To Ken: Dave is about to offer his 52 cents (you have been warned)
Several things, Ken (as if you need it with everything that's going on):
On Statler & Waldorf: are they/will they be jointed so they can actually sit in their chairs?
On a similar note will Tux Rowlf be able to sit since you've got the tux to cover the joints a bit better? I notice that there are often more joints on figure clothing than on figure skin where it can't be hidden as well.
The kitchen playset sounds packed. It also sounds like it would have to exceed the dimensions of the first two. Are the dimensions any different, and if so by how much? BTW, can someone please refresh my memory as to the dimensions of the first two? I remember the lab is 10" long and I thought 6" high, don't remember depth. Don't remember any of the dimension stats on the bandstage. Thanks.
One last thing: how are things on Koozebane? I ask because I have a nagging feeling it's going to be canceled or delayed, since the buzz & anticipation don't seem to be showing their faces. Well, I still want one. If I can have Koozebanian toys within my lifetime I will be one happy camper. Got my Bunsen and regular Dr. Teeth this morning (I love them- the rabbit is so cool! The handle moves, the feet spin, his legs move all the way so he can do the limbo and touch his toes! A while later, though, I did notice that the sides were a mite tacky and stuck to my fingers a little.) and I think they'd be fine being the same size as the rabbit (sans ears of course.)
On size, can you or anyone else tell me who is the biggest fig so far (excepting Sweetums if he's been sculpted yet) and how big is it? I was thinking about a 9-9.5 inch Sweetums and how that would look with the other characters. As long as he's bulkier and not just taller it should be fine. Also, the head's gotta be huge- when you see the puppet his head takes up about 40% of his height and half his body mass (or is it volume?) Piggy's head is a little over an inch, about 1.5" or so, and with the ears that puts her close to 2". I originally mismeasured her at 6.5" when she's actually 6", so I would think Sweetums's head would have to be 3 to 3.5 inches to look big enough. If Piggy comes up to his chin and his head is another half of her height and his hulking body twice her width and his limbs and appendages twice the dimension then I think we're in for one sweet fig. The cheating in height can work provided that the bulk and hulk is still there in proportion so that he still towers over the rest with some considerable mass. I'm sure this has been beaten to death over there, where it counts. Just thought I'd throw it in anyway.
I had another thought about the proposed backstage playset and Thog. First, it'd have to be a deluxe, and second, if Pops came in the regular series with Gaffer and his booth it would free up space and budget to do more with the set. It seems that on size alone Thog would be expensive to produce, but on the other hand his movement wouldn't be as complicated nor his color scheme. His head doesn't move and his body doesn't swivel, however his eyelids and ears move. Due to his sheer size making those parts move might not be so intricate, mouth too. I can see putting hidden hinges at the bases of the ears and having the eyelids slide up and the mouth slide open and shut. Also, I was thinking about how strong a character Pops is, having debuted only in the show's last season, and the thought crossed my mind that he may not have enough clout to carry the playset and could sell decently in the regular series. Now, this may lead to the question, "Well what kind of clout does Thog have?" Well, he's big, which would make him a deluxe figure of sorts, rarer in this line and perhaps more of a collectible, he's got recognizability from the opening theme, and he's unique enough to stand out. Plus, he won't fit anywhere else, in the regular series or in a regular playset (and this worries me.) I know I've talked about Thog time and time again so much that it must drive you crazy, but when I think of something new to add to the subject I have to, well, add it to the subject. Just like everything else. It's all way to early to discuss and lots of it is unlikely but if I come across something that proves helpful to you for future use then I consider it worthwhile to have spoken.
Just for fun, I measured the back end of the plastic packaging on the figures to see how big you could make the Newsman's backdrop- I got 7" long by 6.75" tall. Not too shabby. Question is how would we get it high enough up so that his head isn't too close to the top of his set. A stand or something maybe?
BTW, Frogboy said in another thread that not only did you not have the rights to Mahna Mahna and the two Snowths (which I knew) but also that Henson wasn't very supportive of the idea. Is this true, and if so how come?
Out of curiosity, what are your feelings on an Annie Sue fig? We never did get your opinion on that.
Okay, I do believe I'm done. Thanks for tuning in.
David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole