"America's
Next Muppet" mini-series in development
New
six-episode TV reality series slated for Spring-Summer 2006
By
Greg James
September
5, 2005
They’ve
acted in countless movies and television specials; they ran their
own weekly vaudeville stage show on “The Muppet Show”;
they ran the MuppeTelevision control room in “The Jim Henson
Hour”; and they put tackled their own television station with
“Muppets Tonight”. Now the Muppets are working on their
latest gig, putting together their own “reality” television
contest called “America’s Next Muppet”.
Ever
since Disney acquired the Muppets in 2004, fans have been wondering
when they would be making their TV comeback. Chris Curtin, vice
president and general manager of the Muppets, became a major backer
for the idea of a Muppet reality-TV spoof special. A “reality”
show pilot pitch was filmed in Los Angeles during the summer
of 2004, and shared around the Disney Company. The pilot, which
was produced by the Jim Henson Company and reportedly directed by
Muppeteer Bill Barretta, was a success with Disney executives.
After
making several changes from the pilot’s concept, a deal was
established to produce a Muppet mini-series that parodies current
reality-TV while showcasing the Muppet magic and characters the
world has come to love. According to Chris Curtin, ABC will bring
the Muppets back to TV for an all new 6-episode series titled "America's
Next Muppet”.
The
short-run reality-TV spoof is sure to be a fun and entertaining
series that Muppet fans will enjoy. The reported premise is that
Kermit and the other classic Muppet characters are setting up a
talent contest to find the newest member of the legendary Muppet
troupe. All kinds of new wacky Muppet characters and wild new Muppet
acts will audition for the panel of judges (such as Kermit, Miss
Piggy and Gonzo) who will be the reviewing the performances.
As
all Muppet shows, the series will also show the existing Muppet
gang in action as they try to hold the auditions and organize the
challenges on the show. Some reports even say that Disney is working
to make the show “interactive” by allowing viewers to
vote for their favorite characters in that week’s episode.
“America’s
Next Muppet” will be used as a small assessment by The Muppet
Holding Company and ABC to see if the Muppets can survive in today’s
television market. If “America’s Next Muppet”
attracts a crowd, the Muppets may be looking at another entirely
new, full-time TV-show in the near future.
“America’s
Next Muppet” is tentatively set to air on ABC sometime next
year (probably the spring or summer of 2006) – however this
could change. There is no further information on the series’
premiere or any further details available at this time. However,
"America's Next Muppet” is in development through The
Muppet sHolding Company; pre-production and planning for the six
episodes of the show is currently underway.
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