• Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
    You are viewing our forum as a guest. Join our free community to post topics and start private conversations. Please contact us if you need help.
  • Christmas Music
    Our 24th annual Christmas Music Merrython is underway on Muppet Central Radio. Listen to the best Muppet Christmas music of all-time through December 25.
  • Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
    Let us know your thoughts on the Sesame Street appearance at the annual Macy's Parade.
  • Jim Henson Idea Man
    Remember the life. Honor the legacy. Inspire your soul. The new Jim Henson documentary "Idea Man" is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
  • Back to the Rock Season 2
    Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock Season 2 has premiered on AppleTV+. Watch the anticipated new season and let us know your thoughts.
  • Bear arrives on Disney+
    The beloved series has been off the air for the past 15 years. Now all four seasons are finally available for a whole new generation.
  • Sam and Friends Book
    Read our review of the long-awaited book, "Sam and Friends - The Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show" by Muppet Historian Craig Shemin.

eFX's Rizzo Thread

frogboy4

Inactive Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
10,080
Reaction score
358
Um dude ... if this was five years ago when Beaker wasnt being used much i would kinda half agree with you, although even then he was always a pop culture symbol and these posers are obviously marketed to pop culture lovers. But recently we had "Ode To Joy" ... 10 MILLION hits (probably more). He was a viral sensation, near enough Susan Boyle like. Most people know who he is now, probably only Kermit is more recognisable and loved at the moment.

Beaker would be a perfect choice right about now. While he's "hot" in marketing terms.
I just did a check on Ebay and of all of the Sideshow Busts - only Beaker is unavailavle and Scooter is the lowest priced of the buy-it-now bunch. Scooter's one of my faves, but that's the marketplace skinny and has been for a while. Same stats for Ebay UK. TMS accurate Super Scooter exclusive action figure is cheaply found everywhere well under retail price ($5 in some cases) while the non-show based Super Beaker exclusive figure goes for big bucks from $50-100+. While this isn't a technical science, it's safe to say that in high and low priced Muppet collectibles, Beaker is king! I really hope that Scooter rises in popularity too.

You know the item that had some of the most sluggish sales? The Pigs In Space Swinetrek with First Mate Piggy. It was an excellent piece, but you can still pick that up for a steal.
 

Davina

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2003
Messages
844
Reaction score
9
honestly, right now, I'd be happy with some nicely done reasonably realistic and not too overly priced plushes.. I mean, I want the posers, too, but right now, I'd really like to see just about anything in the market...
 

frogboy4

Inactive Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
10,080
Reaction score
358
honestly, right now, I'd be happy with some nicely done reasonably realistic and not too overly priced plushes.. I mean, I want the posers, too, but right now, I'd really like to see just about anything in the market...
We need a [LIKE] button for such insightful comments! I agree 100% :super:
 

Was Once Ernie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2005
Messages
959
Reaction score
4
honestly, right now, I'd be happy with some nicely done reasonably realistic and not too overly priced plushes.. I mean, I want the posers, too, but right now, I'd really like to see just about anything in the market...
I'm sure the plush license is available if someone wanted it. It just won't come from eFX. They make replicas. That's what business they've chosen to be in.

:stick_out_tongue:
 

muppetperson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2005
Messages
3,719
Reaction score
402
I'm sure the plush license is available if someone wanted it. It just won't come from eFX. They make replicas. That's what business they've chosen to be in.

:stick_out_tongue:
If someone did want to make realistic plush, I am sure eFX would have something to say about it as it would be direct competition with their licence! I know I wouldnt be happy if I was given a licence to make a product and then find another licence was granted for almost the same thing which would kill your product.I would be putting in a halt to it.
 

Luke

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
7,405
Reaction score
98
If someone did want to make realistic plush, I am sure eFX would have something to say about it as it would be direct competition with their licence! I know I wouldnt be happy if I was given a licence to make a product and then find another licence was granted for almost the same thing which would kill your product.I would be putting in a halt to it.
I'm sure eFX doesn't have the Muppet license for all large plush. There are probably definitions and terms in their license to seperate it from the regular plush license. For instance "large plush with armatures with a quantity of less than 1,000" etc or there may even be a "specialist replica" category.

A license for ALL plush would be serious money that i doubt a small company could ever afford. Thats why i've always doubted eFX would be allowed to make a large replica plush without it being an articulated poser.
 

Was Once Ernie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2005
Messages
959
Reaction score
4
I don't know what kind of plush toys you guys are buying, but I've never seen a plush that could be mistaken for a real Muppet or even a poser. Unless you guys have some other definition of a plush toy that I'm not familiar with. High-end plush like Steiff are still plush toys. No one is going to make a Muppet plush out of Antron fleece for instance or use fuzzy sticky paper for irises that can be peeled off by a kid.

It's either a replica or it's a toy. I'm sorry, I don't see this gray area in the middle that you're looking for.

Yes, there have been some nice plush toys over the years and if you're just lamenting the dearth of Muppet product, then that I can understand. But saying that eFx should look into doing plush because the replicas are just too difficult is where I'm failing to grasp this concept.

:stick_out_tongue:
 

frogboy4

Inactive Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
10,080
Reaction score
358
I don't know what kind of plush toys you guys are buying, but I've never seen a plush that could be mistaken for a real Muppet or even a poser. Unless you guys have some other definition of a plush toy that I'm not familiar with. High-end plush like Steiff are still plush toys. No one is going to make a Muppet plush out of Antron fleece for instance or use fuzzy sticky paper for irises that can be peeled off by a kid.

It's either a replica or it's a toy. I'm sorry, I don't see this gray area in the middle that you're looking for.

Yes, there have been some nice plush toys over the years and if you're just lamenting the dearth of Muppet product, then that I can understand. But saying that eFx should look into doing plush because the replicas are just too difficult is where I'm failing to grasp this concept.

:stick_out_tongue:
Call me a dreamer, but I think there's much unexplored territory in-between the average plush and a 100% authentic, individually handmade poser.

One of those rungs belongs to the MR posers *and* whatever Rizzo or Kermit poser EFX releases through the factory process. The needle is already a few points over for this product due to the fact that each won't be build by a lifelong puppet building expert like the official ones they represent.

My idea is to tweak that needle just a little bit more if needed --- but (and this is the very important part I've been reiterating) --- as long as it doesn't compromise the appearance of how the character should look. There are some little changes that, IMHO, could not only help bring the product to market but in some cases could also make it look more authentic than trying to make it 100% authentic and falling short of the mark due to the nature of these being factory made in large batches rather than the far more intense individual attention received by real production posers.

I know many will disagree with this idea, but please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. What you just described in your post is a far cry from anything I’ve stated and not what I would want either. :embarrassed:
 

muppetperson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2005
Messages
3,719
Reaction score
402
I don't know what kind of plush toys you guys are buying, but I've never seen a plush that could be mistaken for a real Muppet or even a poser. Unless you guys have some other definition of a plush toy that I'm not familiar with. High-end plush like Steiff are still plush toys. No one is going to make a Muppet plush out of Antron fleece for instance or use fuzzy sticky paper for irises that can be peeled off by a kid.

It's either a replica or it's a toy. I'm sorry, I don't see this gray area in the middle that you're looking for.

Yes, there have been some nice plush toys over the years and if you're just lamenting the dearth of Muppet product, then that I can understand. But saying that eFx should look into doing plush because the replicas are just too difficult is where I'm failing to grasp this concept.

:stick_out_tongue:
What people are refering to as realistic plush is the same manufacturing process as the posers(ie made by the same studio pattern and same or simular materials) but instead of putting it over a wire armature, it will just be soft filled like plush.So it will be a visual replica, but cheaper because the armature process isnt involved.
 
Top