EM.TV to Sell Muppets to Jim Henson's Children for $89 Million

[BoyRaisin2]

Originally posted by aaron likes rowlf
getting back on topic im going to miss the excitement of the whole who will own the muppets thing

Yeah, for 2 years we've been asking ourselves "Who will buy Henson?" Now that we know for sure, it's like "OK, now what?"

 

[frogboy4]

Now I hope they'll focus on projects. The now what is whether or not Henson will have enough funding left over to create new product and what that product will be. Will the new show hit Fox this fall or be a mid-season replacement? What day and time slot should it air? What will be the setting? The public could also use another Muppet film to set things right after MFS. When and where will the next Muppet Fest be? Lots of now what possibilities!

 

[Aaron]

where do we start i mean there's nothing more to say on this topic let's start our ideas for the fox show

 

[Chilly Down]

Muppets haven't done very well as midseason replacements, but then I fear it'd be even worse if they started at the beginning of the season. Call me crazy, but March-April has never worked out for the Muppets. I hate to say it, but the Muppets might work best as a summer series when there's virtually no competition. The net might give them a chance to grow and keep them in a consistent spot. So I guess if I were running the company, I'd put the Muppets to work right away in a few more TV-movies for NBC (one per sweeps period), all the while developing the Fox series for a launch in summer 2004.

As much as I'd love another theatrical movie (a good one, of course), I think it's still too risky at this point. As I've said, there IS an affection among the general populace for these characters, but too many non-fan people also still have something of a bad taste in their mouth from projects from the past decade. If the "master plan" goes well and the show has a successful run, then I think the next movie would get a big reception after that series goes off the air...even though that wouldn't be till 2009.

I'm not actually in favor of a Muppet Fest this year anymore. Firstly, for selfish reasons, because I have no money even if they were to have another show right now. Secondly, there's no reason for the company to put off working on projects to basically have another nostalgia fest. This is the time for gaining momentum. After they've had several TV-movies and got 13 episodes of the Fox series in the can, they can time MF 2 for 2004, just in time to promote the launch of the new series.

BTW, I'm still in favor of MF 2 in NY with a heavy Sesame theme, as it'll be the 35th anniversary of Sesame. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Elmo to take over the Fest or anything. But I want Caroll Spinney and Fran Brill, etc. to be taking their rightful place alongside the other Muppeteers this time, and I want to hear their insights on their longtime collaboration with the company. I also think a dialogue between Oscar and Pepe would be hysterical.

But all those are, of course, just my thoughts.

Aaron likes Rowlf (can I call you ALR for short?), I'm not sure this thread is entirely done, but if you start a thread about the new series, I'll jump in!

 

[frogboy4]

I'd be up for Muppet Fest 2004 in NY, but I would not want it to have a singular Sesame Fest theme. I might not go out of my way for that. I love SS, but not with the same sort of passion as the Muppet Show, Fraggle and Creature Shop gang and I wouldn't want an over saturation of Sesame. We get that in products and television already. I would certainly hope all casts would be there - including Sesame.

I agree that a film should come after a successful series. The Fox show should be carefully timed. Maybe it could follow a strong weekday show like American Idol. I know many members around here aren't keen on the show, but it could help draw some numbers to the Muppets. It could also get the much-needed Muppet-ignorant younger viewers into the mix. Summer could be a good time, but I hope it doesn't take that long. I think late fall could be a good shot - once all the must-see shows have premiered.

I just hope it isn't another variety show. I don't think that sells these days. I'd much rather see how the Muppets live in real life. That's what I liked most about the Muppet special. There was a little bit of show, but they weren't chained inside the theater.

 

[Chilly Down]

Right. Let me make it clear I don't want a Sesame Fest. The anniversary celebration is more just to give it an even better reason for being in NY. But that would only be one part of the Fest, which would be mainly TMS character-centered. There should also be a segment focusing on all the Muppet productions that have filmed in NY over the years.

Hey, 2004 will also be the 20th anniversary of Muppets Take Manhattan. How about an entire Fest dedicated to the Muppet Babies and Piggy's 80's perm? (ducks as people throw rotten tomatoes at him)

I'm not sure if the Muppets would perform well after American Idol. A few years back, Fox premiered a funny, smart, exciting sci-fi show called Sliders. Because Fox had respect for the show, they gave it a time slot behind their hottest show: Beverly Hills 90210. That crowd couldn't follow Sliders, and so the show was plagued with bad ratings for the rest of its life. (The story's much more complicated than that, but that's the short version.) I fear putting a savvy Muppet series behind bubbly-headed Idol, even if Idol is the top show, can only spell problems.

I do agree that the next show shouldn't be straight variety. They should be living in the boarding house from MFS, for a more sitcom format, but they'd still be entertainers so they could go to the Theater as much as need be for stories.

 

[frogboy4]

Who could argue with that? I'd love for there to be a MTM tie-in theme to MF. I remember seeing the original MTM exhibit in Central Park when I was a kid. That sure ages me! I want there to be as many Muppet characters of all sorts that they can fit into the Fest! I'd also like to see some non-traditional Muppets performed. A firey would be very cool! Unfortunately they'd have to rebuild a puppet and that's not very likely.

A live fest variety show starring all of the Muppets would rock! I'd do anything to see that! I also want to see Fraggles! Someone make Karen a Red puppet!

I really like the boarding house idea. It makes sense. Poor Kermit has to deal with everybody 24/7! But it's when the Muppets venture outside of the soundstage and interact with real people that they become really interesting.

 

[Chilly Down]

There was a TMTM exhibit in Central Park? How cool is that? Do give details, please!

I agree about TMS Live. I'd like to see an extended (about 15 minutes or so) entirely devoted to SS; probably a musical medley or something. They could also do a belated Fraggle Rock anniversary production number, and (since all the performers are seen during a live show, and we want to show them off) a number with more realistic Creatures as you suggested. I'd love to see a Fiery too, but we probably won't see that. If they did another Creature just as complicated, it would truly show off the immense talent of all those puppeteers.

Heck, they could even have a filmed fantasy sequence with the Babies in honor of their anniversary. As long as we're shooting for the moon, why not?

If they DO decide to have MF 2 in 2003, then I'd actually hope they have it in Pasadena/Santa Monica, but again that's for selfish reasons: I live within driving distance of there now, so it's a feasible trip for me. And I'd get to show other Muppet fans around town! (And yes, in case you're wondering, the Henson/Chaplin Studio is within driving distance, and I have driven by it once just to confirm that I know how to get there...just in case that information ever becomes important.)

We are definitely on the same track about the Muppet series. You need the human element to tie it in. I have more thoughts on how exactly that would work, but I don't feel comfortable saying it on such a big public forum, lest someone steal my idea and take it to JHC. If you'd really like to know more, e-mail me. (And that goes for you too, JHC! LOL!)

 

[Drtooth]

As for the Jetsons movie... You're finding this out NOW????

They've released plans back in 1996!!!!!

 

[Luke]

Originally posted by beaker
There is nothing modern about it...whereas if you look at MFS, Muppetisms, the Mastercard commercial there is nothing 'old' looking about the Muppet brand...

Aside from the fact everybody and his dog associates them with the 70's because that's when they were most popular, and the larger percentage of the Muppets audience is nostalgic people from their early twenties to late thirties ? Try asking someone at Henson about the numbers for kids and teens and they'll start coughing loudly and change the subject !

C'mon Scooby is just as well recognised and welcomed as the Muppets are nowdays, and whether Scooby looks dated or not - it sells. That's all that matters - Henson would KILL for Scoobys younger audience.