Ask Ken at Palisades

[matleo]

Hey Ken,

I know we've bombarded you with questions but nobody has asked the big one...


how'd the big office move go? Or how is it going? Do you like the new digs? Tell us all about it.

--Matt

 

[Crazy Harry]

Ken...

Will the reporter Kermit be waring pants?

 

[Squigiman]

Hey John,
I knew what was being referred to. The thing is, though, as I said in my other post, that personally, I thought that it was a good example of the dumbing down of Fozzie, and a low point for Muppet humor. I didn't think that it was such a great and wonderful outstanding moment that particular attention should be given to it in considering toy making, when there are so many other better ideas to choose from. Hope this cleared things up. Take care.

-Squigiman

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I GOT IT!!!

Muppet Central Exclusive Figs!!

A pack of 4 Penguins, one of which EXPLODES!!! HUH? HUH?!

HAAA...I think we got us a winner!

FOZ

 

[towels]

Originally posted by Squigiman
Hey Ken,
Just chiming in with a response to your response to my last question. Anyways, I sorta figured it maybe worked like that, you selling the toys in bulk to the stores, then them passing them on to the consumers, like us, but am semi-confused about that process. Ya see, in doing so wouldn't that mean that a poorly-selling line would do just as well as a good-selling line? With this being in place, couldn't you just make a so-so toy line, as opposed to say the excellence of the TMS line of yours, and then once they're sold to the stores, just laugh and shout "SUCKERS!!!!!" all the way to the bank??? Well, I can't wait to see your explanation for this, as it entices me.

Well, I know Ken and gang are busy moving, so perhaps I can fill in a little from my retail/production background...
Keep in mind that not just anybody can walk up to Toys R Us and have them buy something. You have to have some sort of established name to even get in the door. (The last thing they want is to sell toys from some fly-by-night company that could come apart and hurt some kid, then not be able to find the company when the lawsuits come calling). Once you have your foot in the door, you want to do what you can to keep it there and improve your relationship. Once again, you have to remember (and I never do) that Palisades is doing more than just Muppets. How many units of Muppet figures do you think TRU would buy if the had a bunch of previous shoddy Palisades figures rotting in the warehouse? Never mind trying to sell future waves. Given the time between waves, I would think TRU would have the ability to cancel their orders for series two if there had been no life in series one. (This point is more a guess than actual knowledge...but it's an educated guess)

One more thing, on a more general note, what's with the desire for stupid/disgusting variants of our favorite Muppet characters??? Piggy needing to pee, Zoot with a bong, and Fozzie being able to pick his nose??? To me, the last one just represents how the mighty bear has fallen in more recent years, not to mention all three being sort of out-of-place as figures from the start. I don't mean to offend anybody, but I just felt I had to express my opinion on this one. Take care.
-Squigiman

This was covered a little in later posts I think, but the nose-picking Fozzie is a little different case as it actually happened, whether you are proud of it or not. Since they are making a figure based on that scene, it wouldn't be out of line for the figure to be able to recreate it. It's not everyone's taste, but I'm sure it's one of my 11-year-old's favorite scenes. (Rotten peer pressure)

 

[MuppetQuilter]

Ken--

I finally finished going through the 126 pages of posts pulling out FAQ stuff. In the process I came across some posts I missed (had a little problem with the 'last unread post' option the other week-- it was taking me several posts beyond the last unread post). So I just read your response to my question about the Muppet lunch boxes going up on the Palisades site. Thanks!

Hope the move went smoothly-- or as smoothly as a move can go.

Now, about that penguin and the rare figures. Are those 10 cent figures available through the collector's club? If I save the penguin, will s/he be my penguin slave for life? Are they Muppet figures or just really rare collectible figures?

 

[Aerosmith]

Hey Im almost 17 and that Fozzie picking his nose part is about the only funny thing in MFS.

 

[ZootandDingo]

Re: I have a question....

Originally posted by matleo
have you guys thought about what colors you're going to use for the Zoot repaint? I was in the fabric store theother day and saw this pasley print and thought "That would be an awesome short for Zoot!" And it owul be in character. I think in Muppets celebrate Jim Henson (or some special) this is how Zoot dressed. it was just like his old shirt but with a pasley pattern on it. You might even be able to figure out a way to do a paint shield of some sort for it too if it really is a pattern. Hmmmm....

And if I may add to Matt's question, has it been decided if the Zoot repaint will also have a different skin tone as Zoot did throughout different seasons? I am just thinking how cool it would be to have on my shelf a normal sky-blue Zoot next to an aqua-green Zoot.

 

[frogboy4]

What If..........

What if Disney buys Henson? Will the figures continue on? Just concerned frogboy.

 

[John Steffens]

Ken,
I have a suggestion.
With some of the muppets, basically to some of them, all they have to them is accerories and not wardrobes.

So, could you release Muppet accerories??

Like in Muupets From Space
Fozzie has a hawaiian lai(spell?) and a Teekee drink.
Gonzo has his telescope from the cereal box and his bowl of alphabet cereal.

Stuff like that??