New
Muppet presentation pilot filmed
The
10-minute mock documentary follows the daily happenings of Kermit
and the Muppets, both on and off stage. This pilot could lead to
a new series featuring the Classic Muppet characters.
By
Greg James, Muppet Central
January
13, 2007
For
years we've heard all kinds of reports of "the new Muppet Show"
- from an edgy prime-time variety
show on FOX to a spoof of reality
TV competitions on ABC. Well earlier this month a short presentation
pilot for a proposed Muppet mini-series recently wrapped production.
The project is being kept "under wraps" right now. It
is still in development and subject to change. However the Walt
Disney Company is currently considering a series that will relaunch
the Muppets back onto television and in the public's eye.
This
presentation pilot, completed in January 2007, proposes a mini-series
shot in mock documentary style that continues to follow the adventures
of the Muppets as they create a new show.
The
short pilot uses the television syntax of a documentary (think "The
Office" meets "The Muppet Show"). The series revolves
around Kermit the Frog as he attempts to reassemble the Muppet troupe
and launch a new Muppet show. The mockumentary mini-series would
feature fictional English filmmaker Ian Bascombe who, with his film
crew, follow the daily happenings Kermit and the Muppets, both on
and off stage. Bascombe finds that many of the classic Muppets have
gone off to other venues since we last saw them and follows Kermit
as the frog attempts to track them down and get the whole troupe
back together.
For
example, Fozzie has gone off to a solo career in stand-up comedy,
Sam Eagle is now a security personnel, and Miss Piggy has been a
busy actress in Hollywood. Similar to The Muppet Movie, Kermit travels
around getting the gang to come together for a common goal –
putting on a show. But aside from just getting everyone onboard,
Kermit and the gang have to plan and develop the show itself.
This
test pilot, which is now beginning to circulate the inner management
of the Walt Disney Company, was written and produced by Bill Prady
and was directed by Bill Barretta. Muppeteers Steve Whitmire, Eric
Jacobson, Dave Goelz and Bill Barretta were also involved in the
project. Aside from the Muppets, this spec pilot also included cameo
appearances from John Landis and Melina Kanakaredes.
Although
a presentation pitch was filmed for the series, it is no guarantee
that the project will be developed further or see the light of day.
Muppet fans may already know that over the past decade more than
three similar pilot pitches for a new Muppet show have been made,
and almost half a dozen concepts for series have reached different
stages of development as well. However insiders are currently hopeful
for this pilot; they say it looks great and is truly entertaining
and original. Sources say that it is likely the Disney executives,
after seeing the presentation pitch, will in fact green-light the
mini-series to move into production (and possibly air) later in
2007.
Rumor
also has it that if successful, the mini-series could be used as
a way to launch the Muppets with a new full-time series (which,
like the previous Muppet series, would follow the misadventures
of the weekly show they've now developed). However that wouldn't
be until 2008 or 2009 (if at all).
Needless
to say, this is very exciting new for Muppet fans. It shows hope
for the franchise, and give some comfort to eager fans to know Disney
is actively looking for ways to use and rejuvenate the characters.
We will keep you posted as soon as we get more details on the development
of this mockumentary mini-series, or any other information on the
possible return of the Muppets to television.
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