The RHLC!

[Muppet Newsgirl]

"I gotta get her outta there, I gotta!" I know, he's just perched up there on his ledge, listening sadly to Mokey's song, and then he just can't take it anymore.

I agree - it would have been nice to see what touches Jim and Richard would have added to the film. But then, Dave said that "both Jim and Richard were very spiritual people," so perhaps the film took on that feeling as a tribute to them.
However, had Richard and Jim been around, I think the film would have been somewhat happier. It's a very bittersweet film.

 

[CensoredAlso]

MCC wasn't one of my favorites, but I appreciate it more when I see it as a tribute to Jim and Richard.

ToughPigs has done some hilarious and touching reviews of Muppet Christmas specials in the past. For MCC, they commented on the scene where Bob Crachit/Kermit mourns Tiny Tim/Robin:

"Well, those tears aren't for Tiny Tim. Jerry Juhl knew it, Brian knew it, and Steve and Frank knew it, and that's what coming through here. It's a beautiful scene."

 

[Skye]

I absolutely love how Richard showed us the different sides of himself through his characters. That's so unique, and has made me look at his characters in a different way ever since I learned that. It makes 'em even more special!

And about the ToughPigs review that heralde posted... I completely agree with that. I actually just watched MCC the other day, and during that scene, I was thinking the exact same thing. And heck, at so many other parts of the movie, I was thinking about how they might be thinking about Jim and Richard, too. Not to mention, at the very beginning of the movie, a couple of pigs were talking, and I couldn't help thinking... if Richard had been doing this movie, I'll bet he would've been performing one of the pigs here, hehe.

MCC has always been one of my favorite Muppet movies, and thinking of it as a tribute to Jim and Richard makes me love the movie even more. The movie is quite bittersweet, as Erin mentioned. It's definitely not all happy in the movie, but I've always felt it was beautiful in so many ways, from the music that's featured in it to the emotion that the Muppeteers (and Michael Caine) show throughout... a really wonderful way to share with the world "the first partings that there were among them."

 

[CensoredAlso]

Absolutely, while I can be critical of the more recent projects, I do realize that they're being done under very difficult circumstances. One thing I definitely appreciate about MCC is Paul Williams' music. It helps make up for the lack of Muppety feeling (just my opinion of course hehe ).

I was listening to MC radio recently and they played the song that I believe wasn't in the movie (Can Skye or someone confirm?). The one that Bunsen and Beaker sing (not positive about all the lyrics, but here's the general idea hehe):

"Anybody can change Scrooge and so can you. When you're ready to start, there'll be room in your heart for love...Anybody can grow Scrooge and you can too. When you're doing your part, there's room in your heart for love.

If you want to live, give freely, and you will find that what you get in tradement is peace of mind. If you're ready to, walk in the sunshine and open up your heart, well open up your pocket book, it's the perfect place to start!"

While it kinda reminds me of a Care Bears number, hehe, I found it very touching.

My friends and I are hoping to find some time to watch our favorite Muppet Christmas movies, MCC and The Christmas Toy. Actually, they're not so different; they both break the mold regarding Christmas specials. Both stories are rather melancholy and bittersweet, but offer a message of hope in the end. And in a way Rugby goes through the same journey as Scrooge. He thinks Christmas is all about him and what a popular and wonderful present he is. He doesn't appreciate what a good friend Mew was to him until he's gone. But thankfully Rugby gets a second chance and realizes having his friend back is really "the greatest Christmas present."

Tough Pigs also comments on this special hehe:

"The playroom is a seething hotbed of recriminations and self-doubt."

Lol, that may seem harsh but it's pretty close to the truth. The toys are all kinda bitter about being forgotten every Christmas and constantly terrified of being frozen forever. You can it's a big step for Belmont and the other toys to stop worrying about themselves and get up the courage to rescue their friends.

 

[Skye]

Yessirree (or, yesheraldeee ), you're absolutely right! That Bunsen and Beaker song, while on the MCC soundtrack, was not in the movie.

I adore Paul Williams and his music! He always delivers such great stuff. He's a wonderful composer, not to mention a beautiful singer as well. I always seem to love the things he brings (oooo, I rhymed, lol)! And MCC is definitely no exception. I think it's cool that you like the music in MCC, too, heralde.

Aww yay! I hope you and your friends get a chance to watch both movies. I've actually just recently started watching The Christmas Toy for the first time on YouTube, and I'm really loving it so far, too. I can't wait to see the whole thing! It sounds like such a sweet movie with a great moral. Learning how to be selfless and to be there for the people you love is so important. And I always love things that show, at the end, that hope is alive. I think that's such a wonderful message and feeling. I am such an idealistic, optimistic, hopeful person. And I know that it can seem a little cheesy to some people, hehe, but anything that shows true hope touches me so much.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yessirree (or, yesheraldeee), you're absolutely right! That Bunsen and Beaker song, while on the MCC soundtrack, was not in the movie.

Lol, yesheraldeee, niiice! Ok thanks, I thought I read that the song was cut! Yeah it's sort of the classic "this scene can afford to be cut", heh. Though I often find it's those scenes that have the most feeling.

Regarding something else MN said, about Richard's softer characters in turn showing a tough side, that is very true. I was on a site recently where someone was saying Scooter was such a wimpy weak character, grrrr. I replied that Scooter was far from being a pushover and often got the best put down lines!

I also recall the Gilda Radner episode, where Bunsen accounces the guest star will be his latest "guinea pig." She's quite confused and disturbed and meanwhile our little red headed friend is giggling in the background. It actually kinda suprised me in a good way to see Beaker laughing at someone else's misfortune.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

That's right - in that one Pigs in Space sketch, he's in there telling the cast to get back to the script (but the cast mistakes him for the hideous invader and attacks him), and then in Muppetvision 3-D, "We...have...no...phone!"

I love that line - guess I'll make that the new signature.

And as you said, heralde, at one point in Little Muppet Monsters he snaps, "Get back in that basement!" So our endearing green-jacketed gofer has more of a backbone than some fans give him credit for.

Which site was it, heralde, do you remember? 'Cause I might be tempted to barge in and drop in my two cents' worth as well...

I remember that one behind-the-scenes photo in The Works - Gilda's standing there with one hand on her forehead, looking a tad flustered, and Beaker's quite firmly attached to her, and holding what I think is a bullworker (that thing with springs) - and down below, there's Richard pressed up close, giving the camera this bizarre look.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Lol, yeah I think that's a great idea for a signature!

I also remember when Fozzie, Scooter, Annie Sue and Link are singing "The Rhyming Song, which goes horribly wrong! (Heh, heheh, see that, that rhymes!)

"I was hungry now I'm not, the rhyming song, the rhyming song. Cause I ate some beans and grabs, the rhyming song!"

As the song dissolves into chaos, Scooter is forced to forcefully stand up for himself:

Fozzie: Why don't you know the song? !

Scooter: It's not my fault! I only sang the words you told me to say! Stop crying, Link!"

So yeah, a lot of people not too familiar with Scooter might think he's just cute and wimpy at first glance. But I've definitely noticed his straight forward harsh side when the job has to get done.

Lol, yeah in the Gilda Radner episode, Bunsen invents this very strong glue and Gilda's hand ends up attached to her forehead and her other hand attached to Beaker! While Beaker ends up attached to the springy thing. And hilarity ensues, hehe.

Well the website was called Rateitall.com and you type in the word "Scooter." You have to sign up for the site though, if you don't mind doing that. I just signed up so I could comment on Scooter, lol.

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

I LOVE your new siggy!

We...have...no...phone!

LOL!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Lol, yup that was when Scooter was put in charge of the 3-D Pre Show and the other Muppets proceed to make his life very difficult, lol. Gonzo gets him to leave by saying the phone was ringing. Scooter eventually comes back, only to find Gonzo surrounding him on the different monitors. He looks back and forth at the various weirdos saying, "We...have...no...phone!" Lol