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

[Fozzie Bear]

That's IT, LUKE!!

They could do a LIVE script reading with hats! The hats could represent each of the different characters they were portraying (ie, Goelz could have a Boober hat and a Matt hat; Karen has her Red Fraggle hat, Jerry could have a hat that looked like Gobo's head, etc).

I did a solo to get in the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and I did "If I only had a Heart, Brain, and Courage" as a medly, and changed hats for each character.

FOZ
(BUT! Not to delete the possibility of another Muppet Show Live!)

 

[frogboy4]

The more I think about it the more I like the idea that Sesame is a separate property than the rest of Henson. Without the Sesame property to manage, they can spend more energy promoting the Muppet Show gang, Creature Shop projects and maybe get some Fraggle DVDs released. I have felt that these properties have played second to Sesame promotions for a decade or so. Sesame Street is wonderful and I enjoy it very much, but they can take care of themselves. It would be nice to see the Muppet gang back on equal footing with the Sesame characters.

 

[Chilly Down]

Hear, hear, Jamie!

Luke, I totally hear what you're saying about the business side of things. It wouldn't be as easy as it once was, but I would hope something would be worked out. A big part of the TMS Live Show might be too much, but I think they should throw the puppeteers and their characters in with the Q&A session, at least. And I'm talking if it's in NY--if it's in CA again, or over in London, the absence is not so egregious. But if MF2 is in NY, and the Muppeteers are RIGHT THERE not being utilitized...that's the main idea that seemed "off" to me. Just like if they held it in London and DIDN'T use the puppeteers from The Hoobs.

And I'm all for the Fraggle people recording DVD commentary right in front of us! Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale did their recording for the Back to the Future movies the same way, at their alma mater, USC. Let's hope we see something like that!

 

[BoyRaisin2]

Jamie said: The more I think about it the more I like the idea that Sesame is a separate property than the rest of Henson. Without the Sesame property to manage, they can spend more energy promoting the Muppet Show gang, Creature Shop projects and maybe get some Fraggle DVDs released. I have felt that these properties have played second to Sesame promotions for a decade or so. Sesame Street is wonderful and I enjoy it very much, but they can take care of themselves. It would be nice to see the Muppet gang back on equal footing with the Sesame characters.


Me: I agree. Though Sesame crossovers and other staples of the more golden era of Henson (aka the 70s and 80s) would be nice to see, I think Henson should focus on putting the core Muppet group back in the forefront and try to make them appeal to today's audience. And the Christmas movie for NBC was a great start. That should be the top priority rather than Bert and Ernie popping up in the new Fox show.

As for the Sesame/Henson corporate thing, SS will always be an integral and significant part of the Muppets and nothing will take that away, but they're not Henson--as in "The Jim Henson Company"--anymore. Now I don't understand the whole relationship now if the SS Muppets were to appear at another convention or anniversary special, but if the two entities were to work something out that would be awesome.

But they are different companies, and there is a business side to Henson behind the flying penguins and rainbow connections and such, and the Family is well aware of that. That's not a bad thing, it's just the reality and it always has been. It's through those business dealings that Henson is able to do more amazing things. And whatever you've learned from the Muppets--whether it be a Frog or a Fraggle--and their past projects, no merger or deal will take that away from you. But as for the company itself, it does need to survive and expand and that's one main reason I supported Disney. But I'm positive Brian & Co. will always have the Muppets' best interests in mind, whether they sell again or not (though I'll always want Disney personally), so we'll see what happens.

And that's my rant.

 

[beaker]

Well, while there is no argument that Muppet Show and Sesame Street are pretty much brothers(or sisters, or whatnots and cousins) I guess there is an advantage to JHC not having to govern over SS now that I think about it. And think about it this way...it shows how large the Muppet universe is that one of the boggest franchises(sesame) can be completely run by a different company. Youd never see that with Disney or anyone else.

The Muppets are a global reaching edutainment fracnhise of unparralled rival, so I guess it does make sense to have a different company running that...as JHC needs all the time and energy they have to focus on the Muppet Show caharacters.

To clarify, I consider everything from 1955 til now with the exception of Creature shop Muppets...such is why I refer to
Kermit to Beaker to Pepe to Digit as "Muppet Show" muppets, instead of just "Muppets" or "Classic Muppets". To me Muppet Show just means the main brand, not neccesarily the 70's show TMS.

Finally...while I would prefer a stateside Muppetfest, I guess I would have to travel to London like everyone else if it is held there. Though that would have to be at leats a year away...if its in CA again or NY I could probably manage by December.

Im hoping they at least have a refurbished or usable Sprocket and Uncle Matt...as well as I think they should have a Skeksis or two on display. I would also like to see Telly and Oscar there as well, like Elmo was in during the q&a and live show.

 

[frogboy4]

Um...that's all good, but Red should be the first Fraggle made! Dave and Steve have several characters already, but more (especially Fraggles) is always better! You know, they probably have a Sprocket in fairly good shape. He pops up in so many projetcs and he's more fuzz than foam.

 

[plucky]

JHC and DVDs?

I'm sure this is one of those questions that cannot be answered yet, BUT....

Does this change of hands have any likely effect (positive or negative) on the release of JHC related DVDs?

I have seen some people says the words "some Fraggle DVDs", but I am specifically wondering about the following...

1) A COMPLETE set of TMS DVDs. Starting at Season 1 Episode 1 and going through to the end, including UK bits, and containg the correct openings, endings, etc? I for one will NOT buy these "Best Of" DVDs, yet if a complete set were released, I would run out and drop $300 for it in a heartbeat.

2) A COMPLETE set of Fraggle Rock DVDs. Same as above, I would not want to buy some episodes peacemail, or even what someone else would want to tell me they thought was the "best of", but I would instantly drop $300 to own the entire run.

3) Jim Hensons Storyteller on DVD? Those were some amazing shows when I saw them back in the day, and buying them on Video would just be a crime.

I am one of those people who think anyone who tries to sell a DVD with less then 4 episodes of something on it is a crime, against consumers and the environment (and anything else I can think of). Give me a DVD packed full (which is more then 3 episodes no matter what they try to tell you), and give me every episode and I'd buy it up like the good ole American consumer that I am.

Give me 3 episodes of whatever you feel like, and only a few DVDs at that, and I won't buy into it....

Ah well, heres hoping!

plucky

 

[frogboy4]

I agree with your opinion, but it isn't likely that TMS will have full season sets anytime soon. It would conflict with the Columbia Tristar/Time Life deal. These should have been released by season boxed sets to begin with.

 

[Mark Filton]

Yes, who is to say who's "best of???"

Do the whole thing, and include all the extra bits, that is what I want on the market

 

[Luke]

Yeah this doesn't change the whole DVD thing at all - if anything EMTV was MORE into getting all the product out there than Henson themsevles. Unfortunately complete seasons of TMS and Fraggle are very specialist (not many people gonna drop down $300) and it's hard for them to find a distributor (although good work has been done in France). As Jamie says right now it'd conflict with existing deals too and that deal will probably be renewed next year. There is a rumor though that there is some interest in a small Fraggle DVD release, most likely a 'Best Of'.

As for Storyteller - it's out on DVD in the UK. Just get multi-region your DVD player and order it from there.

Glad people liked the ideas for either a live script reading, or a live DVD style episode commentary for Fraggle at Muppetfest - that's why they pay me the big bucks ...... unfortunately it's chocolate money but thats life kids !