Behind the Scenes of "A Muppets Christmas"

[BeatlesAmiYumi]

It would've been wonderful if Ringo Starr and Michael Jackson starred in this. I think this movie was made sometime before Michael's death.

[cheeto37]

This movie was pretty good but not the usaual

[peachy1922]

It's just not the same since Henson Sr. died. Disney has put its twist on it, and it's obvious.

[ztslovebird]

@peachy1922 Worse than that, Disney has left the Muppets covered in mothballs in the Disney Vault for WAY too long! WE WANT THE MUPPETS, NOT HANNAH MONTANA!!!!!!!

[DisMupPix010]

@ztslovebird

There is a new Muppet movie currently being made, and its due for release in theaters November 23, 2011.

[DisMupPix010]

@peachy1922

I don't think that Disney has necessarily put a twist on things.

This "letters to Santa" movie is not unlike something that the Muppets would have made back in Jim's time;

A movie with celebrity cameos.

Yes, Disney owns them now but The Muppets Studio has their own management that runs them.

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 It's not really a twist so much as a reversal of the Muppet Code of Performance. Look back at everything they've done, from Hey, Cinderella all the way up to Muppet Treasure Island. The one thing that has stayed true for the Muppets in that 50 year span is that they play second fiddle to NO ONE!! In the opening credits, they're the first ones named. In the closing credits, they're the first ones named. And in the show/movie itself, they're ALWAYS the stars, no mater who cameos!

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 But the Disney-Muppet movies (Muppet Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Muppet Christmas, Studio DC Almost Live, Kat's Kitchen, even Letters to Santa) have the Muppets playing second, even third fiddle, to whichever celebrities wanted the opprotunity to pad their own careers by being able to say "I worked with the Muppets". Not that the celebrities in those movies weren't GOOD (except for the Disney Channel people); they just weren't supposed to be in the Muppets' spotlight.

[DisMupPix010]

@ztslovebird

With things like Studio DC, they are just trying to introduce the Muppets to kids today who may not be familiar with them. Its all part of their plan.

And by the way, the "Its a Merry Muppet Christmas Movie" was made BEFORE Disney owned them. Its not a Disney film.

Anyway, I prefer to remain cautiously optimistic.

Generally speaking, the Walt Disney Company has been much better since Micheal Eisner left.

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 Fair enough. But if you're going to introduce the Muppets to the next generation, you should at LEAST keep true to their original characters!! The Muppeteers understand these guys better than anyone else; Disney needs to stand back and let them do their thing!

Oh. Sorry; I thought they were bought right after Jim Henson died.

What exactly did Mike Eisner do that was so bad? Didn't he approve the production of all the "new" animated fairytales (Little Mermaid BatB, etc)?

[DisMupPix010]

@ztslovebird

Generally, I think that they ARE letting the Muppeteers do their thing. They have input too.

Jim Henson died the week that the was supposed to sign the Muppets to Disney, so the deal fell through because his family decided to keep the company private.

It wasen't until February 2004 that Disney acquired the Muppet show characters.

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 I still don't understand why Brian Henson left the Muppets. He had a gift for bringing the talents together and finding new stories for the Muppets to tell!

[Studmeister17]

@ztslovebird He didn't leave the Muppets. He's actually performing in the new Muppet movie that comes out next thanksgiving.

[ztslovebird]

@Studmeister17 Really? I thought he left the Muppets after Muppet Treasure Island. But it's nice to know he's still continuing his father's work! Who does he play in the new movie?

[Studmeister17]

@ztslovebird Yeah, I think there were some rumors like that going around a couple years ago. But they're not true. In the new movie he will be playing his original roles of Sal Manilla and Dr. Van Neuter, his father's character The Newsman, and he's also taken over several of Jerry Nelson's characters including Robin, Ma Bear, Crazy Harry, and Pops. I have a feeling he'll be good performing those characters.

[ztslovebird]

@Studmeister17 He originated Sal Manilla? Cool!

It's great that he isn't just playing the same roles his father played. BTW, any word on him playing Gobo Fraggle in the new Fraggle Rock movie?

[DisMupPix010]

@ztslovebird

You are correct, when Michael Eisner first came to Disney, he did do good things for the company and greenlit great projects. But in recent years, he was doing the company more harm then good. He was tarnishing the name of Disney.

So generally, the Walt Disney Company (and the Muppets) are much better off now that Bob Iger is CEO.

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 I hate to sound snippy/rude, but what exactly did Mike Eisner do that was so bad? I'm not trying to be snotty; I honestly don't know. Did he green-light all the bad Disney sitcoms? Or was that Bob Iger?

[DisMupPix010]

@ztslovebird

Its a lot to get into here, I'll send you a private message and mention some of the things.

[ztslovebird]

@DisMupPix010 Please and thank you!

[shieldagent001]

I saw this movie and it was ok different but ok. I can't belive how long its been for the muppet show

[caitlinjane92]

It's good to see them doing another movie, FINALLY! :)

[Angie2343]

They need to do The Muppet Show again!

[Eatshort]

A White x mas Hint hint

[CoolXer0]

isnt that fozzy's mother's house?

[kermitman15]

first comment! I loved the movie and can't wait for the dvd release! THE MUPPETS ARE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!