Ask Ken at Palisades

[danielromens]

thoughts on the stage....

I would really like to see the big sucker, but...

I do feel the only real reason to do a stage is for statler and waldorf if its small. At least making their outer box. I guess to me you don't necessarilly need the big stage as we rarely saw it. Usually we saw the scene within the precinium (can't spell) of our telivision thus those are the delux set that we've seen. Otherwise, I'd just rather see some other sets, like the more important possible delux BACKSTAGE as this is the set most people would jump at. Kermit at his desk, the dressing rooms. I feel it would be much more successfull. Perhaps a lab with Dr. Phil Van Nueter ala Muppets from Space.

I just feel they'd be more successful than a big open stage. Maybe make a little box for Statler and Waldorf as an exclusive to the club. A simple cheap to make plastic shell?

Just thoughts. I'll scetch some things.

 

[Walker Boh]

Here's how I envision the stage playset ...

The back wall of the set is the closed red curtains (a textured wall that shows the folds in the "fabric"). On one side of the stage is a wall with the box that Statler and Waldorf could fit in with their chairs (characters and chairs sold separately). On the other side of the stage is a very small off-stage area (so a character can stand in the wings) and a doorway (which would later connect to the backstage playset). The stage playset would come with Sweetums and Robin.

Personally, I don't need a deluxe stage playset. No offense to everyone who wants them, but I think different backdrops for the stage are unnecessary, since we are already getting three-dimensional playsets of many familiar sets. I think the closed red curtains would look great.

By keeping the stage simple, it would be possible to do both characters and still keep the price down. If it's possible to keep the stage in the same price range as the other sets, I think it would sell better, because then even the casual fans who only bought a couple of their favorite figures here and there throughout the waves would be more likely to buy the stage to display them.

 

[frogboy4]

It has been said that if a backstage is made it won't likely be deluxe.

 

[MrTheFrog]

The skeletal structure idea is exactly what I was thinking. You can make it foldable and it can come in a non-window box, with a photo of what it will look like (similar to the new Star Wars Arena Playset). But Sweetums and Robin can still be displayed in a side window. It can come with curtains, and "The Muppet Show" Logo backdrop with a hole for Kermit.
Then make the Statler and Waldorf theatre box it's own smaller attachable playset, with Statler and Waldorf and chairs included. The two figs will make up for the fact that it's a considerably smaller playset. Also that will free up 2 figure spots in one of the upcoming series.
What do you think?
-Artie

 

[Joe]

just my two cents (one of which he lost along the way)

(this is the part where I'd say hey I'd buy two as I have with everything else, but I decided to leave it out )

anyways, there's also the Muppets tonight 'stage' as well, while not as famous, you could theoreticallly do that as the smaller one, then if somewhere along the road there's a market for a deluxe one you could do the muppet show deluxe (or vice versa) it's two of almost the same thing though, so that probably does the idea in right there..

my only concern with the smaller stage would be that all the figures would be able to stand in it and look ok, size wise. (is thinking far down the road to sweetums, thog, etc) not a problem with something like the lab, but if the stage were to have curtains, they would cover up the top of the figure.


another thing is that I just can't picture how a balcony could be added and be sturdy enough to hold statler and waldorf and not look strange, but I'm not the creative one though...

there was something else, but alas, I can't remember..

Joe

 

[Juxton]

I believe the Grue that he is referring to is a creature from the world of the Zork games. The Grue was a monster that lived in the dark and you were only in danger of being eaten by it if you had no light. The avatar that Grail has is pretty much all anyone would see of the Grue. If you stood in the dark for too long (your lantern went out or you walked into a dark place without lighting a lantern) the Grue would eat you.

 

[ZootandDingo]

I agree that the skeletal frame would be the better way to go. In fact, if there is no back "wall" and just literally a frame, there probably wouldn't be a reason why the other playsets could not very well fit onto the stage as originally intended (it may just be a tight fit for some of the wider playsets). And when there is no "other" playset on the stage, a cardboard backdrop can be slid into the frame. I have a mental picture of exactly how it would look and work.

And really, all else you would need for a bare-bones stage playset is a little side wall for Statler and Waldorf's balcony. And if the figures themselves are coming with the chairs, then the playset couldn't really get much simpler. Maybe just keep the original idea of interlocking notches on the side should any "add-ons" be made in the future.

I'm sad to hear that some scaling back will have to be done to the Stage, but still I just don't think that means that the playset's original intent would need to be sacrificed. But of course, Ken and his crew will have better judgement of that.

On the topic of The Simpsons Main Street playset, I think Playmates' fatal flaw with this item is that the cost isn't warranting anything really unique. So you're getting a makeshift corner of a street with storefronts that don't go together on the show (one of which will get its own playset within the year), and you're getting two rather obscure characters (one a variant). Don't get me wrong, as a Simpsons fan I think it's a cool item and most likely every Simpsons collector with a spare $60 will grab one.....but how long do you think it will be before Main Streets are stacked up over the TRU shelving until next Halloween? (Heck, ever since the Treehouse of Horror III went up to $40, I can still find one or two at every TRU in my area.) Playmates is overestimating the novelty of this kind of item.

However, in the case of a Muppet Show stage, we're talking about perhaps the most recognizable setting of any Muppet project...something Muppet fans since the 70's have wanted to have a toy version of for displaying. Plus, the supposed pack-ins are Sweetums and Robin, two highly visible characters that any serious Muppet collector would want to own, but also two visually unique figures that would catch the eye of a more casual fan. I doubt even that would make them spend $60 for such an item, but I don't think a Muppet Stage will have the same sales results as a Main Street.

But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong, cha cha.

 

[frogboy4]

I really like the idea of a big theater playset. I'm sure it would be a big seller and a piece that any company would want to make in detail. It is the playset that I am most looking forward to. How can you have a Muppet Show series without a kick A theater?

The backstage doesn't really need to be deluxe. Hear me out. The backstage could be a regular playset in 2 pieces that clip together. The upstairs wall would be flat and have doors that either have very limited space inside or will later clip together with a dressing room playset. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have all of this in one? Sure, but it wouldn't be very cost effective. And this way would allow for better detail for each piece. Just think - a deluxe theater set that clips to a backstage set that clips to a dressing room set. And it is good for the longevity of the line because it encourages people to buy the sets!

 

[The Count]

Again, due to my visual condition, I'm not sure what a skeletal stage playset would entail. However, here's a small note upon the comparisons with the Ultarama set. The nice thing about the Ultarama display is that you can fit normal sized figures like Kermit, Piggy, and Fozzie, and even larger sized figures like Sweetums. The figures are placed on circular planks that connect with each other either as an open double-handcuff, circular levels or a revolving Lazy Susan display. Now here's my take on the flaws of the display from Ultarama.
1 You could place figures with no pegholes like Beaker, but they'd fall down during the ensuing spin of the circular construct.
2 These circular planks don't fully maximize the space for which they're intended. If the display system was made up of straightly lined planks, then many problems would be solved. You not only maximize the display system's space by using as much of it as possible, but the multiple levels truly look like an audience-filled set of bleachers.

I'm not really sure how this Theater Stage playset issue will be resolved, but I'm sure that Ken will do something wonderful with it and let us know what his decision is in the near future.
BTW: Hey frogboy4, just how excited are you after Barry Bonds got his #618 home run in last night's 2002 World Series Game 1 victory for San Fran?
Halloween, it's the scariest time of the year, the Count.

 

[grail]

Originally posted by Juxton
I believe the Grue that he is referring to is a creature from the world of the Zork games. The Grue was a monster that lived in the dark and you were only in danger of being eaten by it if you had no light. The avatar that Grail has is pretty much all anyone would see of the Grue. If you stood in the dark for too long (your lantern went out or you walked into a dark place without lighting a lantern) the Grue would eat you.

heh...i was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to get the reference, cool! i have to fess up, though...i havn't played Zork in years, but the grue was referenced in the User Friendly online comic this past week, and it brought back old memories...i ripped the avatar off from there too.

next week, i start looking for a new copy of Zork...that was a fun game...