don't get me wrong, the muppets are awesome, but they've been away from the spotlight for sometime time now. Do youngsters these days care to see puppet characters are fancy dancy razzle dazzle CGI effects and CG cartoons, like Shrek 8?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:26:14 AM CDT

    damn edit button

    by gungan slayer

    where the fuck is it when you need it. Meant to say "Do youngsters these days care to see puppet characters OR fancy dancy razzle dazzle CGI effects and CG cartoons, like Shrek 8?"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:26:37 AM CDT

    Riverbottom Nightmare Band!

    by sailor rip

    "We don't brush our teeth 'cause our tooth aches help us stay mean!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:28:28 AM CDT

    They're not muppets you retard

    by arcadiands

    'muppets' were a specific sub-set of the Henson collection. New puppets are not "muppets" - stop being stupid and making up news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:29:14 AM CDT

    It's gonna be hard to ad-lib with muppets

    by larry sellers

    Sure you wanna do this? I wish the "I can't write a script but I hope to god these actors can improv" style would die already. It's getting less funny by the film.
    And re: Gungan Slayer, NO ONE gives a shit about the muppets except those of us who grew up watching The Muppet Show (or the reruns at best). Muppets Tonight fell flat on its face, as did every other subsequent outing. I think the last time we saw Kermit he was in a Weezer video. The Muppet characters are as dead as the Looney Tunes characters.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:30:09 AM CDT

    Best Muppet Movie Is

    by bobinnova

    Kermit watching "Two Girls One Cup" on YouTube!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:44:39 AM CDT

    No Henson, No Muppets

    by nice marmot

    Never seen any Muppet movie since he passed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:51:53 AM CDT

    much love for the muppets

    by bigtexas42

    I actually enjoyed the last few muppet movies (the newer christmas one, the wizard of oz and treasure island), but jug band will always have a place of honor in the muppet-hall-of-fame in my brain. "I'm not 'hungry'... I'm HUNGRY!!!!!!"I still say then when I'm craving taco bell after a long night of beer chugging. Yeah, I'm a loser. Bite me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:02:09 AM CDT

    Wouldn't it be nice if this would be...

    by derlanghaarige

    ...the genre-shifting Rambo 5? The world needs Muppet Rambo!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:11:21 AM CDT

    It could work... this guy loves muppets

    by superduper3000

    From what I hear, Forgetting Sarah Marshall has a HUGE puppet scene towards the end, so this could be just the winning ticket.


    The latter, post-Henson Muppet movies have always struck me as mostly souless, so maybe its time to hand them over to a generation who appreciated them more...


    AWESOME Wall-E Trailer!!


    http://tinyurl.com/39y48u

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:23:44 AM CDT

    It takes somethng pretty serious

    by enoodle123

    to make me geek out, but this sent my geek-o-meter through the fucking roof. Love the muppets, feel that disney has been steadily destroying the franchise. Have to wonder why they have never pulled in some serious, current, relevant talent to restore the muppets to their glory. So, yeah. Fuck yeah. Can you imagine the cameos these guys could pull? The mind reels just thinking about it. Fuck. Yes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:28:24 AM CDT

    Christmas Carol

    by bloo

    was the last and possibly best Muppet movieTrasure Island was supposed to capitlize on CC success and formula (classic novel done Muppet style) but man did it suck, although a nice turn from Sam the EagleMuppets from Space, while a nice EFFORT, fell too much into parodytheir TV movies aren't horirable but they aren't great either, OZ was better then their Wonderful Life/Christmas special only because of the really strange apperance by QTI hope htis is a return to QUALITY storytelling and filmmaking and not lazy use the same formula or parody that has been attempted from henson's Co lately

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:29:53 AM CDT

    The Muppets vs. Rambo

    by santi01

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:43:33 AM CDT

    Muppets take Manhatten & the Muppet Caper..

    by jbouganim1

    were the shit back in the day. Which one was the one with the song about rainbows?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:44:13 AM CDT

    ooo the muppet movie...

    by jbouganim1

    Yea that was the shit also

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:53:51 AM CDT

    Trasure Island was horrible

    by series7

    I hate that one, but I loved Muppets in Space. I thought it would suck but it was pretty damn funny.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:00:07 AM CDT

    racist puppet horror comedy

    by mc-909

    Check it out:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =iwYFPNUjhF8

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:21:10 AM CDT

    Man Ivan Reitman

    by series7

    Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis must be kicking themselves now. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how long it takes the Apatow crew to get to greedy and have to start dealing with straight to video to make a living until they become retro and are popular again. What movie will be their Fathers' Day? You could say Reitman is Apatow, Rogan is Ramis (fucking Knocked Up), Johna Hill is Dan Aykroyd, Jason Segel is Bill Murray and Christopher Mintz-Plasse will end up being Rick Moranis. As well as their merry band of co-workers. The only difference between the two generations of comedey kings is that while the 80s was all about hair metal and being cocky, the 2000's is all about being emo and insecure. Lets see who end up with the most hits. Shit I bet most of those guys were on the Muppet Show at some point, and wasn't Harold Ramis the voice of Kermit the Frog? He is good friends with Frank Oz, and is aiding the Apatow success, I bet he got them this gig.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:31:30 AM CDT

    hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee--YAH!!!!!!

    by jimmy rabbitte

    c'mon... somebody had to say it...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:45:07 AM CDT

    Forgetting Sarah Marshall is not even out yet!

    by emperor_was_a_jerk

    Wow, people LOVE all these guys. That damn movie isn't even out and this story treats it like it is this huge hit, big time movie that everyone knows about and that it is writing their ticket. Oh if they did Sarah Marshall then of COURSE they are good enough to take control of some of the most beloved characters of all time in the Muppets.WHAT?!? Really, really odd to me. And I got news for everyone- Freaks and Geeks sucked. By the way, so did 40 year old Virgin, Superbad and Knocked Up. I am sorry I had to be the one to break this to everyone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:50:00 AM CDT

    Emperor

    by necgray

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:52:20 AM CDT

    Emperor

    by necgray

    IS a jerk. Apt screen name. I really have to question anyone who doesn't like at least Freaks and Geeks. The movies I guess I can see. Maybe. ... No, actually, fuck that. Are you out of your mind? Not even 40 YOV? That was the sweetest, funniest movie in years! I'm shocked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:56:19 AM CDT

    This is INCREDIBLE news

    by necgray

    for me. Since I love the Muppets and welcome a new take. I mean, could Segel possibly make a shittier Muppet movie than Muppets from Space? Or Muppet Wizard of Oz? Incidentally, to anyone asking about the relevance of Muppets: yes, kids want to see them. More importantly, Muppet fans want to see them. I hope Segel has the good sense to not make a kids-focused Muppet movie. That was part of the awesomeness of The Muppets. Universal age appeal. Disney has fucked that up hardcore.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:56:43 AM CDT

    the lovers, the dreamers, and me

    by oisin5199

    nothing can compare to the magic of the original show and Muppet movie. Or Freaks and Geeks. If even a spark from each of these can exist in a new project, I'm curious to see it. The muppets certainly will never be the same without Henson, but I think it's high time to present them in a fresh perspective with some decent writing. I still like the idea of that Muppet reality show. Definitely interesting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:57:50 AM CDT

    I've gotten my 4-year old niece hooked on Kermit and co.

    by anna valerious

    And it's a good thing too since her parents are Disney World crazy. She says Kermit's a "funny frog". :D I can't wait to see what's gonna happen. :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 11:59:11 AM CDT

    also, re: improv

    by necgray

    Have you ever watched Kermit on a talk show or interview? I remember he was on The Daily Show a few years ago and the interview seemed largely improv. And it was funny as hell. Those puppeteers are performers as much as any actor.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 12:30:04 PM CDT

    Harold Ramis was not the voice of Kermit the Frog

    by slone13

    It was Jim Henson himself. Frank Oz did the voice of Fozzie.

    Anyone ever notice how you can't tell the difference between Kermit and Fozzie or Ernie and Bert if you're only listening to audio? (Henson did Ernie's voice and Frank Oz did Bert's and, vocally, there's no differnce between Kermit/Ernie and Bert/Fozzie.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 12:34:32 PM CDT

    slone13

    by series7

    Yeah i knew that. Frank Oz is also Yoda! It was a Family Guy joke.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 12:43:44 PM CDT

    And Yoda is Warmed-Over Grover

    by jonas grumpy

    "Warmed-Over Grover" would be an AWESOME name for a band.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 12:48:03 PM CDT

    Incidentally, Grover kicks Elmo's ass

    by necgray

    SuperGrover should Superuppercut that little red jerk.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 1:10:01 PM CDT

    Forgetting Sarah Marshall was fucking hilarious.

    by mefrog

    I'll see whatever this team makes next. And I love the muppets.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 1:19:17 PM CDT

    Nectray is right.

    by diagnostic

    Ryan Reynolds to star in live action Super Grover.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:00:52 PM CDT

    Miss Piggy lives for a Day

    by skywalkerfamily

    Starring Amy Adams.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:30:47 PM CDT

    "Die Die Die Die Die... I Can't."

    by bungion boy

    I loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the puppet musical is one of the funniest scenes from the film. It was more than a comedy set piece. You could tell that Segal was a puppet (or muppet) enthusiast. Sounds good to me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:34:39 PM CDT

    This could be genius in the making

    by ed2d2

    This is exciting! I'm hoping they bring their more adult humor to the mix. Not anything raunchy, so to speak, but if you watch the early Muppet movies, you catch that there are a lot of jokes that just went right over your head as a kid. I've seen them again as an adult and was surprised how much these movies weren't just geared towards kids. And it makes sense too. I saw these performers live back at the only MuppetFest convention they ever had and these people cracked me up! I couldn't believe how hard my sides hurt. This movie could be one of the best of the Muppet movies ever...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:40:05 PM CDT

    Riverbottom Nightmare band was hardcore

    by hamtaro hentai

    They had a frikking SNAKE on bass! Also, loved the first Muppet film, the rest were somewhat watchable. "Tell 'em what you do." "I KEEL FROGS."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:44:34 PM CDT

    Its awesome, let me tell you why...

    by tourist

    ...Because I love to suck Apatows cock.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 2:46:21 PM CDT

    I sure hope this is good

    by freydis

    Muppets from Space made me sad.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:04:30 PM CDT

    Yeah, might be risky for someones career...

    by tourist

    ...Doing an entry into an enormous childrens franchise for Disney. Damn these indie flick rebels.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:26:39 PM CDT

    Tourist...

    by therealmoriarty

    ... I know you've become a bigger and bigger troll asshole lately, but I'd like to point out that your eagerness to be a piece of shit makes you stupid. Can you find anyplace in this story where it says Judd Apatow is remotely connected to the Muppet film? Anywhere? Any hint of it?

    No? Then save it up for when I post the PINEAPPLE EXPRESS trailer later today, pinhead. At least get your insults in the right talkback.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:31:21 PM CDT

    yeah, freydis

    by necgray

    That was my reaction to Muppets from Space. I wanted to openly weep. And then I wanted to kick each individual person involved between the legs. You DON'T. EXPLAIN. GONZO. Idiots...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:34:03 PM CDT

    What happened to that Muppet Movie

    by hallmitchell

    That Kevin Smith's friend pitched?

    I think it was Bryan Johnson. Don't quote me on that though. Where you see Gonzo adopt a Batman like persona.

    sorry about the sketchy details.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:34:05 PM CDT

    What happened to that Muppet Movie

    by hallmitchell

    That Kevin Smith's friend pitched?

    I think it was Bryan Johnson. Don't quote me on that though. Where you see Gonzo adopt a Batman like persona.

    sorry about the sketchy details.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:35:38 PM CDT

    I like the pitch

    by hallmitchell

    Of the new one. I might actually go and see one at the movies this time.
    There is so much scope to use the muppets universe. Hasn't been tapped for a long time.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:36:07 PM CDT

    Mori: direct appeal

    by necgray

    I have faith that you'll keep us updated anyway, but just in case, PLEASE keep your ear to the ground on this one. Muppet Wizard of Oz made me so sad. I want to love the next Muppet project...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 4:48:21 PM CDT

    The Great Muppet Caper is classic. Love the intercut

    by creasybear

    scenes between Charles Grodin and his hot henchwomen going through laser glass cutters, etc. and the muppets trying to do the same pre-game inventory. "Paper towels?" "Who was supposed to get those?" It's time for more of that crazy muppet shit! I'm ready!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 5:19:56 PM CDT

    "Hard to ad-lib with muppets"?? They did all the time!

    by flim springfield

  • Mar 13, 2008 5:32:17 PM CDT

    As gay as it sounds....

    by jaywells87

    ...my room mate and I fucking LOVE the Muppets. We watch the DVD sets late at night after playing Halo and finsihing homework and stuff. It's better then the late night crap, and easy listening...well, except for when Ms Piggy comes along...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 5:32:56 PM CDT

    NecGray and HallMitchell...

    by therealmoriarty

    Nec: Absolutely I will. Hopefully I'll visit the set for this. Seeing The Muppets in action is something I've wanted to do since childhood, and this might be the right opportunity to finally do so. Either way, we'll keep you up to date as this develops.

    Hall: it was Bryan Lynch who wrote THE NEXT MUPPET MOVIE as a spec and sold it. I guess execs eventually cooled on it, which is a shame, but it was a cool idea, and he was another guy who seemed to really love the characters and did it for the right reasons.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 6:02:48 PM CDT

    I approve of this film

    by pipple

    We need a return to he Muppet's former glory. Whoever said Christmas carol was the last good muppet film is right, the rest for whatever reason have missed the mark. I don't know what it is but they better fix it and fast. WAkka wakka wakka

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 6:12:20 PM CDT

    hell yeah, creasybear!

    by necgray

    My favorite is the obviously dubbed singing section with Grodin in the lower corner. "Fantasyyyy, Miss Piggy. Ecstacyyyyy, Miss Piggy." Grodin in general was gold. And I love Cleese's section. So deliciously British. There's a pig and a frog in your closet, but instead of being alarmed you answer their questions about restaurants...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 6:17:38 PM CDT

    Wait a sec- these are the right guys?

    by emperor_was_a_jerk

    I just realized that I don't really see what qualifies these guys to write a Muppet movie. Sure, people may think their movies are funny (who doesn't love a good dick joke... or a hundred of them... sigh) but does that qualify them to take control of the Muppets? They make a movie and throw some puppets in them and all of a sudden they are to carry the mantel of the Muppets? Then again like I always say: If it's good then who cares. On the other hand, according all the guys who put their hands in the felt and fur, the problem making a Muppet movie is not having the people to make it- they have that. It is Disney and their willingness to put the doe into it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 6:51:45 PM CDT

    Where's the muppets??

    by diernasoul

    I saw the trailer and well...I didn't see any muppets or puppets or whatever. This DOES seem like it'll be a fun film tho. The guy from "How I met Your Mother" is hilarious and Kristin "Im Veronica Mars!" Bell is an awesome actress.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 7:30:46 PM CDT

    I loved Muppets From Space.

    by rbatty024

    I really look forward to another film in the franchise. Truly great family entertainment.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 7:34:55 PM CDT

    Re: Substitute teaching.

    by rbatty024

    I substitute taught in Ohio for a year. It was a great experience. Anyway, you need a B.A. in Ohio, but apparently in other states you only need a high school diploma. I believe you don't even need one of those in Iowa (I'm not joking, although I can't be sure how accurate my source was).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 8:15:33 PM CDT

    OH. MY. DAD.

    by bibble 3000

    This is the coolest thing I've ever read on this site. Ever.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 8:39:26 PM CDT

    Thinking about this now

    by series7

    I realized that the muppets should've died with Jim. Like their really hasn't been anything they've done really great since then. Yeah I liked Muppets in Space because it was that much better then Island or Christmas Carol. It just feels like its time to let go. We'll just have to wait and see.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 9:44:03 PM CDT

    Jerry Juhl

    by darthvedder81

    As much as losing Jim Henson hurt the Muppet troupe I think the loss of Jerry Juhl was just as significant. Jim provided a lot of the goodwill and spirit (not to mention tremendous puppeteering skills) but Jerry was the heart and soul. His style of writing and jokes really gave the Muppets their appeal.

    I still think a great Muppet movie could be made with the right team and writers--people who really care about them and can infuse heart into all the wackiness. They'll also have to coax Oz out of retirement (the guy they got to replace him does about as good as anyone can do but you can't have a true Muppet film without Frank Oz).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:25:48 PM CDT

    Well ther

    by larry of arabia

  • Mar 13, 2008 10:31:15 PM CDT

    Why does Muppet Caper rock? Well...

    by larry of arabia

    1) Charles Grodin falls in love with Ms. Piggy. 2) the bicycle scene. 3) Happiness Hotel. "Okay the lobby's looking shabby/
    And it's got the wrong address/
    And the whole darn thing has been condemned by American Express/
    Still the management is cheerful though the whole joint's gone to hell..."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 1:12:09 AM CDT

    The Muppet Movie is one of my all time favorites!

    by bass bastardson

    Its about moving to Hollywood to make movies for crying out loud! That said, I thought that the TV Movie Its a Very Merry Muppet Christmas (or something like that) that they put out a few years ago, was the best Muppets thing I had seen since the Great Muppet Caper. Yes, that's right, I liked it better than Take Manhattan. Sam the Eagle dancing with glowsticks was fucking priceless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 1:17:04 AM CDT

    Its connected to Marshall, which is Apatow...

    by tourist

    ..Hence the great big Forgetting Miss Piggy title. Plus I wont hate on the Pineapple Express trailer most likely, because that actually looks good, rather than some bland also ran shit being forced down our throats.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 2:20:51 AM CDT

    go away Fireproof

    by necgray

    We don't want your anti-Muppet kind around here. There's plenty of interest. Muppet fans are interested, and that's good enough. You better watch yourself or we'll send Sweetums after you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 2:26:19 AM CDT

    Incidentally, Fireproof

    by necgray

    I was unimpressed with ANYTHING a substitute teacher brought in to class. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it. May the ghost of Jim Henson slide his spectral hand up your ass and make you recite the Gettysburg Address.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:30:58 AM CDT

    the muppets smokje pot and talk about wanking.

    by ironic_name

  • Mar 14, 2008 9:22:30 AM CDT

    I think Miss Piggy needs to get fucked in this one...GOOD

    by donwillymo

  • Mar 14, 2008 11:09:03 AM CDT

    It's interesting to watch the old Muppet movies...

    by rbatty024

    with an eye towards the more adult humor and compare it today's adult humor in kid's films. It's not simple pop culture references, it's often some sort of meta wink at the camera. The breadth of their humor, from simple puns, to non-sequiturs, to in jokes, and sight gags is far more sophisticated than most contemporary children's films. Count me interested.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 12:43:41 PM CDT

    MINO, MINO, MINO..Flames on Kermit

    by reel american hero

  • Mar 14, 2008 1:50:42 PM CDT

    Fireproof, I hear ya.

    by rbatty024

    While substitute teaching I asked some third graders what some of their favorite movies were. You want to know what kind of answers I received? The Bride of Chucky and South Park: The Movie were the two that stood out the most, but almost all of them were R-rated. Mind you, these kids were about seven or eight years old. Where the fuck were their parents?

    After working with kids for a while you realize that most parents are sub-morons. There are so many unprepared and lazy parents out there that it begins to wear on you after a while.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 3:08:14 PM CDT

    Still a shitty argument

    by necgray

    So a bunch of kids 10 and under don't care about the Muppets. What's your point, exactly? I think your mentality is the Disney mentality and is the exact reason why the Muppets have been awful in recent years. The Muppets are (are you ready for this revelation?) and never were (are you sitting down?) a strictly kids show. HOLY CRAP! I just blew your mind! So basically a new Muppet movie, and the Muppets in general, appeal to just about everyone in my parents' generation, in my generation, most twentysomethings, and probably about half or so of the teenage set. Yep, they sure are "dead".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 3:11:10 PM CDT

    Just asked my nephew

    by necgray

    who's all of 9 if he and his friends care what a substitute teacher says about the Muppets and he said no, substitute teachers are "gay". Wow, look at that. Pretty easy to make up an argument for my cause... ;)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:18:49 PM CDT

    I'm gonna split hairs.

    by rbatty024

    On the one hand, I think the Muppets are great. They transcend kid humor, and as Necgray said, they're actually more for adults than kids, especially the TV show.

    However, I think Fireproof, at least partially, makes an interesting point. Is there still an audience for the Muppets? This is a completely different issue than whether or not the Muppets are good. It's just a question as to whether or not it will be financially feasible for studios to make more Muppet movies. I was a particular fan of Muppets from Space (doesn't seem to be a lot of love for that one), but I don't think it did particularly well at the box office. In fact the only people I know who saw it were two friends of mine who got stoned in the theater. I can't remember any parents taking their kids.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 8:14:35 PM CDT

    easy, trigger

    by necgray

    The wink at the end of that statement was meant to show that I'm joshing. I don't actually doubt that you asked your nephew about the Muppets. Though I think it's kind of dickishly pedantic and unnecessary, I do believe you. My "deal" is that I love the Muppets. It's pretty simple, really. I grew up with them. I have an attachment to them. So it kind of only makes sense that I'd be enthusiastic about them. I mean, if you've got an issue with geek fanboy love, then what the hell are you doing on this site? Were you around for the "Optimus Prime should NOT have flames painted on him!" tirades? Those were 100X worse than anything I've said so far. The Disney hate comes from a deeply held belief that Disney, a company invested primarily in children's entertainment, misunderstands the Muppets. Finally, the Muppets aren't individuals. They aren't responsible for the quality of the product they put out. That's the fault of the producers and writers. Who, again, misunderstand them. I'm excited to hear about this new project because Segel obviously has the same level of fanboy love that I do. I trust the people associated with him. Given what I've heard about the puppet sequence, he might even know what he's doing. So I'm excited. And I don't know why you have to shit on that. I understand people not trusting Segel. I understand people not trusting Disney. But if you like the Muppets, which you MUST if you tried to get your kids to watch them, why are you being such an asshole about this project? I mean, your posts make it sound like you hate the Muppets and don't want anything to ever come of them again. Am I wrong?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 8:24:35 PM CDT

    rbatty re: marketability

    by necgray

    I do think it's valid to question the marketability of a new Muppet movie. But I also think it's easily answered. Yes, there is an audience. The problem, as I see it, AGAIN is that they've been mishandled. First of all, stop marketing to kids. Include them in the marketing, but stop making it all about them. What I'm hoping is that Segel and gang have the good sense to recognize that the Muppets have greater appeal to nostalgic twenty-somethings and their parents. I don't disagree with Fireproof about the fact that many little kids don't particularly care about the Muppets. Fine. So they're not the audience. Problem solved. Second, understand why people loved the Henson-helmed Muppet movies. Original songs, absolute must. Original story, absolute must. No more of this "Treasure Island" or "Wizard of Oz" crap. Kermit is the protagonist, not some little kid, not Michael Caine, not the juvenile rapper du jour. The reason that *I* stayed away from Muppets from Space in the theater was because I could see what a hollow grab for money it really was. Plus, you NEVER explain Gonzo! Idiots!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 3:47:03 AM CDT

    You must be getting my goat

    by necgray

    That's the only explanation. You CAN'T be serious. The Muppets didn't "go in the crapper". The rights got bought by a Dutch company that didn't do anything with them. Disney saw an opportunity to make money and so bought the rights from the Dutch company. I told you to go away because you're being unnecessarily negative about a subject that you obviously couldn't give a shit about. Methinks you're only on here to (and I don't like the term, but if the shoe fits) TROLL and provoke. Or maybe you're a disgruntled Disney employee whose project lost its funding. Or you work for the Dutch company and you want to discredit the Muppets. OR you're a soulless, pedantic (yes, pedantic, because you keep coming up with the same stupid argument ie: "they aren't profitable, which by the way doesn't equate to good) ass who just wants to shit on something and have inexplicably picked this IN DEVELOPMENT Muppets project. It might suck all sorts of donkey balls. It's possible. But I think it deserves a shot and honestly don't get why you have a be a douche about it. Well, that's the last time I'm being provoked. I'll optimistically await further updates on this potentially great project. You, sir, or madame, or thing, can go fornicate with yourself.

    Reply to Talkback

  • I already mentioned this with my last post, but there's a difference. Just because the Muppets may no longer be profitable (arguably) doesn't mean they are artistically dead. They could very well come out with great movie, regardless of whether or not it does well in the theaters. What's even more bizarre is that you seem to think that since a bunch of ten year olds weren't interested in the Muppets, then they've always sucked. Just a word of advice for you: don't let your taste in film properties be determined by ten year olds. You're stronger than that. Rise above it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 12:26:40 PM CDT

    Fair enough Fireproof.

    by rbatty024

    As I said earlier, I think you have a point about whether or not The Muppets are still a feasible property. I also never saw the Christmas Special or The Wizard of Oz stuff because, quite frankly, they looked pretty bad. I would recommend Muppets From Space though. Probably their best since The Muppets Take Manhattan.

    Speaking of Dark Crystal, whatever happened to the on again off again sequel? Is it still officially dead. It think that would be an exciting way to go with one of Jim Henson's creations. Hopefully if this new Muppet movie does well, the powers that be will see fit to go ahead with the Dark Crystal sequel.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 7:09:48 PM CDT

    muppets

    by staldo

    I didn't realize how much the muppet movie affected me as a kid until I rewatched it a few months ago. The fact that it's a movie within a movie is genius, but then, when Rainbow Connection starts and there's the helicopter shot of the swamp, I got tears in my eyes. yes, I felt like a total pussy, but the movie takes a little idea like "follow your dream" and makes it feel huge. Can You Picture by the Electric Mayhem was an awesomely infectious song. I think the only great thing to come out of henson studios since he died was the Muppet Christmas Carol, and that Pepe the Prawn was designed by Satan. More muppets? Unless they can pull of some kind of amazing reinvention of the franchise and make they muppets cool (in that wonderfully uncool way)again, no thanks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 15, 2010 6:03:16 AM CST

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    by tmveqk

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    Reply to Talkback

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