The Brand New Ask Jim Lewis Thread

Okay, thanks you two.

Video actually begins saying something like "people have been asking how do muppets ride bikes since the movie was released in 1979"... I guess I'm really not the first to wonder.
Thanks again, and the video was pretty awesome.

Yea I would think that seeing Kermit ride a bike back in 1979, would really blow peoples mind back then.


I'm sorry about the delay but I promase that I will get these questions sent sometimes this weekend.

We have Answers

Here ya go sorry it took me so long to sending the questions off. I just got lazy, but i can only say that i will try and do better next time.




Asking Jim Lewis






From AnimatedC9000: Dear Jim,

Thank you for answering my questions. (Yes, you did get that one right.) Now, I've read somewhere that your favorite Muppet movie is "The Muppet Movie" (am I correct?), and I know that your favorite Muppet is Fozzie Bear (from various questions asked). Now for the question: What are your favorite Fozzie moments (from the movies, the TV shows, or any moments you can think of)?

Ooh, these questions really do get tougher as you play for bigger prizes. A lifeline seems in order about now; I think I should poll the audience. While waiting their response, I can say that my favorite moment is on the Edgar Bergen episode of “The Muppet Show” where Fozzie is doing his ventriloquist act with Chuckie….not realizing he has to do Chuckie’s voice. Absurd, subversive, sweet all at once. Perfection by way of Frank Oz and Jerry Juhl.



2. From Bob the Pizza Boy: Hey Jim!

Now that Pepe's book is out, do you think Hyperion might set up a book tour/signing with you and Bill?

There can only be one response to this: Hahahaha Hahahaha Hahahaha Hahahaha Hahahaha.
That said, I don’t think my wife will let me go.




From Dwayne: Ever since the Jim Henson Hour we have seen the Muppets use CG (Computer Graphics) to help the Muppets do more. As a writer does that help open the door for things the Muppets may not have been able to do before computers where used?


Not really. I never think about that stuff. I think about the characters and let the really smart people figure out how to pull it off. Amazingly, they always do.




4. From JimJudy: Hey this is JimJudy, I have another question, why on Muppet Wikia does it say your a former Jim Henson staff writer? Is that referring to the pre-Disney era?

That’s right. In 1988 I began working for Henson Associates (ha!), which begat Jim Henson Productions, which begat The Jim Henson Company, which eventually sold the Muppets to The Walt Disney Company. I currently work for myself (a mean and miserly tyrant, I), but consult with Disney about matters Muppet. And that’s why I’m not a Jim Henson staff writer any more.


From Ignorance (New question asker) : This is Ask Jim Lewis... so what can we ask you questions about? Muppets? Yourself? Anything? I'm a tad confused. Not to mention I just asked a question about asking questions. Boy, I'm an idiot.

If I understand your question correctly, I’d have to say the answer is: French philosopher Jean-Baptiste de Boyer in the parlour with a toaster waffle.




And we also have a comment from Ryan: really can't think of a question for Jim... I just have to compliment him until I grow blue in the face on how awesome Pepe's book was. It was just amazing. A perfect "voice" for the Prawn and answered a lot of questions I had about his personal life, past, and relationship with some of the Muppets (also if he does actually type/write out the "okays" and that he DOES indeed spell it "okay" and not "hokay" like in the fan-fics I write). But anyway! It was truly fantastic, Jim, and I really can't wait for Piggy's! I really liked the change in format from Kermit's book, too. A very welcome surprise, okay!

You are welcome. I have much to learn from you all, which is why I keep coming back despite your improved security precautions - JL

Jim,

Perhaps as a fellow writer, can you talk a bit about the thought process of putting a new character in a pre-existing universe is like? After all, this happens with the Muppets all the time.

Wow what a question! I can't beleive i never thought about that. You know that has gone on ever since the Muppet began on Sam&Friends and the Ed Sullavan show. Wow what a good question.

*laughs* That's a great moment, Jim. "Why did he chicken cross the road! ?"

Okay, new question... do you have any projects that you worked on that you remember fondly? (In other words, have any favorite Muppet projects that you worked on?)

Well i hate to say this, but that question has preety much been ran into the ground. Jim has said many times and even on the last Muppet Cast that his Favorite work was Muppet Classic Theater. The little Direct to VHS show, where the Muppets do six fairy tales with there own Muppety twist to them. It's also where we see Andy and Randy Pig for the first time.

JIM! Jim Lewis ol' buddy ol' pal ol' friend, it's TogetherAgain again--I love saying that--with a VERY important question! It is a question that we, the Obsessed Muppet Fans, are DESPERATE to have answered! It would spare us all great STRESS and ANXIETY and WRINKLES and BALDING and GRAY HAIRS (or white, as the case may be) and OTHER signs of PREMATURE AGING if you would just be so VERY kind and do us the honor of ANSWERING this ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION!

...Was I a little too over-the-top there? WAIT! NO! That's not the question! The question IS! ...When Kermit is blogging, what are all the pictures of on the wall behind him? We're especially curious about the black-and-white one above the stamp picture and next to the Muppet Christmas Carol poster. THANKS JIM!

I've got a question! Who wrote the material for the Whatnot's on The Today Show?

I think I will let our Good friend Ryan Send this next batch of questions.

Dear Jim,

If you won a cruise trip to the Bahamas and were told that you could invite 5 Muppets, who would they be and why?

Hi Jim, its Colby agian. My question is, what are the top three Muppets you like to write material for?

Hey Jim! It's Ryan! Do you know how well Pepe's book is selling? Hopefully like hotcakes, okay!

Also... on Muppets Tonight, was it difficult to come up with SO many new characters--so many one-note new characters--without the established characters of Kermit, Piggy, and Fozzie there to back up the mayhem? It seems like Gonzo and Rizzo were seen more than Kermit, and even THEY weren't around that much. Was it a conscious decision to faze out some of the older characters and let the newer ones try to take the helm? Or did it just happen that way?

And I'm sending these questions right now, gang!

Questions for Jim Lewis – November 18, 2008

From BobthePizzaBoy…
Jim,

Perhaps as a fellow writer, can you talk a bit about the thought process of putting a new character in a pre-existing universe is like? After all, this happens with the Muppets all the time.

You never know. A character that works on the page or even just goofing around on set can sometime work wonderfully well when added to the mix…and sometimes just never finds their footing. I, for instance, loved Miss Piggy’s relatives, Andy and Randy Pig. But when we put them on “Muppets Tonight” they just became too one-note annoying for everyone’s taste. Same result (for different reasons) with Mister Poodlepants. And on the flip side, there’s Pepe, who comes across with such style right from the git-go. He fits in with the other pre-established characters, and adds his own spicy flavor to the mix. It’s a wonderment.

From AnimatedC9000…
Okay, new question... do you have any projects that you worked on that you remember fondly? (In other words, have any favorite Muppet projects that you worked on?)

I love ‘em all. Seriously. It’s a lot of fun when you’ve finally gone through the script a dozen times and everyone is happy and then there it is being shot. That’s still a thrill. But if I had to pick one, it would be the first: “Hey You’re as Funny As Fozzie Bear,u201D a home video where I first worked with Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Doesn’t get more wonderful. They even asked my opinion! Didn’t take it…but at least they asked.

From TogetherAgain…
JIM! Jim Lewis ol' buddy ol' pal ol' friend, it's TogetherAgain again--I love saying that--with a VERY important question! It is a question that we, the Obsessed Muppet Fans, are DESPERATE to have answered! It would spare us all great STRESS and ANXIETY and WRINKLES and BALDING and GRAY HAIRS (or white, as the case may be) and OTHER signs of PREMATURE AGING if you would just be so VERY kind and do us the honor of ANSWERING this ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION!

...Was I a little too over-the-top there? WAIT! NO! That's not the question! The question IS! ...When Kermit is blogging, what are all the pictures of on the wall behind him? We're especially curious about the black-and-white one above the stamp picture and next to the Muppet Christmas Carol poster. THANKS JIM!

No. You are never ever too over the top.
And as for the pictures, I can definitively say I haven’t a clue.
Ask anytime. Glad I could help!

From Oscarfan…
I've got a question! Who wrote the material for the Whatnot's on The Today Show?

Myself and Craig Shemin….with much foolishness added by the amazing array of performers on set that day. I’d mention them all but I’d forget someone and then they’d hate me.

From AnimatedC9000…
Dear Jim,

If you won a cruise trip to the Bahamas and were told that you could invite 5 Muppets, who would they be and why?

The Swedish Chef. He can cook for us. Rowlf. He can play the piano all night in the lounge. Fozzie Bear. For the jokes, of course. Miss Piggy. So I didn’t get thrown overboard for not inviting her. And Kermit. Who can swim and save me if Piggy throws me overboard anyway.

From Colbynfriends…
Hi Jim, it’s Colby again. My question is who are the top three Muppets you like to write material for?

Fozzie for the jokes…which don’t have to be good. Come to think of it, that’s what I do best – not good jokes.
Pepe for the wisecracks. Cause that attitude of his is so exhilarating to throw around.
And Statler & Waldorf (as one choice). Because I’m getting old and grumpy, so writing for them is now second nature. (And he’s still lousy at it! – S&W)

From theprawncracker…
Hey Jim! It's Ryan! Do you know how well Pepe's book is selling? Hopefully like hotcakes, okay!

I’ve heard good things about the sales. I am personally responsible for making sure it gets a prominent display at the local book store, and for talking it up (loudly) to those nearby. May I suggest you all do the same.

Also... on Muppets Tonight, was it difficult to come up with SO many new characters--so many one-note new characters--without the established characters of Kermit, Piggy, and Fozzie there to back up the mayhem? It seems like Gonzo and Rizzo were seen more than Kermit, and even THEY weren't around that much. Was it a conscious decision to phase out some of the older characters and let the newer ones try to take the helm? Or did it just happen that way?

Coming up with new characters (see my answer above) is always an “iffy” proposition. As for Muppets Tonight’s character mix: this was the result of two factors – (1) a desire to introduce new characters, shake things up, give performers a chance to try their hand at something different. And (2) it was still relatively soon after Jim’s passing, so many of his characters were not available at the time. (Also, Eric wasn’t yet doing Piggy and Fozzie and Animal, so those characters were only available when Frank was available.)

Good call there, Jimbo. XP

Now... well, I can't think of any questions at the moment. Any questions that you would like to ask us, Mr. Lewis?

I second that. that'd be interesting.
But on the other hand, I have another question. If the Muppets were going to act out another famous book, which one would you choose?

One of our local stores has brought various Muppet dvds back for the Christmas Sales, and you'll be proud to here that what was a pile of Muppet Movies, was swiftly divided across the entire Chart dvds section. Like James Bond...I snuck in there and created an entire Muppet section...Shhh!

Well i didn't do anything to the display at work, but we put out Muppet Cristmas Carol out for Christmas and two days latter they are all sold out! Now Granted there where only 4 or 5 there, but still! People want the Muppets. Anyways
My question On the Muppets take over Today It seemed almost like a mix of The Jim Henson Hour and Muppets Tonight. Was that planed that way, or going into it did you kind of have any idea where you where going with it?

Jim, I have a question about The Diva Code... if you can't answer this that's fine but I was just wondering if the format of the book going to be like Before You Leap or like It's Hard Out Here For A Shrimp?

Just a random question I was wondering, do muppets... you know, die?
I'm probably forgetting some really obvious answer but I can't think of it at the moment.