Ask Ken at Palisades

[wong]

just out of curiosity what was the production run for series 1?

I can't help but keep saying the line is awesome, now if you could send me a vanishing beaker (like you never heard that before )

 

[ResidentLilly]

Ahhh...nothing like sitting down to my coffee and reading the board. Been sporadic on here lately cause my home ISP blows. No high speed internet all day yesterday and the day before.

Regarding the case pack. Many on-line retailers were given even cases. Michael is right on that point...they need even sets. It's a judgement call on the assortment. I think an even case pack is smart in some cases, not in others. I think the reason Piggy will be the peg wamer, and there is one in every line no matter what you do, is because it is an inferior piece, especially when compared to the exclusive. AND...word is from Henson that Piggy sells more weakly across the board in all merchandising.

So was it a bad call to have four per case? Maybe...but you never know these things until you are on the shelf. Let's say we even pack Series 2. Will everyone be as jazzed to pick up Harry as Teeth? Who knows? I don't. Bottom line is that we will use our best judgement on the future assortments, and invariably we will be right with some, wrong with others. Personally, I think it was the right call to short pack Bunsen and Teeth. First, not that many playsets made it into retail. This means there are already a great deal more Bunsens than Beakers. In any case...it's always a guessing game.

uncleduke
Kane, Sorry bro, but the WOS line died after the assortment that had Willy, Ralph and Itchy & Scratchy.

No offense, but this statment bothers me for some reason. Why would you consider the Simpson line "dead"? It still has SOLID numbers...and if I have their numbers on Muppets Series 8 I will dance a jig in the streets. Is it as strong as it was? No...but it is far, far from dead.

Drtooth
#1: How big will Rizzo be? Is he going to be in scale with the other character?

He will be slightly out of scale. Shorter than Kermit, but not as small as he would be in the puppet form. I want articulation in this figure. Half the size will mean really limited.

#2 Do you see Rizzo with an accessory, or another character? And If you decide on a classic character (and not, as I suggested, Pepe) what other small, short character would come with him (Cammella is planned for another Gonzo, and I hear Robin might come with Sweetums)? Or would you make Rizzo the accessory character for another Muppet?

Rizzo will be his own fig. He will come with a lot of stuff.

#3: Does the set have to be related with just the Muppet show? I mean, he could be a waiter (with a tie on apron and a tray) like in Muppets Take Manhatten or something. If he does have to be from the show, ponder this: An electric Gutiar. I belive he was in a number with Janice and Animal once, Fifty Ways to Leave your Lover, I presume.

Not really...but likely. Whatever I try to get approved will be easier if it is from the show or more generalized.

#4 (and thankfully the last one) Have you considered Multiple accessoris? You could give him different food items (maybe the talking vegetables) , and maybe a mouse Trap. If anyone has seen several episodes with him in it, please give out some ideas

Depending on the size he will probably come with 4 or 5 things.

wong just out of curiosity what was the production run for series 1?

Unfortunately I can't give out that data at this time.

EmmyMik Ken,
Last week I bought a Bunsen figure, however, once I got home I found out that my Robot Rabbit only has one foot (the right foot is missing). I would take it back, however that store is out of Bunsens. I don't want to go storming all over town just to get a Robot Rabbit with two feet. Is it possible for me to get a foot? The leg isn't broken or anything, it just looks like the foot was never put on.

That is the SECOND time I have heard on the unlucky rabbit's foot. E-mail me...give me your address...I'll send you a new Robot Rabbit. Do you mind one that has his feet painted black? This is a pre-production sample. Actually, come to think of it...it is frankly rare since we dropped the black shoes.

frogboy4 Will we ever see the rooted hair Piggy that you nixed like we saw the Beaker one. Really curious.

Wow...don't know. It REALLY sucks though...

FER SURE 2 quick ?'s
1. Have you guys decided on a final price for VC Beaker?

Yes. 15 bucks at the show. Before everyone starts to scream about the evil empire that is Palisades...you do know we have to air freight these in right? Have you ever Fed Ex'd something from Hong Kong to here? It AIN'T cheap.

2. Will we get to see some packaging pics of him anytime soon?

Week before the show on the bit most likely. Did you see the big pic of him on the Bit?

*Warrick* Hey,
what are the chances of the Electric Mayhem coming with Head Phones?

.00000000000000000000000000001%

 

[gorry]

oh boy now for gorry's really,really dumb questions!

1.how's the beaker campaign goin?
2.and when's that sticker that says look for (whatever)
in series (whatever) going to be on the packaging?

 

[ResidentLilly]

gorry
oh boy now for gorry's really,really dumb questions!
1.how's the beaker campaign goin? ?

Beaker's campaign is going quite well. He has mobilized his infantry and smashed through the direct center of the enemy front line. Using state-of-the-art targeting equipment, he is currently blowing the heck out of "military" targets.

2.and when's that sticker that says look for (whatever)
in series (whatever) going to be on the packaging?

Starting with Series 2, a "coming soon" for Series 3 will be on the back of the package.

Ken

 

[Alex888]

Rizzo....not proportional....I am going to spew...

I can't believe Rizzo is going to be out of proportion...you just don't do that!! You make him a small PVC figure that is in proportion to and comes packed with another figure.

Same with Robin, Camilla, Gaffer, Foofoo....I mean who wants a Robin who is almost as tall as his uncle?

yuck...Rizzo is one I won't be buyin'!

no offense...opinion only.

PS Don't anyone ever order from TOY WIZ.COM....I haven't received one of my figures yet....I ordered them a looooong time ago...very disappointing.

alexzealand

 

[ResidentLilly]

Is that the general consesus around here? Is it that important to have a teeny weeny Rizzo? I'm thinkin' he would come up to about Kermit's collar. OK, so how do folks here weigh in on this?

A PVC, non articulated Rizzo? Or one that is a bit bigger that you can actually pose?

Let's hear it...

Ken

 

[Phillip]

Here's a Rizzo poll where people can cast their votes and state why or why not they want Rizzo to be in scale.

 

[Luke]

Personally speaking i think you'd be off your rocker to make Rizzo the same kinda size to the other characters - i think he'd probably end up looking like some tall rat rather than the Rizzo we all know and love.

I wouldn't say making him a tiny PVC non articulated 'pack in' character is the right solution though either. I would say just go a little smaller than you are already planning to do, and make him semi-articulated. Just a few points so his arms, legs and head can move rather than going all out like with the other figures. Maybe pack him with quite a few accesories to make up for the smaller figure size.

So in conclusion i would say somewhere inbetween either options that have been suggested.

 

[FER SURE]

Ken-

Thanks for the quick responses! I can understand the Air Freight thing. I used to work for Disney and on several occasions got the chance to ship gifts to Japan, and it always wound up costing more than the merchandise. ***THE FOLLOWING SECTION CONTAINS SECRET INFORMATION. NOT TO BE USED AGAINST ME*** I have to say though that I dont care. I would pay 40 dollars each and still get 2. Not that I could, just that I would if I had to. ***SECRETS OVER*** I did see the pic on the bit and he looks great. I just really love the packaging of this line. It makes me wanna become a Graphic Designer again. Thats a whole road that we wont touch though, cause I am erasing the memories of high school from my fragile little mind.

 

[Michael Crawford]

Rizzo!

I see Rizzo as an accessory. He needs to be in scale, and that means small.

Other than simple cut joints at the shoulders and neck, I think articulation would be out of the question at that scale.

Michael
MWC