I'm actually probably in the minority of likeing Wave 4 over 3 - Scooter is the only real star of that wave for me besides the Chef, and with the Kitchen looking fantastic we have to hope he doesn't suffer the Labs/Beaker problem. I've never liked the Lew Sculpt though and Tux figures don't interest me - i find them pointless although Rowlf is probably the more relevant character to be 'Tuxed' as he comes with the piano etc but i'm not so sure people will take to it like a regular and more recognisable Rowlf. Zoot isnt the most exciting character but it's a nice sculpt and people will be able to continue to collect the 'Mayhem' which is cool.
Wave 4 to me is all about really funky looking figures and packed and clever accessories, not just traditionalist Muppet characters. Rizzo is obviously the star here and both versions are excellent as are the stuff he comes with. Albeit less recognisable the P.I.S characters look brillant and very Muppety, almost a comic like look to them. I think they'll help to encourage people to get the Swinetrek when that comes out and also hopefully pull in a few non-collectors who just like the look of the figures. Again MTI Sam is a very good looking sculpt and has an interesting look so i think that'll help. It certainly wouldn't suprise me if MTI Sam was way more popular than Tuxedo Rowlf.
The one's that actually worry me to the point of being so weak they are dire is 6 & 7 - although i recognise the line-up is not set in stone yet. I don't think they should be doing Statler & Waldorf in the same wave because they are very similar characters and i think a wave should have more variety. Beau is a character only really remembered by traditional Muppet Show fans, and Clifford also i think is very weak - he'd be fine for an obscure character in a strong line but this 6 is probably too weak to have two versions of him. Muppets Tonight just wasnt a popular enough show and he's been underused to the point of near non-existance since then.
Seven is also looking terribly weak. Again it's mixing two partner characters and this time newer MTI ones - Johhny Fiama and Sal. By early 2004 we'll be seeing the new show hopefully and it's unlikely Brian Henson will do anything for it so Sal won't have any TV exposure. Also if certain people didn't like the whole 'Johhny Fiama and Sal' thing (i hated it) then thats two figures out of the wave they won't buy. Marvin Suggs and his Muppaphones is really obscure and not recognisable to people who didn't see much of the Muppet Show - yes it's a classic skit but i think it'd be better placed within a stronger line-up. I guess the character to be announced could be a really strong main one though - personally i think it might help to have Statler & Johnny in 6, and Waldorf and Sal in 7 rather than pairing them up.
Again, these were early line-up details so i'm not knocking anyone but just giving the opinion that compared to these ones we are seeing now, the later ones could be a lot weaker. Thats why i like the variations of the main characters - much more likely people will keep buying into the line and pick up the 1 or 2 obscures also included.
Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
Jim Henson Idea Man
Back to the Rock Season 2
Bear arrives on Disney+
Sam and Friends Book
We just got a great new scooter back in front. It would be a shame to make scooter go back into the background. Is this official that he won't be in the new show or is it just speculation? In fact, is the new show official or just speculation? Maybe I should ask this somewhere else.